Dominican Republic

[JackJack]

Heading down to Punta Cana for a few a week.

Staying at the Grand Palladium...

Anyone been? Any tips?

[ken0042]

Best tip I can offer is to bring a lot of US currency; especially $1 bills- for tipping.

You cannot go to any bank in the DR with Pesos and convert them into dollars, but if the locals want to buy anything from outside the island they need western currancy. Give a $2 tip, they will kiss your feet. Give them $4 worth of pesos and you will get a soft "gracias."

Also go to the dollar store and get school supplies for the kids. Even if you don't go on a tour that involves a school, the maids all have kids and supplies are another one of those "off island" premium items.

And Presidente beer tastes much like Molson Canadian.

[Crispy's Critter]

I'm heading down to Puerta Plata mid Sept. My coworker has been there a couple times. She has told me a couple things.

If you're staying at a resort, you can book many activities through the resort, but you'll get better deals just wandering around. Also if you are in a resort keep in mind that only people who work there are allowed in, and there are guards with guns around making sure that it stays that way, so don't be alarmed to see them. Also make sure you are carrying US dollars, as the people who run the activities, trinket shops, etc will give you a us dollar figure first, and if you are using the dominican peso they will assume you don't know the value of it, so will pull a ridiculously high number out of thier asses. There are exchange places at the airport when you get in, so you can do the exchange when you get there if you want.

If you are in an all-exclusive resort, you should still make sure you tip; tip your chambermaids a couple bucks every day, as they are always different. As well, make sure you tip your waiters/waitresses, as that will get you better service than non tippers (of course) The service is good anyway, but tipping just makes them that much more attentive. Also she told me they generally tipped at the beginning of a meal or night at the bar. For example if you decide you're staying at a bar for the night, tip your waiter/waitress 10 or 20 dollars at the beginning, and you will never be without a drink.

If you do decide to wander around outside the resort, be prepared for kids to ask you for a dollar, or candy. If you feel like carrying some extra stuff around you can buy some candy to give them, or also apparantly they really like school supplies, like pencils, erasers, that sort of thing. (of course, it's up to you how you want to handle the kids though)

I'm still picking her brain about stuff to expect, so if she tells me anything more I'll add it for you

[Kerplunk]

My family went down to Puerto Plata for a wedding last year. It was a good trip.

The posts above cover a lot of what I would suggest. Take a lot of $1 US bills for tips. If you tip regularly, you will tend to get better service. One of the guys we went down with tipped enough that the bartender stalled out a line of 5-7 people just to serve him first, because he tipped and chatted with the guy.

US currency is the primary currency used by most people/shops there. In fact, I remember only using Pesos once, and that was to get rid of em.

If you go on one of the tours take school supplies for the kids. Much better than candies, because it encourages learning instead of looking for handouts.

The beaches were nice, just ignore the armed men walking around. I never once saw them bother anyone.

Since we had such a short time there, we pretty much booked up 75% of our time with tours and stuff. However, wandering the beach and the nearby town was also an interesting experience, so be sure to leave time to wander or just do nothing. Oh, and if you can get on a catamaran type trip, do it. I really enjoyed the day out on that thing.

Be sure to know what to do if you need medical attention. You never know what will happen.

Pack some light, quick dry clothing. When we were down it was hot during the day, then we had a downpour around supper.

I'll post more if I can think of any.

[socktape]

If you haven't seen it already try the Punta Cana section here...
http://palladiumaddict.net/

There is a forum on the site that is usually pretty good for suggestions, tips, etc. My wife and I learned a lot from it when we went to the Mayan Riviera a couple years ago. It is run by a group of people that almost exclusively travel to the Palladium resorts so the info there is quite specific to the resort you are going to. Most of the members are from Canada and the USA so the perspective is a little closer to home as well.

Keep in mind as well that some of the statements are a little biased but for the most part it is pretty true.

[troutman]

If you are interested in history, try to get to Sto. Domingo for one day. It is said that Columbus is buried there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Domingo

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by ken0042

And Presidente beer tastes much like Molson Canadian.

So make sure to steer clear

[chid]

Yeah before your trip go to a dollar store and buy cute erasers, pencils, other random toys like bouncy balls and whatever, having a lot comes in handy.

[red sky]

My best advice would be to just go with an open mind. Some people's expectations are so high that they will never be pleased at all inclusive resorts. The food will not be the same as home, the bed will be different, the shows are different, the drinks different... arrive in an easy going mood and things will be great.

Oh yeah, tip tip tip!

[SweetDoc]

I went to Punta Cana at the beginning of May this year. Bringing alot of $1 bills is great for tipping as it's difficult to get them during the trip. In my experience, how much you tip, or whether you tip at all didn't have as much impact in the quality of service or attitude of the locals working in the resort as how you treat them and show them respect. If you're ignorant or condescending, tip all you want, you'll be treated like garbage and have a bad trip, if you treat them well and show a little humility, they will show the same. That doesn't mean don't tip, it simply means don't throw tips all over the place.

Take advantage of the excursions offered through the resorts, we had a blast on ours. Be warned, the excursions for us lasted a couple hours longer than they quoted, don't make any solid plans, they are well worth it though.

Bring back as many bottles of Mamajuana (local booze) as you can afford, the stuff is amazing! Bring one back a 26 for me, I'll pay you a premium, no joke. Don't bring back the make it yourself bottles with the twigs and roots in it, they will be ruined by the time you get home, jsut the regular already made bottles.

Other than that, have a great trip, avoid the Timeshare people, they say it will only take 1 hour, they don't tell you they count in Dominican time