Just booked a vacation to Punta Cana
 

Second half of June. Anyone ever been down there? Experiences? Suggestions?

"All inclusive" (breakfast/lunch/dinner/all-u-can-drink) 10 nights in an upgraded room, trip insurance, and airfare for 2 came out to a smidge over $3500, which was $500 under our initial budget. She was pulling hard for Hawaii for weeks, and she got frustrated as hell that she couldn't even get into a motel 6 for under 4k once we factored in airfare. Once I convinced her to let go of the idea of Hawaii she was let-down at first, but as soon as I showed her this package she nearly hit the ceiling in excitement.

Anything I need to plan for/watch out for while we're there?

Don't expect all-inclusive food and service to always be excellent. Once you've paid it can be as good or bad as they want to make it. The incentive is lost at that point. Check Tripadvisor for the skinny on anyplace you are looking to go. Where are you staying?

I used to live in the DR. Never went to Punta Cana though, the island is beautiful, and the people are pretty nice. You could spend the entire trip laying on the beach in front of your hotel and have a great trip. You could also go check out some of the cool stuff on the island, although that would mean you would be exposed to the real world. If that doesn't scare you, google it and have fun.

MT has a member that lives there, Rafa isn't as active as he used to be, but he was logged on within the last week. From the few conversations I had with him, he seemed pretty cool. PM him, he may have some good tips.

I went to Punta Cana a couple years ago. Had a great time! From what I remember, everything was really nice, the food was not bad at all (at least at the place I went to), and the beaches are beautiful.

A place called "Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe"

Here's a delta vacations promo vid...


Picked the place to be a "relaxing" vacation instead of a touristy vacation. With 10 nights scheduled, we'll probably spend 2 days touring and the other 7 days sitting under a palm tree on the beach - if I can manage to keep from getting sunburnt that is.

Chilling is good.

Rafa lives in the capital city at the other end of the country from "Cane Point."

We booked for Punta Cana this year to; I made sure to book an Adults Only all-inclusive :)

We really wanted to go first week in June, but I'm out for training for the whole first half of the month.

You'll love it. We booked Grand Palladium Riviera Maya this year cause you get the same thing for 1k less. Because Mexico lol

I'll never travel to Mexico.

I'm glad to see more people that are going there. This will be my first time to island. I've gone to Jamaica, and St Lucia, and Martinique. We thought of the Bahamas but that was a lot more expensive and I like the seclusion of DR. it's like empty but for an airport and the resorts.

My wife and I went to Punta Cana for our Honeymoon. We stayed at the "Majestic Punta Cana" if I remember correctly, I remember the Bavaro being nearby.

We did 7 nights, 8 days and that was just about right. We were ready to go home. 10 nights is a pretty long time, hopefully you won't be too sick of the food at the resort by then. I remember the dinners being pretty good, there was enough variety in sit down restaurants. But breakfast and lunch were basically the same stuff every day so that got old after a bit.

We really liked Punta Cana and it was better than Cancun (which we visited later).

We did two tours. One was horseback riding on the beach, which was like an hour bus ride to the Rancho. The bus ride was absolute misery (our stomachs were having isssues...) but the horseback riding was amazing. We also did a snorkeling excursion that was pretty cool. We went out on a catamaran tour and they took you to like two spots to snorkel. One was their own blocked off area where you swam with nurse sharks and stingrays (sans stingers...). We liked both of the excursions, however, once you get outside of the resort areas the DR is definitely a third world country. I wouldn't be going into town just the two of you at night time, that sort of thing.

If you're a drinker, ask (beg, steal, etc.) for the upgraded liquor wrist bands. We got ours included so we could drink name brand stuff for free. The "well" liquors they have are pretty awful, but okay in the fruity mixed stuff.

I think the DR is perfect if your main goal is to sit on the beach and veg out.

Enjoy

I just booked Jamaica for my honeymoon and it cost us $2500 all inclusive

Do tell.

We've gone to a BUNCH of places and the higher end all inclusive resorts are ridiculously similar between PC and RM. (keep in mind I'm not saying cancun, which is quite a bit a step down from RM)

I'm not knocking DR at all, and would probably go there over Mexico if the price was the same, but not sure if its worth the premium.

Can you give an unbiased comparison?

Caneel Bay, Allure Package, Garden View.

Disney Wilderness Lodge for a week, then the above = best vacation.

Punta Cana is on our list however, Paul and Artieparty went there and loved it.

my room comes with whatever liquor/wine/beer/juice i ask for. has both a minibar and wet bar.

they'd enjoy anyhtign so long as together.

Thats the place I stayed at!!!!

I really like the Barcelo Bavaro resorts, also went to one in Riviera Maya, Mexico which was wonderful.

You'll enjoy it!

Also, you asked what to prepare yourself for.

Well, prepare to see some nasty old euro grandma boobs.

The DR seems to attract a decent number of european and canadian visiters, some who are of the topless tanning variety.

Rest assured, most of the boobs you will see won't be nice to look at.

Just a lil heads up...

ill be too busy eating and drinking to worry about boobies.