Dominican Republic-April Break Family Getaway

As educators, we usually have to pay higher prices for travel because we only get off during school breaks. April break travel can be very expensive. I was able to take a family vacation to celebrate my daughter’s milestone birthday in the Dominican Republic for less than you would think! Here are some tips for a great DR vacation…. 1) First things first….plan early. Choose a destination that is cost effective because flights will be higher during this time. The RIU Palace in Punta Cana Dominican Republic is an all inclusive resort that has everything you need for an unforgettable time. 2) Just Ask! The workers were attentive and made my daughter feel extra special all week for her birthday. From balloons, to reserved seating and a beautiful cake….all at no extra charge! All we had to do was ask. 3) Party On! Experiencing a RIU themed party is a must! Even my mom enjoyed these events. They are conveniently located a short walk away (still on the resort property) from our personal resort and it includes food and drinks as part of your all inclusive package. If you get tired, enjoy the table seating and high top tables until you are ready to get your groove back on. 4) Choices Choices! With several food choices besides the main dining room (which was our absolute favorite) you can’t go wrong at this resort. Some restaurants open at different times and require a dress code or reservation so make sure you check out the requirements ahead of time. We visited Yokohama the Japanese restaurant and while the food wasn’t our favorite in terms of taste, the ambiance was beautiful. When the munchies hit late at night, room service has you covered. Sandwiches, nachos, salads and even raspberry cheesecake will be delivered to your door free of charge. 5) What To Do Next? Whether it’s taking a walk on the pristine beach, eating scrumptious jerk chicken from the beach grill, striking a pose with a flying dress photo, parasailing with family or having a relaxing massage right there on the beach with the most fabulous views at sunset….there is something for everyone here. This resort kept the drinks flowing, the smiles remained on our faces and most of all we spent quality time together at a great price (less than $225 per person a night for this Easter/Passover timeframe but I checked out their site recently and you can get stays as low as $120 per night per person depending on the date) 6) Flights from New York $$$ Flights were expensive in April. We utilized budget airlines and packed light (thanks Frontier) For our return trip home, we had to be smart and fly into a different state nearby (Philadelphia) and take the Greyhound the rest of the way to cut costs. All in all, the trip went great. I utilized the buy now, pay later options and made monthly payments to be able to afford this memorable getaway. Would visit again in a heartbeat!