Reassurance Needed...PLEASE!

Dwight · #1 10-02-2004, 07:13 PM

Yesterday I cancelled my trip to Cuba in a moment of temporary insanity. I feel very "comfortable" there....have a lot of Cuban friends, so I don't spend much time at the hotel.

I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place. Also, I know my way around the "remote" area of Cuba that I travel to...but I don't know anything about, or anyone in DR. I prefer knowing local people...but in this case, I'm starting from "square one" all over again.
What to do?

I'm going Nov.13 -27'th.

Thanks

Dwight

Jimmydr · #2 10-02-2004, 07:18 PM

Very safe and very friendly. You will be eating rice and beans in a new friends shack with in a day.

juancarlos · #3 10-02-2004, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Yesterday I cancelled my trip to Cuba in a moment of temporary insanity. I feel very "comfortable" there....have a lot of Cuban friends, so I don't spend much time at the hotel.

I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place. Also, I know my way around the "remote" area of Cuba that I travel to...but I don't know anything about, or anyone in DR. I prefer knowing local people...but in this case, I'm starting from "square one" all over again.
What to do?

I'm going Nov.13 -27'th.

Thanks

Dwight

Pardon me if am being indiscreet for it is not my intention, but, where is that "remote" part of Cuba you usually travel to? Also, where is this Paraiso del Sol Hotel?

Dwight · #4 10-02-2004, 07:34 PM

Hi juancarlos,

I travel to Marea del Portillo on the southeast coast of Cuba....at the base of the Sierra Maestra mountains....spectacular scenery, wonderful people!

The Paraiso del Sol is ?? The book says...3 km. from Cabarete. That's all I know.

Dwight

Jimmydr · #5 10-02-2004, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Hi juancarlos,

The Paraiso del Sol is ?? The book says...3 km. from Cabarete. That's all I know.

Dwight

I know where it is, very nice area, great people. I been going to that area 4 years now.

juancarlos · #6 10-02-2004, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

Hi juancarlos,

I travel to Marea del Portillo on the southeast coast of Cuba....at the base of the Sierra Maestra mountains....spectacular scenery, wonderful people!

The Paraiso del Sol is ?? The book says...3 km. from Cabarete. That's all I know.

Dwight

Dwight, you are right about this area of Cuba being remote. It's at the other end of the island, from my perspective, and I am sure it is beatiful there too. The Sierra Maestra mountains, famous mountains!. Have you ever visited the Viñales Valley in Pinar del Rio province? It's a breathtaking place, really beatiful. I am sure you will also discover more natural beauty in the DR, so do not regret your decision yet. Who knows, you may like it as much as you like Cuba.

Rocky · #7 10-02-2004, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight

I booked Paraisa del Sol on a whim....and now I have "buyers remorse". I've been reading terrible reviews about the place.
Dwight

Paraiso Del Sol is located in Sosua on the South side of the highway, near the gym.
The place is ok and the complaints you have heard may be based on the fact that people find it a bit inconvenient to cross the highway to walk to the beach and into town.
Some English speaking guests complain about staying in a German resort, as there are some cultural differences that they might not feel comfortable with.
If you get in touch with us when you arrive, we can hook you up with some other DR1ers living here in Sosua.
Marco.

NALs · #8 10-02-2004, 11:59 PM

The Dominican Republic and Cuba are practically the samething (add Puerto Rico to that mix as well).

Of course, there are differences, some more noticeable than others, but overall the general feeling is the same. In Cuba, you witness the DR under communism.

In the DR, you witness Cuba under capitalism.

In Puerto Rico, you witness the DR and Cuba if they were to become colonies of the USA - which both almost were at one point in time!

Overall, you will like the DR because the people are just as friendly as the Cubans, the scenery is just as breathtaking (the exception being that the mountains in the Central DR are way higher than anything else in the Caribbean, with some hanging valleys reaching well below 0 degrees at night, burr cold...

But, much of the island is tropical, rugged, and eternally beautiful!

Enjoy your stay!

Dwight · #9 10-03-2004, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky

Paraiso Del Sol is located in Sosua on the South side of the highway, near the gym.
The place is ok and the complaints you have heard may be based on the fact that people find it a bit inconvenient to cross the highway to walk to the beach and into town.
Some English speaking guests complain about staying in a German resort, as there are some cultural differences that they might not feel comfortable with.
If you get in touch with us when you arrive, we can hook you up with some other DR1ers living here in Sosua.
Marco.

Hey Marco,

Thanks for your reply. Apparently I'm staying in a hut (villa?) on the beach that doesn't have AC....just a ceiling fan. I didn't know this is a German resort...do I need to add "Germinglish" to my "Spanglish"? haha.
What a generous offer!! It will be great to meet you...and others in the area.Knowing the "do's and "don'ts" at the beginning will be most welcome!

How will I find you?

Dwight

Dwight · #10 10-03-2004, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nal0whs

The Dominican Republic and Cuba are practically the samething (add Puerto Rico to that mix as well).

Of course, there are differences, some more noticeable than others, but overall the general feeling is the same. In Cuba, you witness the DR under communism.

In the DR, you witness Cuba under capitalism.

In Puerto Rico, you witness the DR and Cuba if they were to become colonies of the USA - which both almost were at one point in time!

Overall, you will like the DR because the people are just as friendly as the Cubans, the scenery is just as breathtaking (the exception being that the mountains in the Central DR are way higher than anything else in the Caribbean, with some hanging valleys reaching well below 0 degrees at night, burr cold...

But, much of the island is tropical, rugged, and eternally beautiful!

Enjoy your stay!

Hi NalOwhs,

I hadn't thought of things quite that way before...but, it seems like a PERFECT analogy! I'm starting to warm up to the idea of beginning a new adventure in a new country. Thanks for the thoughtful insight.

Dwight