7 night All Inclusive Toronto to Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic (4 Star Cofresi Palm Beach Resort) - $719 (Nov/Dec)

DoorCrasher wrote: ↑ I am one if the downvoters. To keep this thread constructive, here's why. Buyers beware! Been there few years ago. Beach is not private and not that nice. Sand is not what we can usually see in the Carribean. Lot of locals on the beach, especially on the weekend days. Drunk locals who looks for fight, noisy locals, harrassing sellers. I have absolutely nothing against locals when I travel. But this is actually the worst place I ever been in the Carribean. Drinks are great, beer (Presidente) is good, but food is not more than "ok". Rooms are clean and well maintained.

All beaches in the dominican republic are public. Some appear private due to access issues, but they are all public.

dHektic wrote: ↑ I went in 2018.

There was seaweed. The beach isn't nice in particular.
Water is not very clear.

We stayed more in the pools and hung out in the lounge beds at the VIP beach

Honestly? I was expecting something pretty horrific, but this pic from July of this year.. well, the beach and water look very much like what we have on the west coast, it's really not all that bad.. and this price for all inclusive...

alkester67 wrote: ↑ All beaches in the dominican republic are public. Some appear private due to access issues, but they are all public.

possible. But never had issues anywhere else but at this place. I have no issues with public beaches and swimming with locals. But it's the only place where there were youg drunk people looking for fights day after day. And really harrassing sellers. Again, no issues with locals who wants to make a few bucks selling souvenirs, or fresh fruits. But when I say no thanks, please do not harass. My experience. Does not mean it's like this every day. But for sure, been there and would never go back to Puerto PLata. Samana, Romana, Punta Cana are alll better place, with better beaches and better hotels. Like for anything, you get what you pay for.

Last time I travelled was last May, in Samana. There were locals on travel staying at the same hotel as us. Some of them were nice. Other were noisy, disturbing, and been kicked out after multiple warnings. That was an hotel who really take care of their guests, and who takes care of business when there is issues. Wheter with locals or tourists.

sexyj wrote: ↑ How are the seaweed at the beach at this resort ?

no one can answer this. One day, beach is clean and the next day it's full of weeds. Many factors are to be taken into consideration when it comes to sea weeds issues. There is websites like this one --- https://sargassummonitoring.com/ where you can actually get an idea of the situation. Google is your friend on this

If you have never been to a resort before, then yes, this is a really good deal for the price to first experience and try an all inclusive. However, if you been to other resorts, you might be in for a disappointment. This is definitely not a four stars resort unless you upgrade. Beach is meh.. Food is acceptable (Stick with the Tropicana resort food).. A lot of the rooms are horrible and falling apart (unless you decide to upgrade to VIP in the first place). Some buildings definitely need to be demolished or renovated but they keep putting people in rather than fixing the issues...Ongoing problems: toilet not flushing, no hot water, ants crawling everywhere, broken window, water leaking from the ceiling , NO AC etc.. Everything needs to go to guest services for assistance or help and their staff is quite limited. Reception is useless.. Also, they only have three people working at the front so check in takes at least 30 to 45 mins. Seems everywhere is the same where people are quite chill and taking their sweet time to do things.

The resort is big as it is connected with two other resorts.. Lots of stairs so if you got seniors, they might find it tiring to walk that much.. Not enough shuttle buses..The pools are ok.. The limited beach chairs facing the views/beaches are taken early. Got to be super early at guest services to make reservations for restaurants and again, there is a long line-up. Patience is strongly required. You get what you paid for. Tours are expensive. Getting outside of the resort is costly. Taxis and private drivers are a ripoff. The Uber system is a fail as most of the Uber drivers are pretty much charging double of the quoted prices. Got to haggle...Air Transat flight as ok.. No delays and no lost luggage.

Does the Dominican Republic still fingerprint all tourists?

JRGUINNESS wrote: ↑ Does the Dominican Republic still fingerprint all tourists?

yes

Pochacco wrote: ↑yes

All 10? Or only 1 like Japan?

Is there an armed escort to and from the airport? Armed security at the resort?

Haiti's 400 Mawozo gang abducts 17 people from tourist bus
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61379106

6060842 wrote: ↑ Is there an armed escort to and from the airport? Armed security at the resort?

There’s usually military around the resorts. No armed escorts - generally tourists are safe as long as moving in groups.

6060842 wrote: ↑ Is there an armed escort to and from the airport? Armed security at the resort?

Haiti's 400 Mawozo gang abducts 17 people from tourist bus
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61379106

White people problems lol. You have never dealt with Haitians before

FlyingSausage wrote: ↑ White people problems lol. You have never dealt with Haitians before

Gangs in Haiti abduct more far more locals than tourists. I'm not worried though, I never go on vacations to resorts where people just outside the fence are desperately poor. Can't ever see myself blissfully sipping on margarita ignoring this reality.

6060842 wrote: ↑ Is there an armed escort to and from the airport? Armed security at the resort?

Haiti's 400 Mawozo gang abducts 17 people from tourist bus
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-61379106

You are really comparing Haiti to the Dominican? lol

robertoerc wrote: ↑ You are really comparing Haiti to the Dominican? lol

oops , my bad . Thought the resort was in Haiti for some reason. Probably still not booking though .

Crap we just booked Mexico $3500 10 days... looking at cancellation based on these prices wow

Chonksplonket wrote: ↑ Seriously it’s cheaper than rent in Toronto and if you work from home……. Throw in food and booze I may have to look into this for a single person as well

The issue is you still have to pay your rent. lol

Spawk1028 wrote: ↑ 5 star or nothing in the Caribbean. I stayed at a 4 star once and there is no comparison.

Not completely true. 4 Stars are fine unless you are going to Cuba. Minimum of 5 Stars if you are going to Cuba.

Newbie here, booked for a different resort in DR, Punta Cana at Royalton Chic.

Do we bring USD to tip? Or any USD at all?

JRGUINNESS wrote: ↑ All 10? Or only 1 like Japan?

one

robertoerc wrote: ↑ You are really comparing Haiti to the Dominican? lol

Lots of Haitians have escaped to DR and cause a good percentage of trouble.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. They have nothing to lose in escaping to DR and becoming thieves or other illegal activities.

It is also really easy to get out of Haiti and into the DR geographically. Look up Haiti in Google Maps and you’ll see what I mean

6060842 wrote: ↑ Gangs in Haiti abduct more far more locals than tourists. I'm not worried though, I never go on vacations to resorts where people just outside the fence are desperately poor. Can't ever see myself blissfully sipping on margarita ignoring this reality.

Yeah I know how you feel. I know a guy who recently bought a 1 million condo in Toronto and he complains about the rising cost of living, while there are homeless people camping in Toronto parks.