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Started By
Message
All Inclusive Trip to Dominican Republic
Posted on 6/3/16 at 1:23 pm
Posted on 6/3/16 at 1:23 pm
My girlfriend and I and 3-6 other couples are looking at going on a trip to the Dominican Republic next year. Does anyone have any recommendations for us such as resorts to stay at, locations (Punta Cana looks to be the most popular), must do excursions, and time of year to go. Mind you, I'd like to stay relatively close to a golf course and on the beach. Excluding airfare, we want to keep it around 1,000-1,200 a person or less. Any help would be much appreciated. It will be couples in age range of late 20's- early 30's so we don't want a spring break party, but a swim up bar and relaxing good time would be the goal.
9
Posted on 6/3/16 at 1:42 pm to gonzo03
Highly recommend the Barceló Bavaro Adults only in Punta Cana. We do our fair share of traveling the Caribbean and Punta Cana's beach itself is top 3 that we have seen.
The resort is connected to the kid friendly one and you will have access to it to if you want a change in scenery, but there is really no reason to leave the adults only, other than to hit the restaurants at the other one. Our door was probably 50 feet from the beach and the pool area is stellar also. Swim up bar check.
We went in early fall and the weather was fine.
We did offshore fishing (meh) and took a snorkeling, snuba, speedboat deal which was ok. I wouldn't recommend straying too far from the resort unless you do something that is guided/transport provided.
Didn't check out the golf course(s) as I don't usually play much on vacation, as I find it to be a rip off for mediocre courses. That said, y'all may find a decent course, but we didn't look.
I think the Barceló Bavaro would be in your price range also.
The resort is connected to the kid friendly one and you will have access to it to if you want a change in scenery, but there is really no reason to leave the adults only, other than to hit the restaurants at the other one. Our door was probably 50 feet from the beach and the pool area is stellar also. Swim up bar check.
We went in early fall and the weather was fine.
We did offshore fishing (meh) and took a snorkeling, snuba, speedboat deal which was ok. I wouldn't recommend straying too far from the resort unless you do something that is guided/transport provided.
Didn't check out the golf course(s) as I don't usually play much on vacation, as I find it to be a rip off for mediocre courses. That said, y'all may find a decent course, but we didn't look.
I think the Barceló Bavaro would be in your price range also.
Posted on 6/3/16 at 2:42 pm to TigeRoots
Thanks man, fishing is also a huge plus for me. I'd love to catch a sailfish or marlin, but it's not a deal breaker if I don't get to go.
Posted on 6/3/16 at 3:00 pm to gonzo03
quote:
Thanks man, fishing is also a huge plus for me. I'd love to catch a sailfish or marlin, but it's not a deal breaker if I don't get to go.
We caught a handful of Mahi Mahi, but nothing much else. I was with my wife so we didn't look to go too hard and heavy.
Posted on 6/3/16 at 9:21 pm to TigeRoots
Take a look into the Excellence Resort(s) in the Dominican Republic. There is one in Punta Cana and another one opening up in September/October of this year. These resorts do not disappoint.
Posted on 6/4/16 at 3:17 pm to lilyankems
quote:
Excellence
This is where we went for our honeymoon last year and it was awesome. We talked about how fun it would be to go back with a small group of friends. Staff is great, no reservations needed for the restaurants, and like most places they have tons of vendors if you want to do different things.
Posted on 6/4/16 at 3:21 pm to gonzo03
quote:
Excellence
Same here, went for the honeymoon, awesome beach, good drinks, food was decent enough. Highly recommended
Posted on 6/4/16 at 5:03 pm to gonzo03
Wife and I did a week at the Now Larimar a few years back. A step down from the Excellence but also a bit cheaper. It was still a nice place and we had a very good time. I would stay there again.
Posted on 6/4/16 at 5:27 pm to gonzo03
I stayed at the Riu Palace last July. It was all right. I think March is the best time to go. Whatever you do, don't get conned in to going to the scape park. If you're not completely sold on the Dominican, I'd advise at least considering other options. I just got back from Aruba, and while it had less personality, it was definitely a much better experience. You don't have to worry about seaweed or storms. The tap water is some of the cleanest in the world so you won't get sick. I never felt unsafe - driving or walking around. The drivers there are actually better drivers than in a lot of parts in the US so it's easy to rent a jeep and see the whole island. Just my 2 cents though
Posted on 6/5/16 at 7:33 pm to gonzo03
Whatever u do, play Punta Espada. Its amazing 
Posted on 6/6/16 at 8:14 am to gonzo03
We did Paradisus Punta Cana for our honeymoon and loved it.
We didn't fish because it was rough as frick every day
We did zip lining and snorkeling excursions and had a blast.
For the snorkeling excursion we took a catamaran out to a reef, snorkeled it, then went to a sandbar party on the way back in.
I can't wait to go back, everyone was nice as can be
we booked on cheapcarribean.com and total for flights/resort was $1,400 a person
We didn't fish because it was rough as frick every day
We did zip lining and snorkeling excursions and had a blast.
For the snorkeling excursion we took a catamaran out to a reef, snorkeled it, then went to a sandbar party on the way back in.
I can't wait to go back, everyone was nice as can be
we booked on cheapcarribean.com and total for flights/resort was $1,400 a person
This post was edited on 6/6/16 at 8:16 am
Posted on 6/6/16 at 1:33 pm to gonzo03
I stayed at the Hard Rock a couple months ago in Punta Cana and they have a golf course at the resort. It was nice and I recommend it. I think it was $1350 a person all inclusive including flights.
Posted on 6/8/16 at 7:56 am to LSUtoOmaha
Thanks for the suggestions, I will keep y'all posted.
Posted on 6/11/16 at 7:39 am to gonzo03
quote:
Thanks for the suggestions, I will keep y'all posted.
I have been to Punta Cana 11 times. Lots of different places. We actually started going back over 12 years ago. It was no where near as popular as it is now. The airport was basically a straw hut at the end of the runway. When you got off the plane, they too your bags off right there and gave them to you
. You rolled them in the terminal yourself. There are lots of very good resorts and some good ones mentioned here.
Here are some of the places we have stayed
Hard Rock - Nice place, good food - more of a party place
Excellence - Very nice - Adult only - Great Food and good drinks. Very nice. My only complaint is that it is located on the upper end of the Punta Cana beach and the surf is big. If you want to get in the ocean, that can be difficult. I enjoy getting in the ocean and taking a swim and it was just about impossible.
Iberostar Grand - Not adult only - Lots of kids. Good food but crowded - Low cost
Paradisus Punta Cana - Nice place. Rooms were not as nice as other places. Good food
Iberostar Grand Bavaro - We have stayed here 5 times and will be going back next year for our 30th wedding anniversary. By far, this is our favorite place. Its a 5*, Adult only. Not crowded, beautiful calm beach and fantastic service. The food and Alcohol is top shelf but the service is off the chart. Best place to stay in Punta Cana.... Also has a fantastic golf course with full pro shop..
As for excursions, the Saona island excursion is decent. You basically get on a huge catamaran and sail up the coast. They stop for snorkeling and some star fish then stop on the island for lunch and relax a few hours. Somewhat crowded but you can find a private spot. Then sail back and chill. Not bad if you can relax.
As for fishing, I cant help you there. I dont fish on vacation....
This post was edited on 6/11/16 at 7:45 am
Posted on 6/11/16 at 10:09 pm to gonzo03
Protect yourself from mosquitos!
Not only is Zika now a threat there...so is another virus called Chikungunya.
We have friends that just got back from DR....all 4 of them got Chikungunya from mosquito bites. They all started feeling sick towards the end of their trip(they must have gotten it early on in trip).
LINK
Not only is Zika now a threat there...so is another virus called Chikungunya.
We have friends that just got back from DR....all 4 of them got Chikungunya from mosquito bites. They all started feeling sick towards the end of their trip(they must have gotten it early on in trip).
LINK
Posted on 6/13/16 at 6:33 am to gonzo03
Another vote for Excellence. Since you are going next year, I would go to their new one, Excellence El Carmen. It looks to be amazing, and it opens up in September of this year I believe.
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