Booked for Dominican Republic- A couple of Q's

Davidboy

I think we are saying just about the same thing, you will have a good time but be careful. I also took my 2 daughters who were 19 and 20 then. As they both wore bikinis and wraps, they got an aweful lot of attention, they were very uneasy about it.

We did not get any tummy problems, our hotel was clean and food good. One advantage of having very pretty daughters, you do get some better attention from the waiters, best tables, best service, the head waiter wanted to marry my eldest there and then, but as he pointed out, his wife worked upstairs, but don't worry about her he said :rotfl: :rotfl:

I have never been in such warm sea, and beaches are fantastic.

One thing we were asked to do, as already been stated, the people are very very poor, and you are asked to leave any unused/partly used toiletries, shampoo, body lotion, deodorant so it can distributed to the locals.

It is a different sort of holiday to one you would normally expect.

Have fun.

D

Miró

Davidboy wrote: »

I think we are saying just about the same thing, you will have a good time but be careful. I also took my 2 daughters who were 19 and 20 then. As they both wore bikinis and wraps, they got an aweful lot of attention, they were very uneasy about it.

We did not get any tummy problems, our hotel was clean and food good. One advantage of having very pretty daughters, you do get some better attention from the waiters, best tables, best service, the head waiter wanted to marry my eldest there and then, but as he pointed out, his wife worked upstairs, but don't worry about her he said :rotfl: :rotfl:

I have never been in such warm sea, and beaches are fantastic.

One think we were asked to do, as already been stated, the people are very very poor, and you are asked to leave any unused/partly used toiletries, shampoo, body lotion, deodorant so it can distributed to the locals.

It is a different sort of holiday to one you would normally expect.

Have fun.

D

Hi D

I've been reading about this thing of leaving small gifts, (toiletries etc), for the room maids. I've even seen it suggested that you should buy stuff specifically to take with you as prezzies. Have to say I find it a bit odd...wouldn't it be better just to leave them money? Wouldn't that help the local economy more???

Confused

Miró

arealhighlander wrote: »

Glad to hear things have improved in the DR. We had a good laught when we were there but that was because of the company of the other holidaymakers (and the 151 proof local rum that you could run your car on!)

Are the other holiday peeps mostly Americans and Canadians? They seem to be according to the forums I've seen??

Davidboy

The advice we were given was NOT to give too much money to the chambermaids, once or twice a week, and small amounts.

Toiletries were for the locals. Don't buy especially, just leave what you don't use. You are on holiday not feeding the 5 thousand.

I think we encountered just about every nationality, lots of Germans, Spanish. Come to think of it, in our hotel I don't think we met any Americans though.

There was a small "Community" of Brits that went home friends. It really made our holiday, cos in the bar we had fun, the barman was fantastic as I said having 2 daughters made it even better, cos my youngest had the barman wrapped round her little finger, so much so as soon as she approached the bar, her drink was ready and waiting!!! :rotfl:

Enjoy.

D

arealhighlander

Mir! wrote: »

Hi D

I've been reading about this thing of leaving small gifts, (toiletries etc), for the room maids. I've even seen it suggested that you should buy stuff specifically to take with you as prezzies. Have to say I find it a bit odd...wouldn't it be better just to leave them money? Wouldn't that help the local economy more???

Confused

What would they do with foreign currency? they would be ripped off by others trying to convert it. They cant just walk into the bank with it - most wont even have a bank account.At least if you give them presents they can use them directly.

When we were there it was mainly Brits, but there are all nationalities there.

Davidboy

arealhighlander wrote: »

What would they do with foreign currency? they would be ripped off by others trying to convert it. They cant just walk into the bank with it - most wont even have a bank account.At least if you give them presents they can use them directly.

When we were there it was mainly Brits, but there are all nationalities there.

US Dollars are accepted everywhere so either leave US Dollars or DR Pesos. They are grateful whatever you leave.


D

silver7

Hi Miro

Ditto i booked up yesterday to go to Punta Cana, leaving from Birmingham on the 24th June for 2 weeks and am sooooooooo looking forward to it.

pinkcandyflossprincess

hi
i used to live in santo domingo many moons ago so can give a few tips though obviously times have changed a bit.

i went back there with my kids in 2001 stopping at the other side of the island in playa dorada for 2 weeks.
if you want to go out cheaply take a walk out of the main complex and flag down one of the mini buses that travel on the road, called el publicos, the drop in price from a taxi is ridiculous, think £20 taxi, 20p mini bus! , i used to use these all the time and the only time i ever had a little bit of trouble was when i deciced to go to sosua and the young boy tried to charge me something silly so i laughed and said i dont think so and gave him the correct fare, he was mumbling to himself for the rest of the journey about the gringa who refused to give him what he wanted but the rest of the mini bus laughed at him for his cheek.

if you feel unconfident about travelling alone you could also hire a local as a guide to acompany you where you want, again outside the main complexs you will be able yo pick someone up (sounds dodgy lol put like that!) if you want to go to say santiago etc by bus etc.

the dominican men can be a bit blond obsessed but no more harmfull than the
usual male and remember as a mainly catholic country they actually have a lot more respect for women that a lot of other countrys, there own girls are still routinely chaperoned. obviously bar workers etc are the same the world over but dominicans are if given the chance a very friendly and funloving bunch of people.
re the "151" i got some once in boca chica and i spilt it....my nail varnish was stripped off:eek: , i did used to enjoy the presidente beer though be carefull , always check the bottles if out for mosquito larve as they recyle them and unfortunately arent too bothered about washing them!
hope havent bored you
jo
x

pinkcandyflossprincess

arealhighlander wrote: »

What would they do with foreign currency? they would be ripped off by others trying to convert it. They cant just walk into the bank with it - most wont even have a bank account.At least if you give them presents they can use them directly.

When we were there it was mainly Brits, but there are all nationalities there.

there is a juicy black market for currency in the D.R , the exchange rate is very favourable but obviously illegal, never think they cant use dollars over there, worth a lot more than the peso!
x

kittykat100

We aren't planning any excursions, we are just planning to lie on a beach/snorkel/eat and drink We are only off for a week and want to make the most of the sun, plus am exhausted from working none stop for a year!
As for tips, we tend to leave a couple of dollars a day for the maids and play the rest by ear, if you have a mini bar in the room we also try to catch the mini bar person and slip them a couple of dollars to ensure an endless supply of diet coke!
I don't even think we are going to bother to convert money into pesos as dollars are widely accepted.
3 sleeps to go

kittyx