Bavaro Beach-Incredible

Just returned March 4 from Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana & it was perfect. I didn't hear of any illness while we were there, although back at the airport, we heard that 21 out of 26 people on our plane who stayed at Melia Tropical were ill, some very seriously. Tomorrow I will try to post a Resort review, but briefly I would recommend a large resort that can keep you occupied all week. There is nothing outside of the resort except poverty. We wasted a day going to Higuey which was the dirtiest city I have ever seen and found nothing at all to do there. The Bavaro complex is spectacular, the food is good, the drinks are flowing all day, they have plenty of water sport equipment, chaises, etc. and the staff is very accommodating. I would strongly suggest that you know some Spanish because most of the staff do not speak English. Sign language can usually get your point across but I was glad to have a limited vocabulary of Spanish. We purchased a pocket translator before we left for about $19 that transates 5 languages and also converts currency and that came in very handy. If I can assist anyone with questions, I'll be glad to help. I can't wait to go back!

What you listed as the Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, is that also called the Barcello Bavaro Palace? We have booked a trip in June and everything we read is listed under different names and we want to make sure we get the right information. We'll be waiting to hear from you.

You may not have found Higuey interesting, but if others are considering visiting this city (which IS the capital of La Altagracia province; Punta Cana is not even a city), bear in mind that the main attractions here are the churches. It is therefore the most important religious site in the country. Aside from the sweetest oranges to be found anywhere on the planet, the city of Higuey IS one of the cradles of Spanish civilization in America. If you visit, do tour the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia (the Virgin of the Highest Grace). It is the country's patron saint, and hundreds of thousands of Dominicans come from all over the country to pay their respects to the virgin in January and August.

Natasha

The Barceló hotel group has several hotels in the Bavaro area. These are the Barcelo Bavaro Palace, Barceló Bavaro Beach, Barceló Bavaro Golf, Barceló Bavaro Garden, Barceló Bavaro Casino. They are all right next to each other. Barceló also owns the Barceló Capella in Juan Dolio, in the southeast of the DR.

Trudy:

Are you the Trudy that was at Natura Park last April? If so how would you compare the two resorts?

Bill