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I like to create a list of destinations from the Dominican Republic for the tourist outside of the all included resorts who prefer traveling individual for to enjoy the natural beauty of this tropical paradise.
Please tell me your experience about traveling in the Dominican Republic outside of the Resorts.

North Coast: Two places I'd list are Coconut Hotel (Not Coconut Palms (a big resort)) in Sosua. I haven't stayed there in about 5 years so I hope they are still in business. It's along the main road going East from the grocery store, less than 12 blocks from main beach and very reasonable and clean. 5 years ago a high end room was $35 US and low end $15. Also, if you want to be in the big town, Sam's Bar (ask anyone where the ex-pat bar is, they'll know) is a great backpacker's place, $15 US just last year and it's just 2 blocks of the malecon in Puerto Plata.

I traveled to Las Terrenas, Sosua, Cabarete, Bayahibe, Santa Domingo, Jarabacoa...all very easy to travel independently. I'd also like to share my experiences, and where I'd suggest avoiding.

Just got back from the Dominican Republic.....had a great time, travelled indepently, country is beautiful, at least parts, great truly picturesque beaches, mountains, great food....no problems at all...except for two, that I want to recount for the next traveller.....we went to Jarabacoa and ate at Boca Restaurant..while the food was great, the end of the meal was very bitter. When we looked at the bill, they had charged us 15 to 50% over the menu price for most of our items. When we asked, they told us the menus had changed since the menus were printed, and we needed to pay the new price. When we were reluctant to do so (when we said "NO!", we again got told that the prices had changed...then they attempted to take the bill away again before we noticed that the taxes of 26% on the whole bill also needed to be adjusted. Then they told us the lights were out, and that was why they had problems with the numbers. At any rate, there are lots of other restaurants in Jarabacoa, so I would AVOID this place, ...or at least check my bill very carefully.

Another place we would avoid is Cortecito Inn in Cortecito, though it probably doesn't suffer for custom, as it is the biggest hotel in the town, and at least from the outside, the most inviting. But be prepared for sexual harrassment, being propositioned by the main reception staff for sex in exchange for a lower hotel bill, and be prepared that when the owners of the hotel are located in this small town, that they say...I don't believe you, when located shortly after the event and notified what had occurred.

other than avoiding Cortecito Hotel, it should be very easy to have a great trip