Dominican republic trip. Need help with resorts.?

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angeldust_599

I was actually talking to a friend of my fathers who has been to the RIU Mambo a few times now and he loves it. said the buffet there is really good, rooms are clean and the pools are gorgeous. no complaints from him. he also likes the fact that if you stay at one you can visit all three. I also did some research on them and found that people liked the Bachata and Mambo the best.

trav'ler

I just got back from the resort complex of Playa Dorada on the weekend, and it was my first trip there, though not my first to the Puerto Plata area..

In my opinion, Playa Dorada a good, safe and easy travel location just east of Puerto Plata.

I took a city tour of Puerto Plata (rum bottling plant, amber museum, fort, sea wall, etc) for $40 US including a very good lunch at a restaurant, then a spin out to the beach at Sosua for a few hours.

I also took day trips to Santo Domingo and Santiago - one included lunch and one didn't - they are full day trips like 6 am departure and 7 pm return.

here's some Dominican packing tips http://www.snapshotjourneys.com/holidays-to-dominican.html

There's Dominican information and travel pictures here

http://www.snapshotjourneys.com/dominicanrepublic.html

with links to pictures of beaches and waterfalls (on the Santiago tour).

Playa Dorada complex has a 40-store mall, and a casino as well as discos, etc and their own security guards.

I stayed at the Viva Wyndham, though the Barcelo (used to be the Flamenco I think ) was said to be good according to guests staying there whom I met on tours.

There are also good tours to Playa Grande beach for snorkeling etc and monster jeep buggy safari tours as well as self-drive ATV tours, rafting tours and diving.

Arrange for tours at your hotel with the tour rep agent you booked your holiday with (eg mine was Nolitour) -- they take credit cards. If your rep hasn't any tours that appeal to you then try the hotel tour staff or tour groups at the mall. There's a bank at the mall where you can change dollars into pesos at the best rates.

Puerto Plata is an actual (historical) city first, a tourist area second.

Punta Cana is a resort first with no real Domincan larger towns nearby.

Most holidays to the DR are all-inclusive, and these are the best prices. I talked with a couple who used their timeshare trade, then paid a daily meal package rate and their airfare, and they wound up with the same amenities I did at a much higher price.

Hope this helps! It's a great holiday spot! Miles of beaches and the sand at Playa Dorada didn't kill your feet when you put your sandals on.

Shesz Awesome

I been to Playa Dorada. It is beautiful there.

ctelly22

Have been to Puerto Plata but never stayed at any of the riu resorts. I would suggest you check tripadvisor, they have reviews and pics from people who stayed there. You also can message them or ask questions in the forums if you need to know anything specific. Its a great site and I always use it to help me decide where to stay.

Nickie

Ok, best answer (LOL): Lifestyle Tropical Resort. Hands down. We booked on CheapCaribbean.com, and went for under $1400 for two people, air, hotel for 7 days, and completely all-inclusive (beer, rum, wine too!). It was great. My boyfriend and I went when we were about 23, and we had a blast. This resort is in Puerto Plata, which is a nicer "resort" type area, not a crazy party place like Punta Cana.

We went on a snorkeling excursion, went hiking at Mt. Isabella, went shopping downtown (cabs are cheap and are always waiting at the hotel for you). The people there are super friendly, and the beer is good too! (El Presidente it's called). They have five different pools and are right on the ocean. It's awesome :)

I do recommend www.cheapcaribbean.com though, they were great, and picked us up from the airport, the rooms were beaultiful, and they catered to our every need!

ProArtWork

Riu are known to be good resorts. Iberostar would be a better choice in my opinion. You can check tripadvisor.com and compare the two. Applevacations.com sell packages on both of these resorts and have a rating system.

Good luck!

Happy Feet

Hi !, the RIU's a great but the distance to the town of Puerto Plata is about 20 km. You have also in Cofresi (5 min form town center) SUN VILLAGE RESORT and also HANCIENDA RESORT both very good hotels.
For Costa Dorada (5 min from center) you have MARIEN Resort (ex Hilton) and the very good IBEROSTAR.
For Playa Dorada you have: GRAN VENTANA & VICTORIA
both good resorts.
As a VIP Tour operator I would sugest these hotels.
Enjoy it !!

My baby boy arrived! 12/2/08

I have been to the RIU resorts in Puerto Plata and they are nice. From experience Punta Cana is a lot nicer....check out the RIU resorts in Punta Cana. Ocean Blue is also a nice resort in Punta Cana.

blair123

ive just returned from the bachata a week ago, and it was amazing! Im in my late teens but it really is a hotel for anyone. It has a beautiful normal beach and a sports beach, and theres lots of tours to go on, and lots of stuff to do, the beach is shady but you can travel amongst the 3 hotels anytime you want to. The staff at the bachata is incredible, especially the animacion team, youll love them. Its a fun hotel but relaxing at the same time. I went on a tour to ocean world, it was very fun, i snorkled and watched shows, for 55 dollars. Have fun deciding, and if you need more answers just ask.

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