Ocean World, Puerto Plata.....more than just dolphins!

Advantages: Wonderful Experience - A must visit
Disadvantages: Absolutely none

...I had the good fortune to visit Ocean World, located in Puerto Plata on the lovely island of Domincan Republic last year. It was my birthday while we were away, so my fiance and I decided to book the day trip with our travel rep, the idea being that on my birthday I would be swimming with dolphins! I was so excited as this is something that I had always wanted to do, but never got the opportunity until now... Ocean World Having driven through the man-made waterfall we had entered Ocean World Adventure Park. First impressions... were very impressive. Ocean World is home to one of the largest dolphin t man made dolphin habitats and its amazing...... Dolphins I had always wanted to swim with dolphins for as long as I can remember and now was my chance. After 'showering down' to make sure any perfumes, suncreams etc were...

jinxyjo 03.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ocean World, Puerto Plata

La Plata means the Silver

Advantages: You'll visit a little secret place!
Disadvantages: Just for a day.

...Yes, La Plata means the silver but it can also means the money, and it was quite right during some time for this city to be called like that. La Plata is the capital of Buenos Aires Province, and after it was founded in the 1880's it was the heart of the whole country. Although now the heart and soul is in the Federal Capital, called Capital Federal, a very original name... La Plata kept it's interesting life. It's about 56 km southeast from the Fed. Cap. La Plata has amazing public buildings because it was supposed to reflect it's main roll in the Argentinean history. And the distribution of this tries to imitate Washington DC, USA, where all the major avenues are connecting the city's public buildings and parks. La Casa de Gobierno, that is the Government House, is were the Governor "works", head of the city, and is one...

mreservado 30.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of La Plata

Breezes Hotel Puerto Plata

Advantages: Clean, nice food and lots to do
Disadvantages: Not much night life, book early at resturaunts

...I stayed at this 3+ star hotel for 2 weeks last March and overall i was pretty impressed. This hotel located at Puerto Plata was beautifully decorated and very clean and well kept, it seemed more like a 4 star hotel that a 3 star. We paid a little under £2,000 for two weeks all inclusive and this was for a double room with sea views. The hotel is right on the beach so the views were absolutely amazing.. We found most of the staff friendly and we got checked in within 15 minutes. On arrival our bags were collected and taken straight away so we could go straight to the reception to check in. This hotel is ideal for keen golfers and watersports fans as the hotel is right on the beach and has a large golf course to the side of the hotel. We were amazed at how nice and 'grand' the hotel looked when we got there. This hotel...

kate44 02.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of Breezes Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata

  All the rum you can drink...

Advantages: All inclusive, great staff, great food, good atmosphere
Disadvantages: Entertainment can become repetitive

...We stayed at the Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in January 2004. This is classed as a five star all inclusive, and is located on the North coast of the island. Distance from the airport is only about 30 minutes, so it's not long before you are settling in after the gruelling flight. Check in was quick, there weren't too many other arrivals at the same time thankfully. We were handed a nice welcome drink and wandered off to find our room. It took a while, even though we had some kind of map, but it would have been nice to have been shown to the room, as it was no longer daylight but of course we found it. As soon as we got into the room we poured ourselves a drink from the drinks dispenser. Cuba Libre (rum with coke) of course, since it's the national drink. We checked out the room, it seemed like everything was in...

Kingseany 14.02.2004 (09.01.2005) · Read review
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Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

  "I Want to Buy a Melon!"

Advantages: Gorgeous setting, lovely and friendly staff, superb food and drink
Disadvantages: N/A

...at that. Bahia Principe is actually just before the town anyway so chances are you'll not even see the town itself unless you go out on any excursions or go off wandering on your own. The resort itself is situated out and out of all other resorts (which appeared to be the norm for all resorts on the North of the island from what I saw on the excursions we went on). You'll be flying into Puerto Plata more than likely which is the main city on the island (albeit not the capital). The resort is about an hour and 15 minute bus drive from the airport in Puerto Plata. The staff at the airport and on the bus depots are all friendly and helpful though so no worries on that one. Now the first thing I was pleased with was the fact that our coach to the resort was lovely and cool. I have heard someone who visited the island a few years back...

Sarah_Louise 01.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Bahia Principe San Juan, Puerto Plata

Sun, sea, sand oh & the sex on the beach

Advantages: Very clean, excellent service & lovely weather
Disadvantages: Attracts a lot of kids, not excellent evening entertainment

...So on the 5th July 08:55am we set off (on time) from Birmingham airport on a Britannia airbus. After a nine-hour flight we arrived into Puerto Plata (POP) airport, which is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and just a 20minute transfer to the Gran Ventana Hotel. The Gran Ventana hotel is situated in the northern region of the Dominican Republic and is well known for it's windy climate. PLAYA DORADA Playa Dorada is the resort the Gran Ventana is situated in. Playa Dorada which is the largest all inclusive complex because it is made up of 20 all inclusive hotels and is surrounded by a huge golf course excellent for golfers and great for people who like to stay in their own hotel as well as venture out because if you have ever been to the Dominican you will know the towns where people live are horrendous they are very poor...

gemax2 25.09.2005 (28.09.2005) · Read review
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Review of Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

'Its Bahia Principe'

Advantages: Top class all inclusive hotel
Disadvantages: Isolated from other resorts

...between education and fun if you get the right guide, driving up through the towns with the rum distilleries, through the fields of sugar cane to the workers villages where you can see the cock fighting arena and into the wilder country, driving through rivers to the rest point where you get a buffet lunch and a chance to have a swim in the river. Other excursions available are the usual all inclusive catamaran trip, we set off from Puerto Plata and went don the coast to Sosua where we went snorkelling on the reef and fed the fish banana out of our fingers (although this didn't work with the fish back at the hotel!) and then back up to Puerto Plata where a school of dolphins followed the boat! Also on offer at Bahia Principe is the Laguna Gri Gri trip. Save your money and go yourself! You can get a taxi outside the hotel who will drop you...

Ratherhaveaham 07.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of Bahia Principe San Juan, Puerto Plata

Merengue makes you happy!

Advantages: Friendly staff, well presented
Disadvantages: Presents can be expensive

...Me and my partner went to the Riu Merengue hotel in Puerto Plata in June 2004. I remember stepping off the plane and thinking that I had never felt heat like it before - it was glorious. The porters at the airport are quite persistent, so make sure you are firm when you say no to them. If you do want their services then expect to pay about £2 for them to carry you bags 20 feet! The coach ride to the hotel was relatively comfortable. Most of the scenery is fantastic, and although you will pass shanty-type towns, the majority of the Dominicans have smiles on their faces. When we pulled up to the hotel I was impressed. The hotel lobby is open plan and very well decorated. The outside space is full of palm trees and well looked after grass and plants. The hotel buildings are no taller than two storeys, so your eyeline will not be...

haysiefantasie 19.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of Club Hotel Riu Merengue, Puerto Plata

"Fun" Royale? Do me a favour...

Advantages: The weather was nice. That's all I can say.
Disadvantages: The only holiday I have ever had where I was tears most of the time...

...Location: ********** Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Telephone: (809) 320-4054/4811 Fax: (809) 320-5301/6120 The Dominican Republic occupies half of an Island in the Caribbean called Hispaniola, the other half is Haiti. They Say: ********** "Fun Royale - a superb three story property nestled in the Playa Dorada Complex in Puerto Plata, neighbors the challenging 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones and its sister property Fun Tropicale. All facilities are shared by both hotels, which offer a wide range of activities and entertainment to our guests and just 500 meters from the golden beaches of Playa Dorada. The complex is just a 20 minute ride from International Airport General Gregorio Luperón, and 5 minutes from the charming town of Puerto Plata. Fun Royale...

Lizzieanne15 31.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Fun Royale Beach Resort, Puerto Plata

My Honeymoon

Advantages: Cheapest island in the Carribean, friendly people, lots to do an deat!!
Disadvantages: Not really suitable for young children or young people who need lots of night life.

...Being one of the cheaper Carribean islands my husband and I chose the Dominican for our honeymoon. We went to the Dorada club resort in Puerto Plata, and it was the best holiday we've ever had. The apartments were very roomy and clean and situated over three floors in a number of blocks that surrouned the pool. The staff were very friendly and organised lots of activities including:- water polo and volley ball, beach parties, egg throwing (don't ask!!) and bike rides. The complex is one of about 5 or 6 hotels all grouped together around a mall type shopping centre and cinema in the middle. It is very close to the beach (about 60 metres) but as it is an all inclusive package you can only walk so far along the beach before reaching a piece of beach belonging to another hotel. Being All Inclusive ther were also lots if included...

azjh 07.09.2000 · Read review
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Review of Dominican Republic - Puerto Plata