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[mandyfin]

hi - could i please get some advice? I am planning a vacation and am unsure where to go.
We were debating btwn Varadero and Puerto Plata. Then we heard about Punta Cana. We are also looking at Mayan Riviera in Mexico. This trip will be in January.
I am not the kind of person who drinks or parties. I want to relax in warm weather and see local sights and interesting people. I will be on a resort but still want to be able to go look around off the resort.
Any feedback is appreciated.
thanks!

[starlagurl]

I would advise you not to stay on a resort if you are the kind of person that wants to see the local sights and interesting people.

Believe it or not, you will save money, and also not be around as many drunk and not-so-interesting people as you would find at a resort.

Besides that! Check the blogs first before you book anything:

Varadero
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/...adero/tpod.html

Puerto Plata
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/...Plata/tpod.html

Punta Cana
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/...0Cana/tpod.html

I know that semi-backpacker knows a lot about the Dominican, so hopefully, she'll have something to say about this soon.

[semi-backpacker]

Yikes, not sure how I missed this post!! Hopefully, it's not too late to chime in!

I agree, if you want to do off-resort site seeing, I wouldn't recommend an all-inclusive in Punta Cana. If you are looking to lounge, enjoy a beautiful beach and just relax, then the Punta Cana all-inclusives are awesome for that, but not much to see off the property.

For site seeing, I would recommend an all-inclusive in Puerto Plata, it's closer to the city and much to see and do. No matter where you stay in DR, if you like site seeing, you will enjoy the Colonial Zone in the capital city of Santo Domingo, the first church and school of the Americas, beautiful architecture, Amber museum, Columbus' old house, wonderful restaurants and shops. Good luck!