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OK, I've decided that a vacation is not optional this year, it's mandatory. The new BF and I are changing our attitude by changing our latitude. It's down to Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. We're going to do an all inclusive because otherwise we couldn't afford our bar tab...lol....

Pros...cons...opinions...advice....where should we go?

Well I know you can probably get a better deal in the Dominican Republic, money-wise, but the language barrier deal can sometimes be a problem down there. I guess it would also depend on the resort you choose.
But whatever you decide there will be beaches, palm trees, and sun! Have fun

I voted DR.

I know a bar just west of Puerto Plata that plays Jimmy Buffett music.

Left Field ParrotHead wrote:I voted DR.

I know a bar just west of Puerto Plata that plays Jimmy Buffett music.

DR please. Thank you.

never been, but if i had to choose, i'd go with DR.

I voted Jamaica.

I have been to both DR and Jamaica and Jamaica keeps calling me back (5 times now).

Pros and Cons (IMO)

Pro -Jamaica - you can drink the water and not worry.
Con - DR - Drink the water and worry!!
Pro - Jamaica - No language barrier
Con - DR - BIG language barrier
Pro - Jamaica - no need to exchange your US$ for JA$ - everyone in JA excepts US$
Con - DR - Must exchange US$
Pro - Jamaica - The water is clear and warm and doesn't have ocean waves so you can lie on rafts in the ocean and not get flipped over
Con - DR - you are still in the middle of the ocean and the waves are active.
Pro - Jamaica - The people of Jamaica are the warmest most welcoming people you would ever want to meet (not meat).
Con - DR - The people of DR have not figured out that the tourist money will make the country thrive and IMO are not as welcoming as the JA citizens

I just love Jamaica. (Can you tell?) If you are looking for an A/I resort, take a look at Superclubs.com. They run the Breezes, Grand Lidos and Hedonisms. If you are up for anything, I would suggest the Supersuprise package. You pay a reduced rate and a week before you go they tell you what resort you are going to. We did this and got Breezes Runaway Bay. We loved it. We eliminated the Breezes in Montego Bay - It's directly under the approach to the runway and you have incoming air traffic all day. We also eliminated the Hedonism in Ochi - Just because. BRB just completed a $20Million renovation and from what I can see, they listened to all the past guests and put in exactly what everyone wanted. (private plunge pools, swim up bar, 3 new restaurants, 30 new beachfront rooms)

We are going to the Grand Lido - Negril in April for our 10th Anniversary. It will be our 2nd time there and I can't wait!!!

Check out Superclubs.com and Tripadvisor.com to get more information about yoru trip.

Where ever you go, have a FANTASTIC time. You deserve it!!

blackjacks wife wrote: Pros and Cons (IMO)

Pro -Jamaica - you can drink the water and not worry.
Con - DR - Drink the water and worry!!
Pro - Jamaica - No language barrier
Con - DR - BIG language barrier
Pro - Jamaica - no need to exchange your US$ for JA$ - everyone in JA excepts US$
Con - DR - Must exchange US$
Pro - Jamaica - The water is clear and warm and doesn't have ocean waves so you can lie on rafts in the ocean and not get flipped over
Con - DR - you are still in the middle of the ocean and the waves are active.
Pro - Jamaica - The people of Jamaica are the warmest most welcoming people you would ever want to meet (not meat).
Con - DR - The people of DR have not figured out that the tourist money will make the country thrive and IMO are not as welcoming as the JA citizens

While I can't comment on Jamaica as I have never been but would love to go, two things that are improving here in the DR as of late.

You do not to exchange US$ to RD$. It helps, but not necessary. Every place I go to operates on dollars and pesos. They understand the value of a US$ and in most cases prefer it.

The new government here has really started to push tourism as the #1 income in the country. The have institutes here that teach skills specific to tourism as it is the #1 industry here. Many of the locals haven't got it all straight yet, but the government has at least realized it and are taking steps to improve it. It is a poor country though, and these kind of changes take time.

You sold me on Jamaica though. I'll have to try that someday.

Left Field ParrotHead wrote:

blackjacks wife wrote: Pros and Cons (IMO)

Pro -Jamaica - you can drink the water and not worry.
Con - DR - Drink the water and worry!!
Pro - Jamaica - No language barrier
Con - DR - BIG language barrier
Pro - Jamaica - no need to exchange your US$ for JA$ - everyone in JA excepts US$
Con - DR - Must exchange US$
Pro - Jamaica - The water is clear and warm and doesn't have ocean waves so you can lie on rafts in the ocean and not get flipped over
Con - DR - you are still in the middle of the ocean and the waves are active.
Pro - Jamaica - The people of Jamaica are the warmest most welcoming people you would ever want to meet (not meat).
Con - DR - The people of DR have not figured out that the tourist money will make the country thrive and IMO are not as welcoming as the JA citizens

While I can't comment on Jamaica as I have never been but would love to go, two things that are improving here in the DR as of late.

You do not to exchange US$ to RD$. It helps, but not necessary. Every place I go to operates on dollars and pesos. They understand the value of a US$ and in most cases prefer it.

The new government here has really started to push tourism as the #1 income in the country. The have institutes here that teach skills specific to tourism as it is the #1 industry here. Many of the locals haven't got it all straight yet, but the government has at least realized it and are taking steps to improve it. It is a poor country though, and these kind of changes take time.

You sold me on Jamaica though. I'll have to try that someday.

Thanks for the update. It was 4+ years ago when I was in Punta Cana. I am glad they are getting their act together. I know it takes time and I was there in when they were just starting up. I'd be game to try it again for a quickie weekend thing but the can't drink the water thing really sets me off....(I got really sick one night)...we will see what life brings.

blackjacks wife wrote:Thanks for the update. It was 4+ years ago when I was in Punta Cana. I am glad they are getting their act together. I know it takes time and I was there in when they were just starting up. I'd be game to try it again for a quickie weekend thing but the can't drink the water thing really sets me off....(I got really sick one night)...we will see what life brings.

Four years ago they were coming to the end of a seriously corrupt government. The new President is really quite intelligent and knows where the money will be coming from. He was elected 2 years ago and is doing a great job for tourism and cleaning up the country.

If you try it again, stay away from Punta Cana. Its so isolated, there isn't much competition for jobs, and many will work 17-21 days in a row (12-14 hour days) so they can have 4-5 days off in a row to travel across the country to see their families. Not a friendly environment to work.

Puerto Plata is much friendlier. Its a trade off you make, physically, Punta Cana is nicer, but not as friendly. Puerto Plata doesn't have those clear waters and white sand beaches, but the resort staff is way better.

Just my humble opinion...

And I know a bar that plays Buffett tunes near Puerto Plata...

Left Field ParrotHead wrote:

blackjacks wife wrote:Thanks for the update. It was 4+ years ago when I was in Punta Cana. I am glad they are getting their act together. I know it takes time and I was there in when they were just starting up. I'd be game to try it again for a quickie weekend thing but the can't drink the water thing really sets me off....(I got really sick one night)...we will see what life brings.

Four years ago they were coming to the end of a seriously corrupt government. The new President is really quite intelligent and knows where the money will be coming from. He was elected 2 years ago and is doing a great job for tourism and cleaning up the country.

If you try it again, stay away from Punta Cana. Its so isolated, there isn't much competition for jobs, and many will work 17-21 days in a row (12-14 hour days) so they can have 4-5 days off in a row to travel across the country to see their families. Not a friendly environment to work.

Puerto Plata is much friendlier. Its a trade off you make, physically, Punta Cana is nicer, but not as friendly. Puerto Plata doesn't have those clear waters and white sand beaches, but the resort staff is way better.

Just my humble opinion...

And I know a bar that plays Buffett tunes near Puerto Plata...

LOL...I get it, you are lonely and want your BN friends to come and visit...LOL....

I'll try anything (almost) once and if it's not a horrific experience, I might try it again. Heck, I got 2 keets!!!

WELL HERE IS MY OPINION.

I HAVE BEEN TO THE DR AND IT WAS FABULOUS. AND I AM GOING TO JAMAICA THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST.

SO, THE DR IS WONDERFUL BUT THEY ARE RIGHT THE WAVES ARE A LITTLE ROUGH DEPENDING WHERE YOU STAY. WE STAYED AT THE SUNSCAPE THE BEACH RESORT AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE CHOSEN THE BREEZES RUNAWAY BAY RESORT, AND FROM EVERYTHIGN I HAVE READ AND HEARD IT CAN'T BE BEAT.

EITHER ONE WILL GIVE YOU THAT CHANGE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

nolestaylor wrote: WELL HERE IS MY OPINION.

I HAVE BEEN TO THE DR AND IT WAS FABULOUS. AND I AM GOING TO JAMAICA THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST.

SO, THE DR IS WONDERFUL BUT THEY ARE RIGHT THE WAVES ARE A LITTLE ROUGH DEPENDING WHERE YOU STAY. WE STAYED AT THE SUNSCAPE THE BEACH RESORT AND IT WAS WONDERFUL.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE CHOSEN THE BREEZES RUNAWAY BAY RESORT, AND FROM EVERYTHIGN I HAVE READ AND HEARD IT CAN'T BE BEAT.

EITHER ONE WILL GIVE YOU THAT CHANGE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

We stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay before the renovations and it was great!!!! I have been following the news on the renovations and I really want to go back and see what they did to the place. I am sure you will have a fantastic time. I just heard that the old entertainment staff is mostly back so IF you want to be entertained, you certainly will be.

I'm keeping my eyes open for candid photos of the NEW BRB and will post a link to them when I find some....


I have 78 days until I go to Negril!!!!

blackjacks wife wrote:
I have 78 days until I go to Negril!!!!

OMG....now what's REALLY funny....is that we're planning on going wherever we go from 4/21 - 4/29....if we go to Jamaica we'll have some overlap with you..LOL!

(and thanks to everyone for their constructive comments, tips, and advice!)

MojosMama wrote:

blackjacks wife wrote:
I have 78 days until I go to Negril!!!!

OMG....now what's REALLY funny....is that we're planning on going wherever we go from 4/21 - 4/29....if we go to Jamaica we'll have some overlap with you..LOL!

(and thanks to everyone for their constructive comments, tips, and advice!)

SO COOL~~If you end up in Negril Jamaica, we should meet for drinks...

Other than all inclusive, what are you looking for? There are so many resorts that offer a wide variety of vacations that you really should determine what KIND of vacation you are looking for.

Sit on your rear in the sand, get a really good tan, drink lots of rum be pampered, get massages on the beach and relax vacation?
~or~
Very Active ride on river rafts, slide down waterfalls, parasailing, scuba diving can't sit still vacation?


I am more for the first one and that is why we chose the Grand Lido in Negril.

I can suggest a FANTASTIC travel agent who specializes in Jamaica. He has traveled to Jamaica 30+ times and can suggest a resort that is perfect for the vacation that you want to take.

There is nothing worse than wanting a active vacation and staying at a laid back resort....that would ruin your vacation if you know what I mean.

blackjacks wife wrote:

MojosMama wrote:

blackjacks wife wrote:
I have 78 days until I go to Negril!!!!

OMG....now what's REALLY funny....is that we're planning on going wherever we go from 4/21 - 4/29....if we go to Jamaica we'll have some overlap with you..LOL!

(and thanks to everyone for their constructive comments, tips, and advice!)

SO COOL~~If you end up in Negril Jamaica, we should meet for drinks...

Other than all inclusive, what are you looking for? There are so many resorts that offer a wide variety of vacations that you really should determine what KIND of vacation you are looking for.

Sit on your rear in the sand, get a really good tan, drink lots of rum be pampered, get massages on the beach and relax vacation?
~or~
Very Active ride on river rafts, slide down waterfalls, parasailing, scuba diving can't sit still vacation?


I am more for the first one and that is why we chose the Grand Lido in Negril

EXACTLY. Just a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand vacation Getting out of bed for the sole reason of putting my tushie on a beach towel and snoozing out there...with rum....yeah...that's what I want.

have a great time, wherever you go!

blackjacks wife wrote:LOL...I get it, you are lonely and want your BN friends to come and visit...LOL....

Am I really that transparent?

Left Field ParrotHead wrote:I voted DR.

I know a bar just west of Puerto Plata that plays Jimmy Buffett music.

Can ya save a seat for a fellow UDCer?

How was your winter vacation home to see Heather?

It was like -20 last night.....be thankful you are where you are!

The Jamaicans have a tendency to shoot first, ask later.