[MacNNUK]

I gather a lot of US Citizens holiday in the Dominican Republic, we are going for a week, from the UK, first time visit, end of March, so ask your advice.

We are staying at the Fun Royale & Tropicale Beach Resorts in Playa Dorada, hiring a car for the week, and going fully inclusive.

http://dr1.com/directories/hotels/fu...ropicale.shtml

is but one website, I have bookmarked quite a few.

Your experiences of the complex, or the island are most welcome ...

I have yet to find a cohesive map and list of attractions, it's all a bit bitty, pointers most welcome.

I am aware of not to drink the tap water, and DEET and Malaria precautions, really after your thoughts on the island, did you enjoy your stay etc ?

One thing we usually do is buy a couple of local SIM cards, so we can remain in touch with each other inexpensively, works especially well in USA, we especially like Cingular as we can phone each other for free, whilst in the USA, and we have a Nobelcom phone home card.

Orange seems to be recommended as a DR SIM.

Thanks

[lyanma]

I don't know much about Puerto Plata only been ther once. Just went to the malecon, there is also a "colonial city" I'm not sure how to call it in english. I've heard Playa Dorada is good for surfing and windsurfing.
I'm not sure what you are talking about when you mentioned the water it's just that we don't drink tap water. Also make sure you don't drink the water they sell in plastic bags and don't drink water from the brand called "Crystal".
Buy as many moskito repelent as you can, there is no malaria in DR, just Dengue. I have not heard of any recent case of malaria at all.
I don't know if Orange has a good service in Puerto Plata but I recommend you Claro if you want to stay in touch with each other...There is this new cellphone out that is not expensive at all, it's called Alcatel, it costs probably 200.00 pesos.
The people are very welcoming, they are always looking forward to chat a little with you and make you laugh.
And...enjoy the island, if you want to know what typical food you can eat or anything else just ask

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by lyanma 

I don't know much about Puerto Plata only been ther once. Just went to the malecon, there is also a "colonial city" I'm not sure how to call it in english. I've heard Playa Dorada is good for surfing and windsurfing.
I'm not sure what you are talking about when you mentioned the water it's just that we don't drink tap water. Also make sure you don't drink the water they sell in plastic bags and don't drink water from the brand called "Crystal".
Buy as many moskito repelent as you can, there is no malaria in DR, just Dengue. I have not heard of any recent case of malaria at all.
I don't know if Orange has a good service in Puerto Plata but I recommend you Claro if you want to stay in touch with each other...There is this new cellphone out that is not expensive at all, it's called Alcatel, it costs probably 200.00 pesos.
The people are very welcoming, they are always looking forward to chat a little with you and make you laugh.
And...enjoy the island, if you want to know what typical food you can eat or anything else just ask

Thanks, exactly the sort of reply I was hoping for.

[Hg2491]

Will you be renting the car as soon as you get to the island? A teacher of mine was left stranded by a taxi driver when he came to live down here on 2006.

People ARE going to try and have their way with you. Don't buy a bottle of water for more than 35 pesos, 20 oz. Coke for more than 30, 17 oz. Coke for 20. Taxi cabs have flat rates, so make sure they ask the base how much is it.

Do as Lyanma said -- get Alcatels. Those are so cheap people don't bother to steal them no more. Do not talk if you are on the street. The carrier does not really matter: Viva, Claro and Orange are great companies. You'll be wanting a "Plan de Tarjeta", by the way.

Have a cautious eye for people on motorcycles since they tend to pass by and grab onto anything they want.

I don't know if this question is too personal or anything, but will you bring cash or charge it all onto a credit card? If you are bringing cash and expect to exchange it to Dominican Pesos, you should go to a known bank, that is Banco Popular, Banco BHD, BanReservas, Banco Leon, Banco del Progreso. They'll ask for an ID so make sure you have your passport in hand. If you choose to use a credit card, don't expect to be able to use it everywhere since not all places have that feature.

Since you'll be going to Puerto Plata, you should go to Los 27 Charcos. I've never been there, but it's a nice experience. Also, try coming down to Santo Domingo so you can get a real grasp of what DR is.

Besides Dengue, there is also Amoeba. You can get it from food that has been cooked with dirty ingredients, so watch where you eat and what you eat.

You need to try Sancocho, Mangu, and "La Bandera" which is rice, beans, and meat.

How good is your Spanish?

I'll see if I can talk to my friend that knows plenty about touristic attractions in DR.

Sorry for the unorganized response,
Hg+

Edit: If you get into any police trouble $500 (or $1000 because you are foreigners) and they'll be off your back.

[MacNNUK]

Originally Posted by Hg2491 

Will you be renting the car as soon as you get to the island? A teacher of mine was left stranded by a taxi driver when he came to live down here on 2006.

People ARE going to try and have their way with you. Don't buy a bottle of water for more than 35 pesos, 20 oz. Coke for more than 30, 17 oz. Coke for 20. Taxi cabs have flat rates, so make sure they ask the base how much is it.

Do as Lyanma said -- get Alcatels. Those are so cheap people don't bother to steal them no more. Do not talk if you are on the street. The carrier does not really matter: Viva, Claro and Orange are great companies. You'll be wanting a "Plan de Tarjeta", by the way.

Have a cautious eye for people on motorcycles since they tend to pass by and grab onto anything they want.

I don't know if this question is too personal or anything, but will you bring cash or charge it all onto a credit card? If you are bringing cash and expect to exchange it to Dominican Pesos, you should go to a known bank, that is Banco Popular, Banco BHD, BanReservas, Banco Leon, Banco del Progreso. They'll ask for an ID so make sure you have your passport in hand. If you choose to use a credit card, don't expect to be able to use it everywhere since not all places have that feature.

Since you'll be going to Puerto Plata, you should go to Los 27 Charcos. I've never been there, but it's a nice experience. Also, try coming down to Santo Domingo so you can get a real grasp of what DR is.

Besides Dengue, there is also Amoeba. You can get it from food that has been cooked with dirty ingredients, so watch where you eat and what you eat.

You need to try Sancocho, Mangu, and "La Bandera" which is rice, beans, and meat.

How good is your Spanish?

I'll see if I can talk to my friend that knows plenty about touristic attractions in DR.

Sorry for the unorganized response,
Hg+

Edit: If you get into any police trouble $500 (or $1000 because you are foreigners) and they'll be off your back.

Car rental is already sorted from here in UK.

I use a couple of cheap £5 Nokia's abroad, tri-band.

Thanks for mobile plan & Carrier info.

We are all-inclusive, so main Hotel food, we are quite savvy travellers, and are careful what & where we eat.

We visit main towns etc, and keep to main roads, so hopefully not too many potential probs, thanks for m/c wary note.

[Hg2491]

Dominicans are quite special.
haha.