could you tell me what the weather is like in the month of May? we read about the rainy season, how do you see it yourself or can you describe what we can expect?
@@snoepmonsterrr even if is a rainy season, NORMALLY could rain 1 or 2 days a week sometimes not at all in a week, do your outdoor plans, here doesnt matter if its raining outside, everybody enjoy the day :)
@@Oscaralmonte88 thank you very much for your response! no problem for the delay, your comment was also 1 year old😉 We have booked and are very curious!
Tip from a Dominican: if you wanna see the real country, rent a car and go to the south (it’s not as touristy, so you will likely won’t find a lot of people speaking English and you’ll need to carry more cash on you). It’s beautiful, lots of virgin beaches, it’s safer, people are really nice and warm. Also, besides Punta Cana, Las Terrenas is gorgeouuuuus and very underrated.
I’ve been going to the DR , at least, twice a year for decades. When you say “ south” it confuses me - do you mean south from Puerto Plata? The Samana is north from Santo Domingo. BTW, I have never stayed in a resort. I adore the restaurants of the capital- it’s more than a beach
When they say don’t drink the tap water that is a serious don’t. I was sick for a week when I went to DR for the first time. Please the most important warning!!
Because you can buy good water in the supermarket, in much places in the world, it happens, if you go for tourist, you .must buy water. I did and it was all inexpensive
It's been a decade since I visited the D.R. and did notice a bit of uptick in crime from the 90's. That is really no different than in North America during the same period. I did take a wrong turn into a bad neighborhood one time and a kind old Dominican woman warned us to be careful and pointed us in the right direction. Looking forward to returning soon as I always enjoyed my time there, great culture and wonderful people for the most part!
When in DR or Colombia or other parts of Latin America don't wear jewelry, use an outiside ATM or walk down the street whil texting. Your cellphone. When on public transportation be careful of pick pockets for your cell phone or wallet.
Not agree with you brother, in the DR is not that dangerous, Colombia is dangerous in that way. You don’t go to a bad neighborhood wearing your jewelry or with a lot of money, there’s a lot of places in the world where you can not yo that
Been waiting for this video long time ago!! My country is beautiful and everything you say its true. And even though its a small country, Dominican Republic has it all
could you tell me what the weather is like in the month of May? we read about the rainy season, how do you see it yourself or can you describe what we can expect?
Thanks for this video, I'm Dominican from the city of Santiago but live in Florida for so many years and yes we are happy and friendly people, you are right on everything you said.
Wolter been a fan for years and followed your advice in many countries, I'm from Dominican Republic and can confirm all your great comments! Myr country is beautiful and I'm glad you enjoy visiting. Can't believe you even mentioned mama Juanas! Great as usual. Cheers!
I was there twice this year already. So wonderful and safe. We walked on several empty beaches at night and were safe. My only issue was with dishonest uber drivers, particularly in Punta Cana. I was scammed in different ways by them multiple times, unfortunately. Other than that, I loved the Dominican Republic! Very safe.
could you tell me what the weather is like in the month of May? we read about the rainy season, how do you see it yourself or can you describe what we can expect?
Pretty good review of a beautiful country. The people of the DR are fantastic people. A huge community in NYC that I knew well. Spent my honeymoon there at Case de Campo. Great all inclusive resort. If I went again, I would just travel around and enjoy many local places. Very safe place to go.
I had family living in the DR in the 80s so we'd visit often and one thing I remember about driving in the DR was the copious usage of horns. Not so much turn signals, but horns everywhere. All the time. It was definitely an experience! I don't know how my uncle drove around so easily and casually, but then again he grew up there so it was ingrained. Love the country and the people and would love to go back one day.
Bienvenidos to the Dominican Republic Wolters Family! Had we Dominicans known in advance that you were visiting, we would’ve rolled out the special welcome mat for you! We hope you enjoyed your stay! And I hope they played some good merengue music when you arrived at the airport. I know I would have stopped to dance!
When it comes to Spanish, I actually intentionally travel to places that speak the language I'm learning and want to improve. Since I've been learning English, German, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese (my mother tongue is Czech), I almost never travel to countries that don't have at least one of these four languages as their official language. Especially Latin America is my absolute favourite. I'm gonna be spending a month in Dominican Republic and a month in Panama this year. It's simply awsome to be able to travel and work on my Spanish all at once.
@@RizzyComputers Right now nothing. I was a German teacher but quit working when Covid hit. Now I'm living off of my savings, will however go back to working soon.
@@24wallachian I’m in q similar situation. I am an electrical engineer. Decided to stop working and travel. Now I want to find remote work while traveling. I like the idea
@@RizzyComputers That's actually my long-term plan too. I want to start some sort of online-business so I can eventually quit teaching and be more flexible. Ilso, I am now in Dominican Republic where I find two very sweet but extremely malnourished dogs that I would like to transport to my home country, and for that I need to start making money again.
@@RizzyComputers Did you think about writing an e-book, doing videos or offering online courses around the topic of electrical engineering? It could be a great passive/semi-passive income...
I’m Dominican I used to work in punta Cana, it’s so nice of you mentioning the tip. They don’t get pay enough by salary, they make money with the tip. Thank you for this video❤ I hope you continuing visiting us ❤
I have a question sir. An American friend of mine was in DR two years ago, got CVD 19 and couldn't leave his hotel room . We were not allowed to go get him. He ultimately died. It was heartbreaking. My question is, do you think he would have been neglected by staff or locals being as sick as he was? My fear is that he just died of dehydration or something. Do you think the staff would have checked on him to give him water. Such a horrible thing that happened we are so greif stricken. The only positive thing about this story is that he absolutely loved DR. And as soon as the travel ban lifted he went back to visit his beloved DR.
I lived in the Dominican republic for almost 10years.I am a American born raised in Chicago.Most of the things that he mentioned in the Dominican republic were right on point.Anyway because of health reasons I recently had to moved back to the states.I am really going to miss living there.But I have a lot of great memories.🥰🥰🥰🇺🇸🇩🇴
Great video. Thanks for sharing. I am originally from the Dominican 🇩🇴 Republic and, I would love to see tourism inland not just the resort. Videos like yours can help Dominican authorities think of making that happen. There's a lot to see beyond the resorts but, safety needs to improve. Also road safety needs improvement. Other than that the Dominican Republic is a great place to go have fun and, forget the daily stress of life. Thanks again❤🇩🇴
Thank you😊 Worters For visiting my country I am Dominican🇩🇴 With great pride I invite you For the Part Note faith the Half Island Here You are Welcome 🤗 to Dominican Repúblic 🇩🇴
Wolters this is the best don'ts ive seen about the DR up to date. Excellent video sir hope everyone ready to travel to DR sees your video and they will have an excellent experience.
I'm an American citizen who has lived abroad for 37 years. I really enjoy your videos from places that I will never see. They are very informative, and I appreciate your objectivity. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for your positive feedback and excellent advice to our fellow travelers 💙🇩🇴❤️ love my country but I also love the visitors like you too. Welcome to our beautiful island 💙🇩🇴❤️
Wow you got all of them very correct, thought I was surprised to see some advices which are just common sense in any country but hey you were covering all the bases. By the way the advice about the water is definetely the most important.
I love this video, you forgot to tell people when when they go to a public toilet you should bring tissues in your pocketbook because sometime the public toilets don’t it😮
What a wonderful introduction to this beautiful country. I am planning a vacation there with my two brothers and this video got me really excited! Can't wait to breathe the air, see the beautiful scenery and listen to all the sounds, the music and the language. Thank you for this amazing video.
Thanks for the amazing review of my country. A lot of people stay at the resorts(which is fine), but the real beauty is when you come out of the resorts. Some resorts staff will try to scare tourist to prevent them from visiting outside places. But is not as they say. They just want you to keep you there so you don't spend your money outside of the resorts. You'll have more fun outside of the resorts. And I approve this message.
I lived for 3 years in an outer island of the Chuuk district of Micronesia. Although not common , it is perfectly acceptable to arrive the next day of an appointment! Most often it was 2 or 3 hours late. Although it's Equdorian saying they it applys there and most latitude places " When you have the need to hurry, slow down"😊
Jenny; don't be fooled; I highly DO NOT RECOMMEND IT. I am from DR; and I say STAY AWAY from that Place!!! You will REGRET IT BIG TIME if you ever GO there; I am Very Serious; I went there in 2022 and I left that Place Regretting it; Dominicans, including my own relatives; they Can DESTROY You and to them is like Nothing happened; they have No Conscience; and Especially NO SHAME.
Excellent video, so very helpful. We've traveled extensively around the world but this will be our first visit to the DR. We definitely do not drive in 99% of the countries we visit--it's too much hassle and risk in a lot of places. Plus, a vacation is supposed to be about relaxing and letting someone else deal with the stress.
Well done Wolter, just came back from the Club Med resort in Punta Cana and it was amazzziinngg! I don't mean just the resort, the whole country; It's beautiful and people are so so friendly!! Love your positive spirit! We did get out of the resort. Thank god, because it was so so worth it. A very thorough review. Mucho appreciated!
I watched some of your videos before my trip to Germany, my first solo trip, great time thanks for your work. Now I'm ready for my next trip and am considering DR and thought I'll just search some videos online of how it is and this video was the first one! You really go everywhere, keep it up
Nice video Wolters! I agree with you with most of the dont's, but apart from that everybody will enjoy visiting this beautiful country, so folks don't hesitate in visiting the Dominican Republic 😀
Hey I love your videos. I had a really terrifying, life-altering experience many years ago in DR but I am thinking about giving it another chance. Thank you for your great list and tips. I also like reading the comments here from Dominican people. You have helped to renew my faith, folks, with your warm and friendly comments. Best wishes to you all.
I haven't been to Dominican Republic in years but when I did go I stayed at an all inclusive and I do speak Spanish so it was very helpful especially when listening to conversessions by the workers because they do watch you and like you say safety is an issue and I heard them commenting to each other that I was traveling alone so be smart and be safe when you're there
I really appreciate your making this video while sweating cs the heat, that shows your commitment. Also, I love that you give tips that are unusual. I'd love to explore DR one day!
I married a beautiful Dominican women, one thing to remember is be respectful! One person said rent a car all I will say is NO don’t do it it is a free for all, get a Moto concho. It’s cheap. You can work out a deal with the driver and you can have him for the whole day. ( but when using a Moto concho ask the front desk who to call so you will get a fare price)Beware of street food. Take meds for the water if out side the resorts. It’s safe but you common sense if you don’t feel right about a situation don’t do it. I visit there many times and stayed their long term.
Funny you mention the speed bumps. I wasn't aware of them when traveling down to Brazil. My Brazilian wife got tired of the Dukes of Hazards references every time I launched us up in the air hitting one.
Love the DR. First thing is it's hot and that is from someone that grew up in the outdoors of south Florida. The people are great and fun. Stay were your supposed too. Don't get drunk and or try to buy drugs and you will eliminate 90% of ways people find problems.
The Dominican Republic is a beautiful paradise and a great place to go, I saw a gorgeous coffee table book on Amazon full of beautiful photos celebrating this beautiful country.
Great video Mark 👍🏻 Since you are in the Caribbean, I could recommend you to come to Panama for your next travel 🇵🇦 it’s pretty similar to the Dominican Republic
Love your video's. My wife, who is Dominican, and I have been going here for 26 years. We go to Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus in Bayahibe but you are correct the people are wonderful. Please remember that a lot of people have a part in your trip and the pay scale is low and the cost of living is high so tip well and often, they really appreciate it. Wish the best to you and your wonderful family and maybe we;ll meet down there someday.
That's the best advice I've ever seen/read! There's something that annoy us (Dominicans) when people from Latin America especially from ArgenT/Mex/Ecuad/Colomb/Chil/Urug always ask how's the climate in Punta Cana? and don't even know that RD is an island in the Caribbean and Spanish is the official language and and some understand English there also.
Excellent job 👏 great video. I am from Dominican Republic and all your information are 100% right 👏👏👏thanks for love Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 and talk so nice about. All your information can help a lot a lot of people.
You just earned another subscriber. This is excellent advice. I moved to the country over a decade ago. 1 of the best decisions I have ever made. I live on the south coast in Barahona and I love that it is peaceful with unspoiled beaches. The only thing I don't quite understand is your reasons for avoiding public transportation. I have owned a car and driven all over the country since 2012. But I also use public transportation quite a bit because it's a safe, inexpensive way to go across the country. Especially the large bus companies like Caribe Tours and Bávaro Express. These are great options for exploring different cities for less than $10. And there are also very inexpensive, comfortable public transportation options within the different little pueblos or towns. And metro in Santo Domingo is also a good option to move around. So again, great tips overall, but I think the public transportation provides great options. I look forward to more of your content.
Agreed, took the bus from Santo Domingo to Santiago and on to Monte Cristi and Cap Haitien. It was an excellent service. While this is definitely not the time to visit Haiti I found the buses fine and as you know the main roads are excellent.
@gabbsdy8741 This is why it is important to be informed on the way things work in any particular country. Yes, the companies are privately owned. But the transportation is public. There are only certain stops and pick up points. You have to be aware of how they operate before assuming they will pick you up from anywhere or drop you off where you want to go. Every country that has formalized transportation like that, each bus or guagua has a specific route. And specific drop off points and pick up points. It's also a matter of safety. Passengers can't catch a city bus in New York anywhere they want nor ask to be dropped off exactly where they want. Those stops are pre-determined. Same in D.R.
@wheelsupglobaltravels There are lots of little busses that stop or pickup wherever, they just might involve a little more cultural immersion than the average tourist is bargaining for. Joking aside, I agree, the big bus companies are perfectly fine. Stay away from Haiti(2024).
People you need to understand something, dominican republic is not more dangerous than USA, there's zones dangerous and zones totally sure, as each country in the world, You have to care yourself as you should do it in any another place, but not to be afraid about the danger, the turistic areas are even surest than so many cities in USA, just visit and have precaution like if you are in new york or in Boston
Great video! I know you mentioned the tipping and to have cash on you…but I just want to reiterate that both times we went to the DR with family that were not use to always tipping or negotiating prices that it can get overwhelming. Be prepared for locals to look at you as an ATM machine and outside the resort (sometimes inside) can be frustrating when you just want to go on a site seeing tour and everyone hounds you to buy something or offers to help with every little thing then asks for money. Some people that go end up actually enjoy getting back home where they dont have to worry about who they will need to give money too or try to walk away from. It’s a good time, but that’s just how it is.
Thank You for mentioning it!!! "Be Prepared for Locals to look at You like ATM machines" Exactly!!! I born and raised there; but I left in 1987, when I went back in 2022, I was TRULY Disgusted of the CULTURE. I am from there and Speak the language; but when I went to Visit "family", ALL they Wanted from Me was MONEY MONEY MONEY; in Two months that I was there; they didn't even take me to ONE free beach, and Not even to a Store to Get Stuff for my daughter; and I am talking about my own "mother, aunt, cousins and brothers" if You can Call that a "family" but they ALL found ways to Take Money from me; One Way or another; or use me as their Personal Credit Card that would Buy them Beer; food; take them out; but they got pissed off that I didn't take them Out to Nice Restaurants and Clubs to PAY for it with my own Money; they could Care less if I had food in the house to feed my Special Needs daughter; but they Truly WORRIED about them Not Getting the NEXT BEER, or the Trip to a fancy Restaurant. And then I get the BAD Attitude from Dominicans females Working at the Airport in Santo Domingo because I am a Dominican with an AMERICAN passport; and there is Nothing that they HATE MORE than Another Dominican with An American Passport!! They treated me like Crap and I Couldn't WAIT to Get OUT of that DUMP full of terrible People !!!
@@jasminenelson9794 I spent a Lot of Money to Go there Visit family and the Experience was SO horrifying for me and my daughter that I don't think that I will Ever Go back there.
@@jasminenelson9794 And as a Dominican that I am who hasn't lived in the country for more than 36 Years; I was Ashamed to be born there!! They SWEAR they are the BEST Country in the WORLD. I met a Dominican man in London and they have such mental programming to always say the same thing "Oh, the Dominican Republic is the best country in the world" and they will Repeat the Same thing until the Day they Die; they keep Repeating the Same thing Over and Over; ha, ha, ha. They all sound like the same tape Recorder; but they don't take Care of their Own Problems and expect the Foreigners to DO it for them!!!
@@valentinalicheli1928 I'm so sorry that you went through such unpleasant experiences here. I've seen that too, families just waiting for the family member who lives better to just get money out of them. It's sad, but not everybody is like that. Unfortunately, it's the direction the society is headed to.
My wife and I spend a month west of Las Terrenas in a town called Cabreta. Beautiful place filled with beautiful people. Spent some time surfing and exploring the island. Love it and we can’t wait to go back!
Spent 6 months in Santo Domingo when I danced at the 2 hotels that had big shows. Loved the street papaya drinks. Used " publicos" for local transportation. Loved the local people. But dud have jewelry stolen first day at hispanola during rehersal even tho i tried to hide it on underwear in back of bottom drawer.
I don't agree with you on point one, I am a tourist, my time on island is limited. locals can move slow or fast, they live there, I pay for a service and my time is limited. If the service is on time and ok I give a nice tip, otherwise no. They should consider this also, nobody wants to spend time waiting.
Another country's entire culture is not going to change for you, and that's the culture here and virtually all places that are hot year-round. Try Germany or Scandinavia or Japan.
Just got back from Punta Cana. Sunscreen! I even burned a bit while chilling with my shoulders just under the water. I never knew UV rays could penetrate up to foot under water. The sun is very intense!
Great video…!!! Really enjoyed it. You gave us the good and bad in a respectful manner. However most of what you said is common sense wisdom when visiting for most any country outside of the US. Some may be worse than others but unlike years ago, traveling requires precautionary steps anywhere you go.
We have been to Cuba a few times from the U.K. and we did trie speak I like Spanish but i retired five years ago and we have made Jamaica are second home we are hoping to go back in a few weeks time it’s the same thing the no rush the people work very hard to make you stay great we no have made friends with a few of the locals who love talking the people really appreciate you visiting the country
