Advice for first trippers

jcrian · #1 01-09-2003, 05:50 PM

We are going to Villa Dorada in two weeks time which will be our first trip to DR.Any advice on trips or any information about the resort would be most appreciated.
Thanks

Hlywud · #2 01-09-2003, 06:02 PM

There are many places to get advice, here is a good spot, just ask and someone will help you. There are resort reviews also available on the homepage.
You can also find it on the bulletin board at www.debbiesdominicantravel.com or at http://www.b2g4.com/boards/board.cgi?user=dr4u

for review on DR1 check this link
http://www.dr1.com/reviews/list.php?...=villas+dorada

Ken · #3 01-09-2003, 08:17 PM

Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete are all nearby and can be reached by inexpensive public transportation. For info on Puerto Plata see http://www.popreport.com/VisitorsGuide/ Info on Sosua can be found at http://www.sosua.com/ and to learn about Cabarete see http://www.activecabarete.com/ and http://www.hispaniola.com/Cabarete/index.html

All 3 are well worth a day trip.

jcrian · #4 01-12-2003, 11:43 AM

Thanks for all the advice.I have checked out the websites you have recommended.
Now for a really dumb question! What is the rough price of cigarettes in the DR.We have made the mistake many times of buying duty free at the airport and then finding them cheaper at our destination.

Hillbilly · #5 01-12-2003, 12:39 PM

Cough, cough, cough!! Hack , hack, hack!!

Butts are roughly RD$24 pesos (US$1.20) a pack for Marlbor--cough cough, spit hack-os. Slightly lower for local brands-Nacional etc. Menthol candy sticks available...

Outstanding cigars are about RD$1,200 a box of 25 at Supermercado Nacional...A lot of major names.

HB, non-cigarette smoker for 35 1/2 years!!!

jcrian · #6 01-12-2003, 12:54 PM

Well done Hillybilly - 35.5 years. Hope that includes cigars as well!!
Thanks for the information. The duty free at Gatwick are much more than that so we'll buy our 'smokes' in DR.

Hillbilly · #7 01-12-2003, 01:06 PM

Nope cigars are a must!. But only three or four a week when at the factory. Nowadays, two a week, top production period, three for four lighted a day, but not finished. No inhaling allowed.

HB You are welcome...

nycguy7077 · #8 01-12-2003, 04:08 PM

RE: Ciggarettes
Buy your cigarrettes at the duty free when you land. That is what I do. I smoke Newports which is a popular New York City brand. Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg, a carton of Newports in NYC is 75 dollars a carton! I get my ciggs from the Native American reservations in upstate NY for 32 dollars a carton, delivery included. A better bargain.
I have been to the DR every month for the past several months, north AND south coasts. A carton of Newports in a big colmado is 600 pesos, which is about 28 dollars, and believe me, I checked many stores in Puerta Plata, Cabarete, Santo Domingo. The airport duty free sells them for 16 dollars a carton, which is like 340 pesos. You will NOT find cheaper then that. I cant comment on local Dominican ciggs or exotic European ciggs. All I know is my friends in NYC beg me to bring Newports back from the duty free in DR airports.

JOHNNY HONDA · #9 01-13-2003, 12:53 PM

LIDERS(all I smoke now used to smoke camels)150 pesos /200 cigs,marlboro 200 pesos kents 200 pesos divide that by 21 pesos to the$and figure out whats the best deal for dying.
J.H.
Oh YEAH 2 CIGARS A DAY WISH I had the willpower like you Hillbilly

Hillbilly · #10 01-13-2003, 05:03 PM

Jpohnny, was that last sentence poorly punctuated? Should it have read: Oh yea, two cigars a day. (Plus the cigarettes??). Wish i had etcetc...?
Do you smoke cigars??

HB