Dominican Republic - Christmas 2015

Good Afternoon:

I think that me and the family will be heading to Punta Cana for a week after Christmas. Has anyone ever gone to any of the casinos? I am trying to budget for the trip. I normally do 1000-1500 a day in Vegas but unsure how good the casinos are and how much we will actually play.

Any advise or tips for Punta Cana is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I'm interested in the as well. Looking at booking Hard Rock first week of Nov for 20th anniversary. Any reviews on HR Punta Cana? Where are you staying?

 

I think we are going to stay at Iberostar Bavaro - Booking it through SWA Vacations. Roughly 19k for a week for 8 People.

 

We last went to DR about ten years ago. Iberostar was very nice. The casino, however, not so much. It was very small. My wife and I didn't play blackjack for very long until we doubled down on a bet and received one card. What was not expected was the ace the dealer had for a hole card, giving her 21. She took the original wager and the doubled wager and laughed at us. :evillaugh We got up and left forthwith. The following evening we took a cab, complete with armed driver, to the RIU property. The RIU had guards at their gate carrying submachine guns. I don't even recall trying to gamble there, simply returning to Iberostar and not venturing off the property again until the tour bus took us to the airport to come home.

Good luck!

 

There were reports a few years ago of people running up $20,000 tabs on their credit card in some sort of scam where you win at first and then the losses mount. A search for "Punta Cana casino scams" will show you lots of stories.

 

The hard rock is where the locals go to prey on female tourists. They know most wont wander off outside of the resorts and the Hard rock is a place that does allow all visitors. All of the other resorts require locals to pay if they want to get inside


Punta Cana is actually one of the most boring places that I've visited in the Caribbean. Ive always had to leave the resort to eat dominican meals and to listen to dominican music. I don't see the point in going to a country and not taking part in the culture.

My preferred Caribbean city remains Havana via the $20 trick

 

My family was actually booked at the hard rock in punta cana 3 weeks ago but had to cancel for personal family reasons. Ive heard they have a very small casino that is not worth playing in. I was told the property is surrounded by other resorts and is enclosed somehow.

Been told its beautiful but do not leave the resort area.

Side note, its one of my next vacation places to visit.

 

Probably will only take a couple hundred just to say I gambled a little in the DR and maybe grab a chip or two for the collection. Going to spend the gambling budget on a fishing excursion. Thank you all for your information

 

If I can offer you any advise at all please stay away from a game called Caribbean Keno.... it is a losers game ..a huge Dominican scam as several very good friends could attest too.