Moment of getting off the plane when the heat and humid air hits your face and chest, shivers going down your spine and all negative thoughts completely disappear, tiredness from a long journey is being washed off by excitement and sleepy eyes turn into narrow eyes from the amount of light - You made it. You are on holidays. And this time it's Caribbeans!
Whether you are coming to Dominican Republic at night or the day, Punta Cana Airport will make a first good impression on you. It is the first airport I have seen with a straw roof and so much open space. You will also receive big and loud welcome from local transfer companies and taxis, this is when you get to say ,,No, gracias" for the first time. The best option I can recommend is to rent a car. It's not that expensive for 2 or more people to get it and considering the distances between areas and transfer prices I think this is the smartest decision.
Main roads are in quite good condition and not very busy even during afternoon hours. It's quite safe on the motorways too, there's couple of paid tolls on the way though. The only places you have to be extremely careful are the villages where the whole social life and houses are stretched along the road and the road feels like rodeo drive sometimes with all the speed-bumps and holes. Other than that, it's quite pleasant experience. Pity, we didn't take a video of our dump road through the jungle when I tried to find Playa Bonita beach!
When to fly to Dominican Republic?
I really enjoyed escaping rainy, stormy and cold Europe to winter sun. Hispaniola island is hot all year round but the best time to go is definitely January to May. Temperature stays around 29*C every day, there's little rain (more like flash-floods) and It's a little breezy but it's the breeze that makes staying outside in the sun stand-able. Rain season in Dominican Republic is between May to August and November to December but it's up to you when you make your journey. It might be slightly cheaper to travel in "wet" season.
Where to fly?
Maybe it doesn't look like but Dominican Republic is quite big and shares more than one international airport. Most of visitors would probably head to Punta Cana airport since the main touristy spot is only 20 km away. (Bavaro, Macao, Punta Cana, Higuey).
The other airports serving international flights are Puerto Plata International Airport (North), Juan Bosch International Airport (Samana area), La Romana Int. Airport (South) and La Isabela Int. Airport (Santo Domingo - capital). Depend on your final destination or flights abilities you can choose which airport you will head to.
Where to stay?
Choice depend on the purpose of your arrival. Literally, the whole island around the coast is just beautiful. Personally, the best part of it for me was Samana area and Las Terrenas. It's less touristy, more local, laid-back vibe, with plenty of restaurants, night-life and beautiful, not over-priced aparthotels just across the street from the stunning beach stretching along the coast for kilometers!
We have stayed in Aligio Apart-hotel & Spa in the heart of Las Terrenas and we found it perfect! People in this area were very helpful and nice as well, I didn't feel uncomfortable even for a second during our stay.
Second place we head to was Macao Beach in Punta Cana where We stayed in all-inclusive resort Occidental Caribe - a massive, beautiful hotel with plenty of entertainment and breathtaking beach shared with Hard Rock Hotel. If you look for a bit of luxury without breaking the bank - this is the spot. Rooms are a bit old and dump, definitely could use some renovation but the whole area around and good restaurants making it up to it.
The last place we stayed is another apart-hotel TrueCaribbean (which is the part of Dukassi hotel), walking distance from Bavaro Beach, located in a small touristy village with good restaurants. This was the place I enjoyed the least despite being the most busy touristy spot or maybe that's why? Rooms were more like actual apartments without many amenities, there was no good entertainment around the location as well (except on the beach or Punta Cana downtown but that's quite a distance to travel to).
Is it expensive?
If you are a fan of local 'markets', stalls and tiny shops, cooking on your own and rather hand-made original art and souvenirs you might find the place okay price-wise if you are coming from Europe or States/Canada. If you plan to get your shopping done in one of the resorts, resort villages, tour shops or petrol stations you need to get ready to pay more. You can pay in Dominican pesos and US dollars in most of the places, euro only in some. Remember to use all your pesos before leaving Republica Dominicana - you won't be able to exchange it outside the country! As of today, 1 US dollar = 54 Dominican pesos. Can of Coke will cost between 80-120 pesos depend on the store. Small tube of Pringles 80 pesos. 1 gallon of petrol 486-500 pesos. Toll to Samana 585 pesos. If you are not sure how much money to take with you - in most of the places you can pay by card so just get only small amount of cash. ATM's are available in some spots so you will be able to take out more cash. Walking with big amounts of money could not end up well!
Is it dangerous to leave the resort?
If you would keep me locked in the resort for the whole stay I would literally cry. Such a waste of opportunity and your holiday time. Get outside, meet the locals, try their local food and get real experience of Dominican's culture, kindness and habits. For us, this was the highlight of the trip. I got myself three boyfriends already! But being serious, until you are polite and respectful, don't show off with how rich you are or how naked you can walk around - there is nothing to be worried about. Dominicans love to dance, party, drink and talk to foreigners! Just remember to use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables in a safe place. Pick-pocketing is the most common crime in every tourist area in the world.
I hope this introduction answers some of your questions and concerns. It is a lovely country to visit, you will bring only good memories. If you have any more questions about traveling to Dominican Republic, an island of Hispaniola - please contact me on Instagram mags.travels!
Whether you are coming to Dominican Republic at night or the day, Punta Cana Airport will make a first good impression on you. It is the first airport I have seen with a straw roof and so much open space. You will also receive big and loud welcome from local transfer companies and taxis, this is when you get to say ,,No, gracias" for the first time. The best option I can recommend is to rent a car. It's not that expensive for 2 or more people to get it and considering the distances between areas and transfer prices I think this is the smartest decision.
Main roads are in quite good condition and not very busy even during afternoon hours. It's quite safe on the motorways too, there's couple of paid tolls on the way though. The only places you have to be extremely careful are the villages where the whole social life and houses are stretched along the road and the road feels like rodeo drive sometimes with all the speed-bumps and holes. Other than that, it's quite pleasant experience. Pity, we didn't take a video of our dump road through the jungle when I tried to find Playa Bonita beach!
When to fly to Dominican Republic?
I really enjoyed escaping rainy, stormy and cold Europe to winter sun. Hispaniola island is hot all year round but the best time to go is definitely January to May. Temperature stays around 29*C every day, there's little rain (more like flash-floods) and It's a little breezy but it's the breeze that makes staying outside in the sun stand-able. Rain season in Dominican Republic is between May to August and November to December but it's up to you when you make your journey. It might be slightly cheaper to travel in "wet" season.
Where to fly?
Maybe it doesn't look like but Dominican Republic is quite big and shares more than one international airport. Most of visitors would probably head to Punta Cana airport since the main touristy spot is only 20 km away. (Bavaro, Macao, Punta Cana, Higuey).
The other airports serving international flights are Puerto Plata International Airport (North), Juan Bosch International Airport (Samana area), La Romana Int. Airport (South) and La Isabela Int. Airport (Santo Domingo - capital). Depend on your final destination or flights abilities you can choose which airport you will head to.
Where to stay?
Choice depend on the purpose of your arrival. Literally, the whole island around the coast is just beautiful. Personally, the best part of it for me was Samana area and Las Terrenas. It's less touristy, more local, laid-back vibe, with plenty of restaurants, night-life and beautiful, not over-priced aparthotels just across the street from the stunning beach stretching along the coast for kilometers!
We have stayed in Aligio Apart-hotel & Spa in the heart of Las Terrenas and we found it perfect! People in this area were very helpful and nice as well, I didn't feel uncomfortable even for a second during our stay.
The last place we stayed is another apart-hotel TrueCaribbean (which is the part of Dukassi hotel), walking distance from Bavaro Beach, located in a small touristy village with good restaurants. This was the place I enjoyed the least despite being the most busy touristy spot or maybe that's why? Rooms were more like actual apartments without many amenities, there was no good entertainment around the location as well (except on the beach or Punta Cana downtown but that's quite a distance to travel to).
Is it expensive?
If you are a fan of local 'markets', stalls and tiny shops, cooking on your own and rather hand-made original art and souvenirs you might find the place okay price-wise if you are coming from Europe or States/Canada. If you plan to get your shopping done in one of the resorts, resort villages, tour shops or petrol stations you need to get ready to pay more. You can pay in Dominican pesos and US dollars in most of the places, euro only in some. Remember to use all your pesos before leaving Republica Dominicana - you won't be able to exchange it outside the country! As of today, 1 US dollar = 54 Dominican pesos. Can of Coke will cost between 80-120 pesos depend on the store. Small tube of Pringles 80 pesos. 1 gallon of petrol 486-500 pesos. Toll to Samana 585 pesos. If you are not sure how much money to take with you - in most of the places you can pay by card so just get only small amount of cash. ATM's are available in some spots so you will be able to take out more cash. Walking with big amounts of money could not end up well!
Is it dangerous to leave the resort?
If you would keep me locked in the resort for the whole stay I would literally cry. Such a waste of opportunity and your holiday time. Get outside, meet the locals, try their local food and get real experience of Dominican's culture, kindness and habits. For us, this was the highlight of the trip. I got myself three boyfriends already! But being serious, until you are polite and respectful, don't show off with how rich you are or how naked you can walk around - there is nothing to be worried about. Dominicans love to dance, party, drink and talk to foreigners! Just remember to use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables in a safe place. Pick-pocketing is the most common crime in every tourist area in the world.
I hope this introduction answers some of your questions and concerns. It is a lovely country to visit, you will bring only good memories. If you have any more questions about traveling to Dominican Republic, an island of Hispaniola - please contact me on Instagram mags.travels!
