DR Winter Holiday

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Hey..going to The Dominican late Feb early March and staying at the Tangerine (http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/POPVT/main.wnt). Staying there because a group is going and it's all-inclusive. Just wondering what else there is to do there besides kiting? I was thinking of doing the 27 waterfalls excursion (www.27charcos.com/) - but it seems really pricey. If anyone has done this, please let me know if it is worth it. Also - what are all the locals for kiting? Should I just kite in front of the Hotel or venture out? Should I rent a car? Board selection? Kite sizes to bring?

Advice & your experience is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

I have been in DR a few times. My cousins live and work there. I kited in Las terenas which is 1.5 hrs from cabarete and much less crazy. The locals are ALL kiting, so it can be a 3 ring circus during winter when ur going. I would avoid bozo beach and the area close to there. Its called that for a reason.

That waterfall place is a bit of a trek from you hotel. You will likely need to spend the night if you go out that far for the day. But there is NOTHING else in the town of Imbert so be forewarned. The prices you saw on the 27charcos web site are in Dominican Pesos not US dollars. One US dollar = 38 Dom. pesos. So $ 500 Dom. pesos is about $ 13 US dollars.

Check out:

http://www.iguanamama.com/index.php

They run a bunch of different adventure tours. not cheap about $ 80 USD for mtn. biking of the the day or waterfalls. I have not been on one of their tours yet but they are always busy I hear.

The roads in the country can be primitive, and slow going. Fly to puerto plata to go to Cabarete NOT Santo Domingo the capitol.
The roads SUCK & the drivers are the worst in any of the 15 countries I have been to . Shocked

On my first day there in 2008 my driver almost got us killed. There was a lady PARKED in the passing lane on the highway getting out of her car with a cooler and beach chairs. We destroyed her cooler and lunch at 70 mph and kept going...The driver didn't even miss a beat as he swerved around her , and her door, but hit the cooler she was holding.
Every time we drove some crazy stuff happened. Traffic lights are a suggestion only. If you hear a car alarm or a honk LOOK AROUND someone is about to do something stupid.
So no don't rent a car get a driver for your excursions.
The people are usually quite nice. However the theft by the kids in cabarete has gotten a bit out of hand. Some of it is petty like flip-flops, but boards and kites do disappear.
I have never encountered any violence there towards tourists on any of my 4 visits.
The country is stable but has lots of poverty. Resort areas are safe and so are the towns they reside in. I would ask at your resort where the tourists usually venture to for dinners in town. Food is good, seafood cheap outside the resorts, but of course don't drink the agua. Embarassed

The native rum is Brugal. It has a great flavor. Ask for the Brugal Extra Viejo neat thats the good stuff. Oh and bring me back a bottle!
Enjoy, enrique

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Oh we also traversed the country a few times by small commercial planes can avionetas. Its the way to go. No traffic or dead livestock on the road and its cheap like $ 75 to go from furthest two points across the whole island.

Here are some images:

http://web.mac.com/enriqueabreu/Personal_trips/Dominican_Republic_1.html

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1735 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I would ask a local for local information.
contact laurel eastman

http://www.laureleastman.com/

http://www.facebook.com/LEKCabarete

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

I lived in Cabarete for three years and recommend:
1) canyoning tour with Mike if you can find him.. he might still do in cooperation with Iguana Mama, not sure. you leave in morning are are back in afternon for a session unless you get stuff with a bunch of lame people who can't jump off ledges
2) try to join a group or get a group to go to Blue Moon and/or Castle Club, 20 minutes outside of town
3) you generally don't need a car in cabarete.. that's the beauty of it. just be careful of exhaust pipes when riding motorcycle taxi's, establish price BEFORE you get on the bike and if they are driving crazy, just tell them tranquillo! tranquillo!
4) don't walk in dark areas by yourself. stay in lit areas.. don't walk beach at night except in front of main strip or kite beach in front of hotels only. don't walk kite beach to cabarete bay at night!
5) riding can be crazy on shoreline but you can always find a piece to yourself if you venture out:-) just like the spit!

have fun:-)

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

we did the waterfall tour last year- its definitely a day trip and worth it- about $60 or so. They pick you up and drop you off the same day. Hopefully a no wind day of course. We had a car and followed the van, which was more comfortable and way quicker on the way back.

if you have a car you can also drive yourself and get a local guide there. No lunch, but then its way cheaper.

Blue Moon and Castle are worth it too- just make reservations. I've been there twice now and love it. We stay at Nanny Estates on Bozo beach. I think its one of the best places to kite from- less crowds and access to the good waves. There are lessons going on in that area, but you can spot them from a mile away.

The downwinder to the El Quentro the surf spot is a must too. We also ran some downwinders from the lagoon down to Cabarete. Enjoy.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Thanks for all the tips. Laurel emailed me back straightaway and she is going to help us out a bit.

If anyone is interested in going the same time - Let me know. It would be fun to group up & do downwinders. Please PM me.

Very Happy

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

http://www.examiner.com/dance-travel-in-oakland/the-return-of-dominican-style-bachata

I have not been to DR yet. But when I go I'll be listening to and dancing to Dominican Bachata every night... See link...

-A.K.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Ok - i got motivated after watching more Bachata. For you Portland based folks you can find Dominican Style Bachata classes at
http://www.saborlatinodance.org/lessons--workshops.html

If you choose to kite the north coast of Brazil then the music and dance of northeastern Brazil is called Forro (see link). Portland folks can hit up Missippi Pizza on the Second Saturday of the month to get a quick intro lesson, listen to an excellent forro band, and dance with some legit Brazillians..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkGyv6PQbuU&feature=related

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

I went to the DR once
Sad place . Poverty and All inclusive hand in hand . I couldn't go anywhere without a constant flow of people wanting to be my friend . For a price . Starting at the airport . I was warned and took my baggage back from the dude wanting to move it five feet for a price and it never stopped unless you were in the All inclusive . I could not lay on the beach as it's public and it's non stop vendors . I had to move off the beach to resort property to avoid this issue . Once laying on their property they start to harass you to play games in the pool or play volley ball or ......
So kiting may be awesome with a zillion others around you as stated like BOZO .
My advice is ... Go to Stlucia they speak english , have awesome kite beaches where you will kite with a handful of others . God man even Mexico would be more fun .
I went down there alone not with a group so I'm sure it would be different to some degree but as stated by others , Don't walk alone ...... well right there thats enough for me . After all I go some place to enjoy myself not stress out and DR is too much stress for me to ever set foot there again . There are some very nice people on the island but it's not enough to make up for the constant , Pssst hey amigo .
I hope you enjoy your trip
JackZ

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Jack Z - so sorry you had a bad experience & I appreciate the warning. I just got a dose of that in Cabo. I was there less than a month ago. Tipping is like an olympic sport. Even when you do tip - they seem insulted. Cabo Wabo was the worst. I was even propositioned by a male prostitute. I may not have a fine body & am over 40 - but I've never had to pay for lovin. Jeez. I've kited in Mexico. It's great, but just want to check out other places. I'll never go back to Cabo - bummer since I've been vacationing there for 15 years. Club Cascadas is my favorite hotel..it's amazing. clubcascadas.com I'll miss that place.

A.K. Dancing...love to - but wearing high heels? That gal looks like she is doing most of the work. I don't think I'm coordinated enough to move my hips like that on stilts. Kiting seems easier.