Thorn Tree travel forum

1

Antigua is not really cheap...only 1 guest house there meets a backpacker budget...St Lucia works just a little bit better...but really only off season....and Grenada was a good budget pick for guest houses in town...but after the hurricane I'd like to hear some reports from folks who know and love it before and after.

Why only those islands? No chance to add the real budget Caribbean ones, such as Dom. Rep. with beachfront rooms from $10US?

here is what I mean:

Hotel Dinny Las Terrenas from $10

"Experience as much as you can...Learn as much as you can...Love as much as you can"

2

Hi Darcey

We are always so pleased, as relative newcomers to this site, to see what Oldhippy says about DR.

Been away a day or two, and would have responded the same as Oldhippy. Compared with most other Caribbean possibilities Dominican Republic has been on a slow burn for the last few years so is still relatively unspoilt. Only a couple of resorts that reflect that 'plastic' feel, and a number of 'All inclusives'...where you could be anywhere the sun shines if you don't make efforts to get out of the compound and enjoy the real DR. But especially if you are a budget traveller you have still got the chance to enjoy a brilliant vacation yet enjoy the very low cost of living in the Dominican Republic generally (outside of 5star and AI's!!).

This coming year is looking like it will be good one for DR and we've seen some very good positive stuff recently making it clear that the DR has a lot to offer. If you only got the chance to go to the places you mention, then don't forget to try the Dominican Republic next time you get away! Please do take a look at our info site, we set it up a month or so ago and keep adding when we can. We are away from DR at the moment (in UK) so guess we're experiencing the same dull depressing cold weather as you..it's hard to think that back in the DR the odd showers are followed by beautiful sun...and the sunshines virtually all year! It 's 80 - 90 degrees this week!!!

Hope you get a chance to take a look at the site, our little hobby keeps us in touch with home, and we'll happily answer any other queries you have if you want to drop a line? Take Oldhippy's advice and take look at Las Terrenas we have a page on our site about it...it is truly one of our favourite places...and beaches second to none:

our 'Las Terrenas' page at www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

Wherever you go, I hope you have agreat time.

Take care,

Ruth

Ruth http://www.visiting-the-dominican-republic.com

3

Las Terranas is a great choice. I was there last March. The town is small with a good funky laid back mood to it. The beaches are unreal-- very beautiful stretches with near seclusion. Best to get there before the miserable all-inclusive chains mess it up. There are only a couple 10 or so kilometers from the town.

Las Terranas is in the Samana penninsula of the Dominican Republic and was slated for massive tourist development in the 70s, but when the political leader was turfed, his successors decided to turf his tourism plan as well-- done more or less out of spite. They moved the operation down to the Puerto Plata area which you will want to avoid. However recently there has been some momentum to move back into Samana. Apparently a consortium including Julio Ingelsias has bought up Playa Rincon (in the Las Galeras area) which I feel should have been environmentally protected. The plan is to put a nasty 1000 room hotel complex there. For the moment Playa Rincon is a secluded piece of beach heaven.

Happy trails.

4

Hi I would love to know is there anywhere one can link up with a travelling companion. I have accommodation (theres only me but the room takes 4 people for 7 days) in the bahamas and have not booked the time yet. What is the best time to enjoy the caribean, the bahamas & then travel on to the Amazon?

No Bodty Perfect live here BUT aspire to exhale before your DATE with expirey

5

this list in my blog gives a little run down of prices in 2007..

budget caribbean accomodations.. hope the rest of my blog can help people plan there trips..

kris

Mi blog ah dey yah