"My wife and I (early 40s) took a 3-night trip to the Dominican Republic—our first time in the DR and our first all-inclusive.
Transportation was booked through Viator and was mixed. We prepaid for round-trip service, but upon arrival told we owed an additional $60 because Viator “doesn’t charge enough” for the distance. With no real options, we paid by credit card (including a 10% fee) so we’d have documentation if needed. That administrative hassle was the main downside. The drivers themselves were excellent, professional, and made us feel safe. The ride was about 45 minutes from the airport and roughly an hour on the return.
The staff throughout the resort were fantastic—friendly, accommodating, and helpful. We followed standard tipping guidance: $1 per drink, $7 for the bellhop and room tour, $3 for the minibar, and $5 for housekeeping.
Food was generally good but not outstanding. Nothing impressed us greatly, but nothing was bad either. My wife is gluten-free; while options were somewhat limited, she never went hungry and absolutely loved Agave.
The beach was beautiful, though I got bitten badly after a short walk—my fault for skipping bug spray. Drinks were excellent; despite having 10+ daily, I never felt drunk. Coco Loco was my favorite.
We felt safe. The room safe worked well, and the resort felt secluded. Our garden-view room had vaulted ceilings and was comfortable, though slightly musty at first and the pillows weren’t great—later learned there’s a pillow menu"
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