What was really like in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic Experience

After the first year since the pandemic started, we felt like we needed something good. Even though we managed to travel quite a lot, even in 2020, we were eager to go somewhere far away from us and from Europe. Asia was still in lockdown and a lot of travel agencies started their offers for Mexico and Dominican Republic, so we also started thinking about them.

At first, I wanted to plan a trip to Mexico, but didn’t want to stay only at a beach resort, we wanted to see the country, to rent a car, to stay in various locations and to explore everything that Mexico has to offer us. We were ready to book our flight tickets, but at the end of January, a lot of fellow Romanians were rejected entering the country. It didn’t matter if they had their holiday booked through agency or by individual planning. After staying in lockdown, we didn’t want to risk our money, time or emotions for a place that didn’t want us. So, dear Mexico, you have lost a customer.

After the Mexican dream faded, we wanted to give a try to the Dominican Republic. Again, we didn’t want to stay only in a resort and to take long bus trips to be able to see something. So, we booked our flights for a 15 days period in the Dominican Republic.

Unfortunately, it was very hard to find ok flights, with smaller layovers or at a better price. We had to book Bucharest-Paris-Santo Domingo (at that time, Punta Cana airport was closed).

The Travel

At 3 AM, we arrived at the airport, after we drove from our hometown to Bucharest, to pick our travel buddies and to get to the airport. From Bucharest to Paris, we flew for about 3 hours. In Paris we stayed for 5 hours in layover, then we boarded for a 9 hours long flight to Santo Domingo.

I am writing so much about our flights because we didn’t truly enjoy our transportation to the Dominican Republic. We flew Air France, from Bucharest to Santo Domingo. All I want to point out is that national airline companies have started acting like low-cost companies, just because of the pandemic. We can’t complain about having to wear a mask on for a total of almost 24 hours, that was the rule in our own benefit. I usually go for a national airline company because I am sure that my flight will not be delayed, I don’t have to worry about buying extra luggage and the cost that I initially pay, is the final cost.

For our surprise, my 650 euros ticket to the Dominican Republic had only a cabin bag included. I can’t find the logic in this combination, but only for the airline to cash in more. For a 28 kg checked bag, we had to pay an extra 100 euros. I would have been happier if they charged directly the extra 100 euros and I wouldn’t know about them having been an extra cost. This practice is so low-cost airline for me and wouldn’t expect it from Air France. The seats were narrow and the food was little, but it didn’t bother me that much as the checked in bag problem. Our Paris-Santo Domingo flight was delayed for 2 hours, so our 5 hours layover turned into 7 hours one.

Finally in the Dominican Republic

After we finally arrived in Santo Domingo, we had to go through immigrations and covid screening. Our 2 hours delay, actually got us into a little bit of trouble in the Dominican Republic. At that time, they had a night lockdown. For tourists, it was not such a big problem, but our issue is that we had to find transportation from Santo Domingo to Uvero Alto, Punta Cana.

Being a lockdown, it was forbidden for Dominicans to get out of their houses, but tourism workers could. The issue was that gas stations were closed and it was hard to find enough gas for the driver to go with us and to return home. This problem, cost us more.

We have spent almost another hour to find transportation and to try to negotiate the price. The total cost went from a 70-80$ normal price, to a lockdown premium of a negotiated 150$.

It was a 3 hours long trip, for about 220 km, in the middle of the night and with short stops for the driver to get some gas from his friends. It was a little scary at some points, especially when he had to stop in the middle of nowhere, to wait for gas.

Ocean El Faro

At 4 AM, we have arrived to our resort. It was like a breath of fresh air, after the horrific last day of travelling. A very nice guy welcomed us in the lobby and saw that we were on energy saving mode. As a way of thanking us for choosing them, even if we had to cross the Atlantic and the whole country to get there, he upgraded our rooms.

The rooms were perfect, very big, with perfect front pool view and also ocean side view. They had very big terrace balconies and it was great in every detail.

For advice on how to choose the best all-inclusive resort, check out this article: https://traveliciousduo.com/how-to-choose-an-all-inclusive-resort/

Dominicus

After some great 7 days spent in Uvero Alto, we traveled to Dominicus.

Dominicus was one of our first choices for a Dominican Republic expat feeling. We heard that is the place where a lot of expats choose to live. Another important thing was that from Bayahibe area, most of the trips to Saona start.

We booked an apartment, in a gated condominium. The apartment was listed on Airbnb, had great reviews and looked very good on pictures. It didn’t disappoint at all. It was better than in the pictures and for sure they should be a good example of how to properly run an Airbnb. Their attention to details for the guest to spend the best time there, really amazed us and I would like to thank them for the perfect stay in Dominicus.

The city is quite small, but the vibe is really wow. It was the true Caribbean perfect little town, with great people, beautiful surroundings and turquoise water.

Boca Chica

This whole holiday was planned to start from Punta Cana area and little by little to make our way to Santo Domingo, to be close to the airport when we had to leave.

As we did our research on Santo Domingo area, we found a lot of daytrips to Boca Chica. Many flyers with VIP beach day in Boca Chica and a lot more that would catch your eyes. We tried finding good hotels or apartments, but it was very hard to find something good. The options were: cheap 5 stars hotel or resort with a 5/10 on booking.com, a very expensive hotel with a mediocre 7/10 that would cost us more than we have paid for the whole week in Punta Cana or a 3 stars hotel, close to the beach, great price and a 9/10 ranking. For just two nights we chose the 3 stars hotel.

I think that Boca Chica was the worst decision that we took regarding a holiday. The 3 stars hotel didn’t deserve its good booking.com ranking. It was quite filthy, the breakfast was poor, the rooms hot, humid and moldy, the mosquitos were everywhere in the room and bathroom.

The whole Boca Chica area was really bad. It was a constant garbage smell. After they boil meat or gather leftovers, they drop them on the streets. Everywhere was garbage and bad smell. It was very hard to find a decent restaurant and after we found it, the prices were comparable to a great 5 stars hotel restaurants. (70$ for 4xfiltered coffees – very rare to find espresso in Dominican Republic, and 4x small Coca Cola cans).

Santo Domingo

My lovely Santo Domingo. I am in love with this city. The vibe, the authenticity, the tradition and history make a wonderful place to spend at least 3 or 4 days.

From Boca Chica to Santo Domingo, we arrived very quickly, because it is right outside the capital city. This time we chose a hotel in a very good area of the city. It was a 5 stars hotel, very elegant and very clean. We were told that this is the best and most expensive area of the city and a lot of important people live here. It was important to mention this, because the cleanliness of the streets surrounding the hotel was just at another level. Of course, everything would look sparkly clean in comparison to Boca Chica. Also, despite of some horror stories we read online; we didn’t feel in danger in Santo Domingo.

The colonial area is wonderful. Just by walking on the streets in that part of the city you will feel amazed of it. We went on Calle El Conde, we shopped, stopped for coffee and listened to the beautiful music played on the street’s speakers. This street is beautiful and the shops are very nice. At the end of the street, you will get to Parque Colon. Near the park, is a place we went since the first day and have returned each day after. Caoba Cigar Factory is the place to really feel like a Dominican. You just sit here, relax, drink your cognac and smoke their perfect cigars.

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