NEW YORK TIMES votes Dominican Republic for Family Destination of the Year!!!
The article below, written in the New York Times, January 2006 details what is attracting millions of people to the Dominican Republic.
"The variables involved in planning a Caribbean family vacation can be daunting enough to send the weak scurrying back to a condo in Sarasota. Ideal for honeymooners or stressed-out grown-ups, many Caribbean resorts are designed for those who need to get away from it all. Yet children seem to need something to do other than lounging on sunny beaches. Picky teenage travellers need something to do other than sneaking into casinos. (At least, their parents think so.) And the deal-breaker is that many remote Caribbean destinations require changing planes.
The Dominican Republic, known as the D.R., is gaining traction as a family destination. One reason is a growing number of family-centred resorts with activities ranging from windsurfing to world-class golf to snorkelling to teenage only lounges.
Another lure is that there are now numerous non-stop flights from the New York area. Emily Greenberg, a mother of three and a nursery school teacher from Mamaroneck, N.Y., just spent her fifth consecutive winter holiday in the Dominican Republic and finds it the ideal place for a yearly family reunion. "Our extended family includes 16 children, ranging in age from 7 to 25, and we've found that the Dominican Republic has something for everyone. The younger kids enjoy a busy day of sports and beach activities and for the older kids, the night life of nearby casinos and discos is most important," Ms. Greenberg said.
At 19,000 square miles, the Dominican Republic is not a pipsqueak island with one airport, so picking the right spot takes some thought. Most of the Dominican Republic's resorts and white sandy beaches lie along the southern coast to the east of the capital, Santo Domingo, and stretch to the country's eastern tip at Punta Cana.
For families who like to stay put, there is an array of all-inclusive resorts to choose from. Largest among them, the 7,000-acre Casa de Campo resort in La Romana, is the site of the famous Teeth of the Dog golf course and two additional courses. An elaborate equestrian centre, 13 tennis courts (with lights for night play), skeet-shooting, water sports, children's programs for all ages and a marina with shops and restaurants are among the amenities here. Double rooms start at $353 a night in the winter season (packages including meals and activities are additional). Two-bedroom villas start at $840 a night; three-and four-bedroom villas come with breakfast and maid and butler service and start at $1,057 and $1,253, respectively. If the desire to touch, pet and feed a shark strikes, take the family to Ocean World. Just minutes from Puerto Plata, this park has interactive dolphin programs, sea lions, snorkel reef tours, and swimming tigers. Call ahead to reserve for various activities.
There are five airports in the Dominican Republic, four of which can be reached by non-stop flights from the New York area. If you are travelling to the eastern tip, fly non-stop into the Punta Cana International Airport on American or Continental; rates start at $148. To get to the north, Puerto Plata International is a 15-minute drive from the Playa Dorada resorts and has non-stop flights on American and Continental starting at $208. Travellers going to the south coast can fly into Santo Domingo, served by American, Continental and Delta; high season rates start at $174. La Romana has its own airport on Casa de Campo's property, and American Airlines flies there with a change of planes in Miami or San Juan; rates start at $308. Jet Blue, American, Delta and Continental fly non-stop into Santiago, a 90-minute drive to Puerto Plata; rates start at $158. Fares do not include taxes and fees, which come to about $100 more."
By CAREN OSTEN GERSZBERG
Published: January 22, 2006