Dominican Republic hints and tips please!!!
Discussion
Rock up, unpack (optional), find sun lounger, order drinks and repeat. That’s pretty much it, personally I love it.
You can do saona island trips but that’s a whole day away from the all inclusive
Not sure if it’s still the case but remember US dollars for the bung on entry/exit from DR
You can do saona island trips but that’s a whole day away from the all inclusive
Not sure if it’s still the case but remember US dollars for the bung on entry/exit from DR
Boom78 said:
Rock up, unpack (optional), find sun lounger, order drinks and repeat. That’s pretty much it, personally I love it.
You can do saona island trips but that’s a whole day away from the all inclusive
Not sure if it’s still the case but remember US dollars for the bung on entry/exit from DR
Ha, fair enough. Yeah will be taking a fistful of dollars alongYou can do saona island trips but that’s a whole day away from the all inclusive
Not sure if it’s still the case but remember US dollars for the bung on entry/exit from DR
Boom78 said:
Not sure if it’s still the case but remember US dollars for the bung on entry/exit from DR
OK, I haven't been back to the DR in since 2015 but I've never had to pay an entry or exit fee. A quick Google shows its paid as part of the airfare now (pretty sure they checked my tickets back in 2015 and I didn't have to pay, cash price was 700 DOP according to the sign).However I wouldn't take USD. The coin of the realm is the DOP (Dominican Peak). No point in getting ripped off on the exchange rate twice.
When we went about 10 years ago we had to pay 10 dollars each at immigration. We had only taken Dominican currency so had to use the exchange at the airport which ripped us off. When we reached our all inclusive accommodation the reception did their utmost to force us into upgrading our rooms, even insisting that we couldn't have an adjoining room for the children unless we upgraded. The all inclusive service was dependent on tipping. Take a large wad of one dollar bills and tip every waiter who brings you a drink or gets you sunbeds, we only realised after a couple of days and had to go to the bank to change our large denomination notes we had got from the airport, by which point the staff had us marked as non-tippers!
We haven't felt inclined to hurry back!
We haven't felt inclined to hurry back!
I never tipped a dime when I was there. Didn't notice any difference in service from the usual all inclusive, but then we are not huge drinkers all day.
I went a while ago, but I recall the place being full of Americans. It's only a relatively short flight for them and they see it as a "tropical island"
They were harmless enough but be aware that each couple/group is only there a relatively short time (usually a week, tops) as they get such limited 'vacation' time (they were astounded that we were there for a fortnight)
This means that they like to maximise everything whilst they are there - food, entertainment, sunshine, partying, booze, the lot. They'll happily sit there drinking all day.
A lot of them took their own insulated cup, at least a pint in volume, and ask the bar staff to fill that instead of the regular cocktail/beer glasses. In retrospect, this was an excellent idea
I went a while ago, but I recall the place being full of Americans. It's only a relatively short flight for them and they see it as a "tropical island"
They were harmless enough but be aware that each couple/group is only there a relatively short time (usually a week, tops) as they get such limited 'vacation' time (they were astounded that we were there for a fortnight)
This means that they like to maximise everything whilst they are there - food, entertainment, sunshine, partying, booze, the lot. They'll happily sit there drinking all day.
A lot of them took their own insulated cup, at least a pint in volume, and ask the bar staff to fill that instead of the regular cocktail/beer glasses. In retrospect, this was an excellent idea
Muzzer79 said:
I never tipped a dime when I was there. Didn't notice any difference in service from the usual all inclusive, but then we are not huge drinkers all day.
I went a while ago, but I recall the place being full of Americans. It's only a relatively short flight for them and they see it as a "tropical island"
They were harmless enough but be aware that each couple/group is only there a relatively short time (usually a week, tops) as they get such limited 'vacation' time (they were astounded that we were there for a fortnight)
This means that they like to maximise everything whilst they are there - food, entertainment, sunshine, partying, booze, the lot. They'll happily sit there drinking all day.
A lot of them took their own insulated cup, at least a pint in volume, and ask the bar staff to fill that instead of the regular cocktail/beer glasses. In retrospect, this was an excellent idea
Yup, pretty much this, I got married in the DR and been back about 6 times since, tipping makes no difference, you won’t be forced to upgrade, the hotel workers are really nice, hard working and the Americans love their own insulated mugs. I went a while ago, but I recall the place being full of Americans. It's only a relatively short flight for them and they see it as a "tropical island"
They were harmless enough but be aware that each couple/group is only there a relatively short time (usually a week, tops) as they get such limited 'vacation' time (they were astounded that we were there for a fortnight)
This means that they like to maximise everything whilst they are there - food, entertainment, sunshine, partying, booze, the lot. They'll happily sit there drinking all day.
A lot of them took their own insulated cup, at least a pint in volume, and ask the bar staff to fill that instead of the regular cocktail/beer glasses. In retrospect, this was an excellent idea
I’m going out for a week in October and can’t wait, I usually stay in bayahibe but trying Bavaro for a change.
We stayed in La Romana a few years back. I'd thoroughly recommend a day out to the capital Santo Domingo to take in a bit of history of how 'The pirate' Francis Drake rocked up, stole their ships and basically turned the place over. :-)
Hire a driver (cheaper if you can get more couples) , they'll find a guide for you as they have the contacts and cheap (about $30 for the guide for 2 hours). The old city is fascinating, loads of history and at least you can say you've seen part of it but defo get a guide.
We took dollars, widely accepted everywhere and obviously for tips in your hotel.
Hire a driver (cheaper if you can get more couples) , they'll find a guide for you as they have the contacts and cheap (about $30 for the guide for 2 hours). The old city is fascinating, loads of history and at least you can say you've seen part of it but defo get a guide.
We took dollars, widely accepted everywhere and obviously for tips in your hotel.
Edited by DT1975 on Wednesday 9th March 22:56
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