Hi Kyle, we got our money before we went, had to order it in. We took Pesos, which we found probably wasnt the best idea, as most of the locals wanted US dollars, and you had to ask for conversions all the time, even in the hotel while paying for excursions.

The visa was also in US dollars I think

So its up to you, but if I was going tomorrow again Id take US dollars.

hi, we are off in 6 weeks, staying on the East. Historically, if you look at Wunderground.com the weather for this time of year is pretty good. The odd tropical shower but hopefully not too many. We will be taking US dollars. Usually, i only take about $400 and put my trips on credit card. Remember that you need to pay entry tax $10 and departure tax $20 (I think depature tax might be going up to $25?) It's best if you take or leave aside the correct money. Also be careful that you pay the departure tax to the correct official, or you may end up paying twice! When and where are you going? Have fun..

Hi,

Thanks for advice!

We are going 28th June 2006 for two weeks in the North either of the three following hotels: -

- Casa Marina Beach
- Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada (New for this season)
- Paradise Beach Resort & Casino

Do you know which hotel you are staying in?

Have you got any other good advice for us?

Kyle n Gem

Hi we are staying on the east. I think the weather in the North for June is usually drier in the North. Have you seen http://www.tripadvisor.com there are loads of reviews on these hotels, Viva Wyndham, being the most popular. We went to the Marien Coral last April (playa dorada) and had a great time. We went with Thomson and the rep was great. We did the trip which took us up on the cable car, around the rum factory, to the amber factory and fort. Nice half day out! We'd arranged the catamaran trip but had to cancel, as my youngest came down with chicken pox!! The locals are nice people and they appreciate any effort in Spanish. Rachael

You can read reviews for Casa Marina Beach HERE and the Paradise Beach Resort HERE.

Pippy

If anyone would like to post a review for the Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada, please do so HERE.

Thanks.

Pippy

Also going 28th June...going to the east though!

Which Airport from?

Hi we found dollars went a lot futher than pesos

hello all,
we have booked to go next oct to the new holiday village i puerto plata.
what will the weather be like any ideas. i know it gave about 18 cm of rain for oct. has anybody been in oct and can tell me what its like.
is ocean world worth going to and swimming with the dolpins?
any info will be great me and my boys are sooooo excited but my other half is just thinging of the 9 hr flight (he doesnt like flights over 3 hours )
many thanks

Hi, I was in sosua in October last year and I have just been back in May, I stayed at the Casa Marina Reef and loved the place. The weather was great both times. In October we had the odd 10 minute shower on a night but it was quite refreshing other than that it was lovely and hot.
I'm returning this October but I've just booked flight only for the moment.
You will love the country, also I took a mixture of pesos and dollars and I actually found the pesos a lot easier to convert whilst shopping.
sam

thanks nuttysam,

i cant wait to go. i wanted to get married here all those many moons ago but the inlaws didnt want to go.

my boys are really excited.

have you any suggestions what trips to go on with 2 monsters the youngest being 6?

many thanks again

Hi, The jeep safari and the monster trucks are supposed to be really good, although I didn't go on them but I was told that kids love them especially young lads.
I went to Ocean world and did the dolphin encounter which was great and it's a good day out for all ages.
I also went to paradise island which is beautiful but it took about 3 hours on the minibus and unless you like to sunbathe or snorkel theres nothing else to do on the island. I wouldn't reccommend this trip for young children as in my opinion they will be bored.

You'll all love it, have a great time,
Roll on October and I've only been back in the Uk a month.
sam

we took us$ but to be honest we paid for everything on our switch or visa as we got a much better exchange rate against the domincan peso

Help! We are off to the riu merengue in Dom Rep On the 2nd April. It will be our honeymoon but we are bringing our 2 children with us. We have been so busy worrying about the wedding that we havnt given the honeymoon much thought so now im starting to worry as im usually so organised. Ive just got a few questions
1, What currancy is the best to bring as there is mixed reviews?
2, My youngest son is still in nappies and i was wondering if we can buy them from Carribean Street and if so are they expensive?
3, Are the mosquitos bad at this time of year and do you think we will need plug ins for the room?
4, What is the cost of entrance tax into DR and the exit cost at the moment?
Thanks alot, im hoping that someone can help me out as im starting to panic now!

I've been to the Merengue twice - it's a great hotel complex.

1. I've always taken a small amount of US dollars, but last time we went (december) I did get £100 worth of peso's from M & S and the rate was much better than i got whilst there, but I don't like to have too much cash with me and use credit cards for excursions etc. I only use cash for souvenirs, tips and snacks etc.

2 You will beable to buy them but there might not be a choice of brands and they will be very expensive - I would definitely take enough of a supply with you.

3 Mossies - I would take a decent repllent and room plug at any time of the year. We have been to the Dom Rep 7 times now in lots of different months and mozzies are always around so a greater or lesser extent. My view is, it's better to be safe than sorry so always cover myself with repllent when i'm out from about 6pm onwards.

4 Entrance tax is $10 (US) per person and departure tax is $20 per person - that includes children so remember to keep a total of $30 per person for taxes.

Have just booked for the Dominican, travelling next Tuesday to Riu Bachata. I am a little nervous because travelling with 2 children aged 10 and 7 and this is the first time to the Caribbean, had injections yesterday and we all have got sore arms today. Any tips would be really appreciated.

Hi

Is it the vaccination soreness you'd like tips on, or the Dom Rep?

Pippy

definately tips on the dominician, was just feeling sorry for ourselves with the sore arms.