Great place in Barahona area: Rancho Don Cesar in Paraiso

[Chitowndude]

Just got back from my first trip to the DR, and we had a great time. After a few days exploring the colonial zone and malecon in Santo Domingo, we wanted to figure a way to Barahona without dropping a bundle of $$ on car rental and $6.50/gal gas. Finally got help from DomRep Tours (thanks, Juan) who had an office in the colonial zone and sat with us for a while to figure out a plan. We took Caribe Tours to Barahona (yeah, my Spanish came in very handy there) where we were picked up by Cesar and taken to their family run B&B, Ranch Don Cesar. It was outstanding with nicely done European style bathrooms, great landscaping, very good food. We felt a little isolated not having our own car, though, but Cesar was great at hauling us up into the mountains to see their farms (fascinating!!!) and to Paraiso to explore the little village there. DomRep set up a tour to get us to Bahia de las Aguilas, since snorkeling there was a priority for us. Overall a fantastic experience and very doable if you don't want to rent a car. However, although it wasn't as pricey as staying at Casa Bonita or some Punta Cana resort, we did drop a few bucks to have all meals done at the B&B since the food was totally organic and healthy and to do that tour to haul us out to the Bahia. It's a viable option for those not wanting to rent a car yet see that area.

[Caribbeandreamto]

Very nice. Do you have any contact information for this hotel?

[mountainannie]

and could you tell us how much money you dropped to make it a todo incluido? I would much prefer to stay with Dominicans the next time I go down there. thanks!

[Chitowndude]

and could you tell us how much money you dropped to make it a todo incluido? I would much prefer to stay with Dominicans the next time I go down there. thanks!

With the understanding that this included all meals and transportation to/from Barahona bus depot and them driving us around town and touring their farm, around $100/day total. We did not have a car. Keep in mind that they are new at this and working out the kinks, and this is a very hard working, honest family that is heavily invested in helping their local community, so some slack needs to be cut while they figure out pricing. DomReptours is their interface in Santo Domingo (better English for communicating details) and they can definitely help to address any pricing concerns.

[socuban]

[deroque49]

I'll be staying at this hotel for four days on August 11th. I'll let everyone know how it is.

[Jenny429]

Make sure you get to San Raphael, Los Patos, but most importantly Bahai de las aguillas..

[socuban]

I've made 4 visits to Paraiso recently and each time stayed at Rancho Don Cesar. I have contacts in Rancho Platon, Casa Bonita and La Mami River House, which are all excellent, but I can't seem to break from the "your country home" feeling that I get at Rancho Don Cesar. His wife Estela and their son Neftaly have made my before, during and after stays memorable. I am looking forward to returning there soon.

[deroque49]

Dominican Republic 2012 Photos by deroque49 | Photobucket

My wife and I stayed at this hotel for 4 days and absolutely loved it! The owner and his wife and family and really nice people and were more than willing to talk to us about what to do in the area. The food was great and everything was priced VERY reasonably. Great people, great trip. The link above is an album of pictures from our trip, there are some pictures of the Rancho Don César in the album. The only other option that could be better in the area in Casa Bonita, but it is VERY expensive compared to Rancho Don César and I loved getting to know César and his family, and you won't have that kind of experience at Casa Bonita. So do what we did, stay at Rancho Don César and have lunch or dinner at Casa Bonita at some point during the trip.

[Africaida]

beautiful pics Deroque !

I want to go now