Hiya, to be honest i cant recall the prices as we booked it with Thomson in the hotel we stayed in. Ok so we may have got it cheaper with another company, but we were on holiday and it was more relaxing to just fill in the form during the welcome meeting and forget about it!!! I think the monster truck safari was about £45 each. I think in total for ocean world, for two people, 1 x dolphin swim, 1 x dolphin encounter and 1 x sealion encounter it all came to something like £150, maybe a bit more - but it was well worth it. Bike like I said, we just paid Thomson in the resort and they arranged it all.
A mini bus then picked us up at the resort (air conditioned) with an ocean world rep on board who was hilarious all the way to the resort, had us in stitches. They called the driver Morgan Freeman and I tell you what, it was his brother, he was a spitting image. At the entrance we just showed our ticket from Thomson and you have to then book a time for your encounters. Turn up half hour before, and watch the show, then they ask for people who have booked the encounters to stay behind. They then give you a little briefing, i.e. where not to touch etc. (dolphins can get excited if you touch them in a certain place!!!) and you then meet the creatures. It was honestly one of the best days of my life there.
The park itself is spotless and the staff cant do enough to help. The bird aviary is lovely, they have tucans, lovebirds, parrots etc. and you can walk into each aviary and the birds fly around freely inside. In some aviary's you will find gel dispensers on the wall for you to clean your hands with, do this, and an attendant inside will give you some seed. Hold your hand out and the birds come down and eat from your hand. The parrots you can pick up scraps from the floor and give it to them, some just plod along on the floor near your feet to pick it up themselves.
The snorkel pool is a large oval pool with a few glass sides to look in at all the fish. Next to it is a desk with an attendant who will give you a snorkel, facemask and flippers. Dont worry, they steralise the snorkel after each use. There are lockers nearby which are free, but very small so travel light! Attendants will watch you go around the pool (for safety) but basically you can take as long as you like to swim around it, dive down (its quite deep) and see and touch the fish. No charge for this.
The food in the restaurant was very good, they had cold and cold food and a decent selection which is included in the price, the food is covered to prevent flies etc getting in and was very nice. They also had a pool where you could swim with tigers, well, not literally, there is a large glass wall seperating you and the tigers. Shark encounter, swim with sharks, stingrays etc. so much to do there. At the end of the day, back on the mini bus with Morgan and the funny rep and back to the hotel, shattered!!! My tips would be to travel light - take swimming trunks, a towel, a cap, suntan lotion, and of course camera/camcorder. As I said, the lockers are very small.
The monster trucks was also a day I will never forget. Picked up early from resort, taken to the monster truck depot where you board one of these huge ex-US Military trucks. There are 3 trucks and each has a guide on board who sits at the top deck with you. Also on board is a bar!! Yep, a bar. All the way through the trip all day, the rep would shout who wants a drink! They had rum, beer, water, coke (for rum and coke) etc. you could be totally sloshed by the time you get back to the hotel. They take you through all the villages, stopping off to meet people, see inside their homes, schools etc. The scenery is fantastic, and the trucks actually quite comfy given the rough terrain. Lunch is served at a ranch which had stunning food, all freshly prepared, hot and cold. A local 3 man band was playing in the background. After lunch, next to the ranch is a river and they have rubber rings so you can sit on the small beach or go for a dip. Be warned though the river is actually quite fast moving with a few tricky bits, I actually had to rescue a teenage boy who was unable to get out of the current and was shouting for help. The highlight was the water fights between trucks, most of the day you would not see the other trucks, but when you did pass each other, everyone was given water containers and as we passed, both trucks soaked each other, was so funny, and a much needed cool down. Arrived back in the resort very late, but very happy!
My tips for this would be definately take a cap!! For the villages, people living there will surround the trucks, not begging, but wondering if you can spare anything. Collect the small free toiletries from your hotel room and give them these. They dont want sweets because dentists are a problem, and no money, turns them into beggers. Pens, crayons etc for the kids. They are very grateful. But one of the best, fun trips I have ever been on, and you dont need any money, everything all day is included in the price.
Sorry couldnt be more help with the prices, but whatever they are, you are guaranteed two great trips!
Another excellent description of these two trips.Any more graphic and I wouldn't need to go on them!
Seriously.Cheers for that Gary.We're looking forward to the holiday enough as it is but we're also REALLY looking forward to doing these trips.If they are the only two we do on holiday then we'll be happy.
All the best and once again thanks.
David
We went to Puerta Plata in 2005 and returned in 2006 staying at the Riu's on the other side of Puerta Plata at Bahia Maimon.
I think you will find the price exactly the same to Ocean World, regardless of who you book with, they all seem to charge a set amount (we actually booked with Ocean World Rep but the price was the same with travel companies)
Before you decide on the Monster Truck, also consider the Outback Safari http://www.outback-safaris.com/we went with them twice and really enjoyed the experience particularly the Boogie boarding and river trip.
http://www.monstertrucksafari.com/monster-truck-en/main.html
If you look at the photo albums you will see some of the things i talked about, such as the water fights, river etc. by the way, the river the trucks drive through was quite deep, the water came up nearly to the floor of the truck, yet these beasts just keep ploughing through it with amazing power. Awww I want to go back now lol!!!!
Forgot to mention the stopping off at the rum factory to taste and buy some on the way back.....
And here is the link to the monster truck site : If you look at the photo albums you will see some of the things i talked about, such as the water fights, river etc. by the way, the river the trucks drive through was quite deep, the water came up nearly to the floor of the truck, yet these beasts just keep ploughing through it with amazing power. Awww I want to go back now lol!!!!
Forgot to mention the stopping off at the rum factory to taste and buy some on the way back.....
Gary,If you tell me any more I'll have to seriously consider bringing my holiday forward! LOL
Can anyone advise whether this is worth doing? I'd love to swim with dolphons but have no idea of costs involved and how much to budget for.
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