Dominican Republic Trip Review & Pics

[mrs.g]

We just came back from our vacation in the Dominican Republic and it was FABULOUS!!!! I highly recommend going there either on honeymoon or just vacation. If you like beer, I recommend drinking a Presidente with Clamato and a little bit of salt. Try it, it’s yummy!

Our first day, we toured Colonial Santo Domingo. It was pretty neat.

Here are some random pics from our tour:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p9dbead7eccef4a1c1b1672bea907850d/ee0d0549.jpg

The first cathedral in the new world:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p38546e2b02a4814898c65b5579a420de/ee0d01fe.jpg

Inside the first cathedral in the new world:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p3336fe1e68ceb419344697beafe67633/ee0d01f6.jpg

The Ozama Fortress:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p542303a34c3f9bdf95b098a4b010c3fa/ee0d0194.jpg

The next day we left for La Romana / Bayahibe and stayed for 6 days at the Canoa Coral by Hilton. There is an international airport, La Romana, and if you’re just going to stay there (and not venture anywhere else), I recommend flying into it. The Santo Domingo airport is only 1.5 – 2 hour drive from Santo Domingo though.

The resort was very nice and clean. The staff members speak 4 different languages! There are 4 different restaurants (Italian, Mexican, Dominican, and a Buffet with a different theme each night). I personally liked the Dominican restaurant the best. There were several 'excursions' available and we did a couple of them. I highly recommend snorkeling ($18/pp) and the horseback riding to the cave ($50/pp). They were AWESOME and well worth the money! They feed the fish so there are swarms of beautiful fish swimming all around you, but they never touch you! I regret not having a waterproof camera. We also went sailing and kayaked a couple of times. The kayaks are free; $5 a day or $20 for the week for insurance on the sailing.

Here are some pics:

Our building:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p7fa4e3aa462d2dc7a1b42127789e250f/ee0cfab8.jpg

This is the view you get while laying out on the beach (minus the kayaks/boats):
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p75fe5b674752f4420f326466f8d027d1/ee0d03d6.jpg

Saddling up at the ranch:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pe7910a55ed69b96f92a2f20c50b591b3/ee0cfff7.jpg

Scenery while on horseback riding excursion:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pf2bcce8a5b35d27380bf16384f2361a2/ee0cfd16.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pf35eebb6d94e89609c512c3b67b9edaf/ee0cfcd8.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p1af63bf8815ad24148b54e84d7962fb6/ee0cfcb3.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p09e9532a477b14883a52e6a3a40c0b51/ee0cfc68.jpg

Inside the cave there is a river - so clean and clear, you can even drink it!:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p80e730eb7c9471f23cda9d843d8645af/ee0cfee8.jpg
To show you how clear the water is (that's me and DH):
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p1582bd5a37db1a5d51b2c7cbb82c25a1/ee0cff56.jpg

[mrs.g]

We spent our last 3 days in Cabarete, which is on the North part of the island, near Puerto Plata (which also has an international airport). We stayed at Caracol Cabarete Aparthotel a little bit out from the main strip of Cabarete. They were like little apartments; very clean (but no TV). Free Internet, a main TV in the ‘den’ where you could pick and watch from the DVD’s they had; books you could use to read (in case you finished or forgot to bring yours). Only the bedroom has air conditioning, but there are ceiling fans in the living room / kitchen and bedroom so the cool air moves around. But you have a fridge, stove, sink; like I said, a little apartment. Breakfast is served in a restaurant overlooking the beach. I forgot to take a picture of it. :o( But the scenery was gorgeous; like you see in the movies.

Cabarete is a little small town / strip. But there are several shops and restaurants to keep you entertained. Windsurfing is also a big thing out there. Though we didn’t do it.

This is our view from our room:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p3bb7dc81dfb85c40d72bdd0e662beb03/ee0cf94b.jpg

The beach as the sun is setting:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p5eec5ae2fe4ee809c973a24ffea18d40/ee0cf9b7.jpg
The beach:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p02328f662d59ba484dbd65aca9fcdce0/ee0cf8e5.jpg

Being that my husband is from the Dominican Republic, we ventured off. I’m not sure where exactly this is, but it is near Cabarete – away from Puerto Plata.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pdfd333e6a00ecdb3a89ac7cf73e53931/ee0cf825.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p53e6e95607c0102b83540abca1ca520f/ee0cf80b.jpg

We also looked at some land to purchase in the near future:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p6bd369c7472e58db8bb7c5aa338cea43/ee0cf766.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pcb062af701c15406cde7568957a4e11e/ee0cf571.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pb638c3c0f5daeb7968598ea11afc5c8b/ee0cf501.jpg

This is where the river meets the ocean – the pictures don’t do it justice; you can ask the locals to take you there:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/p0a3d91d37712990c95840ae619d0a555/ee0cf40b.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid209/pe4ace6d8c88b28dba2d861f7d5f1bb46/ee0cf446.jpg

That’s all I can think of for now! Hope you enjoy the pics and the information I posted helps you!

[Kay]

Great pics! We went to Punta Cana on our honeymoon and had an incredible time! It is just so beautiful there! I think next time we go we might try La Romana. The waters looks more calm there! We really wanted to kayak but there was too much wave action in the water for us. I want to go back so bad! Thanks for sharing!

[Mimzy]

Wow! WOw! WOW! Looks so fun!
Thanks for the photos -I had a blast. :)

[Mrs. Pickering]

Thanks for the review! I have always wanted to go to the Dominican Republic!!
Absolutely Beautiful! :)

[StaceyG]

great pics! looks like you had an awesome time

[*Diane*]

What a great trip report!!! You covered so many details. Now I have to put DR on my wish list. :) Thank you!

[rowanmayfairs]

WOW !!

So beautiful :)

[Cindy]

BEAUTIFUL pictures! FH and I would very much like to go to Punta Cana for our HM. Anyone have any suggestions?

[Kristie]

Beautiful!!!! Looks like you had a GREAT time.