Vacationing in Punta Cana: In Conversation with Kelly Mazur

This month, we’re interviewing women from all over the world and asking them about their travels to the Caribbean Islands.  We had the privilege of speaking with Kelly Mazur about her travels to the Dominican Republic.  Here’s a glimpse into our conversation.

Tell us about yourself! What do you do when you’re not traveling the world? Where do you live? What made you decide to go to your most recent destination?

I’m a travel blogger from Canada who has spent the past two years traveling around the world. I’ve lived in Barcelona, Sydney, and Brisbane – but right now I call Toronto home!

How long did you go for? How did you spend your time?

I went to Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) for one week. This trip was all about rest and relaxation! Most days were spent on the beach – either playing in the ocean, working on my tan or getting a beach-side massage. At night I indulged in fresh seafood dinners and listened to live music.

What were your most memorable experiences? What were the biggest disappointments?

The most memorable experience for me was the picture-perfect beach! My boyfriend and I loved that we were able to stop working for a week and just enjoy the beach. The biggest disappointment was how touristy the resorts feel in Punta Cana. We weren’t able to experience any of the local culture.

What do you wish you knew before you went?

I wish I knew how little activities I would be doing – so I could have packed less! I probably could have packed a carry-on only and just brought 3 or 4 dresses and a few bikinis.

Any favorite restaurants/hotels/hostels/sites you’d like to recommend? Tell us what made them great!

We’ve been to 5 hotels in Punta Cana, and Paradisus Palma Real is our favorite. This resort is nothing but luxury, and the restaurants are top notch too! As soon as you enter into the lobby you get sweeping views of the ocean – it’s such a nice way to say “vacation has begun!”.

Is there anything that women specifically should know before they travel to your destination?

Understand that a trip to the Dominican Republic is more vacationing than it is traveling. You won’t experience a lot of the culture, and you may not have a lot of different activities – but you’ll come home feeling very refreshed and relaxed!