Off to the Dominican Republic Any advice.

moneyspender1981

Hi all,

I'm off to the dominican republic with the mrs on an all inclusive 5 star holiday.

Just wondered if anyone had any good advice or tips, or things be wary off? Never been this far out before so any help appreciated

Incapuppy

If you do a forum search there are several previous threads which contain lots of useful info.

simplepete

make sure you've had the jabs you need. My bf and I both got tummy upsets for 6 days of our holiday, with really bad sickness & diarrhea etc so maybe the dr may be able to give you something in advance? I dont know - I'll certainly be asking my dr next time I visit.

Mosquito spray / cream definately. LOTS of suncream. the UV level is high/extreme out there.

Take pesos and dollars, ,many places accept both, but the change is pretty much always given in pesos.
Visit Ocean world, its a lovely day out where you can swim with dolphins etc!

They encourage haggling out there, but there are a lot of vendors that sell fake goods, and they're extremely pushy sometimes, so be careful!

dr1.com is a great site, packed with tourist info, and weather updates from the locals too!

El_Rey

Don't hire a car.

Have a look on: https://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com It is a great website packed full of useful information.

fifitrix123

Do the white water rafting its ace!!!
I also bought our excursions off the beach and not the reps as they were twice the price!!! (I used to be a rep) We did exactly the same and saved loads of dosh and the guys were great and even invited us to their homes to meet families, but only do this if you feel safe and check out their insurance.
I have been several times and only had bad tummy once and me finks that was the booze as none of us got it at same time despite eating same food.
Most upset tums are excess alcohol and brands we are not used to not to mention copius amounts of food and booze we take on AI hols!!
Watch out for jelly fish in ocean, fake goods are ok and cheap!
Cigs used to be £5 for 200, language is lots of Spanish, take loads sun lotion.
Internet and calls home are cheap.
Mozzies are a pain and watch out for sand bugs which bite too if you don't have stuff on! They are worse at night.
Electric can go out a lot so if Mrs is doing hair with electrics it can be a pain, also product in hair tends to melt with heat so doesn't work so good and make up runs tooo!!

Its a lovely place and I am so jealous so have great fun!!!

littlestar1981

What area are you going to?

Get decent travel insurance - I got stung with a big excess to pay after getting gastroenteritis.
Do the outback safari (if you're in the east)
Don't take Euros!!
Tell hagglers you'll 'come back later' :-)
Enjoy it - Dominican Republic is ace!!

pattycake

I have been to the DR numerous times over the last 11 years and I am already planning next year's trip. It is my favourite holiday destination.

My advice would be to take EVERYTHING you need with you. You can buy stuff when you are there but it is very expensive. Take a good basic medicine kit, plenty of suntan cream and mozzie repellent. If you like to read, take books. You can usually find books which other people have left behind but I always like to be prepared.

You do not need loads of clothes as you will be in swimwear (and a cover-up) during the day. However, be aware that many of the a la carte restaurants stipulate that men must wear long trousers to dine in the evening.

Take it easy when you first arrive. Bearing in mind the 5 hour time difference, the extremely hot and humid weather and the abundance of food and drink, it is not surprising that people get ill. In all our trips, we have never been sick at all. Exercise caution at the buffets and only eat hot food hot and cold food cold.

As a previous poster has suggested, Debbies Dominican Travel is a fantastic source of information. Have a brilliant time. I am very jealous as I have another 10 months before I get to go back to the Dominican Republic.

jscalow

Take as much immodium as boots will sell you ! you will use it. don't buy trips from reps, when you are on the beach you will be approached constantly by friendly locals flogging exactly the same trips at half the price, have a chat with them, find one you like and tell him if you get a good first trip you will buy all your others thru him. you will then get royal service and the other guides will keep clear.
Also jump in a taxi and ask him to show you around, it wont cost much and you see the "real" island.
When you do get ill stop eating in the hotel- yes i know its all included but you will get a better standard of cleanliness in stand alone restaurants as they need you to come back.

pattycake

jscalow, I am sorry but I cannot agree with you when you say "when you get ill". I will re-iterate that in our numerous trips to the Dominican Republic, we have not been ill. We always do our research on the hotel we choose and are cautious about what we eat and drink.

jscalow

pattycake wrote: »

jscalow, I am sorry but I cannot agree with you when you say "when you get ill". I will re-iterate that in our numerous trips to the Dominican Republic, we have not been ill. We always do our research on the hotel we choose and are cautious about what we eat and drink.

Better to be safe than sorry ! everyone knows DR reputation, I got caught out the first time I went and have always gone well prepared since, and of course if its not needed there will always be someone at the pool who has a relative holed up in the room in need, you can do the decent thing and help out a fellow traveler- you've made a friend for life !

pattycake

Ok, jscalow, so obviously the fear of illness has not put you off from returning to the Dominican Republic. Yes, I always take a good supply of all sorts of medication. I do regardless of my destination as illness of any sort an creep up on you.

You sound like a good sort to me who will help out fellow travellers in their hour of need:T

IMHO the DR is an excellent long haul destination which does not cost a fortune. Do your research, read reviews and pay for the best hotel you can afford. That is the mantra I have always used and either been correct in my choice or very lucky!