Dominican Republic for 9 days?

Question

I have never been there, so I don't really know what I'm getting into! Leaving on a Monday, returning on Wednesday of the following week...those days will pretty much be dedicated to getting there, flying in and out of Santo Domingo. Not at all interested in the all-inclusive thing; I was hoping to spend a couple days in Sto. Dom. then go elsewhere but don't have any clues as to an itinerary. I AM going to do some research, get a guide book, but if a real person with DR experience could help out, I'd appreciate it!
I'm pretty much a budget traveler, and since my Spanish is passable, the language won't be a problem.
Also, what's the scoop on the weather at the beginning of August? I'm assuming hot and steamy.
Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Good luck....Santo Domingo is one rough place.

I'll stick to all-inclusives!

Answer 2

Since you'll be flying in to Santo Domingo, I would recommend you stay at one of the hotel on the Malecon. A few examples, El Jaragua Hotel, or El V Centenario, but there are many more. Stay a few days and see the Colonial Zone, take a quick car ride over to Christopher Columbus's light House, also visit the first Cathedral ever built in the new world, Catedral Metropolitana Santa María de la Encarnación. You should eat at the local resturants Marisco Centro has some great sea food.

After that I think you should head to Santiago, which is where my family is from. Its the second largest city in the Dominican Republic. If you want to be in the Center of it all you can try the Hodelpa Central Hotel medium size hotel right off the Called del Sol. They include breakfast with room. There is also the Matum Hotel, or The Gran Admirante (which is a beautiful hotel, but a bit pricey) The Calle del Sol is one of the busiest streets in the city, its where all the shops and stores are. You'll also find banks, ice cream parlors and Pizza Hut. Places to definietly visit while you're in Santiago is the Monumento. Its where everyone goes to hangout, they also hold shows there and from the top you can see the entire city, its really pretty at night. Right around the Monument you'll find an aray of resturants. I personally recommned The Kukaramacara. They serve typical dominican food, but they also serve some mexican stuff. The waiters dress up in cowboy outfits and definitely sit on the Second floor you'll have a better view of the area. They are also reasonably priced. You can also try the Montezuma resturant which is right next door to the Kukaramacara, but is definietly more pricey. I hear the food is good and they have a good atmosphere, too.

Next you can head to Puerto Plata, its our biggest resort town. I know you said you wanted to stay away from all-inclusives but honestly its the cheapest route to go. You can still leave the resort and do you're own thing. I've stay at the Coral marien Hilton in Puerto Plata and would definitely recommend it. They have great service, they're right on the beach and th foods pretty good too, Plus they have a huge pool!! You can also try Breezes in Puerto plata, they're also right on the beach, the foods great and they're shows are very entertaining. Well while you're there I'd suggest going to the Rum factory and take their tour and see how it all gets made. Then you should check out the Amber Museum, its in this old Victorian home defintely stop there. Check out the Teleferico it takes you up a mountian to the top where you can see all the coast, I'm told there really isn't much on top but a small little resturant, but my brother told me the views are great!! Definitely try snorkaling at what ever hotel you stay, it takes a minute to get use to but its beautifull under the water.

Hey if you have the time head out to Punta Cana, you'll definitely have to stay at the resort Sunscape The Beach Resort. Its beautiful but very secluded. Its huge, its also right on the beach, the food is good, the people there were really friendly. I was there on business so I didn't get a chance to leave the resort not that you really need too.

I actually just got back from DR on Sunday. Well I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions.

Answer 3

I hope that you have a great time in the most beautiful island in the Caribbean, there are several places that you can go to that are in the outer areas of Sto.Dgo. the nicest thing is that my country is so small that you can pretty much go all over the place with a budget and short time. About the language, we do speak Spanish, somebody in the above answers told you about a dialect, and that is so not true, the people who speak a dialect that are living in my country are "Haitians" which is the country right next to us, but don't worry even most of them speak Spanish, BTW. since you are gonna be in Santo Domingo I would suggest you to go to "Playa Dorada" in Puerto Plata a couple of hour away from Sto. Dgo. Good luck and God bless!
Oh I almost forgot, the weather will be very, very hot in that time of the year, so get ready to be blazing hot for a while, take sun block with you, you will need it.

Answer 4

I guarantee you'll love it as much as everyone I know who's never been there and goes for the first time! I myself was born and raised in Santo Domingo...so I know the city pretty well. The all-inclusive thing...as you're calling it is definitely the way to go. I recommend that you stay a couple of days in Santo Domingo and visit the historic sites, such as El Conde and the Colonial City. You can stay in one of the many nice hotels located in El Malecon on George Washington Avenue during your stay in the city. But I do recommend if you can to visit one of the many wonderful all-inclusive resorts in the eastern part of the nation, such as in Punta Cana or Bayahibe or La Romana...where the beaches have white sand. You'll definitely feel like you're in heaven. Some of the informational sites to visit are: dr1.com, sdq.com and dominicanrepublic.com. But other sites such as travel.yahoo.com will also help you plan your trip. Have fun and let me know how you like it!

Answer 5

"since my Spanish is passable, the language won't be a problem."
Don't be so sure. DR has some unique dialect.
I was only there once with a friend who's native so i can't help much though

Answer 6

also try tripadvisor.com it has many reviews of the resorts on the islands and places of intrest. plus pitcures. Have fun I'm right behind you i am going to jamaicia next month

Answer 7

till there's a tropical typhoon rolling in, it quite is puzzling to foretell whilst and the place it is going to rain. whilst they say it is going to rain in Punta Cana, it quite is possibly raining someplace there. I asked the same question at a motel we went to in Punta Cana. i discussed the climate forecast envisioned rain for the time of our holiday, and we had great climate. i grew to become into instructed it grew to become into possibly raining someplace, yet no longer here.

Answer 8

Do you need a tour guide, I'm certainly available : )