I am from the USA. I am planning on visiting Punta Cana in a few weeks. This will be my first trip to DR. What can I expect? I was looking forward to it until I read some things on the internet, now I'm a little nervous. What do you think of the Barcelo Bavaro Hotel? Thanks for your comments.

What exactly did you read?

Punta Cana is another world altogether and although it is located within Dominican territory you can say it is some what autonomous to the DR, that region has little to nothing directly to do with the DR.

So tell us "what ails you my child"?

I am afraid of getting sick while we are there. I have heard it was easy to get sick from the water and food. I want to enjoy the hot tub on the terrace and take showers without getting some kind of infection. Where we live is 29 degrees F today and I can't wait for the nice warm and sunny weather of Punta Cana. Also I'm not sure about what form of money to use. The websites are all different about that. Some say use pesos, some say use US dollar and some say DO NOT ever use your credit cards for fear of theft. What do you think? Thanks

Take time booking - read tripadvisor to find out what is right for you - age group, interests, hotel expectations - you cannot expect a US 300 dollar type room for 30 dollars in DR.

Yes, take care with food - stick to the hotel buffet or decent restaurants outside if you do not choose self-catering.
If you want to be really safe use some sort of debit card attached to a bank account with limited funds and reserve credit card for emergencies. If you use a credit card use it manually in a bank to get pesos - i.e. not the machine. Pay bills with pesos or dollars but restaurants etc. will normally charge more to exchange dollars than exchange offices. Keep money in the room safe.

But the number of people who do not have a good time is very low.

S.

Your concerns are not ubiquitous to the DR. When ever you travel, just use plain common sense, good judgement and take precautions to protect yourself. Don't allow yourself to be vulnerable and limit your exposure to risk. Like going to an unknown and strange neigborhood, carrying a lot of cash, wearing expensive jewelry, confiding in strangers. You know the usual stuff, that you would do anywhere in the world. If you are in a resort, you will be well protected and pretty safe. Administration has a vested interes in your safety and well being. But don't drop your guards.

About the food, that can happen, but very unlikely. If you go to a quality resort, there should be no reason to get sick. You have to understand that 5,000,000 people visit the DR every year and comparatively speaking food poisoning is minimal. However, is you buy and eat food from street vendors or from some unknown locations, then you are talking about something else and I would definitely be worried.

If you are going to an all inclusive resort, the use of money should be minimal. Maybe bring a few bucks to tip the staff and for some side trips. Bring travelers checks for protection.

We live in Santo Domingo and were just in Punta Cana/Bavaro last weekend. Our son stayed at the Bavaro Barcelo Resort and absolutely loved it! They just opened a new hotel on Dec. 1 so you should request a room there. He had never stayed in an all inclusive before so his main issue was finding out the times of the food being served and then you have to work around that. The buffets are open certain hours and the for dinner the restaurants open from 6:30 - 9:30 or 10. The sports bar is always open and serving food. He said the food was good. He would go back again. You can exchange your US dollars for pesos when you get there at the Palma Real Shopping Mall and probably at the hotel somewhere. We have lived here 4 months and have never gotten sick from any food...you have to drink bottled or filtered water and everyone uses it at the good places. So many of the things you hear are myths!
It's so beautiful there...you will love it!

Barcelo is great! If you can afford it get the suite with the vip pass... The place is huge and and very clean. The food is great and the service is too. I also stayed at riu place which is another great hotel. Have fun DR is so great that you will want to come back on the next vacation.