Two questions

jjwilliamson85 · #1 07-13-2008, 11:25 AM

I have been living in the santo domingo since january, and my parents are planning to visit in october or november. They'll be here for between a week and 10 days. Does anyone have any suggestions of somewhere i could take them to? Right now, i'm thinking of 2-3 nights in zona colonial, and then off to either las terrenas or barahona. From what they've told me, i think they'd prefer a place which isn't hugely touristy, but that has things to do other than just visit the beach all day every day.

Also, i have a week's holiday from work coming up, and am interested in going scuba diving. Does anyone know of a good website or have and information about this? My level of spanish is mediocre - i can understand non-specialist conversations more or less completely, if this is relevant.

Any advice you can give me on either of these two questions would be gratefully received.

Rocky · #2 07-13-2008, 11:48 AM

The Barahonna area is much less touristy and has all sorts of unique things to see and do.
I'll let the Barahona experts make suggestions, as they know the area better than I do.

SKY · #3 07-13-2008, 12:36 PM

Barahona is a great place for you. I can recommend a great hotel just west of Barahona with spectacular views of the Ocean.

Playazul
Carretera Barahona Paraiso, KM7
809-424-5375

Rooms are 2,000 2,500rd. Brand New, AC, pool, overlooking the Ocean, restaurant. Owner speaks English.

This is just past Barahona.

RGVgal · #4 07-13-2008, 02:04 PM

Yes, Barahona and the sorrounding areas are great. I stayed at Hotel Costa Larimar. Very nice and clean hotel. The owners speak English and they were very helpful.

SKY · #5 07-13-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGVgal

Yes, Barahona and the sorrounding areas are great. I stayed at Hotel Costa Larimar. Very nice and clean hotel. The owners speak English and they were very helpful.

I used to stay there also until they doubled the prices. Have you been there recently? The place needs a lot of work. Also, service is non existent. Would not recommend now.

RGVgal · #6 07-13-2008, 04:10 PM

I was there last yr and all was fine. I agree the service is very slow, but overall not too bad for a non-touristy area and it didn't bother me so much because we were basically just at the hotel to sleep.

SKY · #7 07-13-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGVgal

I was there last yr and all was fine. I agree the service is very slow, but overall not too bad for a non-touristy area and it didn't bother me so much because we were basically just at the hotel to sleep.

Believe it or not but the price for a double room with breakfast, not the AI plan, doubled in the last year. I was there a month ago. The food is to die for, if you eat enough you probably Will Die.

Seriously, next time try the place I recommended. Better place at a fraction of the cost.

RGVgal · #8 07-14-2008, 02:25 PM

haha..I find most of the food in hotels from the smallest to the largest AI in the DR terrible.

jjwilliamson85 · #9 07-14-2008, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the advice so far. I have found a place in zona colonial for $1,000 per night. I think Barahona seems like a good option from this feedback. The food isn't the biggest worry, because there is always the option of local restaurants. I guess restaurants are more likely to give a flavour for local dominican food than the hotels are. Still, there's always pico pollo. mmm.

Arrica · #10 07-20-2008, 12:38 PM

There is a great seafood restaurant down on the malecon in Barahona - forgotten the name, but not from from the Hotel Costa Larimar, on the other side of the road. Actually, you'll find a couple of decent restaurants there.