Please check this Samana and Cabrete itinerary

susan77 · #1 02-01-2008, 10:04 PM

Would you please give us your feed-back? (I haven't booked any hotels yet)-

Sun 2/10--arrive SDQ at 3pm--TakeOff flight to Patilla--stay Las terrenas
(Las Palmas, Casa Grande Beach, Kari Beach or Atlantis?)

Mon- check out some properties for sale-- stay LT

Tues-- hike to El Limon--- take guagua to Las Galeras
(Club Bonito, Juan Y Lolo or Todo Blanca?)

Weds-- Playa Rincon-- Horseback riding- stay LG

Thurs-- 1:30 whale watching--- Stay Samana (???)

Fri-- Catch early Caribe Tour bus to Cabrete?
(Hotel Sans Sousci, Villa Taina, VeleroBeach, Natura Cabana?)

Sat-- check out Cabrete properties--

Sun-- Take early Caribe Tour to Santa Domingo-- We have a 2:45pm flight from SDQ!

Is this realistic? Or should we skip Cabrete this trip?
Thank you so much for your help-- I am also posting this on a couple other forums to get LOTS of feed-back!
Susan

Lambada · #2 02-01-2008, 11:45 PM

Sounds a trifle busy. When are you going to sit down & chat with some of the locals, soak up the atmosphere, go back to look at the properties which weren't available to see when you had first planned it, relax, meet some of the expats (if you're planning on living/buying here?) etc etc? Plans have a way of changing in this country as you might discover

so you can only really plan so much ahead of time & the rest you have to play by ear. With respect, you sound very organised which is good but you have to build in flexibility in the DR. Otherwise it builds itself in............

Have a great time whatever you decide.

fightfish · #3 02-02-2008, 12:03 AM

yep. Especially if you are travelling by publico and having appointments with realtors. Expect to run behind by 20 percent or more. A huelga, flat tire, dirty oil filters on the bus, etc. Flexibilty is key here, and a crowded schedule aften raises stress, something that should be avoided!!

mountainannie · #4 02-02-2008, 12:08 PM

Yes, It sounds amazingly rushed. I would skip Cabarete this trip and just get a feel for the Samana peninsula....

KeithF · #5 02-02-2008, 04:38 PM

My advice would be, if you are serious about buying, stay in one place and look at as many properties as you can. Trying to view properties in two different places in such a short space of time will probably not be useful because you'd be comparing apples with oranges. I'd stay in one place and use the extra time to be with a different agent.

Alternatively, if you're not sure whether to buy in Cabarete or Samana, don't even bother looking this trip, just enjoy the break. Spend half time in one place, half in the other and spend the time talking with people, then go back when you have narrowed down where you want to be. Have a look in agents windows for a general feel for prices etc but don't commit yourself. I think that trying to do your schedule, you run the risk of buying in haste. And that may be a mistake.

susan77 · #6 02-02-2008, 05:02 PM

I soooo appreciate this input! Every time I think we'll just stay on Samana, I read something great abt Cabrete! (great article in Feb issue of Frommers Budget Travel magazine)--
I'm thinking now we'll either skip whale watching or hiking to El Limon--

This question may belong on "Directions" thread, but...is it easier/faster getting back to Santo Domingo airport from Samana or Cabrete?

Thanks again-
Susan (we'll be in DR one week from tomorrow!)

WebDev · #7 02-02-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by susan77

Would you please give us your feed-back? (I haven't booked any hotels yet)-

Sun 2/10--arrive SDQ at 3pm--TakeOff flight to Patilla--stay Las terrenas
(Las Palmas, Casa Grande Beach, Kari Beach or Atlantis?)

Mon- check out some properties for sale-- stay LT

Is this realistic? Or should we skip Cabrete this trip?
Thank you so much for your help-- I am also posting this on a couple other forums to get LOTS of feed-back!
Susan

Susan,

I will just stop in Las Terrenas, stay at Las Palmas Las Palmas Residence - Las Terrenas - Península de Samana and ask Doris at the reception for input (she is a long time Las Terrenas resident). Or contact Bruce Pierson, trusted real estate agent in LT dominican republic real rstate - welcome - caribbean houses, villas, properties, hotels, investment .
Then go from there.
WebDev

KeithF · #8 02-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Susan, despite the fact that I love Cabarete and have an apartment available to rent there (as advertised on DR1) my recommendation would be to stay in Samana and don't miss the whale watching. Cabarete is great and it will still be great in June/July/Nov/Dec... in other words, the beach, the bars, the restaurants & the kites will all be there next time you visit DR, the whales won't be there again for another year. The whales are great to see. I've been three times, Kim Bedall Whale Samana is the best IMO. If you were there for longer, do both but if I was in your position, I'd be more relaxed and just do the one.

But if you do still decide to go to Cabarete...
Royal Residence Cabarete
Cabarete

susan77 · #9 02-03-2008, 04:41 PM

Thank you, Keith, and all who took the time to respond-- I'm taking everyone's advice and we'll confine our trip to Samana so we can get a feel for the area and so we don't miss the whales!!
I'm working now on booking the hotels--
Many thanks!!
Susan