Avoid this place! - Mark Hoover. Date of travel: Jul 2008
I went to the Dominican Republic a couple of months ago for some rest & relaxation on the beach. What I experienced was anything but that. Beach vendors aggressive to the point of getting in one's face. Dirty prostitutes who think nothing of sitting on your beach lounge with you in an attempt to rook you out of your money. Restaurants who charge you 2 taxes: a basic 10% tax, & an ITBS tax (whatever that is) for a total of 26%! Then they all want a tip. Off-duty drunk cops in the streets at night with their pistols hanging out of their pants. Downright dangerous. I couldn't wait to get out of that filthy place. Never again.

Off Site - Jodi Houghton, Richard Wood, Kellie Wood. Date of travel: Jun 2006
When you mannage to get away from the stress of the Puerto Plata Village Resort, Go on the OutBack Safari, it's a fantastic day out and Ruddy, one of the guides, is a Top Bloke.. Find as much to do as possible, the country is nice, just a real shame about the hotel. Tour Operator: First Choice

STACEY. Date of travel: Dec 2005
We travelled with Thomas Cook to Dominican Republic; we have had mixed reports from previous travellers but we never found a problem with it. We stayed in the resort of Sosua which has 3 lovely golden sandy beaches and has the best snorkelling on the island. Outside the hotel we found there to be local shops and bars; they are fine for basics but remember that it is not Selfridges standards and these people are very poor. We went white water rafting , swimming with the dolphins and my boyfriend went quad biking. I would reccommend them all. Tour Operator: THOMAS COOK

J Holt. Date of travel: Jul 2005
Juan Dolio Beach-Costa Caribe Coral by Hilton. This is the worst vacation I have ever been on. I have travelled throughout the carribean and have never been treated so shabbily. The staff was rude and impolite. My room was robbed. I had some minor problems that because of the staff being inept these problems turned into catastrophies. Not only that...this hotel catered to the Spanish speaking world. As an American I was treated as a second class citizen. Promises made by hotel staff were not kept. I had to go back several times and reiterate the problem to get any type of resolution. The resort was clean enough and the food was adequate. But if you take into account the my trip cost more the than medan yearly income of most people in this country, I would have to say do not go to this place.

Dawn Chapman. Date of travel: Jan 2005
i went to the dominican republic on holiday with my boyfriend and his parents,we were on the plane for 9 hours. we stayed for 2weeks at club Hotel Riu Bachata in puerto plata, and it was the best 2 weeks ever. the weather was scorching and i had a great time. the hotel was really nice the food was good. the entertainment (animation) staff we excellent and put on great shows in the evenings. we did the ocean world trip and did the dolphin encounter it was great as i have always loved dolphins. first thing i said when we got back home here in england... 'its bloody cold!' Tour Operator: My Travel

Dominican Republic - Victor & Erna Bow. Date of travel: Jan 2005
This was our first trip to Dominican Republic organised by Airtours and it certainly will be the last occasion I will use a Tour Operator. Staying in a hotel within a compound with Security Guards is something you don't expect on hoilday and was very reminiscent of World War II prison camps. The beaches were quite dirty and there was nothing to do at night other than to endure very low grade entertainment. If you want to enjoy local culture and food - DON'T go to the Dominican Republic. On the other hand, if your idea of a holiday is watch 'tacky entertainment', listen to drunken rows and witness fights then the Dominican Rep. is the place to go. The Ratings for hotels should be seriously overhauled and Airtour Reps. require training in Customer Relations. As we are people that normally holiday in Thailand, I can't wait to return to that beautiful country. Tour Operator: Airtours

enoa enata. Date of travel: Dec 2004
the most expensive trip, for such a bull...t destination, you mitgh just want to stay in the nices resort but i ve been staying with local people in las terrenas and i ve been soo dissapointed with the amout nice things i was expecting i saw what???weapons all over the place and felt this tension days after days beeing around people who don t even know what they are figthing for, my anger might be because of a loving desception but trst this be carfull whith what is going on around you there, and don t forget that it s one of the poorest contry in the world... But you will for sure meet the most truefull and helpfull people too and thoses will make you fell a live!!!be greatfull to them...they deserve it... Iaorana tau tatau... Tour Operator: jet blue

David. Date of travel: Sep 2004
- Getting There. I was in Miami on business so I flew from Miami and paid $400 plus US. This seemed awfully steep so, after I arrived I got to talking with the locals. There are only 2 continental US ports to fly from to DR - (it is said Drug reasons) New York and Miami. Further there are only 2 or 3 airlines. So, it makes sense the prices would be outrageous. I found out Canada doesn't share the aversions of the US as well as the charter flights go frequently. If you can afford to go last minute and can get to Canada then the rate is dirt cheap. - Money - It is easy for Canadians, just take off a zero. 1500 pesos = 150 dollars. The exact rate for Canada was 1030 pesos to Cdn $100. For US the rate was 1650 to $100. It is really easy to exchange money at the little money exchange booths without any commission or fee on top. The above rates were better than 2 of the banks in town - albeit only by pennies. - People - the people were great, but they have their eye on your money. In their hearts, great, but awfully aggressive trying to get you in their stores or sell you on the beach or a taxi ride. I am an old hand at Mexican beach vendors and I was surprised at the assertiveness of the DR beach vendors. It wasn't kick sand in your face, but often a vendor would wander by, intimate their wares, I would signal 'No' and they would approach regardless and say 'Free to Look'. Cute, but after a few days I really wanted to relax and read. No complaints, but next time I'll steal myself more. - Restaurants - can't really say because I stayed in a Kitchen apartment and ate in. But there are lots of cute cafes in Cabarete. The food I did eat (a few breakfasts and lunches) were fine, clean. I had no problems with stomach or other. I only drank bottled water, beer, rum (dead cheap), and I cooked (I.e. pastas) with tap water. No problems. My suggestion stick with Bottled water for everything. - Conveniences - lots Junk Stores - lots - Original stuff - Lacking, but there is a neat shop on the little street end heading toward the beach across and closer to the beach from the CodeTel office. - Hookers - one was real interested on day three. I had to peel her hand off my arm. No, no contract. But the story goes if you leave the bar at night and head to a remote place to relieve yourself you may get swarmed with lots of hands touching interesting parts including removing wallets. The defense is to spray them to keep them off and get out of there. Didn't hear of anyone being hurt, just lighter in the wallet department. - Windsurfing - I went for this reason and found the winds 10 - 20 knots and changing minute to minute. Yes gusting. Only one day did they reach 20 and that was for an hour. The wind didn't blow until at least 2 PM and died near 5:30 or 6. I went endowed with books and I'm glad I did. - Weather - It was hot and sunny the entire time I was there but the locals said that week was supposed to be the rainy season. FYI. - Accommodation - Seems the big hotels, pensions, etc. were owned by foreigners. Interesting. I stayed in a beautiful spot called El Magnifico at the East end of town on the beach (although it was set back from the beach and separated by a tall berm of sand, but it was technically on the beach). Great proprietor and staff. I took a housekeeping (Junior) suite and really enjoyed it. - Mosquitoes - Yes. Take a big can of Off for each adult per week. They only come at night. There were screens on the windows, but as you go in and out your screen door the little gals sneak in (remember it's the Females that bite). The reason I suggest taking the Mossie Repellant is that a can there was $8.50 CDN ($6.00 US approx). Seemed expensive. - Transactions - there are two prices. Local and You. You can negotiate the You price because they know you know that they know that you know that they know you know the YOU price is WAY grossly inflated. - Golf - I golfed at a small 9 hole local site call Costa Azul.$300 Pesos for 9, $500 for 18. Includes Caddie, carts not available. The place was in a lot of need. The caddies are great kids, unfortunately it is like putting on your front lawn. I didn't golf at the creme de la creme - Playa Grande. I did golf just outside of Puerto Plata. This course was well worth the price of admission $950 Pesos and $135 Pesos for your caddie, includes cart. It is a Robert Trent-Jones course, 18 beautiful holes. You can play 9 there but I didn't. Save your money on Azul and play Puerto Plata instead. Taxi ride to Puerto Plata will be a $300 ask. I think you can do it for much less, but I was on my way to the airport so I can't really say. The interesting thing about the taxis there is they will wait for you and bring you back. This costs more, but some people like the service. Wonderful people the taxi drivers, they want your money too. - Personalities - Two people who really stand out as exceptional are Payton and Kelly. From Winnipeg, Manitoba. The run The Green Room, open 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM (roughly). It is on the beach at the Bic Windsurfing Center. This small walk up bar served great food and drinks of all types. More important is the warm and personable touch of these two great people. I highly recommend it. I ate there every day. When I left there was going to be a dedicated Wednesday night Barbeque. If it's still on don't miss it. - Will I go back? - YES. Need anything more - just e-mail me. Cheers!!

Lovely - Shelley & Chris White. Date of travel: May 2003
What an amazing place! Everywhere we went was lovely and everyone was really friendly. Try the 151 Rum, its definitely an experience!!!!