Parting Thoughts on Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Our one week trip is coming to an end, we're leaving today January 30th, it's been nice to get away from the cold although the weather here has been temperamental especially the wind which is finally starting to let up today.  Without the wind it would have been very very hot and muggy, I suppose the wind was welcome relief in retrospect.

Need to start with a little disclaimer.  Not a huge fan of all inclusive vacations, it's not my preferred mode of travel although it will certainly do in a pinch.  I've traveled a great deal and only managed three all inclusives in all that time.  First one was in Cuba a 3 star experience in Varadero on which I wrote extensively.  The second attempt was Fuerte Venture in the Canary Islands, departure from Nantes France. It was a 5 star outfit.  I also wrote extensively on that one.  This latest all inclusive is called Arena Blanca and it's a 4 star.  We've done all the stars, don't think there are 2 stars all inclusive outfits.

Arena Blanca was pretty nice overall, the best of the bunch.  The room was spacious, there was plenty of hot water, the food was decent although it too became boring after a week.  The beach did  have white sand but not quite like the pictures in the brochure.  Because there was so much wind there was a lot of flotsam which ended up on the beach and the water was never calm.  Apparently in this area it's still the Atlantic and not the Caribbean therefore it's natural to expect more waves. Waves do mean you can have some fun in the water which is always nice.  Impossible to go for lengthy swims, way too bumpy.

The complex also had two enormous pools, plenty of lawn chairs to go around.  Recently there was a report on the BBC which claimed that all inclusives have become so popular, there are so many tourists using them, that reserving your own spot on a pool chair is going to become necessary.  If not it will be a fight to the finish, ok maybe not quite but you get the picture.  Crazy tourists hungry for their tan want their place in the sun assured.

I have learned virtually nothing about the Dominican itself.  These places are not geared to learning, it's strictly fun in the sun.  There are a few things I've noticed.  Of course the area is heavily dependent on tourism, it's their bread and butter.  Without it the island would shrivel to nothing.  The Dominican is very popular with Europeans who,no doubt, find it quite a bargain with their Euro currency so strong.

Everything here is quoted in American dollars which really pisses me off.  You have to ask for the price in the Dominican peso otherwise it's not posted.  You don't get too much for 1000 pesos, a bottle of rum can be bought for around 800 pesos but bargaining is always an option and it's not the best rum around.

The trips outside Arena Blanca are extremely expensive.  The most expensive out of the 3 resorts we've been to and certainly more than any comparable trip in South America or Mexico.  

Couldn't help but notice that female tourists no matter their size, shape or age appear to prefer bikinis 

which could be seen as liberating or just plain gross in some cases.

Dominicans are generally trim and pleasant.  They work very hard picking up endlessly after the  messy don't really care where I put my stuff tourists.
Had to interrupt the post because bus was here to pick us up. Most of the money we spent we gave out in tips which are greatly appreciated.  I had also brought stuff from home for the ladies who clean the room.  They do a fantastic job and don't get paid very much.
What bothers me the most about all inclusive is the bloody waste when it comes to food.  The food is prepared on an industrial scale which means there is a lot of it, too much.  I didn't ask where the leftover food goes to, hopefully it serves a higher purpose than ending up in the trash.
One thing that was surprising there is very little animal life.  No insects, not even flies, I think they fumigate the entire place periodically.  In fact they were scheduled to fumigate our room with biodegradable (sic) stuff on the day we left. It's not just lack of insects though.  There are hardly any birds. We saw a few frigates, 4 or 5 pelicans (that's odd, so many in Mexico) and a type of crow or blackbird, a tinier version especially fond of eggs.  There were a couple of those which hung out in the main dining areas where the buffet was served.  Lots of stations at the buffet and they do vary the menu every day but nothing is ever piping hot except if you have something made on the spot.
Generally people don't socialize a great deal.  Everybody stays in their little bubble.  We befriended na older couple from Quebec who were there for 3 weeks and felt it was way too long.  They were on their second week when we met them.
For one week I would definitely recommend it, one week more unless you're a total lover of dolce farniente by the pool and at the beach then by all means two weeks might be just your bag.