Direct holidays and the Dominican Republic

[rhksmum]

Are Direct Holidays an ok company to use?

Was looking at going to the Dominican in July and have just been reading about vacinations and all the different tourist taxes. Can someone explain what we need?
I'm going with my friend and her 13 yr old and I'm taking my son who will be 15 then
Also do we need to fill in the visa waiver form?

Tia

Hi,
We have used Direct Holidays twice, they are part of the Thomas Cook group and have had great service from them.

Hi, I've been to the Dominican republic 7 times and love it - it's a fantastic bargain caribbean destination.

As for the visa, you don't need to do anything in advance, however when you land you fill in a tourist visa form per person (even children) and hand it over together with $10 (US dollars) each. Also when you leave you have to pay $20 pp exit tax. There is talk of these increasing but it hasn't been announced yet.

Where are you thinking of going as I could probably reccommend a few good hotels?

Hi Hersetta, We were looing at the Casa Marina reef, that was the cheapest at £3166, we got child prices with them and the Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada which was £3721.60.

Direct holidays were the cheapest I could find price wise,but I've never been there before so dont relly know anything about it. We would be flying from Glasgow

Thanks

Of those two I would say the casa marina reef. I haven't stayed at either but looking at the reviews on tripadvisor they seem to be much better for that hotel.

I take it for that price you'll only be getting one room - is that OK for all the members of your party?

Its not ideal, but hopefully we will just be used as a base, and be at the pol/beach most of the day.
Is there alot to do there, I know when we have gone to Spain etc there has been water parks, seaworlds type parks, is there anything you would recomend for excursions(sp) etc, any must see's

Tia

Only must do in that part of the island is a sea life park called Ocean World where you can swim with Dolphins etc - a fabulous facility with a good rep for animal protection. You may need to pre book if you want an encounter etc.

www.oceanworldadventurepark.com/

Otherwise you could do a trip up mount isabel by cable car or a visit to the rum factory.

thread here about direct holidays - they have been catching people out with a low deposit and then demanding more money if they cancel

Thats quite common around the travel industry and all companies who offer a low deposit say in the small print that if you cancel before you have had to pay the balance of the deposit you still have to pay it.

Hersetta - the issue was they didn't actually mention it in the paperwork provided

Hersetta,

Thanks for the info, have just booked holiday so just looking up Oceanworld Adventure park. Do you know anywhere else to book it through other than direct with them or Keith Prowse?

We were looking at the dolphin swim and sealion swim, but weren't sure if you could do them both in one day or if it was better over 2 days?

I'm sure you could do them on the same day as if you did it over two days you'd have to pay the $55 general admission fee each again.

You can book when you get there through your rep but I don't suppose they will be any cheaper as they will have to make a margin as well. If you book direct they do send their 4x4 trucks to pick you up so that is included as well.

You might want to wait a bit though as you pay for everything in dollards so if you book nearer to the time the dollar /sterling rate may have improved.