Easter Week "banned" activities in POP

LynnCox · #1 10-15-2003, 06:01 PM

Hello,

I need some help for some friends that will be going to POP this next April 2004 and have received the following information from their travel agent: (fyi: they will be staying at the Playa Dorado)

"It means they are celebrating holy week. No sailing, no windsurfing, no snorkeling , no parasailing, no horseback riding 7-11April. You'll have to do all those the 3-6th. Thank you for choosing WorldTravel Vacations"

Since I live on the other side of the island, I didn't know that there were or are specific laws that may pertain to the north side of the island. I know that there are no jetskis allowed during Easter or "Holy week", period. But I didn't know about the rest. Here in CdC, we can do the rest.

Can anyone please help by letting me know what the "real scoop" is so that I can pass it on to them stateside?

Thanks for your help...

Lynn

Ken · #2 10-15-2003, 06:33 PM

marina, who is in the kite surfing business in Cabarete, said in a recent post that up to now Cabarete has always gotten permission to continue with wind and kite surfing during the Easter holiday.

MrMike · #3 10-15-2003, 06:34 PM

As far as I can remember this all started during His Baldness' first year in office, I had great memories of Easter weekend in Cabarete from my first year in the DR and was planning to party hard the second one, only to find that playing music out loud in Cabarete had been banned for the full weekend, and my whole vacation sucked.

I'm not much for snorkeling or jet-skiing, but I doubt that in the case with snorkeling anybody would bother to wade out and stop you, however I am truly offended each and every year that someopne won't let me Rock and Roll for 3 days out of the year just because they want to pretend to observe their religion. (between beating their wives and shagging their mistresses, I guess it's a small step towards spiritual enlightenment, I hope it helps them somehow, God knows they need it)

Ken · #4 10-15-2003, 06:39 PM

The restrictions didn't start with the current president. I didn't know they restricted rock and roll and full volumn, but am glad to hear this was/is done. Should be better enforced all year long.

The reason for the restrictions on water activities is the number of Dominicans, drunk or sober, who died in boating related accidents.
I don't think this restriction is just for the north coast.

LynnCox · #5 10-15-2003, 06:46 PM

Thanks for the info. In checking with my friends again, I have been informed that the travel agent has called the hotel, Allegro Playa Dorado, she has been informed that the Dominican Law states there are no water activities during these dates. PERIOD! Now...knowing how much the Dominican Republic relys on tourism, I can't imagine any hotel NOT fighting this.

Maybe I should post this to the legal guy? They can't even think about bringing a group of 17 to the DR and no water sports are allowed!!!

Hillbilly · #6 10-15-2003, 07:12 PM

What caused all of this were some very gruesome deaths at Boca Chica, where the young idiots of Santo Domingo's finest families used to race about and usually hit a bunch of people. The lat one i remember was when a Drag racer ran over a few people.. UGH!

However, You can do a lot of things, and if you come to Punta Rucía you can rock and roll, skin dive (snorkle) and probably a lot more.

Except for Friday afternoon between noon and three p.m. there is plenty of noise.

As a note, your friends can take some of those cool day trips if they stay in POP, and they'll never know the difference.

HB

Ken · #7 10-15-2003, 09:37 PM

Tell your friends to go to Cabarete for the day.

Eddy · #8 10-15-2003, 09:39 PM

I’m all FOR any pressure the Gov. can put on to keep the Dominicans (From Santo Domingo or Santiago) out of my town. All they do is pollute. They do “Zero” for the local economy (Bring their own food and booze. Leave their garbage on our beaches and streets. Bust our ears with their chopo music playing full blast etc.) However, I hope they will only enforce the rules Thursday to Sunday PM. Believe me a small price to pay.

LynnCox · #9 10-16-2003, 08:53 AM

Thanks!

HB - what cool activities are you refering to, I'd like to suggest them. I remember here in CdC a few years back some of those "finest young idiots from SDQ" that were vacationing here have an accident and kill few of themselves while driving like bats out of hell inside the compound. ugh!! ugh!! ugh!!

Ken - am I to understand that the "ban" on activities is only on Good Friday? And they should plan a trip to Cabarete that day?

Any suggestions are greatly apprecated. You can also email me directly: calegrelyn@aol.com.

Thanks again, Lynn

marina · #10 10-16-2003, 09:17 AM

The restriction over Easter is for all MOTORIZED watersports and applies to the entire island. Despite this, Cabarete has always received a special permit, just in case. I believe only once in the last 10 years some lowly public official banned it, to flex his meager muscles. The story goes he whipped out a map and insisted that no water sports of any kind were allowed on the island during easter weekend. too bad it was a map of North America!!!

marina