PUNTA CANA. REVISITED.
This post should be titled "What Two Can Do with Four Friends".
After talking about a potential tropical vacation for about six months and exchanging multiple messages among a group of friends, we finally pulled the trigger and booked a getaway to Punta Cana. We all wanted to escape the winter weather here in Michigan and enjoy some sunshine and relaxation at an all inclusive resort. As one friend texted before our flight, "The mission here is pool time and frosty bevs with umbrellas."
After talking about a potential tropical vacation for about six months and exchanging multiple messages among a group of friends, we finally pulled the trigger and booked a getaway to Punta Cana. We all wanted to escape the winter weather here in Michigan and enjoy some sunshine and relaxation at an all inclusive resort. As one friend texted before our flight, "The mission here is pool time and frosty bevs with umbrellas."
We've visited the Dominican Republic twice before this trip, once to Punta Cana for our honeymoon and once to La Romana after a hurricane diverted another planned vacation. While this particular trip wasn't our best experience in terms of weather (wind and rain for part of the stay) and some other personal preferences, it was a fun time with friends and a nice break from the polar vortexes hitting the Midwestern United States this year.
Accommodation: Majestic Elegance
Adventures: Pool. Beach. Dinner.
Takeaways: 1) It's possible to have bad weather in paradise. 2) Resorts designated as "Adult Only (18+)" tend to attract an older crowd (45+). 3) Mama Juana is better than we remember and tastes like Jägermeister. 4) The made-to-order food stations (omelets, hamburgers, pasta, etc) have the better options and are worth the wait in line.
Memorable Moments: 1) Taking shelter in a Bali bed to escape the rainstorm. 2) Walking the endless beach. 3) Eating dinner at one of the Teppanyaki tables at the Japanese restaurant.
Foodstuff: We had zero traditional Dominican food on this trip, except for Mama Juana, a drink made from rum, red wine, honey, tree bark, and herbs.
Recommendations:
1) Arrange resort transportation prior to the trip.
Recommendations:
1) Arrange resort transportation prior to the trip.
2) Bring $10 cash per person for tourist cards. These can be purchased from booths in line before immigration.
3) Bring small bills for tipping. There's no need to exchange money from the USD.
4) Pack Pepto-Bismol and sunblock.
5) Research the resort dress code to inform your clothing choices when packing.
6) Specify liquor choice when ordering cocktails.
7) Make restaurant reservations (if applicable) for your entire stay upon arrival.
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