Literally just got home and writing while memory still "fresh" so forgive spelling errors due to "jet-lag"
Stayed at the Casa Marina Beach and would say very child-friendly (take advantage of the "kids club" even if you intend travelling about as my children loved the activities offered during "lazy days"!) Rooms are clean, comfortable but basic - nought to "write home about" or get yourself into a "tizz" about either...
My personal recommendations on places to go with children:
1) Sosua itself - please IGNORE the banter of reps that declare the place unsafe. I SWARE this is nothing short of a blatant lie!!!
Thomson reps did in fact encourage people to leave the resort but other reps certainly did not. Ignore such fibs!! Treat the "Welcome meeting" as a chance to learn more about things to do and either book outside the resort (Mel's tours are very good!) or (in the case of Ocean World) book through them directly and tell your rep you've done so...you will find that you end up on the very same bus having deducted from your cost the reps "share"!
I can personally recommend Eddy's bar and Rocky's in Sosua where my children were made most welcome.
2) Paradise Island is very good for children as the water is shallow and lots of fish to be seen (depth about 3 foot would say)..."Paradise" is a somewhat crowded one however and remember to please, please instruct your children prior to entering the coral area NOT to put their feet down there!!! Otherwise trip through mangroves (prior to island) lovely and coral and fish??? NEVER have I seen better!!
...
"The fish were brilliant! They came so close and there were so many of them!"
(Eboni, aged 9)
"I can't swim very well but I wore my arm-bands when the coral came and I saw lots of fish!"
(Maisie, aged 5)
3) Caberet - quick trip from Sosua. More tourists venture out of the resorts there seemingly (so less "hassle" from vendors.) I liked it, good "shop browsing" ground!
4) Santiago. If you visit the North it is worth visiting the 2nd most important city in the Dominican Republic (according to my guide book any-ho!) We had a BRILLIANT time! MOST educational for children as both of mine stated (next to Ocean World) this was their best day out while there. We went to the Centro Leon and learned LOADS about the Dominican Republic. Very special thanks to HB for his kindness in showing us around and for his hospitality (cooking lesson much needed HB!!
)...
"I liked the kitchen in the Centro Leon. I liked to guess what things were used for in my head - but mostly I was wrong. I liked the Art because I enjoy drawing and making things..."
(Eboni)
"I liked the chair that knew when you sat down and spoke to you. I liked Hulk (HB's dog!) too."
(Maisie)
5) Jeep Safari. We visited a village to watch people making statues out of stone ($5 US each were some - bargain!) and to see coffee being transformed from bean to cup of drink. We held a parrot and a snake before continuing to Jarabacoa falls. We walked to the pool and waited there (having looked into information regarding these falls there was no way my girls would try climb them). It was raining that day so it was good that we were going to get wet anyways! *The river that we needed to cross to reach the falls was still ankle-deep despite the rain - should it be deeper due to rainfall please think twice about taking smaller children to the pool at the bottom of the falls.*
"It was interesting to see the lady take the coffee beans and roast them. I tasted the coffee and it was strong - I asked for more sugar! I loved the stone statues, I chose a cat statue to take home. The pool at the bottom of the falls was cool and refreshing - I enjoyed swimming there."
(Eboni)
"I liked splashing through the river in my daps because it was fun. My Mam never lets me get my shoes wet so it was even more fun."
(Maisie)
6) Ocean World. YES!!! IT IS PRICEY!!! BUT worth it I feel. We did the Dolphin and Sea Lion encounter and kept this as the 'grand finale' of the holiday. NEVER have I seen my girls laugh so much!! Forget the adult thinking, to quote:
"It was BRILLIANT!! I have been to lots of animal parks but I have never been allowed to meet the animals. I went in the water with a dolphin - I really did! I got to give her a kiss and hug her and I danced with her too!!! It was just so BRILLIANT! I met the sea lions and played ball with them. I fed them and I stroked them and then I got a hug and kiss from them too. My friends won't believe me but I have a picture to show that I did..."
(Eboni)
"I liked the dolphins because they were kind. The dolphin gave me a kiss. I liked the sea lions too because they were very funny and I laughed but I could not stop. I loved the animals."
(Maisie)
There is only so much you can fit into 2 weeks...
SO I asked my girls the question all parents taking children to the DR would want to know the answer to on the way home:
"What did you think of the holiday then?"
"It was the BEST - I loved it!! I liked Thailand too but the Dominican Republic is "special". I had a BRILLIANT time!!"
(Eboni)
"Everybody is kind to me there and I saw lots of things. I had a very good time because I had lots of fun."
(Maisie)
There we go - my report plus that of my girls combined!
ATB!! Emma
(10)
Sosua/North Coast with children
