Puerto Plata/Playa Dorada area

We will be arriving in the Puerto Plata/Playa Dorada area in a few days. We are hoping for a vacation of a life-time but have read some negative reports about the Dominican Republic. Please tell us that these were isolated incidents and nothing to worry about. What about the weather? Should we take long pants and a jacket along? Any weather related info would be appreciated!

We just came back from DR and don't have anything negative to say. The people are very friendly, and like any other country or city, we all have crime. It's life. As for the weather, it was great while we were there, however the nights do get cool. This is a welcome releif after spending 10 hours in the sun. Don't leave home without a light jacket or sweat shirt. I'm sure you will enjoy your vacation.

Darlene: it depends on what you mean by negative... health problems, crime or just the fact that DR is a third world country? Food: drink only bottled water and brush teeth in it. Take immodium for stomach upsets (these can be caused by too much fruit and the coconut milk in the pina coladas!) Crime: Didn't see any when we were on Playa Dorada. It seemed a very safe place to me and is a large complex complete with guards. Someone I know told me last week he has been to DR several times and his wife is put off because they were mugged. Turns out they were wandering round Puerto Plata at midnight with a bag over their shoulder... asking for it he thought! You can be mugged at home if you don't use a bit if common sense! Weather: it seems to be consistently around 29C or thereabouts. If you have any rain it would probably be a short sharp shower you could still sit out in and then the sun will be brilliant immediately after. Didn't need to wear a jacket all the fortnight we were there. The men may need long pants for some of the restaurants though. Please email me if you need to know anything else.

Hi Darlene, We just returned from Puerto Plata. Weather was a little rainy while we were there. One night I wished I had a light sweater but for the most part it was great. Be sure to bring lots of suntan lotion. It's 25.00 per bottle there! I had a great time on our vacation. If you have any specific questions about what to do/see there, please feel free to e-mail me. I'm still on a high from our adventure!

Whatever you do, do not talk to Tropicana Caribe Vacation Clubs about timeshares. It is a total ripoff! We sat thru their presentation, they talked us into giving them our credit info in case we decided to buy. They gave us a fax back authorization form to sign since we didn't sign the credit slip. Without waiting for authorization they went ahead and charged our card anyway, for the full amount of the timeshare! That was the first week of January and I'm still dealing with this today. Another couple, who were swindled also, said they are booked thru the year 2000, they didn't mention that in their presentation. So avoid them like the plague.