Anyone been to the Dominican Republic/from there?

[deanrw]

I have never been there myself, but like Kev says there are tons of things there you can do. I just had some friends come back from there Thursday. It is the third year in a row they went there so they obviously love it there.

If you are going to a resort, make sure you check online for their ratings as some are great and some not so great.

[jaded]

It's a great place to try scuba diving. If it's not already included as a freebie than it really inexpensive there to do and the conditions are superb for it. Very warm and clear water with lots of tropical reefs. I got Padi certified there. You can take a free lesson or 2 in the pool and go out diving the next day.

[Mighty_Windir]

Yeah I been there. If you traveling across it... the road checkpoint guys have army guns. Poverty is a big problem there. Any resort worth anything has its own security and perimeter fences ect. A place I visited had a guy with a shotgun just chilling on the beach, to keep ne'er do wells from coming up the beach. Also, they drive absolutely crazy there. Police are largely corrupt and can be bribed. We had a policeman escorting us around. Out in the countryside, they have this drink that dramatically increases virility. It's some homemade thing forget the name. But they all drink it. The client offered to have his son take me into the city nightlife, but I declined, being that it would no doubt involve much debauchery and me being a committed to one woman man. But overall.. you should go. It was an eye opener. Just keep in mind there are lots of desperate people there. Stay safe.

Mamajuana?

[krazyn8tive]

I may be going to the DR for a two week break around mid May - have any of you guys been there or hail from there? Is it a good holiday destination? Any particular tips on safety/things to definitely see etc?

I wouldn't go to that trash heap if someone paid me to go

[Syf]

Mamajuana?

That's the one.

They had it in a giant jar on the counter in a country store that resembled more of a saloon from the wild west. Had some kind of root floating in it.

[Syf]

I wouldn't go to that trash heap if someone paid me to go

DR is a good example of what happens when the gulf between the very rich and very poor becomes nigh insurmountable. A suitable cautionary tale for you trickle down economists. Only thing trickling down in DR is blood and mamajuana.

Good place to vacation though. The tourist areas are nice. I just don't think many have seen the destitute desperation that is rampant in the countryside.

[jaded]

Mamajuana?

That's the one.

They had it in a giant jar on the counter in a country store that resembled more of a saloon from the wild west. Had some kind of root floating in it.

It's alcohol and herbs...amongst other things Dominicans believe it to be a liver tonic. Imagine somebody with liver cirrhosis trying to cure themselves with alcohol?

[El-blanco]

I don't think it's worth the ten plus hour flight to get there. Resorts are the same the world over. Inauthentic, remote, places that cater to tourists. You couldn't really tell the difference between a place in Cuba or the Dominican. It's not a real experience of the country. You'd be better off going to Majorca or an island in Greece. It's much closer for you and better in every aspect.

[PainfromUkraine]

I don't think it's worth the ten plus hour flight to get there. Resorts are the same the world over. Inauthentic, remote, places that cater to tourists. You couldn't really tell the difference between a place in Cuba or the Dominican. It's not a real experience of the country. You'd be better off going to Majorca or an island in Greece. It's much closer for you and better in every aspect.

Yeah bro this is the dilemma I am having - right now my friends can't go on a holiday and my brother is my only option for company, and I have said i'd probably prefer to just go to Spain Canary Islands as it is much closer, but his argument is since price is pretty much the same why not go out and go somewhere new.

Still going to think it over for the next few days and see what happens.

[PainfromUkraine]

I think you will love it. Don't be afraid to go into the village just use common sense. Make sure you use lots of sun screen. I imagine there is still a black market for money exchanging...you can do much better than the the current rate...just ask a local.

Lol you beat me to it, so yeah, you know what to do already. Have fun, DR is a great place to vacation. Enjoy.

I have never been there myself, but like Kev says there are tons of things there you can do. I just had some friends come back from there Thursday. It is the third year in a row they went there so they obviously love it there.

If you are going to a resort, make sure you check online for their ratings as some are great and some not so great.

I don't think it's worth the ten plus hour flight to get there. Resorts are the same the world over. Inauthentic, remote, places that cater to tourists. You couldn't really tell the difference between a place in Cuba or the Dominican. It's not a real experience of the country. You'd be better off going to Majorca or an island in Greece. It's much closer for you and better in every aspect.

http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/res...resort-bavaro/

This is the resort I will go to if I end up going. ^