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Is there a departure tax ?
Manuel Ferrer It depends on the airline. My airline includes it in the ticket so we don’t have to pay the tax.
Kerry Hansen Wingham Anne it’s a pretty cool open air airport….last time we were there 2009
Joey Wilbourn No departure tax for you. Aside from the tourist card its the same as Mexico. Departures at this airport are not as efficient and the ticket counter area has no a/c so dress accordingly.
Meg Simoni And Anne Adams make sure you check out the enormous ceiling fans, the are a hoot because they are labeled BIG ASS FANS! At least in 2010 they were.
Brenda Gordon Following…punta cana is a possibility one day….thanks for the tips!L
Anne Adams Approx how much time should I allow to get from the P through the airport prior to my departure?Joey Wilbourn I would suggest 3 hours. Security is slower here than Cancun. We flew American and it’s also a long walk to the departure gates so keep the 5″ heels ? in your luggage. ?
Linda Wickstrom yes pay the fee first 10 dollars American when we went of course we had no American money and we did not know about it so had to go back & do it grrrPeter Gittinger I would say at most an hour and a half with private transportation. The longest part is a toss up at 30 minutes for the drive and immigration. We have flown through the airport and gotten to the hotel in just under an hour.
Angela Horner I love Punta Cana airport.They have 4 guys playing banjo and drums and singing as you arrive.We find it very quaint and getting through immigration is very fast ?
Lisa Murray Not hard. Get off, walk right into customs, pay your fee, turn left, go to luggage-straight ahead to left, go straight, turn right, AVOID ANYONE that approaches u -unless they r officials because u will be attacked by sales people, go left through a doorway and then straight out the doors to the lot.
Karen Horwood When I was there twice, it was awful. There were no signs from the Tarmac leading into the terminal so nobody formed a line, just a crazy jumble of people. If it’s not changed, there is a small booth that you pay your $10, again, no signage, so make sure to stop there or they’ll send you back! After the initial entry and the $10, it was smooth sailing. Hope they’ve organized it a bit better by now!
Peter Gittinger It has changed. Unless the plane is directly by the terminal, everybody boards buses to get to the terminal…it can be the longest 200 foot rides of your life. And the corded areas force you to the booths for the $10. You can’t miss it.
Joey Wilbourn Just buy in advance and get in the line by the far wall. Like I said it was about half as long. We went in July and there were two lines. If you don’t have the tourist card you get into the line in the center. About half way through there is a podium w…See More
Sherry Frank Purchase the tourist card online before your arrival and go straight to that line. We did this and were the first ones in line and got out quickly. When we looked back the line was getting long.
Peter: There are some quirks. You need to pay the entry fee before immigration. And at least for United Airlines, you have to show your baggage claim ticket before leaving with your luggage…they check to make sure every bag you take is yours. That makes it difficult if you have carry-on.
Yvonne Bartha I’ve read in a few places that you can purchase a Tourist Card online now, so you can skip the line to purchase one at the airport. How long is the line at the airport to buy one?
Joey Wilbourn During our arrival the line was about half as long for those who purchased in advance
Joey Wilbourn
Joey Wilbourn I recommend you purchase the tourist card in advance here.$10 usd. It will save some time purchasing at airport and allow you to go through typically a shorter line. Just print and turn in to immigration. There is no personal info on it basically just a piece of paper you paid $10 for. You will still fill out immigration and customs form on airplane.
About the Tourist Card
The Tourist Card is a tax the Dominican Republic charges its visitors. Its legal base rests on the Law 199-67, which establishes the acquisition of such card as a requirement to enter national territory, for tourism purposes, without the need of a consular Visa.Joey Wilbourn
Joey Wilbourn Also we did exit the airport for our private transport. Used Dominican Plus which seems to be the preferred company by most on TA. They will email you instructions where to meet them outside the airportManuel Ferrer
Manuel Ferrer It’ not a difficult airport. It’s very simple .Everything is written in both English and Spanish and there’s a duty free shop next to baggage claim, so you can shop while waiting for your bag.I booked through the resort and left it up to them. Octavio said we will be in Royal Suites. A tiny bit nervous about a new location but also excited. Flights are very challenging. Abby is working on finding a decent fight home.
We have also heard from Punta Cana Mike about a tour which sounds fun.
Montego Bay Airport Transfer
I used Alfreds Taxi. If you use him be sure and request the van (new) (not car – old)
You can use US but bring small bills as they don’t always have change. Out tai driver Roger was running around trying to get us change!
We live vicariously here so will look forward to hearing about your trip.
My daughter and I left the resort twice. We didn’t want to do a tour so both times the dispatcher in the lobby called her cousin Roger for us. He is a taxi driver and basically accompanied us everywhere (even dress shopping which was pretty funny)! Apparently this is common in Jamaica. He charged us about half of the prices posted.
I just looked at the Palladum Jamaica App. They offer
Romantic Thursday dinner on the beach. It is $150 per couple
There is also a Romantic dinner under the stars for $195 per couple.
Aromatic bath with rose petals
Welcome Nicole & congratulations!
You may want to check to see if they have the Honeymooner’s dinner as they have in Riviera Maya. Some people really enjoy meeting other honeymooners.
Prague, a new favorite
Made it by 6:pm Monday after a long day of water taxi to Venice airport , a long wait for Czech air, and a hopping flight to Prague via Balognia (much longer than the original booking indicated. ……ugh!
On the upside this hotel , Prague Linder, is very nice with view of castle. It’ raining and actually a nice relief from the Italian heat (at least for the moment).
Venice was uber busy and we had a good rushed time but it could have been better.
Will send some photos later as we just got up and are a little : disorientated, fatigued, and bewildered etc.We now know two words in the Czech language and have forgotten one!
Will go into the old town after breakfast.
Was very cold & windy in Prague. Hotel was perfect, clean, comfortable & cool. Short walk to St Vitus cathedral from our hotel. It was breathtaking. Found some wonderful quaint restaurants, food excellent, wine pretty good.Hope all is well in the Canadian hinterlands and of course at home.
Will send photos later.
We have just discovered our new favourite European city. This city is just wonderful. It is CLEAN and orderly and beautiful. It is packed with history and the architecture is unique and inspiring.
We had heard that Czech food was a little on the blah side but we have found it perhaps a step above German in flavor and quality. Perhaps we just lucked out but a couple of restaurants close to our hotel gave served outstanding goulash soup, schnitzel, and traditional soup topped off with strudel. The beer is outstanding and the red wines are fine.
Our hotel, Lindner, is superior perched high above the town. The bkfast is great and the room very nice.
We have seen the main sights…arches, astronomical clock, Charles Bridge, and St Vitis Cathedral. King Wenceslas of Xmas Carol fame is buried in St Vitus a beautiful Gothic church high on the valley side.
The only fault we have is that the city is very busy with non Canadian barbarians. No worse than in Italy, but no better either. As our hotel is way up on the hill we have had no trouble getting dinner as the barbarians are top lazy to walk up!
So very glad we came!”
Lokes are in San Gimignano in Tuscany. Louise said the hotel is beautiful. She is under the weather so K will head to Florence tomorrow. (Feel better)
Brenda & Duane enjoyed it. “A few pics from the new Chang Thai Restaurant…the food was spectacular, so full of flavor and the service was amazing(Antonio and Lorenzo took such good care of us!)….Duane Gordon and I think it might be the best a la carte now!”
Gorgeous day
Some tips from Rome:
The Goods:
Fit in…..we were asked twice by Italians for directions we just said we offer no auto. Like it..The pasta is Gooooòd
The weather is perfect
The hotel
The people in services mostly speak ok English
The traffic usually stops at red lights
It is surprisingly clean..no urine smells is a bonus
The wine is Sooooo very cheap and good
Apparently the secret police hit terror hard before it surfacesMany car drivers can drive without hands…who needs a
Scooter drivers usually aim to miss you and often stop for red lights and nuns
You can buy a self stick for about 5 bucks on any corner
The bad
Do not eat the breakfast scrambled and cold eggs . You could be real sorry foe a number of hours.
Do not over drink fluids unless you want to drink even more at a restaurant
A Canuck is often mistaken for an American
People with maps are somewhat unpopular
Polite walking is frowned upon
Gellato is apparently fattening
Older people are not necessarily held in high regard
Crowds do not care if you are going the wrong way
Sweat is usually taken for granted
K+L
Yes,noon on Wednesday. The only info I saw on it was at the animation hut at the main Colonial pool. When I tried to do it , you had to show up there and wear long trousers with closed toe shoes. The day I showed up there were no other guests attending and they had a five person minimum. Maybe it’s a little more organized now so check at the POP animation hut. Please let us know if you get to go
Hi Linda, It is held at the buffet above the main pool at Colonial (El Gran Azul). Sign up with the mini club or at Guest Services.
Beautiful day for a foam party.
I’ve always wanted to do that. The one time I showed up for it there weren’t enough people attending for them to do it.
Karen reports: Passed the turtle camp a couple of hours ago, nest count is about 796 and there was a cooler of babies that’ll make the big swim tonight sometime!! ?
Angela reports: “A little overcast this afternoon but sun is trying to break through. Enjoyed lovely rib eye steak at El Dorada last night.We are eating at Italian this evening.We popped along to see w,hen Chang Thai was opening and was told Friday so hopefully will get to try it before we leave and get some pics on.”
Responses on FB:
Robyn: would also like to say, there are some TC members that feel they are allowed to do that. I’ve seen some treat staff so badly, and they literally pushed me out of line in RM…and I had a TC bracelet too, same as them. Some people are just plain rude.
Peter Gittinger Absolutely there are rude guests that are TC and I find it so distasteful. Put the perception that TC members have that ability or somehow get preference to be seated without reservations is certainly not true.
Louise Claire Evans We experienced this all the time in RM and we are not members. Members who pushed in front were dealt with so really it’s up to the resort to tell them to wait in line or they won’t!Cape Cod Anne I have also seen this rude behavior with gold bracelet VIP guests. Got me upset at Christmas as I waited for the Christmas Eve gala dinner. I am also a gold bracelet guest and try to be polite. NO ONE is entitled to treat staff or other guests rudely.
Carolina Rdrgz Unfortunately, instances like these is why we are choosing not to return to GP for now. It’s the rudeness of guests and the lack of action by the staff that has ruined it for me. The worst part was waiting in line for the trams, only to be cut off by rude guests. We had children with us and after being cut off many times, we almost always gave up and ended up walking back to our rooms late at night.
Rodney Freeman I also have experienced this. I just excuse by telling myself that these people were raised with no manners or respect.
Cape Cod Anne : Carolina, I am sorry you feel this way as you will find rude people at most resorts. Many resorts now have some sort of club so people sometimes feel “entitled”. I have been going to the Palladium for almost 14 years and it feels like home despite the “rude” people. Staff are wonderful and we are always made to feel special
Peter Gittinger It really bothers me to hear when rude guests mistreat staff or put staff in a situation that they shouldn’t be put in. It makes for an unfair situation for the staff. Unfortunately, as Rodney alluded to, some people lack social skills and general manners. They feel entitled to treat people poorly.
Cape Cod Anne Even before the travel cub I saw people treat staff poorly. Staff are not servants people. My daughter worked at the P in Spain so I have heard many stories of staff mistreatment by guests. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Just think of working with demanding guests 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, living in a dorm away from your family and traveling most of you one day off to see your kids. Think about doing this for very little money. NO ONE is entitled to treat staff poorly.
Lynn Shallenberger
Lynn Shallenberger The staff put up with a lot of BS and always with a smile on their faces… The rudeness and “entitlement” of some guests is awful…I guess the “Golden Rule” does not apply to them…Amber Kiss I am no more important than any other person. I cant imagine being rude to other guests or even someone that works there. For me they work harder for less pay. This year I even had one of the drivers remwmbwr me from last year. He had to ask my name but remember it all week. And I ever needed a ride he would take me. When I left I gave him a big tip. He almost didnt want to take it. He earned every cent of it. And now we are facebook friends and I cant wait to see him next year.
Peter Gittinger Amber Kiss, very well said.
Peter Gittinger
Peter Gittinger I was talking with the resort manager at the bonfire tonight. I told him, “Every guest gets the same level of service. Travel Club members receive more services.” Just as Royal guests receive more services.Dan Peshkin We had yellow apple bracelets In Punta Cana. Supposedly it gave us some type of Vip status. On one occasion my wife and sister were in line for Brazilian and a man and his companion pushed right past them and the hostess just watched it and dos nothin…See More
Kelly Freadrich Let me ask the TC members, when you have a reservation, do you wait in line? Or do you give your reservation to the hostess?
Thanks for sharing this Brenda. Thinking of my Rios on our 30th wedding anniversary.I was blessed to spend our last days together at our favorite place in Paradise.
Last trip to Paradise
Peter reported: “44 reservations checked in today for the One Love Members Party today. And tomorrow should be about the same. Things are starting to heat up.”
Peter & Carolyn have arrived. Awesome suite.
Really enjoyed
Here’s to Us by Elin Hildrebrand.
Takes place on Nantucket Island off the coast of Cape Cod. Three ex-wives and their children gather to spread the ashes of their husband, a former famous chef.
Lots of twists and turns.
Amber reports,
“Not happy about leaving to go home. But on the bright side….. I got freah churos right out of the fryer and rolled in cinnamon and sugar for me. Breakfast of champions.
And I ate at El Dorado last night and had the turkey Kababs and they were delicious.”
With only 3 days left to take advantage of the 40% special offer, time is running out. There are 19 days left until the 2nd annual party for members of the Palladium Travel Club.
The One Love Members Party by Palladium Travel Club will be the largest event of the year. And members have booked 20% of the resort. The bad news is that time is running out to be a part of it. The resort is now booked to be at a high occupancy. For those who have been waiting to make up their minds, book soon while there is still availability.
The Palladium Travel Club is hosting their second annual members party at the Grand Palladium Jamaica complex on September 16, 2016, offering a 40% discount off of the members’ preferential rates for reservations from September 11 to 25.
To make a reservation, use the contact info below:
reservations@palladiumtravelclub.com
Our phone lines:
– From USA: 1877 296 9330
– From Canada: 1877 287 0724
– From Mexico: 01 800 836 7256
– From Europe: +52 984 873 4801Gorgeous day
Kern has had a busy summer boating ad enjoying beautiful Cape Cod. She and her husband are heading to Bermuda before back to school. We hope she’ll squeeze in a trip report!!!
Dona says, “Honestly? We are loving a lot of things – the kids mini club, the travel club staff, the salt water pool, all the things to do onsite; but we are missing the size of Riviera Maya, the size of their suites, the variety of restaurants and the service at meals. It’s almost a 50/50 split between the two right now. Think next trip will be Punta Cana to see another huge resort and compare that.”
Philip reports: “Special Birthday celebration for Gen’s birthday. The staff at the Mexican restaurant were fantastic and went the extra mile. Special starter, bubbly, decorations and cake. Food is delicious too. Palladium Palace Ibiza”
I am enjoying “All Summer Long” by Dorothea Benton Frank.
She is one of my favorite “beach book” authors. Her books take place in South Carolina where I now live. She may have “coaxed” me here as I read her books before moving.
This book takes a wealthy Manhattan interior designer and her laid back professor husband to “downsizing” to Sullivans Island in South Carolina
I received my refund after many phone calls and getting my bank involved. Perseverance worked.
“If it sounds too good to be true it usually is”. Learned that lesson!
