Holidays in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
So, Dominican Republic, Punta Cana (we wanted to go there for a long time).
We traveled from November 15 to November 27.2020 (12 days), as always, we took a ticket through the "Come with us" from Anex-tour, flew on Azuravia. Of course, the coronavirus has made some adjustments. And both positive and negative.
But first things first.
Flight. Flying from Boryspil to the Dominican Republic took 12.5 hours without refueling and transfers. The plane is old but comfortable. Both there and back flew out and flew in exactly on schedule. They were fed twice, given water and juices. In general, no complaints - everything is great. And that's how you can describe our entire trip. By the way, one of the reasons for choosing a country for a holiday is that neither visas nor any medical certificates are required. We were given forms to fill out right at the reception, and that was enough.
Transfer. To be honest, the transfer impressed me, which happens very infrequently. Already before passport control, an Anex representative met us and, depending on the hotel, called the bus number. And at the exit, about 20 comfortable buses were lined up. Each already accompanying guide gave out masks, water and explained everything. The whole procedure of passing control and seating on buses took quite a bit of time. We drove to the hotel for about an hour. During this time, the guide accompanying us gave all the necessary background information and answered all questions. So the transfer itself turned into a small excursion. It's a pity it was still dark outside the window.
Hotel. We arrived at the hotel at about 6.30 am local time (the difference with Ukraine is 6 hours). We were seated immediately. Moreover, the hotel has already prepared envelopes with the names of residents, room numbers, Wi-Fi logins and passwords (inside two room key cards and two cards for beach towels). In short, again everything went smoothly without delays and additional fees. We chose the Riu Naiboa Hotel and were satisfied. Firstly, the entire complex of Riu hotels is located on the ocean coast, and the difference in distance to the beach is 50 m. Secondly, I don’t know how it is inside, but outside all the hotel buildings are of the same type. And thirdly, in the resorts you only sleep in a hotel room. The number itself is the most common. We lived on the 4th floor - the view from the balcony is amazing! But all night long there is traffic at the bars and the pool - no plastic windows save. So whoever has a light sleep or weak nerves, it is better to immediately try to settle in a room with windows to the backyard. As many write in the reviews, in the bathroom there is only soap, shower gel and antiseptic (which is just on every corner). In addition, the room has a refrigerator with water and Pepsi, a TV and a free safe (which is important - we were recommended to store everything of value, including passports, and a tourist voucher is enough to travel around the country. By the way, the nearest Ukrainian representative office in Cuba. And even during our trip there were those who managed to lose their passport). There is also a small water park on site. During our trip, everyone worked the slides, we enjoyed the ride!
They stopped leaving alcohol in the rooms, for what reason - I don’t know. The bars are all open, the range of drinks (both with and without alcohol) is wide, the staff is friendly. . . the state to support the tourism sector began to subsidize vouchers for its citizens. About 15% more are Ukrainians (as we were told, Russia is now not flying to the Dominican Republic due to quarantine). Well, the rest are Americans and Europeans. Separately, two words about local tourists: they are quite normal people, there is no discomfort from them. We have never seen any conflicts, swearing, etc. Even children are not hysterical. This is all characteristic of ours. The only thing is that they all have very large families and many children. So who does not like it, it is better to take a hotel 18+. Separately, I would also like to note that the hotel was constantly and daily attended by a hotel guide from Anex Alexei (usually hotel guides run between hotels). So even for trifles you could turn to him, he always helped.
Food. I would like to note the food separately, our rating is a solid five! Dishes are varied, designed for every taste - from sushi and hamburgers to mussels and squid. At the same time, unlike Asia, everything is moderately salty and peppery. Waiters try to please. An empty dirty plate on the table is not worth a minute - it is immediately taken away. You can take drinks yourself, but the waiters also try to bring them. Moreover, if you ask them to bring something else (for example, ketchup), they will gladly do it. Alcohol is also offered during lunch and dinner. There are also plenty of places at the tables, and after one they are empty so that there is a distance. For meals (as in bars - for drinks, and at the hotel at the reception, and for beach towels) you must wear masks. Well, at the table they can of course be removed. In general, we were very pleased with everything.
Nature. This is of course the main reason why it is worth flying so far! Palm trees grow near the shore, so whoever needs a shade (like me) can always find it. The daytime temperature is 27-30 degrees, the water in the ocean is warm. Of course, there is no calm there, but the waves are quite small. Algae does not tolerate much, and they are cleaned every morning. The water is clear, the sand is soft. The weather is changeable: it can be quiet in the morning, then a breeze comes up, brings a cloud and it rains for about 10 minutes (at this time everyone runs to the beach bar where they have time to drink a cocktail), then again the sun... So do not look at the forecasts - the weather is unpredictable but always loyal. The beach is half empty, there are not just enough sunbeds - there are plenty of them! Places even in the shade, even in the sun. . .
Entertainment. Despite the fact that the tourism sector is just waking up, the entire range of entertainment is already available - from beach volleyball to excursions. Although from the official hotel animation - only children's discos (quarantine). But on the beach you can take a kayak, and a small catamaran-sailboat, ride on bananas, parachutes, helicopters... We went on an excursion only on one - to the Samana Peninsula. We also went with Anex, although we read different things in the reviews. I try to write always as it is, in vain not to scold or praise anyone. Maybe we just got lucky, but we were very pleased with the Anex tour. The bus on the tour was just as big and comfortable, the catamaran that drove around the bay was also big and powerful. Everything was always on schedule.
A tour guide with a rare name Denmark - a very competent girl with a well-delivered speech (without hesitation, stuttering, parasitic words... ) organized a great trip for us. We were on Mount Ratonda, where everyone takes photos on a sky swing, flying on a broomstick, etc. By the way, going up there in open trucks helps to wake up - a separate small extreme. Also, a zip line was recently launched on the mountain, in our common people - a bungee. So now, for the sake of this, you don’t have to go on an excursion to the park.
After the mountain, we were taken on a catamaran around the "hanging" rocks and through the mangroves were taken to the cave. I read the negative reviews, but we personally liked it. In the end, they brought us to the island, which is now more often called "Baccardi" because of advertising. There was nothing special except for a pint of collada in pineapple. And so - bathed, rested, ate, bought souvenirs and local almonds. The only natural incident that happened to us on the trip was a light rain caught us on the island, after which small jellyfish with thread-like tentacles appeared in the sea and stinged half the group. But this, as they say, is not fatal.
Shopping. Almost all souvenir shops work. By the way, the prices are almost the same everywhere - on the way to the beach, on the highway, on the islands... As in Kyiv - somewhere something is a little cheaper, something a little more expensive. By the way, just a little about money: the Dominican peso goes to the dollar at about 56 to 1, i. e. 1 hryvnia - 2 pesos. But changing dollars, except to bring in some local money for the collection, does not make sense at all. Everyone uses dollars. I even asked the locals for pesos, but everyone was shredding some small change in their pockets. And basically everyone had dollars. I read other reviews before the trip, but I witnessed the embarrassment of our tourists, so I warn you again: do not bring euros there, they go almost one to one to the dollar. Therefore, in stores both in euros and in dollars, they will take the same amount from you.
Prices for everything (from souvenirs to excursions) are calculated more for an American tourist (this is not Asia or Africa for you). I think for everyone the price indicator is the cost of magnets. Here they cost from 3 to 5 dollars. Well, and so on. We also went to a location where products of local manufacturers are presented - cigars, rum, jewelry with larimar, cosmetics, coffee and cocoa, and of course a souvenir. There is also a whole free tour with Russian-speaking guides, tastings, the opportunity to roll cigars, etc. I must say right away that at the airport duty free prices are quite a bit lower, but there is certainly no such choice.
That's all, have a good rest!
