Disgruntled Tourist Finds More Scrutiny, Less History In the Dominican Republic
It's hard to know whether the experts are giving you useful information or just the same old song and dance. That's why we're introducing Guidebook Says to commend or correct other travel media. Feel free to commend or correct us in the comments below! This week, we zero in on the Dominican Republic, a recent Field Trip subject.
Guidebook Says... "At airports, neither immigration nor customs officials pay much attention to tourists carrying an ordinary amount of luggage." -- Lonely Planet
Jaunted Says: Our single suitcase and carry-on were much more meticulously searched in the D.R. on the way out than when we passed through customs in San Juan. Zippered pockets were opened, books were flipped through, and at one point we were asked to describe the contents of a small clutch ("Uh... lip gloss?")
Only because of the guys in front of us did we know why: They had hid what looked like either fruit or cooked meat in their checked bags (wrapped in underwear, tee hee).
Guidebook Says... "Like all the parks in the Zona Colonial, [Parque Colón in Santo Domingo] has been restored." --Fodors
Jaunted Says: The restored park was nice but it was such a thrill to eat at Columbus' favorite restaurant, ¡el Café de Hard Rock! Seriously, it's right there.
Guidebook Says... On Casa de Campo: the Las Minitas beach "requires a 10-minute shuttle-bus ride from the resort's central core... You can charter a boat for snorkeling, with a minimum of eight people." --Frommers
Jaunted Says: So many rules! The beach is a pleasant 25- to 30-minute walk along a path specifically protected from cars and golf carts (although be alert for the occasional honk). As for the snorkeling, if you're willing to pay a little extra, we found the charter agency to be much more flexible, although that could be related to the current paucity of visitors.
Related Stories:
· Jaunted Makes Arthur Frommer Burn His Guidebook [Jaunted]
· Hotel Guidebook Picks LUXE City Guides Recommend Only the Hotels du Jour [HC]
· Guidebooks coverage [Jaunted]
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