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Originally posted by chad
just got back from a week stay at the paradise beach club in pureto plata. overall i would have to say we were pretty dissappointed in the dominican republic. maybe our expectations were a little too high, but i didn't think there was going to be so much hassle. you couldn't walk two feet in any direction without being bothered by some salesmen or vendor. I expected some of this but to a lesser extent. i've been on quiet a few vacations in the caribbean and this made this one the worst by far.
The least bothersome part of our trip was being at our hotel. the rooms we decent ( we had a 1 brdm), the service was average, and the vendors on the beach only bothered you every five minutes (as opposed to every two). The food was average for buffet food, after a couple days you really get sick of it.
One of the days we took a trip to pureto plata city and saw some of the sites there. of which the impressive i would have to say was fort of san feilipe (we didn't go to mt isabela).
Another day we took a trip to sosua beach. i've read so much great stuff about this town and beach i could hardly wait, only to be dissappointed. the beach's water was nice, barely any waves and crystal clear. but the trip there, the town, and the back part of the beach (where the vendors are) was absolutely disgusting. maybe it's just me, but i don't want to see this kind of thing when i'm on vacation.
i really made an attempt to have a great vacation, and do the things recomened on this site. like, getting away from your resort to see the rest of the country. but the farther away from my resort i got the more i wanted to go back. where people aren't going to rip you off every chance they get.
i understand there are people like this any where one goes, but there seems to be a dissproportionate amount of it going on here.
it doesn't seem like there's any kind of regulation of any sort, and it seems neither the government nor the people of the dr have an interest in the tourist. which is fine by me, i've learned my lesson and i will not be traveling back to the dr anytime soon!!!
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Well Chad I guess it depends on what you are looking for.I agree that the vendors are a MAJOR pain in the ass and far too agressive.Also,Sosua is full of pickpockets.There are other annoyances like lunatic drivers,electricity problems,corrupt police,ect.But on the flip side,the food is terrific(in my opinion),the women are beautiful,the "atmosphere is stress free(if you avoid the vendors),the sites are serene,the weather is warm and the presedentes are cold.Also,accomadations are very inexpensive.Try going anywhere in Europe and see how much a week or two costs you.Upon weighing all factors,the DR is my favorite place to go.Sorry you were disappointed.
Just my opinion,
ILoveDR