trip advice for boca chica/juan dolio

bubba153 · #1 02-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Hello,
I am thinking about returning to the DR in may/june. i was in SD for my first trip and stayed at the melia. my friend lives in Haina and has 2 daughters ages 4 & 7. For this trip i was thinking of taking them to the beach for a few days . They have never been outside of Haina so a beach trip is like going to a foreign country.
I was thinking of going to hotel Zapata for 2 nights and then going to a hotel in juan dolio for 1 night before returning to SD. I would be looking for a decent non AI in Juan Dolio for that 1 night. Looking for something on the beach with a pool.safety is also very important
any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Wayne

cigarjoe · #2 02-12-2009, 07:35 PM

2 children 4 and 7? I would take them to Juan Dolio but not Boca Chica!

boca chica dave · #3 02-12-2009, 08:01 PM

The children more than likely can't swim. The beach around Zapata is nice, but the water is to deep for the children. You will need to go east to the other side of the pier--about 150 yds. Be with them all the time and make it a rule they don't go in the water without you. I've seen two kids pulled out of there dead. They were older, no one watching; maybe they walked out, stepped in a hole, a mouthful and gone. Not that many folks would notice especially if the beach is crowded. Grab a couple of the blow up floats in SD- they're cheaper. Push them around in the water-- they love it. The pools at the hotels are not meant for small children. The floats will be fine. Candil and Costalunga both have pools and are probably about the same price as Zapata. There is'nt much doing for resturants etc. near Zapata and it is small and quiet. At Candil you can get the regular room, they'll put a temp. bed in the room for $10.00 a night and the youngest can sleep on the small couch, or put the cushions on the floor. Kitchen in the place is nice. Nix Zapata. If you are with a dominican and 2 children it is very unlikely anyone will trouble you.

bubba153 · #4 02-12-2009, 08:16 PM

Hi ,
Thanks for the info. Watching them every second is my highest priority. you are correct they cannot swim and neither can the mother. safety is my highest concern around the water.
The girl i am with is very protective of me and I am not two worried about being bothered by vendors or other girls.
i will check out the other hotels that were mentioned.
thanks again
Wayne

jrzyguy · #5 02-12-2009, 08:23 PM

i see more and more families in BC all the time. I doubt the family is going to be hanging out at the one hooker disco late at night.

Boca Chica beach itself is GREAT for little kids. The water is very shallow and no waves. I love seeing the tourist kids playing with the local kids.

If you DO do B.C. when u do the beach go to the western part of the beach. It is not so crowded with tourists.

One thing to do is ask how much it will cost for your beach chairs table etc. (i dont pay a peso...but i am a regular and i make sure to order food etc) If you plan on ordering food and drinks i've found that you can negotiate the price of the chairs (i also tip well).

I like candil over constalunga. The pool area is nicer and they keep it open later...for some reason costalunga closes the pool around 6pm.

Fernandos is always good for dinner. Nothing fancy...but clean with decent service. THey even have burgers and sandwiches for the kids. (and its not on the main street..duarte..so its quiet).

THe water in Juan Dolio is deaper and much more rough. Fine for adult swimmers...but not for really young kids.

For real..B.C. has changed a lot. If you are with your family nobody is going to bother you. Except for the annoying vedors on the beach. Just say no and or completely ignore them. Eventually they will leave you alone.

Candil is the best bet for hotel tho...cept this IS a hill to walk up to get there

peep2 · #6 02-12-2009, 09:05 PM

I agree with jrzyuy. Boca Chica beach is very kid friendly. The current is hardly noticeable but keeps the water fresh. Very shallow and sandy a long way out. Lots of very friendly kids of all colors and ages.

I have noticed that Dominican kids seem to prefer fresh water (rivers and pools) over salt water when given the choice. Make sure the hotel you pick has a good pool. Now I think about it, I don't think I've seen a hotel with out a pool.

boca chica dave · #7 02-12-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peep2

I agree with jrzyuy. Boca Chica beach is very kid friendly. The current is hardly noticeable but keeps the water fresh. Very shallow and sandy a long way out. Lots of very friendly kids of all colors and ages.

I have noticed that Dominican kids seem to prefer fresh water (rivers and pools) over salt water when given the choice. Make sure the hotel you pick has a good pool. Now I think about it, I don't think I've seen a hotel with out a pool.

WOW! Gotta get back there soon. Most of the hotels have pools now.