Anyone ever been there? I have a chance to go with some family/friends this summer for a week. I had never heard of it until they asked me to go. The resort they are staying at is the Grand Palladium Bavaro. I checked the rates and roundtrip flight plus a week stay at the all-inclusive resort is about $1400.
I did a google search and looked at some general info and pictures and it looks really nice.
I've been to Cayman islands, cozumel, cancun, etc... and wanted to know how it compared to those places and if anyone has ever been. Thanks

3/3/2007 11:38:13 AM

I know some people who have been to the Dominican. It's a great value and an up and coming resort industry is thriving.

Anyway, they had a lot of fun. However, don't plan on taking in the local culture. The disparity between how you are living on the resort and how the general population is living breeds high levels of resentment. While the resorts do pour money into the economy and provide jobs, most of the money leaves the island and goes to wealthy investors.

Sooooo, you should go, it's beautiful. But don't leave the resort.

3/3/2007 11:52:16 AM

Don't leave the resort? Wow. People there were much nicer than they are here. Don't leave your house.

3/5/2007 7:10:26 AM

i visited a friend of mine the first of february in santo domingo and we did a day/night trip to punta cana/bavaro. i can't remember the resort we went to, but we payed $45 US for a day pass and it was all you can eat and all you can drink including alcohol. that price also included activities like kayaking. that night we stayed with my friend's cousin who is building houses at capcana.

i would recommend eating at captain cooks in bavaro. best seafood/paella i've ever had.


i just read the second post and i disagree about the problems between locals and tourists. everyone i met there from maids to construction workers were extremely friendly (and no they didn't want my money). there is a prevalent class system there, but i treat everyone the same and i think they appreciate that.

[Edited on March 5, 2007 at 7:28 AM. Reason : added stuff]

3/5/2007 7:25:33 AM