Casa Dona Elvira
Tucked away on a quiet block far from the bustle around Parque Colón, the Doña Elvira is housed in a renovated colonial building, which is a plus...
Compared to other destinations in the Caribbean, lodging in the Dominican Republic is relatively affordable. That said, there is a limited number of options for independent travelers wishing to make decisions on the fly and for whom cost is a concern.
In some places, such as Santo Domingo, you can stay in restored colonial-era buildings with loads of character with comfortable accommodations for less money than you would spend for a night at a bland international-chain-style hotel. Most have websites where you can make reservations in advance and you can often pay with a credit card, though it’s a good idea to check in advance. A good number of all-inclusives, especially outside the holidays and the high season, fall into this category and can be remarkably good deals considering what you get. It’s important, however, to keep in mind the peculiar nature of this style of accommodations.
From US$200 and up (the ceiling is high for the most exclusive resorts) there’s a big jump in terms of the quality of furnishings, food and service, and in the Dominican Republic, maybe more than elsewhere, you truly get what you pay for.
Pay budget room rates and you won’t necessarily feel like you’re on vacation, especially in the cities, but there are some exceptions. The DR has no proper hostels, and very little backpacker culture of the sort found in the rest of Latin America, Europe and elsewhere. The walled compounds generically called ‘cabañas turisticas’,with names suggestive of intercourse or romantic love, on the outskirts of most large towns are short-time hotels for couples seeking privacy. Note that some budget options may not be able to guarantee hot water. In listings here, prices for budget options are up to US$40, midrange are generally between US$40 and US$80 and top end are over US$80. Following are some guidelines on room rates:
Tucked away on a quiet block far from the bustle around Parque Colón, the Doña Elvira is housed in a renovated colonial building, which is a plus...
Look for the nondescript iron doorway opening onto Plaza de María de Toledo around the corner from Isabel la Católica. Don’t be discouraged by the messy gallery space overflowing with paintings and souvenirs; there’s some method to the madness...
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