When does Easter break 2004 begin?

bnjj · #1 03-02-2004, 05:10 PM

Hola!

Can anyone please tell me when the Easter Break festivities will start and the water craft will go to a halt - will it be Monday, April 5 or Wednesday, April 7 as I've read both in various places on the net. I'm just wondering if I'd still be able to take a catamaran snorkelling trip on the Monday or Tuesday or if that won't be available due to Easter.

Thank you,
BnJJ

ricktoronto · #2 03-02-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnjj

Hola!

Can anyone please tell me when the Easter Break festivities will start and the water craft will go to a halt - will it be Monday, April 5 or Wednesday, April 7 as I've read both in various places on the net. I'm just wondering if I'd still be able to take a catamaran snorkelling trip on the Monday or Tuesday or if that won't be available due to Easter.

Thank you,
BnJJ

Starts Sat. April 3rd and will be over at about 6 p.m. Easter Sunday the 11th. My understanding is the AI's themselves curtail activities as the resorts are so full - outside you should be able to book in advance and go. I doubt many Dominicans use those types of excursions since they could do a one day thing any time of the year.

marliejaneca · #3 03-03-2004, 12:24 PM

http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php...ghlight=easter

All motorized water sports are banned during a certain time frame, music must stop and as I remember discos were closed until a certain time as well. It is not just the AI's that put this into effect and no one would be allowed to sell you anything off resort because you can't jet ski etc period.
BTW - I lived there during two Samana Santas, and the lack of noise - even for a few hours was a dream come true!!!!!
Intersting note - Marina stated in the above thread that Cabarete does get special permission each year to continue sailboarding and kitesurfing.

bnjj · #4 03-03-2004, 01:37 PM

Well, I've obviously picked the wrong time to be going there as it sounds like I won't be able to go on a catamaran for a snorkelling excurision or anything of the like that involves motorized boats the entire week I am there.

Oh well, you live you learn I guess.

ricktoronto · #5 03-03-2004, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marliejaneca

http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php...ghlight=easter

All motorized water sports are banned during a certain time frame, music must stop and as I remember discos were closed until a certain time as well. It is not just the AI's that put this into effect and no one would be allowed to sell you anything off resort because you can't jet ski etc period.
BTW - I lived there during two Samana Santas, and the lack of noise - even for a few hours was a dream come true!!!!!
Intersting note - Marina stated in the above thread that Cabarete does get special permission each year to continue sailboarding and kitesurfing.

The motorized stuff quite often refers to the AI's who don't want to do it as they have more requests than supplies. I have seen motorized boats , non-AI in Boca Chica during SS. Discos were not closed at all nor have I seen a day they've ever been unless closed for good by the cops.. And the stores are all open etc., as well.

The basic advice is if you go during Semanaa Santa and you haven't been there before, be flexible or go another time which is a far better idea frankly. It's noisy and crowded and you will have a lack of some stuff. Arrive Good Friday and see a day and a 1/2 of it which is lots.

I would be AMAZED if EVERY tour/excursion operator was shut down for the week, or at all - those independently arranged an not thru the AI desks (where no doubt you pay more) . Those dumb safari truck tours seem to go by every single day of the year. Since they all have web sites and phone numbers it also occurs to me that maybe the OP can call them him/herself and ask them.

marliejaneca · #6 03-03-2004, 02:00 PM

I think there may have been a misunderstanding - the activities are not shut down for a whole week - it is just a matter of a few hours.
And this is only what I experienced in Puerto Plata - I can't speak for Boca Chica or other areas. Ricktoronto frequents BC and would know better what happens there.
Where exactly are you staying? Maybe someone from this board who is living there right now will be able to inform you better.
Don't let this ruin your vacation, like I said it does not affect the whole Easter week just a matter of hours.
Marlie

tired_boy · #7 03-03-2004, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricktoronto

Those dumb safari truck tours seem to go by every single day of the year.

Whats up with them? Is it just something else you can't stand or are they actually 'dumb'?

bnjj · #8 03-03-2004, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marliejaneca

Where exactly are you staying? Maybe someone from this board who is living there right now will be able to inform you better.
Don't let this ruin your vacation, like I said it does not affect the whole Easter week just a matter of hours.
Marlie

Thanks Marlie. I am staying at the Puerto Plata Village. When you say "a few hours" do you mean a few hours each day are affected or just a few hours on a particular day and if so, which day? I'm sorry but I'm not following you. Thanks.

ricktoronto · #9 03-03-2004, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tired_boy

Whats up with them? Is it just something else you can't stand or are they actually 'dumb'?

I'd say hire a car and driver and take a bottle of Brugal and drive around and see stuff. 50 AI tourists in the back of a truck getting drunk on rum and driving in a park is not my idea of tourism. And they are not inexpensive, though cheaper if you avoid the hotel surcharge and go direct .

To each his own but there are better ways to see the sights and commune with the people which is what tourism is. I would describe these packages as tame parts of a "vacation" as they can take place anywhere without any apprecaible change in the impression of local culture.

My point is hopefully to put off one tourist in 500 from the same old tired crap and to participate in the local community and hopefully commerce. They do they do, they don't they don't.

Scoobster · #10 03-05-2004, 06:53 AM

Well, back to the original question....

We were at the Riu Merengue during Eater break, and yes some of the excursions, and someof the typical resort happenings were slowed down, or actually suspended in some cases, but only for a couple of days.

The one thing we found though, was the extra people in the resorts, as they are then open to the people of the Dominican for those couple of days.

(we were informed only the wealthy Dominicans could afford it, and I must say, they may be able to afford the resort, but obviously manners were not something they packed for the vacation)

You will get through, just book your excursions around the shut-down, and enjoy the local flavour during those times.

Get out of the resort...see the local sites...use a taxi, get someone you feel comfortable with, and use them the whole time you are there.

Thats a real excursion anyway.

Cheers
Jimmy