Life Punta Cana or Aruba? - Page 3

**BossChief** · 01-24-2019, 10:51 PM

I earned an incentive trip from the company that I work for and I’m pretty sure I earned it in time to have my choice of the 2 locations. I know very very little about them. The 2 locations I have to chose from are the Ritz Carlton in Aruba and Barcelo Bavaro in Punta Cana. 6 days in Aruba or 7 in Punta Cana. Red carpet package through and through. Middle of May in Punta...middle of June in Aruba.

Have you been to either? Both?

Any advice on which I should pick or what I absolutely must do at either location?

**KC Dan** · 01-25-2019, 11:04 AM

"Aruba is a 19 miles (30 km)- long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea. It's a mere 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela. On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the south-eastern coast."

**Donger** · 01-25-2019, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

it's 15 miles off the coast.

Huh. I thought it was closer than 500 miles.

DJ's left nut · 01-25-2019, 11:32 AM

I haven't been to Aruba since I was 17 and couldn't really do anything so I can't weigh in there.

But Punta Cana is amazing; I loved the DR. Much more than anyplace I've been in Mexico and far more than I thought I would. I was honestly snooping around for some piece of half-developed land to make a low-ball offer on and see if I could just end up with a place to build a retirement home someday. The infrastructure and security was far more impressive than I'd been led to believe.

That said, I am still of the mind that there are some definite no-fly zones on different parts of the island, further inland and I guess to the north some. Also, Haiti is a shithole so the closer you get to Haiti, the dodgier I'm guessing it will be.

Maybe Aruba is better but if the DR is your worst option, you're gonna have a hell of a trip either way.

**2112** · 01-25-2019, 11:47 AM

One thing I did enjoy in Aruba was going fishing on a charter. It was $250.00 for 4 hours (2004) for two of us. Captain spent the first hour and a half with lures and I was like dude, where’s the live bait? Put on live bait and I caught a 6 ft wahoo in about 15 minutes. Then after I caught that he went to the northern part of the island past the lighthouse and it was like Hawaii 5 o waves. This guy knew what he was doing lol water was coming over the side. Trying to get us sea sick lol I’m on the Atlantic Ocean all summer you ain’t getting me sea sick.

I donated the wahoo to a restaurant called salt and pepper which was across the street from my hotel.

**Bowser** · 01-25-2019, 11:51 AM

If cost isn't an issue, maybe give St. Lucia or Grand Cayman a looksee?

*there always has to be that one asshole that's all "That sounds great, but have you thought about THIS?" in every thread. Lol

scho63 · 01-25-2019, 12:03 PM

Ritz Carlton in Aruba is 5 star luxury. That's class location and amenities.

Punta Cana is nice but not that nice.

AssEaterChief · 01-25-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I haven't been to Aruba since I was 17 and couldn't really do anything so I can't weigh in there.

But Punta Cana is amazing; I loved the DR. Much more than anyplace I've been in Mexico and far more than I thought I would. I was honestly snooping around for some piece of half-developed land to make a low-ball offer on and see if I could just end up with a place to build a retirement home someday. The infrastructure and security was far more impressive than I'd been led to believe.

That said, I am still of the mind that there are some definite no-fly zones on different parts of the island, further inland and I guess to the north some. Also, Haiti is a shithole so the closer you get to Haiti, the dodgier I'm guessing it will be.

Maybe Aruba is better but if the DR is your worst option, you're gonna have a hell of a trip either way.

Really? Never experienced a 'se fue la Luz' or ten? Or the traffic? Yikes. And what security? Security in the DR is paying someone with a shotgun to sit outside your place during the night... LOL

My ex wife is Dominican so I've been to the DR quite a bit.

Punta Cana is alright, but there's really not much to do out there. Mostly hang out at your resort and check out some local sites. There are other parts of the island that are just as beautiful like Puerto Plata, Santiago, La Romana that are probably better to spend time at.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 01-25-2019, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

If cost isn't an issue, maybe give St. Lucia or Grand Cayman a looksee?

*there always has to be that one asshole that's all "That sounds great, but have you thought about THIS?" in every thread. Lol

you might actually READ the post...

...says the one guy in every thread

Mama Hip Rockets · 01-25-2019, 04:07 PM

I've been to Punta Cana several times and loved it. Never been to Aruba, but I've heard it's awesome, and it looks beautiful.

IowaHawkeyeChief · 01-25-2019, 05:27 PM

I agree with the comments on Aruba. I've been to the Aruba Ritz twice for work functions. It's very nice, and if your company is paying for it, a good deal. Frozen drinks are about $15-25 each, and food is outrageous at this, and all, RC's. If they aren't paying for food, there is a nice walkway between resorts on the beach with really good food and drinks on the way or at other resorts for less money. Aruba is always windy, but usually sunny and dry. Have fun!

BWillie · 01-25-2019, 05:31 PM

Tropical places are overrated. After a half a day of sitting on the beach - staring at it - I'm ready to move on and go somewhere.

**Bowser** · 01-25-2019, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

you might actually READ the post...

...says the one guy in every thread

via GIPHY

So I was projecting MY dreams on to Bosschief's reality, I'll own it!

**Bowser** · 01-25-2019, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Tropical places are overrated. After a half a day of sitting on the beach - staring at it - I'm ready to move on and go somewhere.

I bet you're the life of the party, lol

01-24-2019, 10:51 PM
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1364088	Punta Cana or Aruba? I earned an incentive trip from the company that I work for and I’m pretty sure I earned it in time to have my choice of the 2 locations. I know very very little about them. The 2 locations I have to chose from are the Ritz Carlton in Aruba and Barcelo Bavaro in Punta Cana. 6 days in Aruba or 7 in Punta Cana. Red carpet package through and through. Middle of May in Punta...middle of June in Aruba. Have you been to either? Both? Any advice on which I should pick or what I absolutely must do at either location?
Posts: 47,195

01-25-2019, 11:04 AM	#31
KC Dan Red, White & Blue for the U.S. Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: The Great Northwest now.. Casino cash: $1064235	"Aruba is a 19 miles (30 km)- long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea. It's a mere 15 miles (24 km) from the coast of Venezuela. On a clear day the Venezuelan mainland is visible from the south-eastern coast." __________________ "And if you don't know where you're going Any road will take you there" - George Harrison
Posts: 6,999

01-25-2019, 11:32 AM	#33
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $2449099	I haven't been to Aruba since I was 17 and couldn't really do anything so I can't weigh in there. But Punta Cana is amazing; I loved the DR. Much more than anyplace I've been in Mexico and far more than I thought I would. I was honestly snooping around for some piece of half-developed land to make a low-ball offer on and see if I could just end up with a place to build a retirement home someday. The infrastructure and security was far more impressive than I'd been led to believe. That said, I am still of the mind that there are some definite no-fly zones on different parts of the island, further inland and I guess to the north some. Also, Haiti is a shithole so the closer you get to Haiti, the dodgier I'm guessing it will be. Maybe Aruba is better but if the DR is your worst option, you're gonna have a hell of a trip either way. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 60,981

01-25-2019, 11:51 AM	#35
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $2961616	If cost isn't an issue, maybe give St. Lucia or Grand Cayman a looksee? *there always has to be that one asshole that's all "That sounds great, but have you thought about THIS?" in every thread. Lol
Posts: 101,425

01-25-2019, 12:03 PM	#36
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2211110	Ritz Carlton in Aruba is 5 star luxury. That's class location and amenities. Punta Cana is nice but not that nice. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 51,050

01-25-2019, 04:07 PM	#39
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $10005644	I've been to Punta Cana several times and loved it. Never been to Aruba, but I've heard it's awesome, and it looks beautiful.
Posts: 13,675

01-25-2019, 05:27 PM	#40
IowaHawkeyeChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2016 Casino cash: $2260400	I agree with the comments on Aruba. I've been to the Aruba Ritz twice for work functions. It's very nice, and if your company is paying for it, a good deal. Frozen drinks are about $15-25 each, and food is outrageous at this, and all, RC's. If they aren't paying for food, there is a nice walkway between resorts on the beach with really good food and drinks on the way or at other resorts for less money. Aruba is always windy, but usually sunny and dry. Have fun! __________________ Chiefs are my favorite football team of all time!
Posts: 27,036

01-25-2019, 05:31 PM	#41
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $1881241	Tropical places are overrated. After a half a day of sitting on the beach - staring at it - I'm ready to move on and go somewhere. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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