I can't believe what I am reading!

[db23]

Dear Ally,

Can you recomend something for firsttimer in DR. My hobbies: photo, sports.
What about Haiti. Is it reasonable to go there for 1 day?

[sunshine_79]

Originally Posted by db23

Dear Ally,

Can you recomend something for firsttimer in DR. My hobbies: photo, sports.
What about Haiti. Is it reasonable to go there for 1 day?

Unless the sports you partake in are marksmanship or long distance running, I would suggest a big, fat NO.

It's too volatile right now. It might be interesting but it's not worth your life.

[villamella58]

I was born in the Dominican Republic but raised in New York. Every time I go back, I do not want to come back. It is not because the economy is good, which is not, but there are more good people and friendships that make you focus on them than a few bad apples or conditions. You see, I adopt very easily to my surrounding, I do not try to take the states to the Domincian Republic when I go there I just try to blend in.

[villamella58]

If you are going to the Dominican Republic I would recommend for you to speak to the locals and let them tell you where to go. If you are in Santo Domingo ( where I was born) I would recommend you walk from El Mirador (Park) to el Malecon ( sea shore you have hotels and restuarants right in front of the sea coast) up to La ciudad colonial ( the colonial city). You can take a lot of pictures there.

[KateMNDR]

nlove88 nailed it..."Dominican Fever" aka "Island Fever"...not to be confused with "Jungle Fever", which is a WHOLE other forum! The island fever is something more than just a vacation...it's a feeling that sticks with you even after you return to your normal life, wherever that is. (mine is US) After years of Mexico and "island hopping" I found what I was looking for in the DR too. Find your niche and fill it, right?

I spent a week at Breezes all inclusive in Punta Cana. My best friend and I were celebrating our birthdays. (29th) She flew home and I took a bus with another friend, to Santo Domingo and then POP...stayed at a villa in Sosua/Cabarete, where two more friends met me. I enjoyed the luxurious feel of AIC in Punta Cana, I felt a familiarity with the big city of Santo Domingo...but on the north coast I found the combination of everything I am looking for. So I am going back to study abroad for a semester, and buy a condo. My girlfriends are already lining up to rent it from me. I cannot move to the DR full time, but I have decided not to let it become "just a vacation".

As far as this site, I am new and cannot really tell anyone what to read...but the "sankie forum" is very notorious...definately worth spending the good hour it takes to read it...but don't judge the whole entire country by what you read. For every 10 min. you spend there, spend another 20 min. reading about other topics. There are some really cool people running/replying to this site...-Kate