april 2005
by tonydiatoWhen you enter your hotel, you have a band put on your wrist for your entire stay. You can go anywhere and eat at the 8 restaurants and buffets for free (unless you are in a 4 star going to a 5 star restaurant they will allow you to eat the buffet, but not order from the menu). The Food is superb!!! The dining restaurants feature a steak house, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Sea Food, and French cuisines. All drinks are included (can you say party hard?) Though the drinks use Dominicans Domestic bottles, it’s still good. And they serve bottled water everyware. You have a mini bar in your room and its FREE!
Though all the help spoke Spanish it was hard to communicate, but we still managed. We met people from all over the world. Within this Barceló city, there is a small shopping plazas and a spa. We did the spa almost every day. Full body massage $20.00, pedicure $20.00. Very good prices for that. If you want to go to the flea market take the free shuttle that takes you all over the complex and exit at the PALACE hotel. Head towards the beach, and make a left. There you will see all the locals under a hut being EXTREAMLY aggressive trying to barter with you. We picked up a few things.
We stayed at the Caribe hotel. This is a 4 star hotel, sort of laid back. The Beach hotel, which is next door, was the happening Hotel. Next time I will stay there. The pool isn’t as nice, but you can use any of the pools on the complex. The Casino hotel is not on Beach front property. We talked to people that have been to Punta Cana before and said this is the best resort on the Island.
The grounds are amazing. The food is great.
A few Suggestions on what you MUST bring:
• Bring a large mug with a lid (like one of those coffee mugs from a gas station). Bring it to the bar, and they will fill it up with your favorite drink. Its better than they small cups they give you.
• Bug spray for the mosquitoes
• A wash clothe. Now this is odd. Maid service replaces all towels and cleans your room, but then do not replace your wash clothe….HELLO what’s up with that. We had to use are hands in the shower---NOT FUN.
• Single bills just incase you want to tip people.
If you are going to go on any excursion let me suggest some:
• Swim with the sharks at Marinum and snorkel with fish—Amazing trip.
• Horse back riding on the beach.
• Swimming with the dolphins, not that good, only 10 minutes with the dolphins. {½ hour with the sharks at Marinum)
• Party Boat
