I'd need help to arrange trip to DR.

[J D Sauser]

Hi.
I hate to start my first thread here as a "Help" question but;

I am Swiss and presently live in Spain. I have lived in Ecuador and Southern Florida before, so I am used to the Latin world. However I have decided that Spain in not the right place for me. I will not return to the States, athough I miss things I have gotten used over there. SO, I am looking at the Dominican Republic. I have known people from there, I know I will like the climate, I love Salsa and I can handle some Bachatta dancing, AND it's not too far away from Miami.

Anyway, here's my dilemna of today:
I have time to do a first investigating trip to the DR from mid December to mid January. I know that these are not the easiest dates, but that's as good as it gets right now.
I have never visited the Island before and I would like to see the main costal region and Santiago.
Right now the market only seems to offer "cheap" package deals to Playa Bavaro (Punta Cana) for one or two weeks (USD 1600.oo flight-hotel-food all incl. traveling alone).
A 30 day flight only is about the same price.
I thought I would rent a car (that's about USD 200.oo/week all incl, right?) and maybe someone here can direct me to a national provider at a better price.
But then, I look at the road map and it would seem that Punta Cana is positioned OK to drive around to the Southern side of the country (-> SDQ) but not at all towards the North-Western coast (-> Puerto Plata), unless I would cross over from SDQ.

This raises a principal question as to the validity of the location PUJ as a base for expeditions around the country (?).
And/Or the idea of keeping a rental car. The other option being moving by plane. In Ecuador I flew all over the place, and it was informal AND cheap. I'd they hire a cap for the day. Is that a valid alternate plan?
If so, I might scrap the whole PUJ/Playa Bavaro deal altogether and try to find myself hotels as I go... In the US that works... Does it in the DR.
The deal is not to just burn money and not get anywhere.

So, I hope some of you lucky guys over there can help me come up with a doable plan.
Oh, BTW, I'm 39 years... and I have lived some out of the comon adventures... mainly in the Ecuador day. I can deal with a lot. STILL, I would like the trip to be effective and pleasant and get back to Spain happy to have ound a country that I would like to come back to to live.

Thanks a lot in advance for you ideas, directions and help.
... J-D.

[Bartolomeo67]

Possibilities:
1/ Book a package deal for 1 week at an AI in Punta Cana/Bavaro with a 1 week 'extension': this means you go for 2 weeks but only stay 1 week in your hotel. Once in PUJ you book an internal flight to take you to Puerto Plata (POP) at the end of your first week. Go to Santiago and book a hotel there and fly back POP-PUJ at the end of your second week.
2/ Fly Iberia Madrid-Santo Domingo and book your hotels or car rental separately. Plenty of info on hotels on this forum.
Bartolomeo

[badpiece33]

Forget Punta Cana and book a direct flight to either Puerto Plata or Santiago and base your excursions from Santiago because you can go north or South or east west from Santiago,And Santiago is the nicest city in my opinion to live in. Forget the AI hotels and stay in the smaller hotels.

[J D Sauser]

Thanks Bartolomeo and "BadPiece".
I have had the same thoughts you both posted; One to base myself at a resort for a first week (to settle and start getting around) and the other to forget about the PUJ region as a base altogether (for it's bad connections).
Santiago. Santiago is indeed appealing for it's "central" location. And I already have a feeling that I may be one of the wisest choices for residence, still after living in Florida and having tried both, living on the coast and livings somewhat in the "bush" (Palms West), I believe that "for me" living on an Island (and Florida could almost be considered one) means living close or on the beach. But in any way, yes, Santiago seems to make a very reasonable base position.

QUESTIONS:

• I have not been able to find online information (booking, rates and schedules) of the national/regional airline(s). Con anyone direct me to some?
• Can I get reasonable hotel rates "on the go"? Are there any hotel chains (like known Motels in the States) that are trust worthy and keep a transparent pricing policy.
• Rental cars: Any recomendations??

Thanks! ... J-D.

[Jersey Devil]

I wasn't sure if you wanted to go thru the US or not. When I did a flight search I was able to find a flight from MAD-EWR, then a day later from EWR-SDQ on the next morning. Returning a month later it seemed to be easier to get a connecting flight EWR-MAD on the same day. Under this scenario the Continental online price was about $US920.

Here is a possible option:

http://www.continental.com



Here is a link to Avis:

http://www.avis.com/AvisWeb/home/AvisHome

They were about $1200/US for a one month rental, including taxes.


Good Luck,

JD