I am a daughter to Dominican parents and have been going to the motherland since I was 1 or 2 years old, it’s only right I leave this review. What isn’t there to do in the DR? First things first, do notttt stay in your hotel if you want the full experience! But also be very cautious while doing so. Find tours that take you deep into the different cities. My people are very friendly and love to put a smile on your face. The more you interact with the locals, the better of a time you will have. As for the more touristy part- there are excursions for days! Punta Cana is known as the top city for adventure and excursions. However, you can go to Santo Domingo, in the boca chica strip, and find excursions to do there as well. Plus they have really nice and affordable restaurants. In Samana, you can go on an excursion to see whales. If you want to interact with locals and not be worried about being cautious all the time, visit San Juan de la Maguana. It’s a small city but the crime rate is really really low. You can go to the main park in the center of the city, drink a few beers, have some really good street food and dance all night long!
If you are searching for a place to relax with your significant other, this is the place for you!! Listen, Santorini is all the hype and more when it comes to how beautiful it is. You will feel beyond relaxed while staying here. I highly recommend you book an Airbnb in Oía, which is where the famous white caves are located. Link to Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1548165?s=67&unique_share_id=308be6d7-c760-42eb-81a9-ed9354426a0a . It is a bit more on the expensive side but totally worth every penny. You can spend hours walking through Oía just enjoying the views, especially when the sun sets. Most people are friendly in Oía, however we did run into a very rude and racist jewelry store owner. He wouldn’t allow us to go into his store to purchase because he figured we couldn’t afford it. Little did he know we are all financially well off and could’ve purchased any item we desired -shrugs- but it’s just one of those things you have to take the high road on. Aside from that, Santorini is beyond romantic. You can go with your friends like I did and still have a great time. There’s not much of night life going on unless you’re there in the summer.
Phuket is such an affordable city with tons of things to do. I suggest everyone to visit the elephant sanctuary (not the ones that abuse them by having people ride on top of them). Also taking a day trip to the James Bond island is a must! ( https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/3227-james-bond-day-tour-big-boat-longtail-speedboat/#krt=s10&krid=bceafefe-e12e-46ff-40af-0e8ac866ebde ) The boat ride is a bit uncomfortable and you might get caught in the rain while you’re on your way back, but the scenery is amazing. While visiting the James Bond island I encountered an interesting experience with one of the merchandise sellers... I have natural full curls and while I was looking for money in my wallet, I felt someone touching my hair. When I looked up she was holding a chunk of my hair up to her face and examining it. She proceeded by saying she loved my hair and thought it was beautiful. I’m not here for the invasion of personal space but she was nice about it so I didn’t mind and thought it was kind of sweet :) There are a ton of beaches to choose from, the Patong beach is one of my favorites! As for night life, stay away from the ping pong shows haha. But the strip has a variety of different bars to choose from.
I am a daughter to Dominican parents and have been going to the motherland since I was 1 or 2 years old, it’s only right I leave this review. What isn’t there to do in the DR? First things first, do notttt stay in your hotel if you want the full experience! But also be very cautious while doing so. Find tours that take you deep into the different cities. My people are very friendly and love to put a smile on your face. The more you interact with the locals, the better of a time you will have. As for the more touristy part- there are excursions for days! Punta Cana is known as the top city for adventure and excursions. However, you can go to Santo Domingo, in the boca chica strip, and find excursions to do there as well. Plus they have really nice and affordable restaurants. In Samana, you can go on an excursion to see whales. If you want to interact with locals and not be worried about being cautious all the time, visit San Juan de la Maguana. It’s a small city but the crime rate is really really low. You can go to the main park in the center of the city, drink a few beers, have some really good street food and dance all night long!
If you are searching for a place to relax with your significant other, this is the place for you!! Listen, Santorini is all the hype and more when it comes to how beautiful it is. You will feel beyond relaxed while staying here. I highly recommend you book an Airbnb in Oía, which is where the famous white caves are located. Link to Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1548165?s=67&unique_share_id=308be6d7-c760-42eb-81a9-ed9354426a0a . It is a bit more on the expensive side but totally worth every penny. You can spend hours walking through Oía just enjoying the views, especially when the sun sets. Most people are friendly in Oía, however we did run into a very rude and racist jewelry store owner. He wouldn’t allow us to go into his store to purchase because he figured we couldn’t afford it. Little did he know we are all financially well off and could’ve purchased any item we desired -shrugs- but it’s just one of those things you have to take the high road on. Aside from that, Santorini is beyond romantic. You can go with your friends like I did and still have a great time. There’s not much of night life going on unless you’re there in the summer.
Phuket is such an affordable city with tons of things to do. I suggest everyone to visit the elephant sanctuary (not the ones that abuse them by having people ride on top of them). Also taking a day trip to the James Bond island is a must! ( https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/3227-james-bond-day-tour-big-boat-longtail-speedboat/#krt=s10&krid=bceafefe-e12e-46ff-40af-0e8ac866ebde ) The boat ride is a bit uncomfortable and you might get caught in the rain while you’re on your way back, but the scenery is amazing. While visiting the James Bond island I encountered an interesting experience with one of the merchandise sellers... I have natural full curls and while I was looking for money in my wallet, I felt someone touching my hair. When I looked up she was holding a chunk of my hair up to her face and examining it. She proceeded by saying she loved my hair and thought it was beautiful. I’m not here for the invasion of personal space but she was nice about it so I didn’t mind and thought it was kind of sweet :) There are a ton of beaches to choose from, the Patong beach is one of my favorites! As for night life, stay away from the ping pong shows haha. But the strip has a variety of different bars to choose from.