Hi Al,

I have been holidaying in the Dominican Republic now since 2001 so hope I can answer your questions.

Going to be staying in Costa Dorada.

Which hotel the Grand Oasis Marien or the Iberostar Costa Dorada?

Heard some stories saying that it isn't very safe to leave your complex unless on official tour. Is this correct ?

Totally untrue its very safe to go off resort and travel around on organised tours or even independently have been doing our own thing since our first year. You only hear these remarks that the Dom. Rep is unsafe from from the tour reps as they want you to spend money buying their inflated tours. Just use usual caution like in any country or even at home by not flashing the cash or wearing expensive jewellery.

What currency is best to take with us. Are US dollars acceptable ?

The best currency is their own Dominican Pesos you will get better deals trading with the pesos getting tours, drinks, snacks and souviners cheaper than using $US, Yes the $US is accepted but at a poorer rate.
I always just take enough $US for the Tourist Card (entry ) $US10 per person and $US20 per person for your Departure Tax. I then use my debit card but do tell your bank the dates that you are in the DR as they will block your card for unexplained use.If you dont wish to use your debit card take GBP and change them into pesos once there at far better rate than you will get in the UK, I do take about £100 in pesos from here though just to tide me over.

Although all inclusive, we'd like to head outwith the resort to bars in the evenings for a change. What is typical price of drinks ?

Beer which is their local brew Presidente is roughly around 80 pesos for a small bottle 150 pesos for a large bottle but if you go for anything with rum in it of course that is cheap for their local brands........which drinks were you typically wanting to know the prices of?

What nationalities tend to holiday in Dominican Republic. Is it all Americans, Canadians and Brits, or are other nationalities holidaying there as well ?

All nationalities as you have said Americans, Canadians, Brits, Dutch, German, Italians the list goes on.

Hope this is of help to you, if you need any other info just get back in touch.

Angie.

Angie, thanks for that. Some really useful info there.
We are staying at the Grand Oasis Marien for a fortnight and have upgraded to a deluxe room. I believe they are in the newer part of the hotel. Have you stayed there before ?
Regarding drinks, Presidente Beer will do for me ( believe it has an ABV of 6% ) and the missus will be drinking cocktails with a rum base
Thanks again for your info

Not stayed at the GOM since the updates as I now stay next door at Iberostar on all my trips.But the new blocks are #6/8/9.
Here is a map of the GOM resort though.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6555/img009e.jpg

Just to give you heads up the Mini bar/fridge at GOM not all drinks are free some are payable.You are well warned about the price of items and which ones are free though.Also premium drinks at the GOM you are charged $5.00 for certain ones not many premium drinks to choose from without payment.

Angie.