4 week travel in DR with 3 year old

[montreal]

Originally Posted by Borec

Laguna Lemon is excellent, instead of hotel la cueva, stay at Harley's heaven, just next door, I can get you the phone if you interested. If you would have 4x4 you could explore the beaches properly around there. But you will need at least beach chairs, as there is nothing there.

If you stay around Barahona, try to stay longer, the coast b/w Barahona and Oviedo is beautiful. check my pictures at David's Pictures of Dominican Republic

I would strongly recommend to drive all the way to Bahia de las Aguilas (about 2.5 hr drive from Barahona, if you have no 4x4 you will need to take a boat from the park entrance, but it is most amazing place in DR.
I would give a skip to lago enriquillo, not much to see there. see my last post on the subject
Trip to Lago Enriquillo, Polo and Bahia de las Aguilas

The coast there is also very beautiful.

I am not sure that the coast around Puerto Plata - Cabarete - Sosua should get two days, depends on what you want, if you are after nightlife, then yes, if you want to see some natural beauty, you will be better of spending your time at Samana, Jarabacoa or SouthWest.

See my short post on this here (post 24):
Pictures from my trips

Jarabacoa has some nice places, especially the waterfalls, if you would have SUV I would recommend that you would drive from Jarabacaoa - Cosntanza - and through valle nuevo to San Jose de Ocoa and from there to Barahona. Even though this might be just about possible to drive with a ordinary car, you will hit lots of rocks and beat the hell out if it. Maybe not a trip for 3 year old, but definitely something you will not forget.
If you interested I can give you GPS or Google earth tracks.

Santo Domingo is in my opinion also worth only a passing visit, unless you are after some night life.

Once you work out your travel plan I can give you some places where I have stayed.

As to travel with kids, it might be lot of driving for a 3 year old, the main roads are generally ok, but you will have to watch for potholes even on a "freeway", that is the fact of life in DR. Be prepared that majority of Dominican drivers do not use indicators, mirrors, have no idea what the dividing line is for, and believe that they are the only ones using the road.

Borec, I have to disagree with your comment on the capital. Plaza de la cultura alone is worth a whole day. I think it is an essential stop for the first time visitor. To help them understand the history of the DR and the people. Great pics BTW Thanks for sharing them!

I'm not sure lukalul is after nightlife with a 3 yo

Lukalul, if your child is well travelled and you stop often to take in the surroundings I'm sure you boy/girl will be fine. My kids love road trips across the DR, the wilder the better

We are probably confusing you more than anything....100 people will advise you 100 different ways. No te preocupes. Take your time and visit at your own pace. If you dont get to see everything that's great. IT MEANS YOU GET TO COME BACK!

SUERTE

[Borec]

It very much depends what you want to do in SD, you can spend a half a day just in Botanical Garden, but generally one day walk around zona colonial is just about enough, especially with 3 year old - ya the nightlife was a jibe. Lets face it Santo Domingo is not exactly Paris or Prague, and after being mugged I am not a great fan.

[montreal]

Originally Posted by Borec

It very much depends what you want to do in SD, you can spend a half a day just in Botanical Garden, but generally one day walk around zona colonial is just about enough, especially with 3 year old - ya the nightlife was a jibe. Lets face it Santo Domingo is not exactly Paris or Prague, and after being mugged I am not a great fan.

OUCH! That's bad luck...Prague??? Is that good nightlife? I'm curious now.

Good things to visit in SD (with my kids anyways)

-of course zona colonial
-the market around el mercado modelo (lots of everything for sale)
-botanical gardens
-plaza de la cultura (it is not that busy so if they run around a little it is okay. There is plenty of room in the park outside to play and take breaks
-los tres ojos is also a tourist option

[Borec]

Originally Posted by montreal

OUCH! That's bad luck...Prague??? Is that good nightlife? I'm curious now.

-los tres ojos is also a tourist option

I was not refering to night life, come to think of it it was not that bad. I was refering to things to see (museums, churches etc.).

tres ojos definetely! and while you are that way, the aquarium is not that bad either.

and I was mugged in a park on sunday afternoon - not on a night life expeditions, I am past that now.

[montreal]

Originally Posted by Borec

I was not refering to night life, come to think of it it was not that bad. I was refering to things to see (museums, churches etc.).

tres ojos definetely!

Thanks for clarifying. Maybe I will get there one day.....

[Borec]

Originally Posted by montreal

Thanks for clarifying. Maybe I will get there one day.....

You should Prague, is one of the most beuatiful cities in the world, if you could get rid of the czechs it would be even better.

[montreal]

okay......im not sure what to say to that one
let me guess you are not czech!

[Borec]

Wrong, I am czech, but that is why I do not live there, even though I have a flat and cottage there.