(Posted in CS because not all questions have factual answers, and the topic could not be any more leisurely)
I’m going to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic soon for seven days at an all-inclusive resort. This was not my first choice for a vacation and I’m not sure how much I will like the concept. I’m certainly open-minded about it, though; I didn’t think I’d care for cruises either, but I’ve been on a couple and loved them.
Anyway, random questions continually enter my head. Such as:
Is the water within the resort safe to consume? What about fresh fruits and vegetables?
Are the beaches super-crowded – like wall-to-wall lounge chairs?
The web site indicates that the non-buffet restaurants have a dress code (no shorts, no sandals) – how strict are they about enforcing this? And does it just apply to dinner?
Are bugs/mosquitoes a problem?
How much cash do I need to bring?
Any advice on tipping? (including the taxi from the airport)
Do you get molested (you know what I mean) much by local vendors? I assume they are not allowed within the resorts?
Is there anything that is a must-see/must-do outside of the confines of the resort?
I can’t tell you anything about the Dominican Republic in particular (I’m sure someone else will be along soon enough), but my humble opinion is that all-inclusives ROCK!
I didn’t think I’d be into it either, but my wife wanted to go to one (must be a dozen years ago now), and I’ve been a convert ever since. I thought I would get bored, but a few good books and the days by the pool just fly by.
We’ve always gone to Mexico, and at a good resort, any water served to you at a restaurant or bar is perfectly safe to drink. We don’t drink from the taps, though they all claim this is purified as well. There’s always lots of bottled water at your fingertips, so this shouldn’t be a problem. I always eat tons of fruit, never had any issues.
How crowded the beach is really depends on the place. I’ve been to a few where the beaches are practically deserted, and others where you can’t get a chair unless you’re there at dawn; most are somewhere in between.
There are always a few “ala carte” restaurants that are an alternative to the nightly buffet. Depending on the resort, you may or may not be limited as to how many nights you can partake of these. The food is always much better at the ala cartes. I’m sure enforcement of the dress code varies from place to place, but why test it? You don’t have to wear a suit and tie; just bring a pair of slacks and some canvas shoes and enjoy a few good meals. Every place I’ve been the dress code only applies for dinner, but check with your resort.
If you want to partake of the spa, dine off-property, take a sight-seeing tour, or rent any equipment like jet-skis, certainly you can use plastic. Cash is good if you want to go into town and shop, so how much you bring depends on how much you plan to buy, I suppose.
The cost of your stay will probably say “includes all taxes and gratuities,” but further tipping is always welcome and appreciated. We save up singles before we go, and throw down a dollar for a round of drinks, a couple bucks at meals (depends on the service of course) and a couple bucks a day for housekeeping. We see people tipping and people not tipping, so it’s up to you, but I figure why not, it doesn’t add up to a huge amount, and it never hurts to keep your servers happy. They work hard.
If your airport transfer is already included in your package, give the driver a dollar or two per bag if they handle your luggage. For a taxi, tip whatever percentage you normally would anywhere else.
4, 7, 8. Can’t really say as I haven’t been to DR, but this kind of thing will surely vary depending on where you stay. Don’t be afraid to call the resort before you go with any questions you might have.
Just relax and enjoy. An all-inclusive is exactly what you make of it. If you want to sit around the beach all day, great. If you’re more of a doer, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you busy (charges may apply). The concierge is a valuable resource if you’re looking for things to do.
Thanks, Wheelz. We’re trying to pack extremely light, which is why I ask about the dress code.
As far as activities go, a few in our group are into that, but I’ll be perfectly content to sit on the beach or by the pool with a drink and my Kindle or my book of NY Times crosswords.
mmm
Maybe wear long pants and real shoes on the plane? That way you won’t have to pack them. Also, I’ve got a pair of convertible shorts (the legs detach with zippers), which might be an option. It’d be a shame if you flew all the way to DR only to be barred from the nice restaurants, so I’d have to recommend going prepared.
Also, let me recommend Trip Advisor.
Look up your resort, and the reviews and photos should give you a pretty good idea of what you’re in for. (Word of warning, though, don’t let the negative reviews bother you too much. No matter how fantastic the place, there will be some people who do nothing but complain.)
I think it depends on the season, but I was there in December and it was not wall to wall. There’s some competition for the shaded chair spots.
Just dinner. How strict - probably depends on the resort.
Not that I recall.
Just for tips and incidentals – there are ATMs in the resorts as well. Toiletries are extremely expensive, so, bring enough TSA-approved 3.5 oz bottles of sunscreen as you will need, whatever headache remedy you prefer, etc.
Can’t remember the specifics, sorry.
Yes to some degree. The resorts shoo them away (they have their own vendor markets on site, usually) but you can’t prevent people walking along the beach. They aren’t super-aggressive, but they are there… just tell them you’re not carrying any money (unless you want something). If you do want something, haggling is expected – if you don’t, you will get thoroughly taken.
Pardon my French, but Punta Cana itself is scrubby little shithole. It is rife with wretched and guilt-inducing poverty. Most of the resorts have an “armed compound” air about them, sorry to say. There are some tourist attractions in the region – Manati Park, Dolphin Island – but if they interest you, you can easily book an excursion through the resort.
I enjoyed it for what it was (last minute, 4-day getaway during a law school vacation) but I wouldn’t go back.
BTW, the offshore snorkeling trips at the resorts aren’t that interesting unless you’ve never tried it before – the corals are bleached and there’s only a few kinds of fish. A boat excursion to a more protected area of the reef would probably be better.
We went to Breezes in the DR a few years back. Here’s what I recall:
They offer bottled water. We brushed our teeth and such with tap and had no ill effects.
When we were there, they weren’t jammed, but you had to go early if you wanted one of the beach chairs. The pools were more crowded.
They did not seem overly strict. We saw people in there in casual clothes. Wish I hadn’t packed my jacket…
They were not an issue for us at all.
Not too much. You may want to go off the resort to town and buy souvenirs, cigars, etc. In the resort you need almost none.
We tipped the cab driver, but I don’t recall how much. I think I probably tipped what I would in NYC.
Not at all inside the resort. They did have a little market set up right outside the main entrance where you could buy local goods. In town you get accosted a bit more, but it wasn’t too bad.
Not that I recall. The area outside the resort was pretty run down. We did speak to some great people though.
Not sure if you are a drinker, but it took us a few days to navigate the “all inclusive” drink options. Beer is beer. They have a few bottles available and local tap beer that’s cold but a bit weak, IMO. Rum drinks are weak (which isn’t a bad thing when people are drinking all day…) In the evenings I would just sip Grand Marnier which seemed to be the real deal. It was nice to make some friends and meet them out for dinner. There a lot of people from Canada there and we met some nice folks.
Regular at Bahia Principe and only during Christmas. Has all we needed. Our thinking is can it really be significantly better at other places when all you need is free time, beach and sun. Water and fruits were good. Food a plenty. Not overly crowded but I did get up at 8AM to reserve a spot at the pool that we wanted. Sandy beach, not so busy. Did not really venture outside.
I’m a big fan of all-inclusive resorts, although I’ve mostly been to the ones in Jamaica. Something great about never even bothering to carry a wallet, or weighing in your mind if it is worth the extra bucks for one more drink, or ordering a drink, not liking it, and then feeling obligated to drink it anyway because it came out of your budget, etc. etc. etc.
If the resort says “tipping is not allowed” I would take it seriously. Some places fire employees for accepting tips, and the temptation for them is too great to turn it down.
