Dominican Republic

[bama7x57]

My daughter was invited to go on a senior trip to the Dominican Republic with a group of friends. I know several of the parents and one is a deputy sheriff.
What is y'alls thoughts on the Dominican Republic? Anyone been?
As you can imagine, I have thoughts of Natalee Holloway in my head.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Good place, took a trip in college with a bunch of friends. I've heard it is better in many respects than Cancun and some of the more popular destinations, though I've never been to the latter.

If your daughter has any common sense or smarts while drinking, she'll be fine and in no way at risk of anything bad happening to her.

 

[rshaw125]

Who exactly is going on this trip? Just the Seniors?

 

[Boomer]

My son and his wife went there. Stay in the compound where you go. DO NOT LEAVE and go outside of the resort area. My son told me how grim and dangerous it got if you decided to stroll away from the resort area. Other than that, they had a great time. Excellent food, service and amenities at the resort.

 

[RF Overlord]

Threadjack not intended, but I guess I don't get the point of staying at a resort in a dangerous country. I thought the whole point of travel was to see something other than your hotel room and the pool? If you can't leave the grounds, why not just stay a lot closer to home and get the same experience for less money?

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Threadjack not intended, but I guess I don't get the point of staying at a resort in a dangerous country. I thought the whole point of travel was to see something other than your hotel room and the pool? If you can't leave the grounds, why not just stay a lot closer to home and get the same experience for less money?


Exactly. Sounds like the argument my wife and I have, she wants to go to Mexico and I say it's unsafe. "The resort is safe." So what? If I can't see the country what is the point?

John

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Threadjack not intended, but I guess I don't get the point of staying at a resort in a dangerous country. I thought the whole point of travel was to see something other than your hotel room and the pool? If you can't leave the grounds, why not just stay a lot closer to home and get the same experience for less money?

If I had a son or daughter, there is no way I'd want them going there. Although the risk isn't real high....it's higher than vacationing in the U.S. in my opinion. Sounds like an unnecessary risk to take when there are so many other, more safe places for a younger person to have a good time.

 

[Smoky14]

No way no how, I've been in many strange places, but was properly armed and had friends who were also.

About 2cents worth

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Smoky14
No way no how, I've been in many strange places, but was properly armed and had friends who were also.

About 2cents worth


Most of what I know about the Dominican Republic is from what my dad told me. He took a trip there when he was 17 years old...

...with the 82nd Airborne.

Staying in the resort would likely be safe, but not very culturally enrichening. Leaving the resort....well,

 

[javacontour]

I've had co-workers that have visited the resorts without drama. My wife and step children went on a mission trip two years ago, again without drama.

 

[DuckRyder]

I have a friend who flew an aircraft for a doctor there (actually I think the doctor owns the hospitals too) and they went no where without two suvs full of large fellows with 12 guages. Perhaps it had much to do with who he was with... but still...

Seems like a young American lady would be at risk.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html

 

[morris]

hire body guards, from the U.S. to go.

 

[expat]

I was there two years ago.
Nice place, but very poor (I can only imagine what Haiti is like, said to be Six times poorer)
We felt safe during the day, but did not flaunt what we had or walk around much at night.

We did hear about an American that was Bragging in a bar that he had a Rolex. He ended up loosing it to a bunch of locals with Machetes :-(

Beaches were very nice, but we were bothered by Guys selling local souvenirs. they would just go away if you said "NO thank you", but it did get tiresome.

I'd go again.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

The big upside here is that nothing happens. Not much of an upside.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
The big upside here is that nothing happens. Not much of an upside.


c'est la vie

If all you want is cheap Rum and sun in winter, there are safer places in the world to go. But I did find DR was culturally interesting.
I have a lasting impression of school kids in spotless uniforms, living in 100 sq ft plywood huts and riding 4 up on a Moped to school.

 

[Mr Nice]

I wouldn't want to go there and I'm half hispanic.

 

[rshaw125]

The OP never responded.