Punta Cana-Sunscape Grand or Paladium BavaroGrand

[anonymus]

We are planning a trip to Punta Cana towards the end of June. Anyone have info on either of these 2 All inclusive resorts? We are in our 40's and 50's and I don't want to be bothered w/lots of kids. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Alot!

[uphillklimber]

Weather is HOT down there then. We thought so, but we are from Maine. I think it actually rained for a few minutes one day... It is a lush paradise down there. Tons of palm trees and flora. Beautiful

We went there last year, stayed at the Melia Caribe. On some of the excursions, we met great friendly tourists, and the days always seemed to end with hugs for all. I think the latitude has something to do with that. As we chatted with everyone, seems everyone was envious of the other's hotel. They all seem to have their claim to fame. One had great shopping, one was across from the golf course. Ours was divided for couples and families. We loved watching the kids, but on their side, they clog up the hot tub. You could freely visit where ever you wanted, nothing was cordoned off. Basically, there are twin sides of this resort. One is for families, the other side is for couples. Very relaxing.

This is a hotel plantation area, for lack of a better term. If you leave the hotel area, you are met with a different world. A safari is a real eye opener. Outback Safaris did a great job, educational, interesting and safe.

Agricultural fact: Sugar cane is #1 crop. They export none of it. They keep it and make rum with it. And they are very generous with it at the all inclusive bars. And we are talking about the 151 proof. I couldn't even drink some of them they were so strong. (I'm not a drinker, but will on vacation).

The beaches and pools are topless (optional). Just be aware of this. It took me a couple days to get used to it. Everyone smokes there and there are no smoke free rooms. If that's a problem, bring febreeze. Food preparation is very European, richly seasoned. Eggs are not cooked through, they call them wet, we like them dry.

Watch out for the vendors off grounds. They are very friendly, and will come and meet you, put their arm around you and drag you into their shack "prepared for you to buy, my friend". You need to be firm, but you won't need to get impolite. The vendors on grounds are much more laid back, and to our liking.

Just thought I'd share a little with you...

[anonymus]

Read your reply and the one on Secrets. I have been looking into Secrets also. The Melia Caribe seems so large, lots of walking, which I don't mind, but lots of people too, that it might seem crowded? Also, tell me more on the Outback Safari excursion. Was it to hot, bumpy, to long, or lots of fun? Thanks so much!

[uphillklimber]

THE SIZE of "all" the resorts in Punta Cana is quite large. They all seem to have trains that go back and forth and round and round all day long. Wait 5 minutes and a train comes by, you get on and relax and enjoy the scenery. Or you can stroll casually and get up close and personal with the flowers and birds.

DID I MENTION THERE ARE PEACOCKS AND FLAMINGOS THERE, as well as guinea fowl. If you feed the female peacocks, the male will have to assert himself and spread out his fan. There are also tons of fish in the ponds, so many that you may catch a white egret eating them. If you crumble crackers into the water, the fish start a feeding frenzy, and an egret may come over and grab a fish or two also!

WHILE THERE MAY BE LOTS OF PEOPLE, (we went in early May last year), it never seemed crowded. You would pas some people as you strolled, but I can not describe it as crowded in any way. We spent a huge amount of time in the pool during the day. Even the pools, if there were a hundred people in them, you wouldn't realize it. These pools are huge, free form pools. And I do mean huge. They have jacuzzis in the middle and a "shelf" that is 6" underwater, so you may sun yourself and stay cool. The only place where it was a problem obtaining any services is getting a cabana. Folks will get up early and throw their towels on them to reserve them, then dissappear.... I used one anyways, took a nice long nap, got up and no one ever said anything. Otherwise, there are more poolside and beachside chairs than will ever get used.

THE OUTBACK SAFARI. We always get a tour of the land we visit. Yes it is hot. It's hot everywhere there (We are from Maine, for perspective). You ride in the back of a very nice truck with padded seats and guard rail, and oh yes, always an open bar! There is a tarp that we asked, at noon, for them to roll over us to keep the sun off us. We saw so much of the Dominican Republic. All the crops, pinapples, bananas, cocoa, you name it. Beautiful countryside, lush forests. We also saw in town, the open air meat markets, the schools, the discos, the churches, even got a tour of a home, and a farm. http://www.outbacksafari.com.do/en/frame.htm this copy and paste will give you more detail. Our trip was most of a day, but it was a good day. None of us will forget Dios and Luis, our driver and guide, or Ron, another tourist spreading the love! Really, there was so much to see, you needed the whole day. You can get shorter tours, I think.

Prety much, they are all laid back and very friendly. Plenty of shaded areas and huge lounges for night time entertainment and cigar smoking. Mostly open air at the Melia Caribe. Rooms were airconditioned.