The ultimate DR guide book!

[Robert]

What would you consider to be perfect guide book for the Dominican Republic?

Looking for some feedback and help. Would love to hear the opinions from the people that actually travel and have travelled to the DR.
When you live here, sometimes you can't see the wood for the trees

If you had to design your own, what topics/areas would it cover?
Would it be good to have a guide book that just covers a specific area (Punta Cana) or niche (golf, adventure sports)?
How would it look, size, shape and format?
Would it be a physical book or something that is in downloadable printable format?
Does it have to be in color or is BW ok?
Are maps more important than photos?
Price points? What is expensive and what is cheap? Is US$19.95 cheap?

As you can see, lots of questions
Just trying to get a feel for what people want, would use and purchase.

Feel free to waffle, generalize or be very specific.

Thanks.

[JanH]

Sounds like you're wanting to publish one, but there are 2 audiences to consider.

For example, when we were 'resort tourists', we bought "Explore the Dominican Republic", a travel guide. It was wonderful. It told of climate, what to wear, what tours to take, kinds of transportation, etc. It was full of maps and pictures. It was $17 US softback, 5x7

Now that we own a home and come down 4 times a year, we've graduated to Discovery Channel's book "The Dominican Republic & Haiti". This is educating us on the history of the island, description of most towns, mountain range stats, museums, crops, etc. Many color pictures and maps. $23 US softback

[mlroberts23]

Don't want to burst your bubble but I purchased the rough guide to dominican republic but found that going on the internet to these forums and other sites was way more informative because it is up to date. I myself wanted to know what people thought of the resorts and excurisions after just going on them. A book with peoples opinions and choices of things to do and see with lots of maps would be the best for me. Good Luck in whatever you are planning on doing!!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by JanH

Sounds like you're wanting to publish one...

It's something we have looked at in the past and looking at again.

To be honest, I don't think a decent guide book exists on the DR.
As pointed out, they are all outdated before they even get printed.
Plus they cover the same old stuff and follow the same old formats.

We would never do a guide book, just to do a guide book.
It would have to be radically different and something that is a "must have".

The problem is defining the "must have" as it's often different for each individual.

But...

Technology today allows you to deliver a real physical book that is up to date from the day you ordered it. Plus it could be a book that you have custom built with the sections that are relevant to your visit to the DR. If your only coming to the North Coast, you don't necessarily need a section covering Punta Cana.

Keep the thoughts and feedback coming...

[El Jefe]

Fiest consideration:

Is it a guide book for visiting or one for living in the DR? Can it be both or is that too much?

[Robert]

Originally Posted by El Jefe

Fiest consideration:

Is it a guide book for visiting or one for living in the DR? Can it be both or is that too much?

Visiting or both.

[lhtown]

The netizens of DR1 would probably write a (mostly) very complete guidebook for you if you put up a wiki.

[MaineGirl]

I think you need to narrow your focus a bit for travelers...what types of travelers? Newly-weds? Golf enthusiasts? Cheap chic people like me? Party-hardies? Envirolocos? AI folks? Conde Nast type people? (fyi look at Florida's Key West site for a nice guide with an environmental emphasis....) Can you cover it all....each type of traveller...in one book? Do you want to?

For those expats that want live in the country, this might be an easier niche...seems like this is where the expertise of the board will come into play and you could easily separate your sections according to how many assets you are working with.

Give me more specific info. and my brain will start pumping out ideas.

MG
for the
HM Agency

[Robert]

Originally Posted by lhtown

The netizens of DR1 would probably write a (mostly) very complete guidebook for you if you put up a wiki.

That wasn't the question, but thanks.

[pati]

I think an online guide to DR is definately something worth considering.I would approach it as two seperate guides. One for those visiting and another for those looking to reside in DR. I believe what makes this site so successful is that a person has the opportunity to get multiple views. A lot of the information provided would be subjective so if the guide was a cooperative source of information it may share some of the same success.

I have been to DR a few times but I've never been there long enough to get to know as much as I would like about the different areas.
When I'm there I usually ask people show me a nice area to live, eat,shop, etc. I sometimes find that I don't share the same opinion as that person once we get there, so it is neccessary to hear from different people. A few days ago I came across a very good post by Nal0whs.It was exactly the type of information I was looking for. As someone who is interested in business opportunities and possibily full time residency in DR.

But of course there's nothing better than getting personalized treatment. People will always post questions asking for information but a more in depth online guide may cut down on some repetitive questions.