Q-  How do I use this website to book a vacation property in the Dominican Republic?

A-  The website was designed to give you a look at our rental properties and the various rental activities available to you on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  Log onto our site and view the various pages at your leisure.  Our website does not include a lot of flash as we have tried to keep it basic and to the point for most Internet browsers.  We do have some music and photos that may slow the download times on some older modems and connections. Once you find a villa that you would like to rent, click onto the availability link to see if the villa is available for rent on the dates requested.  If the villa is available, you simply go to the Online Villa booking page to make a reservation and payment directly online.  It is that simple.

Q-  Are the prices listed on your website the lowest possible prices?

A-  Yes, we represent the individual owners of the selected rental properties.  We offer owner direct rental prices on our website.

Q- Are there any hidden charges or other costs we need to consider when booking online?

A-  No.  Our website does a very good job in outlining all the various options.  The only additional charge is the 16% Government Tax & Fee and upon departure a 7% Villa service-charge is necessary to cover the cost of credit cards when used to pay departure charges.  This fee is necessary as  we must pay the local tour operators in cash and our cost for credit services related to additional sales while in residence is approximately 7% of the related charges.  You can always pay in cash or travelers check and avoid this additional service-credit fee. We define a Cash payment is defined as:  a bank check drawn on any US Federal Reserve Bank, Travelers Check, or an electronic wire transfer to our designated rental agent.

Q-  What is the best way to get specific questions answered that may not be listed on the website?

A- To get answers to any of your questions email us: richard@caribbean-vacation-properties.com  We will be happy to assist you with any of your vacation plans and answer any questions you may have regarding our website or the various activities available to you on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  In many cases, we will be able to pre-book activities and save you a considerable amount over regular resort prices or same day booking charges made by the various attractions. We have many connections to assist you with almost any vacation activity.

Q-  What makes your website different from all the others offering Dominican villas for rent?

A-  The answer is very simple.  We take great pride in the villas listed on our website.  Our Management Team has extensive knowledge of each property and we deal directly with the owners eliminating all middle men and agents.  We require each property owner to adhere to strict standards in order to have their property listed on our website and we do not accept any properties unless our standards are maintained. In addition, we are not a paid site.  We do not charge our owners to have their property listed on this website.  We do require our owners to maintain their property based upon our recommendations and higher rental standards.  We require all our property owners to have some type of backup electrical generation system.

Q-  What makes the properties listed on your site better than others listed on the Internet?

A-  Our properties are: (1) Located in gated secure communities. (2) Have backup electrical generation systems (3) Are new or have recently updated air conditioning, electrical & plumbing (4) Are located within walking distance to a beach and each property has its own private swimming pool & garden (4) Offer resort all inclusive food & beverage packages or have a private staff (5) Each property is a private vacation home to an individual owner and maintained to a higher standard than a resort hotel room or suite.

Q-  Your prices seem higher than some of the other websites listing rental properties, why is that?

A-  The best answer to this question is the old saying; "You get what you pay for".  You will find many villas listed for what appears to be hundreds of dollars less per week but the comparison is critical to a successful vacation.   Most of these properties do not offer security, backup electricity  and provide little more than a room with a bed and a fan.  If they promote air conditioning, the air conditioners are generally out of refrigerant, broken or non-existent.  You can generally forget about cable TV with HBO or anything other than the most basic amenities.  In addition, electricity is a major issue in the Dominican Republic. During an electrical outage, you are not able to do anything.  The plumbing stops because electric runs the pumps that supply water in the Dominican Republic.  Yes, this means the toilets & water don't work when the electric goes out.  If you are renting from a property that depends upon the electricity supply from the Government, you can be without electric for as much as 8 hours per day in some areas.  This alone will totally ruin your vacation.

Our objective is to have you visit us and join our family of annual returning guests.  We could not accomplish this goal by representing inferior properties. This is the key reason our prices may be higher than some others listed on the Internet.  It is our belief that an informed consumer (vacationer) is one that shops for something other than price, especially on the Internet.  We like to think that we provide you with a Rolls Royce at Cadillac prices.  We offer services to those shopping for luxury rather than economy. Our website offers the best rentals the Dominican Republic has to offer at the most reasonable prices.

Dominican Republic  FAQ

Q-  What do I do upon arrival at the airport in Puerto Plata?

A-  Upon arrival at the Puerto Plata International Airport you will be required to have all your custom and immigration forms completed and ready for inspection.  You will also be required to purchase a Tourist Card.  Once you complete your forms and pass thru the Customs & Immigration area you will enter the luggage pickup area.  Get your luggage and proceed outside the terminal building.  Look for a transportation host with a “Name Sign” or someone wearing a Caribbean Vacation Properties. T-Shirt. You will be taken directly to your rental villa. 

Q-  How do I rent a car?

A-  We strongly suggest arranging a rental car prior to arrival.  There are several rental companies located at the airport terminal and our travel host will be happy to assist you in securing a car prior to your arrival in the Dominican Republic. We can also arrange for a private car & driver for your pleasure while in residence.

Q-   How do I get from the airport to my villa rental?

A-  You have several options: (1) we can arrange roundtrip transfers with our own VIP Airport Transfer Service. (2) You can take a local taxi. (3) You can rent a car at the airport.  (4) You can walk, but we suggest that you arrange transportation with us prior to arrival.  If you book your flight on American Airlines directly with us, you will receive 50% OFF the cost of our VIP Airport Transportation Service. 

Q-   How do I check-in upon arrival at the villa?

A-  You do not have to worry about checking in at a hotel reception desk.  You are important to us, and your villa will be ready and waiting for you.  Upon arrival, we encourage our guests to relax and get acquainted with the villa and the private villa grounds.  If you elected to rent one of the Cofresi Villas, you can take a walk around the resort complex, visit the beach, pop into the numerous restaurants & bars located on our resort property or just have a snack, something to drink and take a dip in your own private pool.  Leave your stress & worries at the airport and start your vacation by enjoying your first day in the Dominican Republic.

Q-   Where can I go to have fun during the day?

A-  We are located close to everything and there is plenty to do during the day.  You can relax within the resort complex and take advantage of many resort amenities or you can do what we recommend.  Get out and experience everything the North coast has to offer.  We can assist you with plans for:  Shopping, Casinos, Golf, Adventure Tours, Deep Sea Fishing, Sightseeing, Mountain Bike Tours, Dolphin Theme Park & Dolphin Encounters.  Just about anything you would like to do, we can arrange.

Q-   Where can I go to have fun at night?

A-  There are plenty of great places to go at night.  In Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete there are several restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, shopping centers, and hotel complexes that all welcome visitors.  Cabarete Beach is a great place to go for beach side dining at great prices.  Sosua is a great town to visit for excellent restaurants and wild nights.  Sosua has great beach front souvenir shacks that offer the best shopping experience and prices for tourists.  Cabarete Beach comes alive at night with gourmet restaurants, beachfront bars and night clubs - all within walking distance of each other.

Q-   Where are the best restaurants?

A-  In addition to Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete and Playa Dorada, there are several good restaurants within walking distance of your villa on Cofresi Beach.  Hacienda Resorts offers all villa guests full use of their restaurants, bars, disco and night entertainment either on a cash basis or on the resort all inclusive option.