Castillo Del Ambar vs AI?

[Giglet]

Hi everyone,
I would appreciate the help from posters who know the North Coast POP area well.
This will be my second visit for three weeks in Febuary.
I'm having a bit of a predicament in regards to not being able to make my mind up (we've all been there i'm sure).
The first time i visited i stayed in an AI for two weeks, which i really enjoyed. Although most of the time on evenings i ventured OUTSIDE of AI areas.

I'm in two minds as to if i should stay in an apartment this time.
cda1to be exact.
And i have been quoted a good price to stay here which include breakfast of a morning. It looks lovely but as i will be travelling as a lone woman i'm a bit unsure if it's less safe for me to stay here than an AI hotel.
I'm not worried about evenings but being out and about in the daytime as i don't know the town too well.
Plus the fact i'll probably make friends with other tourists really quickly on an AI resort, more than the apartment?

I'm very much the type of person who loves to explore the real country and make friends with locals rather than the tourists, but as i'll be alone quite often i'm not sure which option is best?
The only thing i hear from other tourists are 'It's too dangerous for you to stay outside of an AI' And yet Dominicans say to me 'It's ok as long as it's a good area'.

Just wondering if anyone has stayed at this apartment before and if so what did they think?

Thanks in advance for your replies.
~Giglet~

[Lambada]

There is a female poster called rio2003 who stays alone at Castillo del Ambar, Residencial Marapica, each time she visits. She is here right now, so if you PM her to ask her opinion be prepared to wait until she gets back home in a week or so before you get a response. I will email her to alert her that you may be in touch. A possible difference between the two of you is that she used to live here, speaks Spanish & has many friends here already. She also hires a car to give her mobility.

You have no worries about Puerto Plata town in the daytime, none at all, provided normal common sense applies & you don't look like a target by dripping with jewellery. What you will not want to do is go into some of the barrios at night. The Dominicans who say 'It's ok as long as it's a good area' are correct. The tourists who say 'It's too dangerous for you to stay outside of an AI' are incorrect. I don't live in an AI & I've been living happily in Puerto Plata 15+ years.

If it would make you feel happier I will come & pick you up on one morning when I go shopping & you can come round PP with me. This will give you the advantage of being seen with someone whose face is known around town . I don't do the tourist places but you are welcome to come to non-tourist places like my breadshop (aka sometimes political/social centre) etc.

[Giglet]

Thanks Lambada,
I would love you to show me around during the day. Anywhere none touristy will be great. So i'll be happy
Now i do speak enough Spanish to get by, i won't go hungry, thirsty and can quite happily ask for directions and sort of hold a conversation (until my blank look gives me away) lol.

I'll send you a pm closer before i leave if that's ok and we can arrange some time to meet etc.
I really do appreciate your help and response. It's very helpful. And it's extremely kind of you to offer to take me around one day.

I will also send Rio2003 a pm in a few days also.
I guess i'm worrying a little too much, but i'd rather be safe/sure than sorry.
I'll be fine on evenings, i do know a few people in POP but they work in the day which is where i needed to know i'll be safe.

Thanks again,
~Giglet~

[Lambada]

Better & better - you have some Spanish & you know some people already. If the ones who work in the day have relatives who don't work, go round with them, too. It isn't 'showing you around' so much (you have to go some to really get lost in PP!) as letting it be known you know people - jungle drums system is pretty effective here . It's sending a message to possible ladrones that you have friends here. Do your friends work in the hotels or as tour guides? I'm assuming they're Dominican? Yes PM me nearer the time. When you PM rio2003 ask her about whether Castillo del Ambar has a safe in the apartment - wise only to take out with you about what you'll be spending in a day, certainly not vast amounts.

And just so as you know I'm a 64 year old female so we won't be doing anything wildly energetic - just shopping, meeting people & chatting. But rest assured I'm not senile.

[Giglet]

I'm not sure i'll have anyone to hang out with during the days, which is kind of why i posted here.
Although i'll be on the beach quite a bit, i want to be able to walk around the town relatively safe. I have enough common sense to not take bundles of money out with me or be too flashy.

Yes my friends work in the resort but there's only one i trust to help me out and make sure i'm safe. I don't trust too easily but they pointed out Castillo Del Ambar to me and are sorting everything that i need. I sometimes forget how kind some people can be.

Now your age doesn't matter to me It would just be great to pick your brains a little and socialise. Although i'm quite young 24, i like to relax and talk to people. I'm not a 'wild' person here so i won't be there either. I like to dance, horse ride and generally get to know the culture.

Thanks for all your help.

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by Giglet

Thanks for all your help.

Truly my pleasure, Giglet.

For the others, Giglet and I 'did' Puerto Plata this morning. A delightful young woman, who knows exactly how to cope with the sort of attention from males which attractive young women get here. I was very impressed.

Just thought I'd give you the Aunty Lambada seal of approval so that any time in future you need help or ask a question, people would realise you're a cut above the average.

Enjoy the rest of your stay & we're here should you ever need us.

[BushBaby]

A Brain in her head & Not a bad looker either!!!

She can visit again!!!! ~ Grahame.

[rio2003]

Hi Lambada,
Interested to see if she has decided to stay in the Castillo del Ambar and whether things have improved since my stay?
Rio

[Lambada]

No Rio, Giglet is currently in Playa Dorada which is where she had wanted to be originally but they did something wrong with the booking. However she started out in Castillo del Ambar & it would appear that the power issues, A/C etc have now been resolved albeit the breakfast issues remain (e.g. no milk for tea). Thanks for helping her with info, Rio, she was most grateful.

Forgive me for speaking for you Giglet, but I know you're out today.

[RandyE]

Originally Posted by BushBaby

A Brain in her head & Not a bad looker either!!!

She can visit again!!!! ~ Grahame.

Smart enough to hook up with the right people!