The DR is Different

As you may know, I just spent a week at three different resorts in the Dominican Republic.

For those of you who have never been there, the DR is different. Mexico and the DR are not interchangeable. Especially considering the Cancun/Riviera Maya/Cabo area where so many native Mexicans in the hospitality industry have lived, at one time or another, in the United States.

Workers in the DR are just as friendly but come from a more island setting and are not as “worldly” as their Mexican counterparts. The language barrier is much more noticeable.

Historically the DR has been frequented by Russians and Europeans more than Americans or Canadians. That dynamic has been changing over the past few years, especially since the pandemic, and both the service and the food are now being driven in a direction that is more appealing to a North American clientele. That’s very good news.

Russians and Europeans want a different type of service than we do. They don’t want to be bothered. If they want something they ask for it. So, when it seems the staff is stand-offish at a resort in the DR, just know that in their experience that’s the type of interaction their former customers preferred.

Mexico tourist experiences, on the other hand, were originally created to appeal to a North American customer and they have several decades of practice in meeting and exceeding our expectations. Also, in speaking English.

The language barrier in the DR is a problem everywhere. They are working on it, and most of the better resorts offer English classes to their employees daily. If your waiter can’t understand what you are asking for, they can find someone who can.

Drivers of your transfer vehicle usually speak a little English but are not necessarily conversational. I’ve found they appreciate an opportunity to practice their English. They can share lots of interesting information during your drive to the resort.

Beaches in the DR are fantastic. Nearly all are pure white sand, powder soft. A few are more course, and a little more golden. But all are deep, and have naturally occurring palm trees, not transplanted ones. All in all it’s a stunning setting.

Resorts in the DR tend to be on the bigger side. I don’t know why that is, but 600-1000 rooms is average, with several in the 2000 room range. You’ll need good walking shoes.

Excursions in the DR are not equal to what we find in the above-mentioned Mexican destinations. They don’t have the Mayan culture and ruins to capitalize on. Having said that, they do have some fun zip lines, great cenotes, excellent fishing, dune buggies, a spa island, and much more. If you want to have some fun away from the resort, you can most certainly do so.

Each resort in the DR has its own personality. I stayed at three different resorts, and all three were dramatically different. Two I loved; one I won’t book.

Let’s talk about the one I won’t book. It’s gorgeous. Great pools. Lots of pluses. But by far the worst food I have ever attempted to eat at an all-inclusive resort. And very hit and miss service as well. There are too many other great choices to put any of you at this clunker.

Speaking of that, that experience is exactly why we insist on speaking to you about your expectations before making recommendations, and why you utilize us in the first place. If all you saw were my pretty pictures, you’d think that resort was swell. You need to allow me to give you my insight before you can make an educated decision.

If you haven’t been to the DR and are ready for something a little different than Mexico, let’s get you down there. We have hundreds of diehard DR fans. You might just love it.

Your globetrotting friend,
Joy