Punta Cana trip can not happen soon enough!

[modo22]

Well a week from today and I will be in Punta Cana, DR! I have never done an all-inclusive 7 day trip before….let alone never taking a vacation for more than 3 days before! I love that I can search this community before asking a question that has already been asked!! So, I am taking my own smokes and will not look forward anymore to buying some in the DR. I will be on the beach, with an amazing women, a drink (or 3) and a cigar! I can not wait, I have even started packing a week early. Spent all morning picking out my smokes for the week.

I have never left the country (except Canada) so I am excited to go but leery on what tips I don’t know. If anyone has any tips about the DR or just Caribbean travel in general I would appreciate it! I’ll get a photo or two up when I return; unless my data on my ipad works down there?

 

[H311oLHD]

Been to Punta Cana twice! It's beautiful there. What hotel are you staying at? There is a small cigar factory in Punta Cana, I can't remember the name of it. They will take you on a tour of their factory and give you a sample right off the table! They were tasty smokes. The prices on them are a bit crazy, but they are there to make money off of the tourists, not by exporting. They have a nice walk in with other brands as well.

Have a great trip!!! You won't need to venture outside of the hotel much, as I'm sure they will take great care of you!

-Aaron

Ps: the beer sucks, but f* it, you're on vacation! Presidente beer...mmmm

Pss: no data down there.

 

[Tall Paul]

Aaron covered a lot of what I was going to say!

I've been to the Dominican republic once but I'm hooked on going to Mexico nowadays! It was 2006 when my wife and I traveled there a lot probably has changed since then I remember the drive from the airport to the Resort area was a very sad ride it reminded me of those commercials where they're trying to get you to donate money to foreign countries and the babies are in mud puddles. I remember they're not being much to do outside of the resort area most of the resorts have everything you'll need including a very large cigar selection. Make sure you warn the misses before you guys leave that a lot of the Dominican republic in the resorts are topless so tell her she doesn't need to pack the tops of her bathing suits That's just wasted luggage space! :thumbs: When it comes to drinking like Aaron said they'll only have Presidente beer In most areas. That's how it was in 2006 when I was there also all the booze was local Dominican booze as well their rums, their vodkas and things of that nature. It really depends on the resort that you're staying at to what kind of booze they import. Key pointer I would give you when leaving the resort area and or brushing your teeth and things of that nature in the hotel area use bottled water do not drink the tap water there and a lot of the areas outside of the hotel will prepare their food with tap water versus most of the resort areas will prepare prepare the food with bottled/filtered water. When I was there in 2006 the Dominican republic wasn't really up on filtering their water to help the travelers that are coming in from other countries. There is major parasites in the water down there and us from the United States are not used to. Not that'll kill you just your body is not able to fight it off and when I say you guys be in the bathroom for the week I mean you'll be in the bathroom for the week with the shits!

Have a safe trip brother I hope you have a lot of fun! Bring a nice camera with you because once you're in the resort area on the beaches the water is beautiful it's like something you see on a post card you want to take lots of pictures. Also candid shots of the hot chicks at the pool topless are also welcome back here on CP later

Safe travels my friend,

Paul

 

[modo22]

Thanks Paul and Aaron. That pretty much answered my three basic questions; Water, Data, Tits.

I am staying at one of those 6 golden apple deals through apple vaca. But I do not know which hotel till I leave that morning. So I can't imagine it being to run down (resort wise) and hopefully is top of the line. i.e. hope they filter their water. Either way I planned on doing bottled water for most things, but was concerned if they do not filter their own water, what about mixed drinks? Does that mean the ice is nasty and I am taking a chance there as well? Ohh well, I will ask before doing anything. Not to happy to hear that the beer sucks....that is my main choice of drink, but I guess that may be ok as beer and the sun do not mix well for me!!

And the Mrs. is already aware of the topless part! I made sure of that. She is game to pull it off to! DONT WORRY, i will take pictures (of others!!!) of course I mean pictures of my smokes!

 

[Tall Paul]

Ben most ice machines have filters built into the so this reduces the problem in the ice and you will see at the bars they are using bottled water as well. Key areas is when rinsing your mouth after brushing and the preparation of food like washing veggies and what not.

Side story when I was in the DR I was having the wife stand for a pic and shoot past her to get the topless sunbathers trying to be sneeky and not get caught by anyone. The wife thought it was funny and then we were at the pool a there was a French guy with a video camera just casually walking around taking a video and no one said a thing... Lol what really was a turn off was when a hot French women was next to us with her top off and her kids were jumping all over her... Very odd and crazy to think that's normal for them. I couldn't imagine hugging my mom with her topless...lol

 

[AshesTwoAshes]

We were in Punta Cana in 2009 and it was amazing! Like others said, do NOT drink the water & use bottled even to brush your teeth. Even after being cautious, a few of us got sick and I ended up seeing the resort doctor before we left.
The food was fantastic and they had nice wine selections in the restaurants. Snorkeling, fun in the sun and only one 30 minute storm that blew past. You will be offered to buy Cuban cigars but the odds of them being real are probably slim.
Great vacation spot that we would certainly revisit.

 

[modo22]

Well I am back and must say I will go back again one day soon! It was a great vacation, beautiful location, and wonderful service. I stayed at the Now Larimar resort which is considered a 6golden apple compared to apple vaca standards, I heard alot of people say that it should not be a 6 golden, but it being my first I have nothing to compare it to; I was happy. I wish I could live that all inclusive life all the time! Had to come home and "pay" for dinner??? Whats that about?!

Was able to take a tour of the area on a tour called Bavaro Runners; great host and tour! Part of the tour was a little cigar manufacture in the mountains. Also got to see alot of the country side, really put alot into perspective. Food was amazing all week, really only had one dinner we were not happy with, but just went to another restaurant I took a second cigar factory tour that was just in town. It was a free tour and shuttle from the hotel. Both tours were a learning experience. The cigars were not bad, I came home with a few, but they were more than I was wanting to pay. Around $35 for a 5er. BUT YES if you want to buy from the beach or the "cubanas" around, they are fake. Infact most the cigars on the beach are filled with just newspaper. I was very glad I brought my own. One thing to note, when coming back to the US they most likely will check your articles and your cigars have to be sealed. So anything you bring with you, smoke it; especially if they are isom. Perfect weather the whole time. Didn't really get sick, but did have a bought with sand fleas the last few days. Also, the biggest down fall, ALOT of solicitors on the beach and even sponsored ones in the resort lobby. REALLY annoying to take a walk in the morning down the beach and have to say no thank you over and over to parasailing or shopping solicitors.....and no thank you really didnt work, I about lost it one morning as I just wanted to enjoy my walk....

Here are some pics, I really tried to use the gallery uploader here, but after an hour and multiple errors I gave up.

The last one here is my lobster and steak dinner on the beach!!! 76 degrees at 8pm on the beach, amazing!

If anyone has more specific questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

[H311oLHD]

Glad you had a great time!!! Solicitors are everywhere, no matter what country....except for Jamaica, armed soldiers help with that!

Really glad you enjoyed your trip. Last time I went we stayed at the Dreams Punta Cana, rained the entire time, but oh we'll! My wife and I are headed go Huatulco, Mexico in mid-Feb. can't wait!!! This place even has a cigar bar... Better be good lol.

Ps: what did you think of Presidente beer? Hah

 

[Tall Paul]

Glad you had a great trip! The solicitors are a pain in the ass! I make sure we stay at locations that have there own private beaches that the solicitors can't go. We found this resort chain back in 2006 and will not travel to Dominican or Mexico without staying there. http://www.excellence-resorts.com/ They are a little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. No solicitors and there are armed guards. We are returning to their Riviera Maya resort in June for our 5 year anniversary can't wait!

Again glad you had a safe and fun trip!
Keep Calm and Chive On!

Paul

 

[modo22]

Ps: what did you think of Presidente beer? Hah

I have never wanted a miller lite more in my entire life!!!

Glad you had a great trip! The solicitors are a pain in the ass! I make sure we stay at locations that have there own private beaches that the solicitors can't go. We found this resort chain back in 2006 and will not travel to Dominican or Mexico without staying there. http://www.excellence-resorts.com/ They are a little on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. No solicitors and there are armed guards. We are returning to their Riviera Maya resort in June for our 5 year anniversary can't wait!

Our beach had guards, it was really only bad when we left our beach and walked down to others along the seaside. But it seamed our resort had teamed up with certain companies, so we were only hassled alittle bit until we finally said no enough then they let us be. But one day a week they had a market set up in the main square area, and that was really really pushy. Over all, more than I wanted, but after seeing the other beaches, I am very glad we did not have what those others did.