Been to Punta Cana?

sailorgirl · 10-10-2008

Hey, travellers! We've decided to branch out with our winter vacays, and are going to Punta Cana in Jan. We have our resort booked, but I'm looking for excursions. We like to do a lot of sightseeing off resort, and I'm worried because it looks like there's not a ton to see and do off of the beach in this part of the DR. Has anyone been to this area, and have recommendations on excursions? I need a site exactly like this one! No matter what, I know I'm going to be missing Playa!!

Rissask · 10-10-2008

Shammy, one of the regular posters on this site, has been to Punta Cana at least once...did you try doing a search? I will go do that using her name.

Rissask · 10-10-2008

HERE is Shammy and Doggiemom's trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

and HERE is Brent/Maverick's question like yours with answers.

steelersfan · 10-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorgirl

Hey, travellers! We've decided to branch out with our winter vacays, and are going to Punta Cana in Jan. We have our resort booked, but I'm looking for excursions. We like to do a lot of sightseeing off resort, and I'm worried because it looks like there's not a ton to see and do off of the beach in this part of the DR. Has anyone been to this area, and have recommendations on excursions? I need a site exactly like this one! No matter what, I know I'm going to be missing Playa!!

I've been to Punta Cana several times. I hope you booked at a really good resort because there is NOT much to see off site. I thought it was actually depressing, but the beaches are beautiful. When we go to the Dominican we just enjoy the R&R at the resort. You will find a few ideas on a site called Debbies Dominican Travel.

Eileencc · 10-10-2008

My husband and I stayed at the Barcelo resort in Punta Cana in 2001. It was seriously the most breathtaking slice of beach I have been to in my life. We didn't do much while there...we were there to enjoy each other and that gorgeous beach. However, we did one excursion, I think it was called a monster truck tour. They take you on this giant truck on a tour up into the mountains where you get to visit a farm where they grow vanilla and coffee, get to meet some of the local people, swim in a lovely river in the jungle. It was a really fun all day excursion, but since it was so long ago, I'm not sure the same tour even exists. Here's a link to a website that helped me a lot in planning for the trip, called Debbie's Dominican Travel...I noticed that they now have a forum that looks a little like this. But I'm gonna venture a guess and say that there are no other forums out the just like this one.

Good luck and have fun!

Edit: Well steelersfan, looks like great minds think alike! I agree that there's not much to do off site, but again, that's not what we were looking for in that vacation anyway!

steelersfan · 10-10-2008

LOL Eileen...yes we do think alike in a couple ways, we will be at the Barcelo Maya next month. First time there, but we have also been to the IB Tucan and a couple others.
I found the Dominican depressing because the people seem to be so poor and want for so much. However, I found them to be very friendly, hardworking and appreciative. The beaches in Punta Cana, especially Bavaro Beach, are really beautiful so I think it is best to just enjoy that and keep trips off site to a minimum.

Eileencc · 10-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelersfan

LOL Eileen...yes we do think alike in a couple ways, we will be at the Barcelo Maya next month. First time there, but we have also been to the IB Tucan and a couple others.
I found the Dominican depressing because the people seem to be so poor and want for so much. However, I found them to be very friendly, hardworking and appreciative. The beaches in Punta Cana, especially Bavaro Beach, are really beautiful so I think it is best to just enjoy that and keep trips off site to a minimum.

I believe they have built up the area off the resort a little bit since 2001, but I know what you mean about the surrounding area being so poor and depressing. There really was nothing much to do off the resort at the time. I'll never forget that beach though.

sailorgirl · 10-11-2008

We were in the DR in 2003. We stayed on the Puerto Plata side, and had a fantastic time. We were part of a group of 24 people there for a wedding, and it was our first tropical vacation. We were staying between Sosua and Cabarete, so there we found we could go into either of the towns and take in some different sights when we tired of resort life. I didn't realize until after we booked that Punta Cana seems to be resorts only. I am going to comb through all of your recommendations until I find something else to do! This is the first time I've been able to talk my boyfriend into doing 2 weeks, and if he's bored the whole time, it'll be a hard sell next winter!! ( I knew we should have gone back to PDC!!)

sailorgirl · 10-11-2008

Thanks - you guys are awesome. I particularly loved the trip review on Shammy and DoggieMom's vacation. The whole thread had me laughing my arse off.

**Shammy** · 10-18-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorgirl

Thanks - you guys are awesome. I particularly loved the trip review on Shammy and DoggieMom's vacation. The whole thread had me laughing my arse off.

Sorry, just saw this thread.

Glad you liked the report! We have a lot of fun on our trips!

As far as Punta Cana, I have been there 4 times, I've also been to Puerto Plata (did not like it!). Sadly, there really isn't much to do outside of your resort in PUJ, which is why I can only handle 4 night trips there

.

There is the Monster Truck tour (or Outback Safari), some ATV's places (not a good idea, dangerous there!!!), a catamaran sail to Saona Island (LONG day!), Manati Park (don't go, trust me). If you are there for two weeks, you might want to take a trip to Santo Domingo, a lot of history there. Or you could go to Altos de Chavon, which is close to La Romana. It's very beautiful, very crafty/artsy place. While there is a town in PUJ, it's NOTHING like Playa and really, nothing to do there, it's kind of depressing because there is so much poverty there.

They have built a "tourist friendly" shopping area close to some of the hotels - but it depends where your hotel is, if it is within walking distance, etc. What hotel did you book?

sailorgirl · 10-18-2008

We booked at the Royal Catalonia Bavaro. It's part of the Catalonia - we booked the Royal side because it's a little more exclusive, and kid-free. Also, they have their own section of beach where we (hopefully) won't run into the problem of having no loungers available due to the 5:00 am "towel drop" that we encountered at the resort we've been staying at on the Mayan. I hate that!! We did book 2 weeks, and I've been busy checking out a few different tour companies online for excursions. Thanks for the advice on Manati Park - we were actually considering that. Also, the heads up on the ATV tour was great - we did that in Playa and had a fantastic time. ( I must admit, I was surprised!) We'll likely do at least one catamaran trip (I'm a sucker for the boats, as you can tell by my name

) and the Santa Domingo trip as well. Thanks for your comments ~ that's exactly what I was looking for! I'll be sure to post a full review when we get home. After the snow we had here last week, I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!

leonardito · 11-17-2008

Hola,

"Our hat is the hat of the Captain of the "Astron" ship." we said.
"and how do you know that ?" she asked.
"Because the person who gave it to us told us so." we answered.
"Did 'Donna Yo' give you that hat ?" she asked.
Yes ..... was our answer.
After that Rosa looked straight in my eyes and said :
" 'Donna Yo' was my younger sister " she said.
"She told me about You" she continued.
"Tell us a bit about 'Donna Yo' " we asked.
for more see :
http://leonardito.com/bahamb0810n/bahamb0810.shtml
.
suerte

Maasive10 · 10-10-2009

oops

10-10-2008	#1 (permalink)
sailorgirl very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Posts: 26	Been to Punta Cana? Hey, travellers! We've decided to branch out with our winter vacays, and are going to Punta Cana in Jan. We have our resort booked, but I'm looking for excursions. We like to do a lot of sightseeing off resort, and I'm worried because it looks like there's not a ton to see and do off of the beach in this part of the DR. Has anyone been to this area, and have recommendations on excursions? I need a site exactly like this one! No matter what, I know I'm going to be missing Playa!!

10-11-2008	#8 (permalink)
sailorgirl very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Posts: 26	We were in the DR in 2003. We stayed on the Puerto Plata side, and had a fantastic time. We were part of a group of 24 people there for a wedding, and it was our first tropical vacation. We were staying between Sosua and Cabarete, so there we found we could go into either of the towns and take in some different sights when we tired of resort life. I didn't realize until after we booked that Punta Cana seems to be resorts only. I am going to comb through all of your recommendations until I find something else to do! This is the first time I've been able to talk my boyfriend into doing 2 weeks, and if he's bored the whole time, it'll be a hard sell next winter!! ( I knew we should have gone back to PDC!!) Last edited by sailorgirl; 10-11-2008 at 01:25 AM..

11-17-2008	#12 (permalink)
leonardito into ruins Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 78	going to Punta Cana GBP. Ambar Hola, "Our hat is the hat of the Captain of the "Astron" ship." we said. "and how do you know that ?" she asked. "Because the person who gave it to us told us so." we answered. "Did 'Donna Yo' give you that hat ?" she asked. Yes ..... was our answer. After that Rosa looked straight in my eyes and said : " 'Donna Yo' was my younger sister " she said. "She told me about You" she continued. "Tell us a bit about 'Donna Yo' " we asked. for more see : http://leonardito.com/bahamb0810n/bahamb0810.shtml . suerte

10-10-2008	#2 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,645	Shammy, one of the regular posters on this site, has been to Punta Cana at least once...did you try doing a search? I will go do that using her name.

10-10-2008	#3 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,645	HERE is Shammy and Doggiemom's trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. and HERE is Brent/Maverick's question like yours with answers.

10-10-2008	#5 (permalink)
Eileencc añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: North of Boston, Mass Posts: 7,354	My husband and I stayed at the Barcelo resort in Punta Cana in 2001. It was seriously the most breathtaking slice of beach I have been to in my life. We didn't do much while there...we were there to enjoy each other and that gorgeous beach. However, we did one excursion, I think it was called a monster truck tour. They take you on this giant truck on a tour up into the mountains where you get to visit a farm where they grow vanilla and coffee, get to meet some of the local people, swim in a lovely river in the jungle. It was a really fun all day excursion, but since it was so long ago, I'm not sure the same tour even exists. Here's a link to a website that helped me a lot in planning for the trip, called Debbie's Dominican Travel...I noticed that they now have a forum that looks a little like this. But I'm gonna venture a guess and say that there are no other forums out the just like this one. Good luck and have fun! Edit: Well steelersfan, looks like great minds think alike! I agree that there's not much to do off site, but again, that's not what we were looking for in that vacation anyway!

10-10-2008	#6 (permalink)
steelersfan ruined Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Carlisle, PA USA Posts: 81	LOL Eileen...yes we do think alike in a couple ways, we will be at the Barcelo Maya next month. First time there, but we have also been to the IB Tucan and a couple others. I found the Dominican depressing because the people seem to be so poor and want for so much. However, I found them to be very friendly, hardworking and appreciative. The beaches in Punta Cana, especially Bavaro Beach, are really beautiful so I think it is best to just enjoy that and keep trips off site to a minimum.

10-11-2008	#9 (permalink)
sailorgirl very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Posts: 26	Thanks - you guys are awesome. I particularly loved the trip review on Shammy and DoggieMom's vacation. The whole thread had me laughing my arse off.

10-18-2008	#11 (permalink)
sailorgirl very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Posts: 26	We booked at the Royal Catalonia Bavaro. It's part of the Catalonia - we booked the Royal side because it's a little more exclusive, and kid-free. Also, they have their own section of beach where we (hopefully) won't run into the problem of having no loungers available due to the 5:00 am "towel drop" that we encountered at the resort we've been staying at on the Mayan. I hate that!! We did book 2 weeks, and I've been busy checking out a few different tour companies online for excursions. Thanks for the advice on Manati Park - we were actually considering that. Also, the heads up on the ATV tour was great - we did that in Playa and had a fantastic time. ( I must admit, I was surprised!) We'll likely do at least one catamaran trip (I'm a sucker for the boats, as you can tell by my name ) and the Santa Domingo trip as well. Thanks for your comments ~ that's exactly what I was looking for! I'll be sure to post a full review when we get home. After the snow we had here last week, I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!

10-10-2009	#13 (permalink)
Maasive10 very sparkly Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 27	oops

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