Lonely Planet Dominican Republic (Country Guide)

 (10 customer reviews)

Lonely Planet has earned my loyalty through a lifetime of travel, but this guide is a glaring exception to their usual quality. Although it may be useful as a background read, it is so fraught with misinformation that it is worthless as an actual travel guide.

In addition to pervasive map inaccuracies, misquoted prices, misprints, and overly generous descriptions, the book's major shortcoming is that the country has changed so much since this edition was released that many of the businesses reviewed no longer exist and newer businesses aren't mentioned.

Do not buy this book until they come out with a new edition.

Excellent book for those planning to visit the DR but shun the resorts and want to see the actual country and people and do so inexpensively.

I had only a brief five day visit to the DR in the Fall of 2006 for a wedding. Even though I was traveling with a local-speaking partner who had been to the DR many times, I still bought the Lonely Planet book and used it to help build an itinerary. I only had a chance to visit the Southeast corner of the country, as well as the city of Santo Domingo. The Lonely Planet guide helped me find clean and affordable accomodations for less than $50USD/night right on the beach where we rented a local fishing boat for two days to go diving and snorkeling in the local reefs. I'm looking forward to going back to explore other parts of the country. Rental cars were inexpensive, but driving in the DR is an experience as it almost seemed like a "free-for-all" at times. The main Interstate is well maintained, but a majority of the local roads are not. The Lonely Planet guide ~as always~ was accurate and helpful.