Colombia or Dominican Republic?

Will be making my first trip to Colombia this July but used to spend considerable amounts of time in the Dominican Republic until it seemed everything went up for sale to the highest bidder - especially along the coasts! DR has plenty of warm, beautiful beaches but good luck finding one that hasn't been privatized by a resort; especially if depending upon public transporation for getting around, and I wouldn't recommend driving.

However, there are still plenty of independent exploration opportunities; especially in the undeveloped interior but those don't include beach. Tough decision!

Depending on how much time you have. I think DR will take you about a week to consume. Colombia on the other hand will take up to a month if you have time. Colombia is cheaper, but more expensive to get there from the US. You may need to consider domestic air travel inside of Colombia too if time is a constraint.

But these are two different countries you cannot compare and say which is better or worse. Roads are better in DR. At least DR has some divided highways. Colombia virtually has none. By the same token tourism is more developted in DR with quite a few all inclusive resorts. Peole do not go to Colombia for that and I don't think there is such a thing. DR is relatively small. Many people rent a car to drive around the country. Although the car rental system is strictly not up to the standard we are used to but it is stil reasonably popular. Colombia is quite large, the roads are not well develped. There is a significant part of the country in the mountainous region which acerbates transportation. Not many people rent a car to drive around the country and it is also not advisable. The fact you will be stuck in long lines of traffic snaking thought the mountainous roads make driving a headache.

I'd say if you have two weeks and more to spend, go to Colombia. If you have only one week, go to DR. But you need to go to both in time. They are just different.

i have been to both, and to tell you the truth........ you will have a ball, no matter where you go- The north coast, samana pen. of DR is the best area....... i agree, if you have TIME go to colombia, if you only have a week or 2, DR- remember, if you land in bogota, you have one long ass bus ride to the carib. coast-

if you are in to smoking dope, etc DO NOT GO TO DR- its not the place at all for that- its amost like singapore if you get busted, perhaps worst-

It depends on the specific area of both countries. I´m in Cartagena right now and it´s one of the most touristy places I´ve ever been, even compared to Rio. I feel like I´m getting hustled everywhere. But there are some very nice places in Colombia as well, but you just have to beware.

Cartagena is very touristy. But I don't want people who have not been there to get the wrong impression. The tourists are mostly domestic from all over Colombia. You can argue the number of foreign tourists in Cartagena. They are still no organized tour operators taking groups of foreign travelers sightseeing. At least I havn't seen one. But domestic tour operators do exist in droves catering to the local population.

Tl hanks everybody for your answers,. JoseKeve, your answer pretty well sealed it for me. It doesn't make much sense to go somewhere and then not be able to go to where you wanted. I found all your answers helpful and especially appreciate the comments about tourism in Cartegena. Have to admit--that had me going for a while. Off to Colombia for me then!

Funny you mentioned that, coz I just saw a bunch of American tourists being driven to one of the jewelry stores in front of my apt building this morning. I cringed when I saw that.

I don't know if that is good or bad either. You almost wish there is turmoil or violence to keep them out.

Sambones, it also goes back to you looking for those gorgeous beautiful beaches and unfortunately it's the DR's coastal areas that have morphed until the populations are whiter than the sands! The Samana peninsula is the country's latest area that has been targeted for full-blown tourism development. In turn, as you can read on the DR thread, now some locals are targeting the tourists with some fairly violent attacks!

Bayahibe is still listed as the sleepy little fishing village that independent explorers should head for in search of fun and sun. Compared to rest of the country's coastal areas, it's still a very unique place, but - I remember what it was like before electricity and utilities arrived in 2000, 7 resorts sprung-up overnight, and mansions started littering the village's little dirt roads. The remaining gorgeous strip of public beach (only one remaining in this southeastern part of the country) has been sold to a resort. Independent travelers and Dominicans will soon no longer have any place to go. All this coupled with the massive tourism tax on flights, and the fact tourism cards went from 90-to-15 days without risking penalties at the airport, and it's all sadly too much for revisiting a country I considered like a 2nd home!

Sambones, you've still yet to say when you were planning your travel or how long you have to stay. I'll have 3-half weeks in July to explore northern Colombia and the Caribbean coast. I'm a Spanish/Latin American history and culture instructor that always dives head-first into the local scene. Based on the invasions and over-developments I've encountered in DR, Costa Rica Panamá, and recognize on the verge of happening big time in Honduras, I share all of your sentiments about hoping people continue to consider Colombia off-limits, and stay home!