La Republica Dominicana

Author: Sarah909
Date of Trip: November 2002

Highlights:
Snorkelling is a must — the underwater life is fantastic! The people there are so friendly, too. I also had my hair beaded when I was there and it’s great … however, don’t go to a salon to get this done because it will be too expensive. Instead, barter with anyone offering it on beaches, where I got mine done.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
I heard that the north coast is one of the best places in the world to watch whales, and I hope to check it out on my next trip.

Best Way to Get Around:
I recommend NOT driving in the DR, it’s kind of dangerous … there aren’t that many road rules and if there is, nobody follows them. If you take a taxi, make sure you set a fare before you get in.

The Tropical Luperon Resort:
I stayed in one of the least expensive places to go in the Caribbean, and it was great. When I went, they were doing construction on one end of the resort but it bothered no one. The best way to go anywhere is by doing the all-inclusive resort — all meals provided, entertainment, etc. In this resort, there are three specialty restaurants that you make reservations at: Mexican (open cafe), Italian (inside), and Brazilian (outdoor), as well as two buffet houses that change the menu from night to night so there’s always something different, but always something familiar.

Breakfast is fantastic — there’s always a chef there to cook you something special. It is a 90-minute shuttle bus ride outside of Puerto Plata but you get to see the villages and some culture along the way and I enjoyed it. For a three-star resort, it seems more like five for an awesome price.