Fly Away – Dominican Republic Travel Guide

“I want to get away. I want to fly away.” – Lenny Kravitz 

Puerto Plata is one of the lesser known/visited cities in the Dominican Republic. However, it’s where I spent a full week in June and highly recommend it as an alternative destination. The weather wasn’t too hot and it only rained one day we were there. I went for my friend Justina’s 29th birthday. We stayed at the Royal Villas which is part of the all-inclusive Lifestyle Holiday Vacation Resort. The great thing about Lifestyle is they have options for every price tier to accommodate guests. No matter your budget, you should be able to find an option that is right for you and your family/friends.

The Royal Villas  are the extreme showcase of lavishness and exclusive villa living. Our villa was a mix of classical Spanish Mediterranean style and modern amenities. It’s a 2 story house with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Great for a group of 4-6 people. Each villa has its own private backyard with a pool and jacuzzi. Each morning, our wonderful house attendant came in and made us breakfast by the pool. There really isn’t a better way to wake up than to dine poolside as the sun rises. It truly was hard returning and having to cook my own basic breakfast.

Another great thing about Lifestyle is they have a wide range of excursions for different group types. We went on the tip top catamaran on Thursday and they ensure you have a blast. The trip includes snorkeling in two different beautiful locations, unlimited beverages and a healthy lunch. We stayed at the resort most of the time, except for a brief trip into the city.  Staying at the resort was okay, because we had more than enough  to do. From all of the beaches to the different pools, casino, shows and club, our time was occupied and we were happy. For those that want to be more adventurous, Santiago is a pretty quick car ride away. There you can get guided tours of the town and visit many of their local markets.

For adults that want a more adult oriented vacation, this is a great option. The resort has adult only bars and pools for you to escape to. If you get a villa though, you don’t have to worry about that. If you don’t already know, all-inclusive is the only way to go when you travel internationally. It’s great that once you unpack, you don’t really have to worry about cash or tips.  It’s already been taken care of and you can truly relax. You just go about each day, eating and drinking as much as you want.

For those that love to eat their way through a city like me, be prepared. The resort is all inclusive and you can stop by the buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want one of the more upscale options (still included) you have to make a reservation. The best night was Friday when we went to the steakhouse and had 7 different meats brought to our table hot off the grill. We feasted on grilled chicken, pork, steak, and everything in between. This particular steakhouse makes you take shots throughout your meal which makes the meat that much better.

Have you been to Puerto Plata or any other cities in DR? Drop a note in the comments and let me know your suggestions for places to visits and sites to see. If you’re planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic, I recommend you check out The Dominican Republic Tourism Site.