I have been to both Punta Cana and Puerta Plata and liked Punta Cana better (Puerta Plata tended to have older resorts - although still nice). I stayed at the Iberostar (Costa Dorada and Bavaro) both times so I am not much help.
alina
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Re: Help me pick a vacation!!! Please
Denise, I have checked out that site for Riu Merengue (b/c I got a quote for it yesterday).
The rest I'll be looking at tonight, but I thought to run this by LIW girls as well...
Did you find the beaches at Puerta Plata to have corals at the bottom (so you can't walk once you get to a certain distance and have to swim, not b/c its deep, but b/c its too rocky to walk)? That's pretty much the only concern for that resort. It has gotten good reviews at debbie's
MarcellaBella
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Posted by alina
We're trying to decide where to go, and here are our options (price is the same for all)
Any thoughts? Anyone has been to these places? We would be going in early december
Is that the GRAND oasis? or the oasis playa?
alina
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Its Oasis Cancun... Not the grand and not the Oasis Playa!!! But we can use the beach at the Grand Oasis (but not the restaurants)
Niecey
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I don't remember the water being rough or corally in either location but I honestly did not spend a lot of time at the beach - I stayed mostly by the pools.
In Puerta Plata, we did go on the Banana Boat ride so it couldn't have been too corally to do that. (but that may have been the only time we went in the ocean - the beach wasn't too big and we were in a big group so it was more fun to hang by the pool where it was steaming hot and they had lots of activities going on!!)
I went to Punta Cana in January and it was nice weather (low 80's) but by the ocean it got cool so I didn't feel hot enough to go in the ocean to go swimming....
Edited to add: I do remember like the beach better in Punta Cana - cleaner and bigger.
2003fallwedding
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Re: Help me pick a vacation!!! Please
In My Opinion: The Grand Oasis is nicer than the Oasis and the Oasis Playa. I think the beaches are better in Punta Cana. I would suggest the Melia Caribe Tropical, Secrets Excellence, Barcelo Bavaro Palace or Iberostar Suites. In Puerto Plata I would suggest Iberostar Costa Dorada or Gran Ventana. Those are some of the hotels I sell often. In Cancun, I would suggest Royal Solaris, Cancun Palace, or if you go south of the Cancun Airport, try Gala Resort or Aventura Spa Palace. I'm sure you will have a great vacation no matter what you do.
alina
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Posted by Niecey
I went to Punta Cana in January and it was nice weather (low 80's) but by the ocean it got cool so I didn't feel hot enough to go in the swimming....
Low 80's I may have to stay by the pool then and not swim
Niecey
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2003fallwedding did make some great suggestions - the ones she mentioned in DR are all ones I looked into or know people who have gone to them and liked them...Also I highly recommend the Aventura Spa Palace in Mexio or the Iberostars there!
I know someone who stayed at the Allegro in DR and I believe she had a great time but said it was old but fine for her purposes. She was also single and with 4 single girls! : )
Alina- I believe January is the rainy season or at least winter. It rained a couple times when we were there but not too bad - mostly early evening - when we were back at the room getting ready for dinner and stuff...didn't affect any of our vacation! Even though it would be low 80's by the pool was pretty dry and warm (little shade at our resort at least) - so you are comfortable to go in the pool. The temperature was perfect by the pool. When I went to Puerta Plata it was April and it was steaming hot that you fry in like 5 minutes (although I love that!). Many of my friends burned badly (but mostly because of lack or poor sunblock application)...I was gradually worked my way to #4 and I was fine - but it was very hot and we spent half the day in the pool cooling off!
alina
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Re: Help me pick a vacation!!! Please
I'll look into some resorts you guys mentioned. Unfortunately, both the Iberostar and Cancun Grand would be much more $$$, and put us in a different price bracket... The other's that fall2003 mentioned I haven't looked into yet, and will try to get some quotes with them too.
Niecey
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Also, what tour group would you ge using? I used Apple both times to DR and GoGo to Mexico and I preferred Apple - found them more organized. Also if you find a Apple Gold agent I found they gave me better pricing than a regular travel agent or regular Apple agent.
alina
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Sunblock and chapstick are definitely musts. I got burned in my lips on my last trip and had to buy a $5 chapstick with SPF at the little giftshop of the resort!!!
And no more hair braiding (burns my head!!!)
The last time that I went I stayed in Allegro Bavaro, but supposedly the resort has gotten worse since them due to change in management.... Otherwise I would go back...
Niecey
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My friend may have done that Allegro not the one in Puerta Plata.....that sounds more familiar...
alina
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I think most of them are through apple vacations
alina
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The allegro was in Punta Cana
jennbaby
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Occidentals are nice hotels!
AlisonMT
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Alina, I will be very interested in hearing what you end up choosing, as DH and I are thinking of going to Punta Cana in March with MOH and her hubby, during my spring break. I'm not on the boards much anymore, but would love it if you FM'd me when you decide (also, I am dying to know what happened w/school for you!!). Best, Alison
MarcellaBella
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Posted by 2003fallwedding
In My Opinion: The Grand Oasis is nicer than the Oasis and the Oasis Playa. I think the beaches are better in Punta Cana. I would suggest the Melia Caribe Tropical, Secrets Excellence, Barcelo Bavaro Palace or Iberostar Suites. In Puerto Plata I would suggest Iberostar Costa Dorada or Gran Ventana. Those are some of the hotels I sell often. In Cancun, I would suggest Royal Solaris, Cancun Palace, or if you go south of the Cancun Airport, try Gala Resort or Aventura Spa Palace. I'm sure you will have a great vacation no matter what you do.
You are right on the money girl!!!
alina
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bump Seriously considering Riu Merengue now (good reviews on Debbie's site)
alina
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I just wanted to thank all the girls that offered suggestions!!!
