Quick travel question
Okay ladies, I have a very quick question for y'all with regards to my vacation I'm about to go on.
I have never been to an all inclusive so I'm not sure what the norm is when it comes to tipping. Also, from what I understand, the tipping standards and practices vary from region to region.
I am going to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.
So, I'm ( Read more... )
I have never been to an all inclusive so I'm not sure what the norm is when it comes to tipping. Also, from what I understand, the tipping standards and practices vary from region to region.
I am going to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic.
So, I'm ( Read more... )
Bell boy tipping is minimal a US dollar per suitcase. housekeeping is not mandatory, but when they tell you to tip at the end of the week, well, that's bull cause they have the weirdest rotating shifts in history! so your money might go to someone whO,s done you,re room once. that morning. We usually tip a dollar per person per morning, two dollar per person is the service is amazing. If house keeping is shite, don't.
Bars. Well, evenings a dollar or two per rounds of service is good. Beach/pool bars, always give a tip (minimal a dollar) on your first drink of the day. The barman, who will be there all twelve hours WILL remember you. Slip him a dollar or two every two or three rounds of drink after that, keeps them happy. We do every, but that's us.
Restaurants. Go with the service, if it's shite, don't. Especially à la carte. Cause if service is good, you'll tip more there. We usually do 4 to five dollars for a la carte, but we've gone up to ten. Buffet is usually minimum two dollars. depending on how many people you are, if you get your drinks, etc.
Always get a recipt in hotel related things, doN,t book tours that are not through the hotel or your rep, DON'T DRINK THE TAP WATER! bring baby powder to put in your bed. Don't lose the beach towels (if you do, extra charge)don't forget the ten dollar fee for the tourist card at entry and the twenty exit taxe. Don't let the porters at the airport take your luggage, going out of the airport of in. Bring your own sunscreen, they rip you off at the hotel, if you are fair skinned, start with 45. Don't forget your aloe. Remember that it'S either in pesos or in USD. Don't convert too many pases cause you can't convert back when you're home. I think that covers it. :D Any question?
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We're staying at the Ocean Sand, which I believe is a 4.5 star.
I'm with you on the housekeeping thing. I think I'll tip daily to make sure the right person gets the rewards. Also, it kinda sends a message that if we're well taken care of then we'll take good care of them. i don't really see the point of mutual gratification if you only tip when you leave. I've also bought some school supplies, pencils, sharpener, eraser, and scribblers that I'll give to the maid as well.
I've got about $150 in one dollar bills (USD) I'm hoping that will do us for the week for pool/bar tipping. I have other US cash in bigger denominations so we should have plenty. There won't be a lot to do outside of the resort anyway, cuz we're going over Easter and it's super religious down there so a lot of stuff will be closed... which is fine with me. I'm really only interested in a lounger by the pool and cold drink.
Considering that we have a blanket of white shit on the ground this morning.... I can't wait!!!
God I hope the weather is nice.
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And the baby powder is for sand fleas. It smothers them. No matter how much house keeping tries, it will follow you everywhere and if you don't use the baby powder you will get bitten all over. Forgot, bring benadryl. If I recall, you're a mosquito magnet, right? Bring it.
And keep in mind that the stuff I gave you was for a group of four, adjust for how many you are. and unless you change you money in pesos, don't give coins, they can't do anything with it. What else... oh, most busd rivers from the airport and back will sugest tips, up to you. If your hubby want s a bear going to the resort, ask the tour guide and don't buy it at the air port, he'll get your Presidente! much cheaper.
Lazy trick, tavel mugs. They always serve at the beach and pool in the tinyest plastic glasses ever, so you go back a million times. Travel(read insulated) mugs will save you trips and on plastic. OH! this isn't Canada, they do not calculate their booze. So, it'll be half the glass of booze, rest filled with whatever's in your choice drink. If you want just a little booze, specify!
Do remember, while it IS all inclusive, some things aren't. if there's a room service menu in the room or a wine list at restaurants with prices, means you have to pay.
If you want to bring back knick knacks, there,s sort of flea markets on the beach. ALWAY cut price at least in half. At least. And if you decide to rent a car, accident will get eveyone tossed in jail for 24h and you'll have to pay for all damages. Otherwise you should be good. Anything else you wanna know?
And you should have good weather, we went two weeks ago. We only had one cloudy day. the rest was sun, sun, sun, and 36degrees in the shade. :)
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Got the travel mugs already.
Good to know about the booze, especially since I don't usually drink. One daiquiri and I'd be on my ass! LOLs.
OMG the whole car thing is kinda funny. Any reasons why you know this off hand? *snickers*... we won't be renting a car anyway, that would require a sober person.
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On daiquiri and one your ass, been there done that. it wasn't even noon. Embarassing.
And no, not first hand experience, but a friend, yeah. Driving in Dominican Republic is suicidal. Compared to them, the craziest Québecois you've seen drive looks like an 80 year old Ontarian granny. Know what I'm saying? But yeah, have loads of fun otherwise!
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