Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

mares2000 Posted: Sep 17, 2009 07:26 PM

Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

If you have been there any suggestions on things to do?

SummerBride10 Posted: Sep 17, 2009 07:28 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

we were advised by multiple people to stay on the resorts

mares2000 Posted: Sep 17, 2009 07:29 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

someone told us that if you do anything do it through the resorts.

SummerBride10 Posted: Sep 17, 2009 07:30 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by mares2000

someone told us that if you do anything do it through the resorts.

We just did snorkling and horseback riding...both were ok- nothing too exciting.

the shopping on the beach was the best part...i got so much stuff from the people for practically no money

Maria5117 Posted: Sep 18, 2009 09:53 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

We went last year.... the resort and the beach were beautiful, but there wasn't much to do otherwise. You DEFINITELY can't leave the resort by yourselves, just with pre-booked excursions through your hotel. No sightseeing in Punta Cana at all. FH and I did the speedboat excursion. That was alot of fun. We also did horseback riding and drove those buggy things. Aside from hysterical laughing bc I was scared out of my mind on that horse (lol), we thought it was terrible. If you're going to ride horses, do the ones on the beach... we went to some ranch and it was dirty and dusty and smelly.... don't recommend it.... wouldn't recommend the buggy's either,but of course, that's just my opinion.... we drove on the side of a road with cars wizzing by us, you have to wear a bandana around your face to protect yourself from all the dirt and dust and debris.... and our final destination was a beach with garbage all over it.... gross.... i'm sure there are better excursions, but i'd suggest asking alot of questions before you book them....

FutureCap Posted: Sep 18, 2009 09:56 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Noelsgirl Posted: Sep 18, 2009 10:28 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by FutureCap

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Hey, that's kinda mean!

Maria5117 Posted: Sep 18, 2009 10:34 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by Noelsgirl

Posted by FutureCap

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Hey, that's kinda mean!

I don't think it's mean... it's very true... it is very poor.... people live in shacks made out of tin and wood.... i'm not being judgmental or making fun, but I totally agree....

leb Posted: Sep 18, 2009 10:46 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

I went Last May and stayed at the Pardisus Palma Real, it was very beautiful and actually we saw a wedding every single night we were there on the resort.

http://www.paradisuspalmareal.com/

However desperate people do desperate things, the island is so poverty stricken, DR shares a border with Haiti, it is very unsafe to walk around on your own.

Someone I work with is from there and even she advised me that if I left the resort to make sure it's a guided tour only.

However there is plenty to do on the resorts, ours had 5 restaurants, and various water activities, after staying 5 nights I felt I could had stayed another few days.

shelbylove918 Posted: Sep 18, 2009 11:35 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

yes, memememememe..I looooove Punta Cana. I got engaged there.. it is awesome.. we stayed at excellence and had the best time.. def check it out:) ...there are excursions to do through the resort. I suggest doin that.. we did horseback riding and that was fun.. there are a lot more things but cant thing of them .. have fun!:)

iquel Posted: Sep 18, 2009 11:43 AM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by FutureCap

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Thats not nice to say at all

rocketsummer17 Posted: Sep 18, 2009 12:13 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

When I went I stayed at one of the Iberostar resorts and had a great time. There is a really cute flea-market type thing that has some great artwork and locally made jewlery. It a short walk down the beach from a majority of the popular hotels and its about the safest thing you can do on your own in Puenta Cana.
If you want to venture out of the hotel definately go through the hotel and the tours they offer...if I can reccomend anything to do when your down there, is go on the swamp tour!! Its a long day but it is so much fun!! Your ride quads through the swamp and along these crazy roads, you get to see some pretty amazing sites. You will get DIRTY going, but it will be well worth it!! (Lets just say the white tank top I wore wasn't really white anymore...)

iquel Posted: Sep 18, 2009 12:24 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by Maria5117

Posted by Noelsgirl

Posted by FutureCap

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Hey, that's kinda mean!

I don't think it's mean... it's very true... it is very poor.... people live in shacks made out of tin and wood.... i'm not being judgmental or making fun, but I totally agree....

My parents are from the Dominican Republic and not everyone lives this way. So I still think is really mean to say. Yes their are areas like this but for her to say it like that

firemans gal Posted: Sep 18, 2009 02:22 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

I love Punta Cana! Been there 3 times and got engaged there. I would recommend booking anything through the resort and try parasailing...it was so peaceful and beautiful. Where are you staying?

cateydee Posted: Sep 18, 2009 02:26 PM

Re: Anyone been to Punta Cana in the DR

Posted by iquel

Posted by Maria5117

Posted by Noelsgirl

Posted by FutureCap

it is beautiful... but you don't want to do anything byt stay at the resort.... not safe out there. they are so poor and desparate and that is obvious just from what you see on the ride from the airport to the hotel. Not to say you shouldn't go... just enjoy the beautiful resorts ONLY!!!

Hey, that's kinda mean!

I don't think it's mean... it's very true... it is very poor.... people live in shacks made out of tin and wood.... i'm not being judgmental or making fun, but I totally agree....

My parents are from the Dominican Republic and not everyone lives this way. So I still think is really mean to say. Yes their are areas like this but for her to say it like that

I think it is incredibly insensitive to say this. FH is from DR and we travel there a lot. When we went to Puerto Plata (another resort town) to visit family, I saw how poor the resort towns are even in comparison to other towns . Sure many places in DR dont have running water or electricity, but the majority of them are decent human beings just trying to make a living. That being said, there are unsafe areas just like there are in any part of the world, so keep your wits about you!