bavaro palace

We are two couples that have vacationed in Aruba for the last six years. Since we have heard many good things about the DR and the cost is half of what Aruba is, we have decided on the Bavaro Palace in early NOvember. We would appreciate any information about Punta Cana and the hotel. Thanx in advance. Betty

I stayed at the Divi Divi beach resort in Aruba. There is no comparison with Bavaro. The hotel I stayed in was very nice in Aruba, but that would be like comparing Motel 6 with the Hyatt Regency. Bavaro Palace is way bigger, way fancier, and yes, a LOT cheaper than most of the places in Aruba.

Bavaro palace is part of a huge complex with about 2000 rooms. I was in Aruba in 97 and there was nothing analogous to it. It is just so much bigger and fancier. I am not trying to dog Aruba, you cant really compare the two. Actually, most of the resorts i visited to in Aruba would compare to the Occidental Esplanada in Sosua, Dominican Republic. A nice place (very nice room) but not at the higher level. Other people on this board say that Bavaro Palace is not even the nicest place in Punta Cana.

The atmosphere of the Dominican Republic is a polar opposite of Aruba. Aruba=RELAX. Dominican Republic=PARTY. You wont really see that though from the Bavaro complex, because you will be isolated from the rest of the country. If you do leave, to buy things on the street is WAY WAY cheaper than in Aruba.

By the way, The Dominican Republic is not spotless and dainty like Oranjestad (the resort is, though.) Neither is it 1/10th as expensive. Contrary to what some resort people might say, it is quite safe to leave the resort and wander about (though at Bavaro, you wont be close to anything) as the people of the DR are without a doubt, the friendliest in the world.

Read the reviews in the Resort section of DR1.

by the way, i have some pictures of Bavaro palace scanned, I will e-mail to you if you want. Let me know.

we were just there in june...what questions do you want answered? we would not be able to compare it to aruba, we haven't been there yet.

We were at the Bavaro Palace the last week in May of 1999. It is spectacular. If you want any specifics feel free to email me.

Loren , I must commend you on your concise obserbation and information on places where you have been in the DR, I read your commentary knowing you are not serving any special interest other then just your honest obserbation. My question to you is, is there any place in the DR that you would not care to visit again?? WOW wait a minute!! don,t answer that, DR-BOB will definetly delete it and I would not want that to happen to you.

jajajjaja thanx man, maybe the DR will like pay me to be a tourism gringo or something!

I was kind of nervous in Alcarizzos once, but it was 2 in the morning. I would go back in the day, no problem.