Trip to Punta Cana 3 weeks away--$$$ ?

CheLLeBeLLe · #1 10-12-2003, 01:26 PM

Hello!!

I'm am anxiously awaiting my trip to the Dominican Republic. I have never been outside the US except to a trip to Canada in High School. This is so exciting. I do have a question though. When we went to Canada we exchanged our US dollars for the currency needed in Canada. It was very convienient--we could exchange right at the Hotel or there were several Banks close by. Will my husband and I need to exchange our US dollars when we get to Punta Cana, and will it be easy to do?? What is the comparison of US currency to DR's currency.

TIA for any info you all can share with me

Chelle

bbforbis · #2 10-12-2003, 01:36 PM

What we did last year, and will again this year, was to use American Dollars. We kept small bills for the most part. This avoided having a lot of pesos to worry about.

The day before the trip, I went on to a currency convertor site and made myself a "cheat sheet" to carry along so I knew what an item would cost in American Dollars.

If you plan on playing at any of the Casinos, if you play in American dollars, your winnings (if you have any) will be paid to you in American dollars. In other words, you get paid in the same currency that you played with.

This is just my opinion....but after much reading...I believe most will agree to use American dollars.

You mentioned Punta Cana....where are you staying?

CheLLeBeLLe · #3 10-12-2003, 01:46 PM

Thank you for your reply!!

We are staying at Iberostar Dominicana--the bride and groom are staying at Iberostar Punta Cana. After doing some Web site seeing and reading up on Iberostar Dominicana, I may have chose somewhere else. I won't judge though until I have expierienced it for myself. It's amazing how the "ratings" that some people give can be so completely different than what another person says. Some of the sites that I was reading were like two people were talking about two different places--but they weren't they were both rating Iberostar Dominicana.

Do you have any wise tips for a couple of Americans who have never really traveled before??

Chelle

bbforbis · #4 10-12-2003, 02:15 PM

But, personally, I would spend lots of time reading in this site, also, spend time in debbiesdominicantravel.com

Both will provide you with a lot of information. The biggest piece of advice that I would give is.....remember you are going to their country. Don't expect the Dominican people to understand the selfish American ways of doing things. Show that you are friendly, courteous and grateful to have the opportunity to visit them. Take the time to learn a bit of spanish...it will go a long way. We also spent about $40 at the local dollar store and brought things to leave for housekeepers, cocktail waitresses etc. Take time to ask them about their family. You will be treated well. Always remain grateful when they give you service (a buck or two now and then doesn't hurt either). Keep your expectations in order, what is 5 star in the US is not the same as 5 star in the Dominican. A smile hello, a meaningful "hola" goes a long way.

By the way, we are returning in January, this time with at least three other couples.

CheLLeBeLLe · #5 10-12-2003, 02:34 PM

You have some great advice. I like to think that I am a nice person by nature. I all ready planned to be my regular sweet self to the staff. I like the idea of the dollar store gifts to take with. I work at the Chamber of Commerce in my town and actually have quite a bit of access to Wisconsin oriented gifts that are relatively inexpensive. Where do you stay when you go to the DR and have you ever stayed at an Iberostar Resort??

I'm going to try to brush up on a little spanish--I have a friend who used to spend a lot of time in the DR. Her father's wife is from the DR and so she has offered to teach me a little of the correct Spanish for that area.

Chelle

JoeTurist · #6 10-12-2003, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Some of the sites that I was reading were like two people were talking about two different places--but they weren't they were both rating Iberostar Dominicana

Different people, different opinions. If you drink to much and get sick, sun will not shine for you the next day and everything around you will look terible. So moderation is the key.
A piece of advice, start tiping from the first day, this way you will have a good service from the second day on...what good is to give a tip at the end of your vacation to your bartender or maid, so he or she, could remember you the next year you come by?
Just my two centavos.
Joe Turist

bbforbis · #7 10-12-2003, 02:50 PM

Also, what I did was, go to a spanish phrase web site..(I'll look for one). Take a small note pad with you, for example, if you would like the housekeeper to leave you more towels, leave her a note in spanish, and at the bottom of the note...tell her the little gift is for her. Things like lipstick, nail polish etc. are very much a luxury item for them (if they can afford it in the first place). Also, hot wheels cars (big hit!!), markers, pens, pensils, crayons, color books etc. for the little people.

Our housekeeper and cocktail waitress both cried when we left...simple things that we take for granted. Keep in mind, that at most resorts, women can wear lipstick...but nail polish is a no, no at work. Cheap cologne, avon samples are all good choices. Last year I found a stencil and set of 20 markers at the dollar store, bought several, they are flat, pack well and were a huge hit. Likewise with the hot wheels cars....our housekeeper and cocktail waitresses had never seen them before so you can imagine how their children must have felt when they brought them home.

Last year we stayed at the Barcelo Beach in Punta Cana, will be going to Puerto Plata this year. Again...read, read, read....and of course, you can email me at anytime.

By the way, where are you from?

bbforbis · #8 10-12-2003, 03:31 PM

www.freetranslation.com

Worked great for me...