Dominican Republic - Talk to me

[Degudodger]

We are looking at a relatively cheap get away for early next year and my wife has her eye on the Dominican Republic, Bavaro on the East coast. After much research on internet has found the hotel she wants to stay at and have priced two weeks in late Jan 2013 at just a little over £2k so not too bad.

Anyone been ?

[Poverty]

Yeah I've been. Stayed at the gran Bahia in punta Cana.

Nice enough hotel, beach was nice, but on that side of the island the water is choppy and not Caribbean like.

Armed guards on the hotel entrance. There weren't many excursions or stuff to do out there other than a boat trip to some little island and helicopter rides. The helicopter rides apparently are a waste of money.

It was nice enough but wouldn't go back.

Jamaica and Cuba are better for places where you can get out and about and do stuff.

[benjii]

I'm going in 4 weeks staying in the Catalonia royal bravo so hope its not to bad went to Mexico cancun and that was awsome

[Degudodger]

Looking at Cancun as well but my wife is deadset on going to the Dominican Republic. Personally I don't mind where we go as long as i can take photos, not have to spend 8 hours a day sun bathing and the weather is better than back home !

[ILoveTuna]

To be fair i have been to both Cancun and the Dominican and Canun is far better IMO.

If you want to stay in the complex and chill Dominican is fine but Cancun has much more going for it!

[skard]

My first thought was to write exactly what's been said. We went there on honeymoon in 2010 and liked it, but don't think I'll go back.

It's a nice enough place, but Cancun (well, Playa Del Carmen) seems so much more evolved and had a better infrastructure for going out the resort. Plus the standard of entertainment available, food and nightlife was better.
I'm not the type to sit and sunbathe so I got pretty bored in Dominican and ended up getting pissed in the pool most days.

As said the main 'interesting' thing to do (we were in Punta Cana side) was a helicopter ride, but I spend a lot of time sleeping in S-92's so that was of no interest to me 

[Poverty]

Looking at Cancun as well but my wife is deadset on going to the Dominican Republic. Personally I don't mind where we go as long as i can take photos, not have to spend 8 hours a day sun bathing and the weather is better than back home !

Sun bathing is all there is to do really in bavaro/punta Cana. I got bored too

They did offer to take tourists on a tour of local life but alot of it will be poverty.

What sort of stuff do you want to take pictures of?

Haven't been cancun so can't comment on what that's like. The missus wants to go, but I'm unsure as I dont like places that are too commercialised or americano.

[Degudodger]

I pretty much take photos of anything as long as it is interesting. Some of my Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/degudodger/

I'm starting to think maybe i need to try and convince my wife Cancun is the better option. 

[Poverty]

Just show her this thread lol. If you are gonna go to the Caribbean there are much more interesting places to go than Dom rep. The beach isn't all that compared to other islands in the region also.

That's some nice pics you have there btw!

[Degudodger]

And now it is Cancun!

[simonp]

If I were going back to the Caribbean it would have to be to the Virgin Islands...

[Degudodger]

I had a quick look at the Virgin Islands and unfortunately it is out of our budget which is a shame as it looks awesome!

[simonp]

Lovely scenery and lots of deserted beaches. The guided walks are interesting and you can buy "timepieces" cheap in the duty free jewelllers, too.

[Poverty]

If I were going back to the Caribbean it would have to be to the Virgin Islands...

british or US?

[Degudodger]

Just show her this thread lol. If you are gonna go to the Caribbean there are much more interesting places to go than Dom rep. The beach isn't all that compared to other islands in the region also.

That's some nice pics you have there btw!

Cheers