Accommodations in the Dominican Republic

SkyHoppers Aerial Adventures offers Flight Training Excursions out of the Puerto Plata International Airport, located only minutes away from the finest resorts on the north coast of the DR. The northern coastline is generally known as 'Puerto Plata', however the various resorts are located within distinct resort developments and municipalites. Dozens of resorts have been developed along the north coast over the past 30 years. Chief among these is the the Playa Dorada resort complex, located only 10 miles west of the Puerto Plata International airport. Situated on 250 acres, Playa Dorada is a gated resort complex offering travelers the choice of fifteen resort hotels with many discos, casinos, restaurants, and a mall, as well as exclusive access to 13 miles of beautiful sandy Playa Dorada.

Of the many resort hotels, SkyHoppers recommends any of the 3 Victoria Hotels, being the best that Playa Dorada has to offer. The Victoria hotels operates 3 resorts for you to choose from depending on your vacation needs and budget. These resorts include the uber-luxurious Casa Colonial, the family-oriented Gran Ventana Beach Resort, and the Victoria Golf and Beach Resort. All 3 hotel resorts are located within 15 minutes drive from the airport, and provide meeting rooms for aerial excursion planning and ground instruction, as well as transportation to and from the airport. Our bilingual staff will be pleased to help you arrange accommodations in any of these resorts. Please be advised all prices listed below are approximate, and subject to change by the hoteliers.

Casa Colonial

All-suite small luxury hotel with a world-class spa. As the first Small Luxury Hotel of the World in the Dominican Republic, Casa Colonial is the ultimate in refined design and impeccable service. This tastefully intimate resort, features an exceptional fusion of old-world elegance with distinctly contemporary style. The resort sets its colonial chic vibe with sheer curtains, eclectic furnishings, fabric light elements and original works of art throughout. Within the hotel, the acclaimed Lucia restaurant offers fusion cuisine artfully prepared. The Bagua spa provides guests with a cross-cultural spa experience. Bagua's Spa menu features the best of indigenous and European treatments available. Nightly high season rates begin at approximately $400 for a Junior Suite, and up to $750 or more their most exclusive suites.

Gran Ventana Beach Resort

All-inclusive comfort for singles, couples and families. The Gran Ventana Beach Resort offers a distinctive blend of sophisticated design with the charm and hospitality of the Dominican Republic. Amenities include nightly live music and entertainment for adults, one adult pool with a swim-up bar and an additional pool located in resort's "quiet" wing, and numerous water sports including: water skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, catamaran and banana boats. Parents can also unwind knowing their kids are having as much fun as they are at Gran Ventana's Kid's Club. This supervised recreational program features many activities for children between 4 to 12 years of age including: volleyball, aerobics, coloring, spanish lessons, swimming contest, tennis lesson, drawing contest, club dance lesson, beach walk, sand castle contest, and birthday parties. Nightly high season rates begin at approximately $100 per person for their classic room with double beds.

Victoria Golf and Beach Resort

Charming, smaller resort focuses on the golf and honeymoon market. Golfers staying at the Victoria Golf and Beach Resort will enjoy reduced rates at the adjacent 18 hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course, as well as the service of a personal golf concierge. Victoria offers preferred rates for unlimited golf, afternoon golf, twilight golf, and packages of 5, 11, or 16 Green Fees. After golf hours you can enjoy the elegant cigar bar and lounge. Honeymooners may want to upgrade to the ultra-romantic honeymoon suites with a shower built for two and a jacuzzi on the balcony. Clients will be able to choose between "all inclusive" and "bed and breakfast" meal plans. Nightly high season rates begin at approximately $200 for double room.

If you require any assistance in making hotel reservations, or would like to explore other accommodations on the island, please contact the SkyHoppers staff by calling toll-free 800-515-4225.

Spending Money

The DR is generally a very economical place to visit and the price of meals, and local merchandise and food products is well below that of what you would expect to pay for similar items in the U.S. since the exchange rate of the dollar is very favorable. However, any imported goods that you require, from suntan lotion to gasoline are typically double the price of what you would pay in the U.S. SkyHoppers recommends bringing $500 U.S. in spending money per week, per person, depending on your outdoor activities, choice of restaurants you visit, and how much driving you plan to do. Rental cars generally cost as little as $150 U.S. per week. You should also bring 2/3 of your money in cash to obtain the best exchange rate, and only 1/3 in American Express travelers cheques as it is sometimes difficult to exchange the cheques.

When to Come and Fly with SkyHoppers

As with most of the Caribbean, the high season for travel to the DR is during the winter months. Most tourist activity occurs on the island from December 15 to April 15, when Americans come to the DR to escape the bitter cold winters, and the tropical temperatures are more pleasant than in the summer. Air fares and hotel reservations are more expensive during the high season due to the crowds, and hotels and resorts are heavily booked and often run out of vacancies two to three months in advance in the most popular spots. For this reason, SkyHoppers has partnered with the Victoria Hotels at Playa Grande, which offers both exclusive and all-inclusive Luxury Accommodations when we need them.

The low season extends from April 15 to December 15 and includes the hurricane season which begins as early as June and lasts until as late as November. In the event forecast hurricane weather interferes with your Reservation SkyHoppers will refund your deposit. Nevertheless, hurricanes are short lived and SkyHoppers invites you to make a reservation and come train during any time of the year that is convenient for you, depending on your vacation availability, and your seasonal preference. In either case, there is no shortage of activities, events, or Dominican festivals and carnivals throughout the year.

The Dominican Republic has two rainy seasons, one in the late spring and one in the fall and has an average annual rainfall of 53 inches. Due to the dramatic landscape of this island however, annual rainfall ranges between 98 inches in the northeast, to 21 inches in the southwest where Pico Duarte casts a rain shadow over that part of the island. The average annual temperature ranges between 65º and 81ºF depending on the season, though the mountainous areas can be quite temperate during the winter with temperatures dropping into the 40's.