...punta cana dominican...

[shaqkur]

anybody in the forum ever took their vacation there last week of December or first week of January? would like to hear your experience, recommendations. thanks.

[yearoftherat]

If its like any typical Xmas trip, expect it to be packed. If you know the resort you plan to stay at, check on tripadvisor.com for reviews. It helped me out a lot when I went to Cuba a few weeks ago.

[SL3VIN]

went to the Dominican during winter reading week last year. imo it was a great vacation. nice break from our cold weather. highly recommend it

[shaqkur]

If its like any typical Xmas trip, expect it to be packed. If you know the resort you plan to stay at, check on tripadvisor.com for reviews. It helped me out a lot when I went to Cuba a few weeks ago.

i think you are right about being packed during the Xmas holidays. so we're actually leaning towards the first week of Dec. (post new year) plus there seems to be a significant price drop by tht week. thanks.

[jaimie08mazda3]

i weent the week (well basically came hjome the day before christmas) in december and it was wicked what place are you going to?

[shaqkur]

i weent the week (well basically came hjome the day before christmas) in december and it was wicked what place are you going to?

dont quite know yet. so how crowded was it being a week before the holidays. we are really hoping for a quiet week.

[jaimie08mazda3]

wasnt bad at all.. nice and quiet because people are going to their families instead of going on vacation. i had a wicked time. met alot of great people too and cheap prices at this time

[SSmoked]

iv been before. not during the winter break tho. i stayed at the rui taino(sp?). great resort, with many of things to do. prices were great and lots of women!!

[SirWanker]

I've been down there numerous times. The best thing about it are the beaches, you can walk for miles, literally! Timewise, been there just after Easter, Valentines and after New Years. No difference in the weather except the prices. Excellent deal was just after New Year's and less people to deal with in the resorts.

[BiG-ED]

dominican is golden.
been in the winter months twice now.
be weary of the weather (check weather network up to the date of departure) and see if u can get a 2nd story (if not higher room). So many vacation horror stories of rain and flooding in the first floor rooms.
check out your resort on tripadvisor too. i find it helps a lot.

Also, if u wanna get in good with the locals/employees, go to the dollar store before you go and buy little things like pencils/notepads/etc and give them as "tips". the locals love them and they usually make sure the rest of ur stay is even more enjoyable (quick drink-topups and more care and beers in your room/fridge). either that or bring lots of 1 dollar bills.

have fun

[All-Star]

I went to the Dominican the 2nd week of January and it was great weather. I stayed at the Bahia Principe resort and it wasn't busy at all. I forgot what star rating the resort was (4, possibly 5) but it was awesome. Felt like royalty. There were plenty of people, but not so much that you had to wait in line for dinner tables, drinks, even check-in. The beach wasn't crowded either. I stayed in the Platinum section of the resort, but even the regular section of the beach and the main pool had plenty of room. I only found out after, if you stay on the north side of the Dominican, the beach sand is brown. The south side has all the white sand.

I never ventured out of the resort for safety reasons. Watch yourself at the airport as well. Guys will just walk up to you and want to carry your luggage for you or even toss your luggage in the bus. You'll have to tip them if you let them. I highly recommend the Dominican and Bahia Principe.

[shaqkur]

I've been down there numerous times. The best thing about it are the beaches, you can walk for miles, literally! Timewise, been there just after Easter, Valentines and after New Years. No difference in the weather except the prices. Excellent deal was just after New Year's and less people to deal with in the resorts.

...exactly wht we are wanting to do and hoping for. thks for the info. and all-star mentioned tht the white sands are on the south side. punta cana is the south side ryt??

[JSI]

I stayed at Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado in February. Great trip would highly recommend it. Nice white said on the little island. I went snorkling right off the beach almost every day.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147294-d150844-Reviews-Gran_Bahia_Principe_Cayo_Levantado-Samana_Peninsula_Dominican_Republic.html


Jeremy

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I love Punta Canta. Been to a lot of different places over the years, Mexico-Mayan Riviera, all around Cuba, Puerto Plata etc al.

Punta Cana was my favorite destination so far by a large margin. Stayed at the Riu Bambu, next to the Riu Palace. I think it is 4.5 star rated and there are several RIU properties next to one another in what is essentially a large RIU complex. Staying at the Bambu gives you full exchange privileges to restaurants and facilities of all the other Riu properties except the Palace. If you stay at the Palace, you can use all of them.

Highly recommend Riu in general, but the Bambu is a really nice resort.

[Hypothrml]

I'm heading down to Punta Cana in December staying at Ocean Sands/Blue beach gold resort, IMO the best resort! International brand of alcohol, 2 swim-up bars, 2 buffets, 7 restaurants, disco, casino, bowling alley.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I'm heading down to Punta Cana in December staying at Ocean Sands/Blue beach gold resort, IMO the best resort! International brand of alcohol, 2 swim-up bars, 2 buffets, 7 restaurants, disco, casino, bowling alley.

Very Nice!!!! :bana2

[towelsnap]

I'm going to the majestic colonial punta cana on the 12th in Sept for a week this year. I'll post up some pics and do a review in 1080P if you want.


iv been before. not during the winter break tho. i stayed at the rui taino(sp?). great resort, with many of things to do. prices were great and lots of women!!


I hope so lol :chuckle

[shaqkur]

I'm going to the majestic colonial punta cana on the 12th in Sept for a week this year. I'll post up some pics and do a review in 1080P if you want.




I hope so lol :chuckle

..thts great! would appreciate tht.

[towelsnap]

yup no worries vids and beach photos, resourt want pics of food lol

[Slipstream]

what would it roughly cost for this kind of trip? flight + accomendation included? thinking about going in winter witha few friends

[towelsnap]

I'm stayin at a 5+ star and for off season I paid 1050 taxes in , my package (upgraded room and free pga round of 9 holes) ranges from 1700+ . But you don't have to have the gold package. For peek season your looking at 1100

http://www.majestic-resorts.com/en/H1/Hotel-Majestic-Colonial-Punta-Cana.aspx

my Balcony
http://www.majestic-resorts.com/files/thumbnails/01(11)_w397_h265_art.jpg

[BiG-ED]

I stayed at Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado in February. Great trip would highly recommend it. Nice white said on the little island. I went snorkling right off the beach almost every day.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147294-d150844-Reviews-Gran_Bahia_Principe_Cayo_Levantado-Samana_Peninsula_Dominican_Republic.html


Jeremy

wicked resort. took a lil boat there from the cayacoa resort and loved the clear water and white sand.

[towelsnap]

nice look forward to it :)

[Smurfy]

I'm heading down to Punta Cana in December staying at Ocean Sands/Blue beach gold resort, IMO the best resort! International brand of alcohol, 2 swim-up bars, 2 buffets, 7 restaurants, disco, casino, bowling alley.

Going there at the end of September and it will be my third time there.
That place ROCKS! Food is awesome, pools are huge and the beach is stunning! Couldn't ask for anything more.

[Slipstream]

I'm stayin at a 5+ star and for off season I paid 1050 taxes in , my package (upgraded room and free pga round of 9 holes) ranges from 1700+ . But you don't have to have the gold package. For peek season your looking at 1100

http://www.majestic-resorts.com/en/H1/Hotel-Majestic-Colonial-Punta-Cana.aspx

my Balcony
http://www.majestic-resorts.com/files/thumbnails/01(11)_w397_h265_art.jpg

wow that is BEAUTIFUL so without golf its 1050? is that with flight as well? and im assuming this doesnt include spending money (loads of booze) this actually looks affordable hahaha i think going hre be better than HK

[towelsnap]

Everything and includes booze, no not including spending money (my friends and I are gonna venture off to local bars if the night scene isn't that good on the resort) youtube it :) lots of videos.

[lamerking]

I'm going to the majestic colonial punta cana on the 12th in Sept for a week this year. I'll post up some pics and do a review in 1080P if you want.

I hope so lol :chuckle

I will be staying at Majestic Colonial this November for a wedding. Please post pictures and reviews.

I heard from friends that theres hardly any nightlife in Punta Cana. Its recommended that you stay on the resort at all times (safety). I guess this isn't like Mexico.

Just curious to know, where are you people booking vacations? Websites, travel agents? We are planning to book through applevacations.com but if there are better recommendations, please do tell.

[Hypothrml]

I will be staying at Majestic Colonial this November for a wedding. Please post pictures and reviews.

I heard from friends that theres hardly any nightlife in Punta Cana. Its recommended that you stay on the resort at all times (safety). I guess this isn't like Mexico.

Just curious to know, where are you people booking vacations? Websites, travel agents? We are planning to book through applevacations.com but if there are better recommendations, please do tell.

I've always use holidaymarkettravel.com very competitive pricing and they're local, just ask for Robin, she'll take care of you. Tell her Thomas sent you!

[x_o_k_x]

Anyone gone to Paradise Island, best place IMO

[sicsol]

I'm also heading down to Punta Cana in December staying at Ocean Sands/Blue beach gold resort

[towelsnap]

I will be staying at Majestic Colonial this November for a wedding. Please post pictures and reviews.

I heard from friends that theres hardly any nightlife in Punta Cana. Its recommended that you stay on the resort at all times (safety). I guess this isn't like Mexico.

Just curious to know, where are you people booking vacations? Websites, travel agents? We are planning to book through applevacations.com but if there are better recommendations, please do tell.


I booked through a travel agent who matched the price off of selloffvacations.com , the nightlife is lacking there .... but I don't like listening to rules lol they are meant to be broken (so we will go out at night and see what its like), I'm military tactical trained my buddy speaks Spanish so that should get us out of trouble. But I will post up a long review and lots of pics and HD videos