Accommodations

The Dominican Republic [1] offers an unbelievable array of choices for not only the traveler looking for bargains, but also for the traveler who wants to travel relatively on impulse, especially in the low season. The high season requires a little more planning, but deals still abound, especially when you look for deals on the Internet. Prices given in this book are all based on double occupancy for the high season.

The all-inclusive resort has been the poster child for Dominican tourism for decades and for good reason. They have been quite successful with travelers who are seeking luxury at a reasonable price. They are lining the coasts and taking up prime beachfront property. All-inclusives are great for people who live hectic lives at home and want the kind of vacation where they can leave “it” all up to someone else. All meals are planned and served in multiple restaurants on location. You don’t have to carry any money, you could nap all day and no one would look down their nose at you except to ask you if you want another drink. It is the ultimate in lazy vacations on dry land. Yet, there is a lot to do if you want it. Dance lessons, aerobics, beach volleyball, pool games, excursions, even shopping. When you book a room at one of these resorts, you can expect quite uniformly that the room will have a private bathroom, a TV with lots of channels (in English), hot water, air-conditioning, a balcony (be careful; not all have views), and a mini-refrigerator (the contents of which will cost you extra).

The downside to all-inclusive resorts is that if you never leave the complex, you won’t feel the pulse of the island and will probably never see the real Dominican Republic [1].