Travel plan idea blog

Punta Cana Sunscape Dominican Republic vacation experience

This is one reader's experience in the Punta Cana Sunscape all-inclusive resort (where I might stay):

We paid $2000 for airfare, transportation, room & board and booked on expedia.com. We probably spent another $300 in tips/incidentals primarily because we wanted to. Get one of those calling cards or make sure you cellphone will work there, but you'll need one of those power converters if you bring your charger.

We ate at all the restuarants. I had no stomach or intestinal issues. Men must wear long pants at 3 of the 5 places. If you go, look up one of the restuarant manager's named Duarte (about 55 years old build like a fire hydrant. His English is the best. The guy really took us under wing.

The beer does suck, as does any drink requiring Tequilla--they have nothing but Rum and Vodka for the most part and no Mexican Tequilla or American Beer whatsoever. If you're a Bloody Mary fan, make sure you bring some Worchestire, Old Bay and Horseradish with you. They didn't have Bailey's either, but we bought a bottle at Duty Free so Espresso Martini's worked fine. Stay away from their Casino...not worth the $50 in free chips whatsoever. The shows were great and the Disco was o.k. too, although the one night of Karreokee almost required my putting some women out of their misery--problem was I couldn't find the gaff. Heinecken was available but not part of the all-inclusive which featured El Presidente, that's about the extent of dark beer--no pun intended. Unfortunately, the beer in the mini-fridge was moose-piss. Pay the maid a $20 and she'll buy you Heinecken and bring it to work the next day.

I tipped the maid from day one $20 and she changed all the sheets daily for us, as opposed to just making the bed. The room was spotless and we had nothing stolen. Safe is available, but after the 3rd day we rarely used it.

The bartenders poured heavy, tip them and they poured heavier. I can't imagine how much Rum they go through in a year...it seemed like they were cracking open a new bottle every 20 minutes.

Activities from snorkeling to boating required a refundable deposit, but no cost to "rent" the equipment. On-site scuba diving and certification is available for an additional fee. Don't be "lured" by the sidewalk vendors' spiel on the jewelry, or artwork, but the cigar officianoto's are worth doing some higgling-haggling with... If you stick with the price you're willing to pay, they will come down--however each are VERY well trained in counter-offering...Cuban cigars run about $10-12 (Cuban Cohiba Robustos). They also feature the fruit lady who cuts up fresh pineapples, mangos, watermelon and all types of passion fruits daily--Vitamin C is VERY important...as are vitamins R-U-M-V-O-D-K-A.

Definitely do the spa treatment. Hottest steam room I've ever been to in my life...really helped allow you to consume more Rum the next day. Pay for it once for the week (about $250) and you'll be a VERY happy man, as the masseuses were female only and my Sweedish massage included some extra-curricular areas not necessarily done any other place I've EVER been to...

Stay away from the dinner cruises, why pay for something you're getting for free anyway? Definitely do the 4 or 8 hours of fishing for about $70 to $100.

Bottom-line is that I'd go back next week if I had the vacation days to do so. We're either returning or going to Aruba next year. P.S. Condos on the beach are selling for $48K...no error, $48,000.

Well that's what I was sent. After reading about the massage, I'm not sure my wife will let us go to Sunscape the Beach Punta Cana.

Posted by James Trotta at June 4, 2007 1:00 PM