Hi
The sun is shining in Victoria bc here and because I have just finished booking another trip to the Dominican Republic I am in holiday mode. We were there last year and it was amazing so if anyone is planning to go there I would highly recommend the Barcello Bravaro Beach Resort.
Everything was perfect: the beach had white soft sands and the ocean was so warm. The pool was wonderful, the rooms were great and their was a wide variety of food in the buffets not to mention the other restaurants that we could visit. There was lots to do everyday at the resort or on a day trip. We went on the outback safari,. Don't miss this one if you plan on going someplace. The show's at night were always fun and people were invited to join in.
During the day the staff gave merangue lessons and scuba diving lessons they even had kareoke for the singers among the crowds.. We loved it so much that we are going back again but we are going to try a different resort so If anyone has heard of this one I would love to know your thoughts.
We are going to Bayahibe Hacienda Dominicus.The only reason we are trying somewhere different is because it was recommended to us from friends but any input would be most welcome.
Have fun
cheers
carol

We stayed at Barcelo Bavaro Golf Resort from 12/20-12/23... We were upgraded from the Casino resort to a nice big room at the Golf resort -- only problem? NO AIR CONDITIONING! It was brutally hot -- even in the evening. So, we requested a new room -- they moved us to an even bigger room -- could've slept a small army in there... which still had limited A/C but was more manageable and worth it because the room was so huge. Food was pretty good and the buffets had plenty of choices. The beaches were beautiful without too many people harassing you to buy stuff. But, they did run out of towels on Saturday and had a 2 hour wait to get a towel -- so get your towels the evening prior! The casino was nice but the staff, in general wasn't very intelligent, spoke little English and not all that nice -- they definitely cater to Europeans -- but it's a cheap all inclusive and worth the money!

We had a great time, the food is wonderfull, the staff are very nice, room was big, great beach, beautiful view, great packge deal, you can make of your vacation what ever you want if you like to complaint about any little thing them you should pay more more at another hotel, I think for what they give you at this hotel the price is right. I also agreed that you have to bring mosquito spray and also medicine for your stomach, because you can get sick by eating so much, the shows late at nite are very good you should ask for the list at the front desk of any of the hotels for the shows events and for the sport activities. have fun

I am glad I did not read the reviews here before I went on our trip.

We booked the trip for my boyfriend and myself. My boyfriend was on leave from serving overseas and this was our first chance to spend some time together alone in over three months.

We arrived in Punta Cana with no problems other than a woman passing out whie walking around on the flight and smashing her head on the chair....

We got booked into our room with no problems and loved our room from the moment we saw it. It was a large suite with two bedrooms and balconies on both sides of it. (we were on the second story but not in a loft)

Our room fridge was stocked everyday many times a day. We left the stock guy $5.00 on the first day and came back to find so many beer in our fridge that when we opened it one fell out and smashed...oops!!!

The food was excellent for buffet food and I only got sick once because I ate way too much.... Take peptolbismol with you because if you have to buy it there its $18usd for a medium size bottle.

We did the safari trip and we loved it. If you plan on going on tours take candies for the young ones who will chase your bus for a little sweet treat.

The beaches were amazing and every night after the supper the boyfriend and I would go for a swim on the completely empty beach. Thats right after dinner no one was on the beach at all. I guess once the sun goes down everyone heads to the disco so thats the perfect time for a romantic moonlight swim.

The sales people in the markets are con jobs lol.... One guy told me he was cheapy cheapy and then asked $20usd for a necklace. I told him I could get the same thing at Canada's Wonderland for $5cad and he brought his price down but he wasn't happy about it....mehhh, oh well. There are good deals to be had but you must barter which was hard for me since I would just get frustrated and walk away. The boyfriend loved it though.

The staff is very friendly if you are friendly to them. If you have any thing that you don't need leave it for the staff as the average salary is around $80 per month and they do a lot for the little they do make.

Last and most importantly remember your holiday will be what you make of it. If you go in worrying and stressing you won't have a good time but if you think about what you have at home and what the people there have and you look at how happy they are you'll appreciate your trip a lot more....

Also don't get your hair done on the beach. Get it done in town as its a lot cheaper. I got braids, extensions, a bottle of mamajuana, a doll, a giant painting, and a box of cigars for $180usd but on the beach they wanted $200usd just for the braids and extensions.