Coming To Puerto Plata Please Help

[daddy-0]

Get out of the complex and get to Sosua. From there you can snorkel right in the bay, or book something with NorthCoast, they have some snorkel excursions in the area. From here you can also book tours with the large tour companies at half the price you would pay in the complex, exchange your $$ at a much better rate and experience this little tourist town that many of us consider as close to paradise that you can get. Heard good things about Wilson if you want to arrange your own tour or possibly your transportation to and from the complex. Whatever you decide just make sure that you get out and explore the country side, there is so much more than life behind the steel gates of Playa Dorada

[Hillbilly]

Here is Wilson's home phone, and yes, you will have to use the 1- before either of the numbers: Phone 571 1545, his sister in law Marta usually answers it.

Next?

HB

[SPRINGFEVER]

I WAS SCREAMING AS I WAS IN THE AREA ABOUT 11YRS AGO AND WENT ON THE RUM RUN FROM HELL!!! HOW YOU SAY "LOCO" DRIVER!!! I THANK YOU ALL FOR SO MUCH GOOD ADVICE AND ANYMORE IS SO APPRECIATED. I HAVE GOTTEN EMAILS FROM OTHERS WHO WANT ME TO LET THEM KNOW HOW IT WENT WHEN I GET BACK AND WILL BE HAPPY TO DO SO.I WILL CALL WILSON. AND LOOK SO FORWARD TO THIS EXPERIENCE. ANY MORE GOOD IDEAS? WE HAVE PUB CRAWLS IN MY TOWN ALSO. BUT WE JUST GOT SNOW AGAIN!! CANT WAIT! SNOW BUNNY

[SPRINGFEVER]

I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANY HORSE BACK RIDING CLOSE TO JACK TAR. MAYBE RIDING ON A BEACH? OR AM MOST LIKELY DREAMING? WE GOT 8 INCHES OF SNOW TODAY!!!

[tired_boy]

IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOUR HOTEL DOES 1 HOUR PER WEEK FREE HORSE RIDING ALONG PLAYA DORADA BEACH. (why is everyone shouting?)
Anyway if this is not good enough, riding trips are organised, and can be bought on the beach (or in your hotel for double the price, but the same trip).

[bbforbis]

Some personal advice. We just returned from staying a week at the Occidental Hotels. We booked at the Grande Flamenco, near Jack Tar.

As Hillbilly mentioned, the hotel chain seems to be suffering from internal problems which unfortunately have a direct effect on their guests. Be sure to get ALL that is promised by your travel agent and/or tour group in writing.

Have your expectations in order, don't expect to eat seafood everyday, don't expect that your rooms will be great, be prepared for lines for everything. Although we did not stay at Jack Tar, we met others who did and were very disappointed. Two were repeat customers to the resort, and stated that they would never go back. IMO, Occidental seems to be running things on a shoestring and is trying to get by with the bare minimum for their guests.

Take some time, and venture off of the resort, try a couple of restaurants that are not part of the resort, (El Manguito being one), and you will have a good time.

Jack Tar has a nice location, but , from what I saw of it, and heard of it, it is in need of a major retrofit.

[Dominican Babe]

I always stay at Playa Dorada, but I have never seen horses on the beach there. I was under the impression that they had stopped them riding on the beach because of the mess they make.

[bbforbis]

You know I really dont' know....I do know that we were promised a free horseback ride...(didn't happen by the way), what I do know is that at the Flamenco, near the large pool, there was a little hut advertising horseback rides.

Never talked or seen anyone riding though...

[tonybaillini]

I have been to Sosua once and will be there again on February 17th for 2 weeks...you can snorkel right off of Playa Sosua without needing a boat although many tourists take the catamaran tours to the reef just off the beach...this is the best beach around I have been told and lots of vendors there to purchase all your jewlery.
Make sure you head over to Britannia in Sosua for a Cerveza or Rum, the owners are friends of ours...Canadians (Calgarians)...Barb and Linden...
We may see you around...

[SPRINGFEVER]

I FIND IT BIZZARE THAT ANYTHING COULD BE THAT BAD UNLESS THEY ARE GOING UNDER. THIS SHOULD BE THEIR BEST TIME OF YEAR. HAVE OTHER PEOPLE HEARD THIS ALSO? CONSIDERING I BOOKED A NON-REFUNDABLE!!!