Bottom Line UpFront: A+. Great trip that all private pilots/aircraft owners should do!
My wife and I flew our Seneca with 9 other GA aircraft, and 21 people to the Dominican Republic to spend three days at the most northwest point of the DR, near the border with Haiti, an out of the way area called Monte Cristi. (
https://www.visitdominicanrepublic.org/parque-nacional-monte-cristi).
We all flew into Puerto Plata (MDPP) for customs and fuel. The FBO had a big beautiful spread of lunch for us, gave us another lunch to go, and couldn't do enough for us, bending over backwards to welcome us. Then a short flight to MDMC where we were greeted with smiles, coconut water, and big bags of DR swag all emblazoned with "Dominican Republic is friendly to Pilots."
Jim Parker and Margie Bauer are longtime leaders of small groups (
https://www.caribbeanflyingadventures.com/FlyIns.htm). They did a flawless job of arranging everything. All the entry and exit paperwork, fuel, waiving of airport fees, transportation, excursions, tours, gratuities, drinks, beer, and lots of "Cuba Libres" (rum and cokes and lime juice). Jim even arranged to have temporary customs and a temporary "tower" at MDMC for our departure.
The hotel (
https://elmorro.com.do/) wasn't the Ritz but it was quite comfortable and staff was wonderful. The food, while not gourmet, was certainly comfortable and indicative of Dominican cuisine. All meals and beverages were all included. They, as every other Dominican we encountered, couldn't do enough for us and made us feel totally welcome. There was no hint of safety concerns nor any visible military presence despite the proximity to the Haitian border.
This was a relaxing, EASY trip to do. Jim and Margie were a delight with easy-going attitudes and great flexibility. Their small fee was well worth the value they bring and we loved being on the trip with them and every one of our tripmates and will definitely book another one.
