Dominican Republic On The Rise
My flight from Chicago to the Dominican Republic is a connection through Philadelphia and there are no weather delays, as can often be in the case in January. All I need is a window seat (preferable for napping),my iPod and headphones that create excellent sound.
The Dominican Republic is building some beautiful properties and I can sense a destination preparing for greatness. The key to any country's tourism growth is increased access and the plans are in place to increase flight availability and improve infrastructure to connect various resort areas.
My stay is short and the schedule is jam packed with hotel inspections. There are four major areas that I want to understand - La Romana, Samana Peninsula, Cap Cana, and the hotel zone of Punta Cana. While Puerto Plata is isolated and on the northern part of the island, it is another resort area to consider. I rent a car (which I would not recommend unless you are interested in exploring the countryside) as this helps me to understand my clients best options for travel within the Dominican Republic.
The best time to visit is November through March when temperatures range from a high of eighty degrees to a low in the sixties. The rainy season is technically May through October and you can generally find specials at this time. Constant breezes keep the temperature and humidity tolerable.
Sanctuary Cap Cana where I am staying, offers suites and villas with ocean views, five restaurants and bars, five pools, a spa, and the resort's Punta Espada Golf Club. With all of these amenities it is a relatively small resort with 175 rooms, providing a more intimate atmosphere. An added benefit is that it is only fifteen minutes from the airport in Punta Cana. Sanctuary offers two choices to their guests which is unusual, an all-inclusive package or an option with only hotel accommodations.
Tip: Don't be impatient if your restaurant bill doesn't arrive promptly. It is considered in bad taste to present a bill to patrons unless they ask for it.
If beaches are your main interest, than the Samana Peninsula is likely where you will want to stay. Golfers have the options of Cap Cana or La Romana. Providing a different vacation experience, the northern most of the Punta Cana resorts are tucked away amid tropical landscapes. Active adventures such as horseback riding, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and hiking can usually be found in the northern region of the island. Samana is known for its whale watching. The Dominican Republic has more than two dozen world class golf courses. Two of the best are Teeth of the Dog designed by Pete Dye at Casa de Campo and Punta Espada designed by Jack Nicklaus at Cap Cana.
17th Hole Punta Espada
At this point what the Dominican Republic offers in abundance that most Caribbean islands do not, are a variety of family accommodations. These range from two bedroom resort accommodations to seven bedroom villas, all with resort amenities which often include a dedicated golf cart. A handful of these resorts are at the forefront of the optional all-inclusive, which I don't see often.
Oh how I want to attend a Dominican baseball game but it is in Santiago and that would require a flight. The professional season is from October to late February and I am in the DR during playoffs! I am told that these games would probably be the most raucous sporting event I would ever attend. I am up for the adventure but am resigned to attend a game during my next visit.
In conclusion this is an island not to be missed, however it is an island in transition. At this time if you would like to visit the DR you should understand its complexities. It has so much to offer. Travel is being made more accessible with charter flights from the Midwest (only offered on certain days) as well as the recently completed expansion of infrastructure. Which airport should you fly into? There are several options and I have heard stories about people booking themselves into the wrong airport, thus experiencing real transfer issues.
Please get in touch with me to find out about the latest developments in the Dominican Republic so that your vacation details are handled in the most efficient way possible.
Are you interested in travel ideas? Let's talk travel. I can be reached at kmorantravel@aol.com or 630.267.3054.
If beaches are your main interest, than the Samana Peninsula is likely where you will want to stay. Golfers have the options of Cap Cana or La Romana. Providing a different vacation experience, the northern most of the Punta Cana resorts are tucked away amid tropical landscapes. Active adventures such as horseback riding, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and hiking can usually be found in the northern region of the island. Samana is known for its whale watching. The Dominican Republic has more than two dozen world class golf courses. Two of the best are Teeth of the Dog designed by Pete Dye at Casa de Campo and Punta Espada designed by Jack Nicklaus at Cap Cana.
At this point what the Dominican Republic offers in abundance that most Caribbean islands do not, are a variety of family accommodations. These range from two bedroom resort accommodations to seven bedroom villas, all with resort amenities which often include a dedicated golf cart. A handful of these resorts are at the forefront of the optional all-inclusive, which I don't see often.
Oh how I want to attend a Dominican baseball game but it is in Santiago and that would require a flight. The professional season is from October to late February and I am in the DR during playoffs! I am told that these games would probably be the most raucous sporting event I would ever attend. I am up for the adventure but am resigned to attend a game during my next visit.
Tip: The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican peso as currency, although U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
In conclusion this is an island not to be missed, however it is an island in transition. At this time if you would like to visit the DR you should understand its complexities. It has so much to offer. Travel is being made more accessible with charter flights from the Midwest (only offered on certain days) as well as the recently completed expansion of infrastructure. Which airport should you fly into? There are several options and I have heard stories about people booking themselves into the wrong airport, thus experiencing real transfer issues.
Please get in touch with me to find out about the latest developments in the Dominican Republic so that your vacation details are handled in the most efficient way possible.
Are you interested in travel ideas? Let's talk travel. I can be reached at kmorantravel@aol.com or 630.267.3054.
