CLUB VILLAS JAZMIN - don't go there!

Just got back from Club Villas Jazmin in Costambar, outside of Puerto Plata. DO NOT BOTHER! This place is awful!
We exchanged throught RCI (timeshare) and regret that we did. We have stayed at several resorts in the Caribbean using our Time share and have never been so disappointed.
Some of the reasons why:
First time EVER, we were charged an " energy surcharge" of $60 US for the week. Outrageous!
Our taxi from the airport was supposed to cost $25 US ( we prearranged with Villas Jazmin. It ended up $32 US -apparently gas prices went up. However, they forgot to tell the drivers at the taxi stand down the street who were charging $20 US.
The resort actually charges you to use their beach chairs - have you ever heard of this? 40 pesos a day. Other beach vendors charge 15-20.
5 gallons of bottled water is 450 pesos at Villas Jazmin. At the supermarket it's 250.
Cockroaches and spiders are very large, and I mean VERY.
The resort owner and manager are just there to get your money and will tell you that the price they charge is the going price -DON'T believe them and get taken like we did. Fortunately we met a couple from Canada who have a condo there, and boy did they open our eyes. As soon as we told them we were at VIllas Jazmin they said - " Did you bring lots of money?"
They knew about Villas Jazmin and how they operate. Villas Jazmin is only there to take advantage of the tourists who trust what they say, and don't know any better. Learn from our experience - DO NOT GO THERE! And if you already are, I pity you and advise you to bring lots of money, and good bug spray! You'll need it!

5 gallons of bottled water is up from 17$RD to 21$RD Peso in Costambar.....
cu/charly......(who never notice how expensive water can be...)

What kind of water do YOU drnk? Mst people in Puerto Plata pay 20 pesos for 5 gallons of pure water. Most travelers ask taxi fare before they enter cab. Wy not try that something so you will not feel ripped off.

The place is selling them the 5 gallon water bottle. This happened to me a few years back. They call it a deposit when you pay put when you leave they tell you the bottle is yours. Most people probably just leave it and the hotel gets to do the same thing again. I gave mine away. When you exchange it, you pay the $15-$20 pesos for a refill.

We also have a timeshare and exchange through RCI. Thanks for the info so we'll know to avoid this place.

We are staying at Fun Tropicale March 30 I'll let everyone know how it was. We've been to DR 3 times before and have had wonderful experiences but have heard of a few bad ones from other people.

That's the great thing about the internet, word can travel very fast about a bad place. Hopefully this will make the competition better and service and facilities will continue to improve.

You can buy the 5 gallon empty water bottle from a super market (Ex: Messon) for about 90 pesos. This you can carry back with you to costambar, even, on a motorcycle and then have it refilled from a local food store for about 15-20 pesos.
When you leave, sell it to someone for about half the price.