Okay, so I’ve been dreaming about a vacation for, like, forever, and I finally decided to go for it. Dominican Republic! I’d seen pictures, you know, the typical postcard stuff, but I wanted to see it for myself. So, I started with the obvious – searching online.
Planning the Trip
I typed “holidays in Dominican Republic” into the search bar and, boom, a million options popped up. It was a little overwhelming, to be honest. Lots of all-inclusive resorts, which isn’t always my thing, I like to explore, too. So, I spent a good few hours just browsing different websites and blogs, trying to get a feel for the place.
I narrowed it down to a few areas that seemed interesting – Punta Cana, of course, because, beaches. But also, I found some cool stuff about Santo Domingo, the capital city. It’s supposed to be super historic.
- Read a ton of reviews. Seriously, so many.
- Compared prices for flights and hotels like a hawk.
- Made a spreadsheet. Yes, I’m that person. Flights, accommodation, potential activities, budget… the works.
Making it Happen
After all that research, I booked my flights! That was a big step. Then I found a cute little boutique hotel in Punta Cana, not one of those mega-resorts. It looked perfect, right on the beach, but also close enough to some local restaurants and stuff.
Next up, Santo Domingo. I decided to book a separate few days there, at a hotel in the Colonial Zone, which is the historic center. Sounded amazing, all cobblestone streets and old buildings.
The Dominican Republic Experience
Punta Cana was beautiful, just like I’d imagined. White sand, turquoise water… I spent days just chilling on the beach, swimming, reading. I even tried paddleboarding for the first time – and only fell off, like, five times!
I also made sure to try some local food. I found this little roadside place that served the best Dominican food, not fancy, but so good.
Santo Domingo was a completely different vibe. I wandered around the Colonial Zone, took a million pictures of the old buildings, and visited some museums. It felt like stepping back in time.
Reflecting on the Journey
Overall, my Dominican Republic trip was exactly what I needed. A mix of relaxation and exploration, beach time and history. It definitely took some planning, but it was so worth it. I came back feeling refreshed, inspired, and already thinking about my next adventure!
