CDC Lifts Restriction

 

This is great news for most American travelers and for the industry in general. Find out more HERE!

Birthday Surprise

It's been more than 15 years since I first began this blog. I had been to the DR several times and wanted to start blogging about my experiences and hopefully provide helpful information to readers who were considering a trip of their own. Life has taken us in different directions, presented various challenges and the scene in the DR has changed significantly since I first blogged about it.

The blogging experience has also changed, I don't have the same blog supporters/contributor's I once had and reader's seem to be more interested in skin than other content. And whereas I know you're out there, comments and other interaction has been scant as of late.

15 years is a long time to sustain a blog. I hope you have been enlightened, have laughed, have been made to feel sentimental and above all, have visited my beloved Dominican Republic as a result of something you saw here on the blog.

As I celebrate a milestone I realize it is time for another season to begin. The blog will be winding down as I post the final pictures I have stored. Who knows, I may pop in every blue moon to post my travel experiences. Thank you all for your support. May you always have sunshine, turquoise waters, palm trees and beaches-you know, tropical desires!

Expanding Horizons

 In a significant boost to its tourism, the Dutch Caribbean island of Statia has opened its first full-fledged resort hotel. 

The new Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort officially opened its doors at the beginning of this month. 

The resort has a mix of rooms and suites, with amenities including a pool with a sun terrace, a spa, a restaurant, in-room dining and a fitness center. Click HERE for more information, courtesy of CaribJournal.

Fire at Iberostar in Puerto Plata

 Social media was prompt to report on a major fire on Tuesday, 10 August 2021 in the evening at the Iberostar Costa Dorada in Puerto Plata. The details of the fire are yet to be forthcoming. The hotel was in operation. Guests and employees were evacuated. No injuries have been reported, but material losses are expected to be high.

Bountiful Barbados

 

Are you looking for a swank all-inclusive in a Caribbean destination that still feels like the Caribbean? Barbados continues to increase their offerings of accommodations. The latest has several levels to suit your budget and your taste. If you're wanting to travel this autumn or winter (the resort opens in October) this may be just for you! Click HERE.

source: CaribJournal

New Adults-Only in Punta Cana

 We are always excited to share information regarding adults-only accommodations, realizing that some travelers prefer to have a sexy, mature experience, away from screaming kids. The Live Aqua Beach Resort is just such a place! Read more HERE.

Fully Vaccinated?

 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention released updated travel guidance for Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, eliminating some previous testing and quarantine recommendations as long as precautions continue to be followed.

The full details of this update can be found on the CDC's website but, when you're ready to explore the world again, TravelZoo will be waiting with amazing getaways and experiences that offer:

• Once-in-a-lifetime savings
• Tons of flexibility including the ability to receive a 100% refund if your plans change
• The ability to save now and choose your travel dates later

They've curated a collection of 40+ hotels & resorts around the globe. These deals save up to 65% and most include travel through 2021 and beyond.

AA Adds Flights to Samana

 

American Airlines has opened a Charlotte-Samana flight in time for summer vacations. The flight is expected to revive US tourism in the northeastern tourist destination. Samaná is best known for its contrasting low hills and lovely beaches and for its gastronomy. The flight would start in June 2021.

The flight would be from the International Charlotte-Douglas Airport in North Carolina to the El Catey International Airport in Samana. 

The Beginning of Hope

 

It is likely that the first vaccines to arrive to the Dominican Republic will be supplied by the Collaboration for Equitable Global Access to Covid-19 Vaccines (Covax) through the Covid-19 Global Access Fund for Vaccines, promoted by the World Health Organization.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative in the country, Olivier Ronveaux, said yesterday that the Dominican Republic will receive 542,400 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine starting this month. Between 25 to 35% of these doses "will be arriving in the country by the middle or end of February," he said.

The Dominican government has contracted around 20 million doses to Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Covax, among other suppliers.

Testing at Hotels

 

President Luis Abinader announced on 18 January 2021 that US tourists staying at resorts in the Dominican Republic will be able to get tested at their hotels before departure. The US government is now requiring antigen (IgG/IgM test results within 72 hours of departure.

Carnaval 2021 cancelled in SD

 

https://dr1.com/forums/threads/.395801/#post-5571847

The National District city government announced the suspending of the annual carnival parade in 2021. Already, the organizers of the La Vega carnival canceled. The events congregate hundreds of thousands of people.

The city government says that the priority is people’s health. The intense practicing of the dance troupes, the organization and the parades that bring together thousands of people would be putting too many people at risk of catching Covid-19.

Read more in Spanish:
El Dia

Major Hotel Development Coming!

 

President Luis Abinader attended the start of construction of the first Iberostar hotel built outside of a beach destination in the Dominican Republic. Iberostar, the Spanish hotel chain that has operations in Punta Cana (5), Puerto Plata (1) and Bayahibe (1) beach destinations, announces it will build the Iberostar Heritage Mercedes Hotel in the historic center of Santo Domingo. The hotel will open at the location of the abandoned centuries-old Hotel Las Mercedes on Calle Las Mercedes in the Colonial City

The hotel will be five stories high and have 131 rooms, a spa, a swimming pool and a 700-meter hall for events. The hotel is a US$25 million investment. Iberostar plans to open the hotel in May 2022.

The chain will market the Iberostar Heritage Las Mercedes with its other landmark hotels in historic locations around the world. With the Heritage brand, the Spanish lodging company seeks to introduce its guests to places with art, culture and history.

Read more in Spanish:
DR1 News
El Nacional

Travel Updates for D.R.

 Changes are coming as health, technology, science and travel continue to evolve during the pandemic.

Starting at the end of September, all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be covered with a temporary comprehensive health and travel insurance plan. The medical and trip protection insurance plan for visitors will cover hospitalization for coronavirus in the tourism destinations in the country, extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes.

Only random testing will be carried out at airports. Visitors will not be required to bring test results to travel here. The random rapid breathalyzer testing is set to start at the end of September. Once this measure is in place, the current requirement that travelers come with a negative PCR Covid-19 test or be subject to random antibody blood test at the airports will be eliminated.

Read the full story HERE.

Shutting Down Again

 

The US Virgin Islands is “putting the brakes” on tourism, closing its doors to leisure visitors beginning Aug. 19 for a period of at least one month. 

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr announced the move, reverting the territory to a “Stay-at-Home” phase of its COVID-19 response for the next two weeks. 

“The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk,” the Governor said. “This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our health care and public safety infrastructure.”

Effective immediately, all hotels, villas, Airbnb accommodations and guest houses, charter vessels and similar businesses have been ordered not to accept or book any new reservations for a month. 

Reservations are only being accepted for business travelers, flight crews, emergency personnel and government workers with written authorization from the government agency they are visiting. 

Beginning Aug. 17 through Aug. 31, all restaurants can only offer takeout, delivery or drive-through, with all bars, nightclubs and cabarets closed. 

St. Maarten Now Open to Americans

Caribbean Journal-

On Aug. 1 St Maarten officially reopened its borders to travelers from the United States, following a July relaunch to Canadian and European tourists and private aviation. 

It should be noted that only St Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is open to Americans and all other travelers; 

Saint Martin, the French side, has closed its borders to the Dutch side — meaning U.S. visitors are not able to visit the French side of the island right now. 

Most crucially, all travelers to St Maarten must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their travel date to St Maarten. (All visitors also need to fill out a St Maarten entry form that can be found here). 

The results must be uploaded as part of that form no later than 12 hours prior to departure. 

Visitors who do not provide such a result will be tested and then quarantined for 14 days at their own expense. 

St Maarten has launched six “core measures” to help prevent the spread of COVID.

That includes physical distancing with proper floor markings, mandatory face mask usage, social distancing of 2 meters, proper self-sanitization procedure, the appropriate procedure for cleaning surfaces, a stay-at-home when sick policy, and digital menus and messages, the Ministry of Tourism said. 

St Maarten is requiring all visitors to travel with their masks, hand sanitizers and to wear their mask on their flights and at the airport. 

The destination is also “strongly advising” travelers to purchase all-risk travel insurance “ensuring that they are covered in the event they fall ill while on vacation.”

Curfews Are Back in Santo Domingo

President Danilo Medina issued Decree 266-20, establishing differentiated curfews nationwide. The curfew measures follow the enacting of a new National State of Emergency starting 20 July for 45 days as per Decree 265-20 issued also on Monday, 20 July.

The government explained that the curfews respond to the differences among the National District and provinces regarding the spread of the disease and the rate of test-positivity. The government says this requires differentiated actions to achieve greater effectiveness in implementing public policies to combat Covid-19.

The most extended curfew will be from 5pm to 5am Monday through Friday and from 5pm to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be in effect in the National District and Santo Domingo province (Greater Santo Domingo). Greater Santo Domingo has more than 50% of the cases nationwide. It will also go in effect for 15 other provinces.

These curfews will go into effect as of 21 July for a 20-day period. The Presidency says that if the epidemiological stats evolve will determine whether these are extended.

The Presidency reminds all that face masks are mandatory in public places and recommends the use even in private places as an essential measure to control the spread of the disease.

12 Caribbean Islands That are Open

This LINK presents the Caribbean destinations that are open for tourists at this time. The first, Anguilla, has only had under a hand full of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. The final four are restricting American tourists from entering their borders at this time.

If you are looking to get away before the real probability of most countries shutting down again then this information will be helpful to you as you prepare to vacation in the new normal. There is also a mention of additional documentation or requirements you may need.

Among the list are Anguilla, St. Barts, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Bonaire and Curacao.

DR Ready to Re-open!

CaribJournal:

The entire country of the Dominican Republic will open up for international tourism beginning July 1, according to Lucien Echavarria, director at the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.

In an exclusive interview with Caribbean Journal, Echavarria said about 40-50 percent of the country’s hotel inventory would open its doors in July, with the remaining hotels expected to open in November.

Although she couldn’t provide further details about the carrier names at press time, she noted that the destination will receive “several” flights on July 1.

Indeed, Punta Cana International Airport confirmed that it was restarting commercial operations on July 1.

Getting There

With more and more Caribbean destinations re-opening one might ask, but how will I get there?

Antigua & Barbuda joined Jamaica this week as the latest islands to announce they are open for tourists. As others plan to join the growing number of countries loosening restrictions, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines announced they are now providing service to the Caribbean.

Many hotels, airports and sea ports have instituted strict new policies in order to provide travelers a safe and pleasant experience in the new Covid-19 era.

Visit caribjournal for more details.

Destinations Re-open

As several countries enter various phases of re-opening they are considering opening their borders as well. Which means travel may be in your future sooner than originally thought.

Several Caribbean countries have fared well during the pandemic and are now officially announcing their re-opening and they are ready to welcome travelers back to their islands, with the mandated modifications of course. Visit caribjournal.com for details.