First time trip to DR

[theurbancanadian]

Hey everybody, I'm taking a trip with my girlfriend to DR and this is my first time going there. Anybody have any suggestions on what to bring, where to go, what to do/see? I'm in my early 20s so I'm mostly looking to drink, shop and party which I can do at my hotel but I'm looking for things that are outside the hotel but close. I am staying at the Gran Bahia Principe so if anybody can help me out, that would be cool. Also, if anybody has stayed at this hotel, how did you find it and what tips do you have for me. Thanks in advance.

[mx6driver]

Hey,

DR is amazing..... I went with my g/f in Novemeber. We are also in our early 20's. We stayed at Paradise Beach Club- in Playa Dora.... I think it is in a completely different area then where you are going to be in, but i'm sure it will be good.

some tips:

Bring US money and don't bother getting ANY pesos.. also it's better to bring more $$ then you think you will need. The charges/conversion rates there are a insane..

Also, bring stuff for the children in the area (stuff from the dollar store works well, candy, pencils etc) they will be after you for stuff if you leave the resort, and u'll feel bad if you don't have anything for them.

If you do any day trips do not book with the rep in the hotel, their prices are MUCH MUCH higher then everywhere else.

HAGGLE,HAGGLE and HAGGLE---all the vendors mark up their stuff to a point where haggeling is expected--- ie, keychains are going for like $5US, finiding a shot glass for under $5 is almost impossible--- unless you haggle--- most people will easily be able to drop the price by 1/2....
I wanted a painted which was for 200US, and I was willing to pay about 100 for it---- I got it for 40--but then I came here and realized that it would cost 200 to mount.... so don't get any paintings

Most people in the dominican are really really nice, expcially on the resorts--- they will go out of their way to help you..... but if you leave the resort-- be carefull--- they act nice, but they are expecting money from you....we had a bad experice with this--- we asked some guy what bus to take to Susua-- and he said he was also going there, and we would need to go on the same bus as he was going on---- he acted nice the whole way there (30 min trip) and they when we got there he started to follow us and wanted a "tip" for taking us to the city

also, if you go to the market with any of the resport staff/ or the cabbie offers to show you around--- they are getting a cut of what you spend.... the vendor charges you more and gives $$ to the person who brought you the store---so beware

bring bug spray

thats all i can think of now...... msg me you have any questions

enjoy!!!

[lochlan651]

Go here lots of tips, reviews and stuff.

http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/

[theurbancanadian]

Thanks for the advice and the website. Please keep the suggestions coming. mx6driver, your comment will help me a lot, thank you. It's good to know how to deal with vendors since I want to buy a lot of different things there.

[Mattones]

I went to the Riu Batcha(SP?) It was my first time ever travleing and i went alone. WHAT A GREAT PLACE.

Remember not to over pack. By other packing i mean socks. haha i didnt even wear socks there. or pants. Just buy decent shorts that look nice. haha. man next time i go all i wil lbring is

Cleaning Supplies for myself
-3 shirts
-2 or 3 pants
-boxers.
-Swim trunks.

ahha

[CSK'sMom]

Don't forget to get your TwinRX (Hepatitis) vaccine and IIRC they are recommending malaria meds for the Punta Cana region of the DR currently. There was a piece on the TO news about a month ago about all the people coming back with malaria...

[mx6driver]

yup.... don't forget your shots...

and DO NOT drink the water..... don't even brush ur teeth with the water.

do not let any of the girls go to disco alone.... and if you go alone, thoese girl who are hitting on you are most likely prostitutes... be carefull, they all have wrist bands and appear to be staying at the resort. well it was like this at our resort, and the same at other from what i have heard

if you are going to do an excurision--- do the dune buggies---it was a lot of fun, we also went to paradise island( i think you should be able to do that trip as well) this was also really good... the water there was super clear, and the snorkling was amazing... lots and lots of fish---they ate banannas right out of my hand---- the only bad thing is that it was a LONG bus ride for us.
we also went cliff diving at some national park...... it was also great, but not very safe..... but still a great experience....
we paid 100USD for all 3 trips from a vendor at the mall..... we paid him 40 up front and then paid the rest for each trip when we got on the bus....
the nolitours rep was charging over 100USD for only paradise island....

the beer there is horrible..... worse then the $1 beers here..... but the mixed drinks were good...

when you go shopping, try and shop where the dominicans shop, not the tourists shops---- u'll get things much much cheep there....but be careful.... the people in some areas are really really poor, so keep your valuables safe....

before you leave---- go to the banks and get a lot of $1 bills.... it will go a long way.... and tipping didn't really do much for us... i mean.... we didint have really good service or really bad service.... but i tipped the maid daily and left her a nice gift on the first day... i also tipped the bar tenders a few $$$ a day...... but since the resort was not really busy when we went, there was never an issue getting drinks/service....

the food there is not the greatest... and i think spagetti is the national food...it was served everywhere, for every meal.....

dont forget about ur entry/exit fees $20 each way(i think, i know there was one for leaving)..... so have that stored away and RENT the safe in your room....the $2 a day is definatly worth the peice of mind.....

take swimming shorts with ZIPPERS.... so your stuff does not fall out(this is alot more important then you think) ..... if you lose you keys, its expensive to get a new one..... and all US/DR currency is water proof....

also, take a non see through beach bag..... you'll want to keep ur camera, towels etch in it while ur in the water....

let me know how it is when you get back.....

me and my g/f are going to Cuba on the 18th..... gonna be my first time there..

[theurbancanadian]

It's a little under 2 months before I leave and I'm starting to get prepared. Is there anything you guys can suggest to prepare for the trip. For example, what shots should I make sure I have? Thanks.

[mx6driver]

It's a little under 2 months before I leave and I'm starting to get prepared. Is there anything you guys can suggest to prepare for the trip. For example, what shots should I make sure I have? Thanks.


get your twinRX -- do it soon though... I think there is some time requirement before it is fully effective.. and jsut be careful with what you eat....ask the people if they wash their salads in tap water... so just avoid the water and you'll be ok..... I had ice in all of my drinks and I was fine... but always do some investigating on teh resort... they may have filtered water...

[funnyjelloo]

I went to Gran Bahia Principe in the DR about 2 years ago. The resort is absolutely beautiful and very big. It is actually 2 resorts back to back and are mirror images of each other. One is the Bahia Principe and the other is Bahia Principe Bavaro. You have access to both places and their facilities/restaurants. Just a tip, once you get to the resort, book all your a la carte dinners ahead of time as they get booked up very quickly. The a la carte dinners and the food at the buffets were actually pretty good. As well, book your water activites in advance too (some are free and some cost money) and bring an underwater camera! I also got my shots before I went. I believe I was told that the resort uses some kind of filtered water so it was safe to have drinks with ice in them as well as brush your teeth with the tap water, however, I did not attempt to drink it! There is a mini fridge in the room and is stocked up everyday with bottled water, soft drinks and beer. There is a beach market located right on the beach which is about a 30 minute walk from the resort. It's nice to see but their things are not very cheap. You can get the same stuff on the resort for about the same price however the market is different and nice to see.

[theurbancanadian]

Thanks, I have a doctor's appointment at the beginning of April so I think that should be enough time, I will verify.

As for the water, that's one time everybody that went to DR has told me about. I've also heard that hotel has a water filteration system but I still don't think I will be using the tap water. It feels like there's so many things I was to watch to guarantee a great time. I usually take my vacations to Jamaica or the US and, for the most part, I'm free to be worry and carefree except in LA :lol:.