Moon Dominican Republic (Moon Handbooks)

I’m surprised this book got such good reviews. I bought this along with the Lonely Planet guide because I was traveling for three weeks through the Dominican Republic. I like the Lonely Planet layout much better but it *seemed* like the Moon guide had more information and a better index. After two days in Santo Domingo I soon realized that the maps and addresses in the Moon guide were wrong about 50% of the time. At best the map showed the restaurant or historical site one or two blocks off where it actually was, but at worst it was in a completely different neighborhood from where it actually was. The Lonely Planet guide was far more accurate and useful. I threw away the Moon guide because it was basically useless in Santo Domingo. Perhaps the information was better outside of Santo Domingo but I was not going to rely on it for the rest of my travels.

I can’t believe I considered not purchasing Lebawit’s Dominican Republic Moon Book. It was a week or so before traveling, and my husband had coordinated all the flights and our stay because I was in graduated school, and coming to the end of the school term where I teach. We were traveling to celebrate both our wedding anniversary and my graduation, and we had another couple joining us. Typically I like to pre-plan a few adventures, and leave time for some looseness in our schedule. It was a week or so before our trip and I began to get anxious about what we were going to do once we got there. He had arranged for us to stay at the beautiful Sublime Samana Resort in Las Terrenas, and when Lebawit’s book arrived I was able to pick out what I wanted to see within reason- (we were there for 10 days), hike waterfalls, deep sea fish, meet locals, cook, eat, and play. We explored the Samana Pennisula with the help of our guidebook. The book is a wealth of information of where to stay, do and see in the DR. Our friends joined us from USA and Cuba, however their flight in the evening arrived after 9pm, and it is a 2.5 hr drive to Las Terrenes. We suggested they stay the night in Santa Domingo, so we cracked open Lebawit’s book and suggested the first hotel she recommended in Santa Domingo. I envisioned they could wake up and see a bit of Santa Domingo before the 2.5 hour drive to meet up with us in Las Terrenes. I grabbed the book and over the phone gave them information about hotels Lebawit recommended. When they arrived in Las Terrenes they told us how much they loved the room and hotel and they would go back and stay again. So, next time we go back to DR my husband and I will stay at the same hotel. You really need 2-3 weeks or more to explore the entire island. I can’t reference completely the names of places we went, because I gave the book a travel photographer and blogger we met from England @oletahehendricks who was planning to be there for several months exploring the island. If staying on the Samana Pennisula I would highly recommend the beach hopping tour she highlights in her book. It was the most breath taking scenery along the remote coastline and an opportunity to snorkel, but be careful of sea urchins. My husband and our friends were overjoyed with our stay. We also really appreciated learning more about the history of DR from her guide.I can’t reference completely the names of places we went, because I gave the book to a travel photographer and blogger from England @oletahehendricks who was planning to be there for several months exploring the island. We are talking about revisiting the DR, so I will be purchasing Lebawit’s guidebook again! I felt like having her guidebook was like having a friend leave you a lovely letter about an amazing place she loves☺ Thank you!

My boyfriend and I are heading to the DR in a couple of days. I just purchased this last week and have just begun to read it. It has a nice lay out, easy to read, and very informative. Tons of info on where to stay and where to eat, etc. I really feel like I am getting a feel of the country. I do wish I had it before so I could have used it while planning. Not knowing anything about the DR, I wasn't sure what all there is to do on the island (silly me) and ended up not wanting to stay for more than 5 nights (two in Santo Domingo, 3 in Bavaro/Punta Cana). Now with reading the book I am convinced I'll need to visit this island may times to see everything the DR has to offer. The book will help me plan more trips in the future!

No maps for villages like in Rough Guide. Terrible hosts at Punta Rucia, Casa Libre, aka Casita Mariposa - terrible host! Vulgar, rude, poor connection with snorkeling guy -Didn't like flipping around so much in the book to find info about a certain thing - too many references throughout the book - better to be consolidated.Wanted local maps.

The "must have" book to launch a fabulous Dominican Republic vacation.Thanks to Lebawit Lily Girma and her amazing guidebook (or should I say bible), my friends and I had an ab fab visit to the Dominican Republic. All four of us are experienced well-traveled folks but none of us had been to the Dominican Republic before. So, what do novices do? We buy a travel book and start planning. Relying on her suggestions and advice, we not only thoroughly enjoyed every solitary day we were there, we also were wowed with every meal.Her book is chock full useful advice on how to maximize your vacay time in the D.R. and it helps you customize the ideal vacation based on your interests. We settled on traveling in the northern part of the country which is less busy and less touristy than Punta Cana and Santa Domingo.We started out at Tugaba Eco Lodge which I nestled the mountains south of Puerto Plata. Our 3-day adventure there was stellar and a great way to launch a maiden visit to D.R., shed the rigors of travel/travel prep and ease into the vacay mode. We spent the remainder of our trip at a beachside resort near Puerto Plata. It was perfect formula for a stellar Caribbean vacation. We partook in myriad excursions and day trips and her descriptions of the places fully prepared for the outings.I strongly recommend her book to novice as well as experienced travelers. As a globetrotter and fellow travel journalist I can speak from experience. Her book made my trip to my 61st country a truly wonderful experience and a fabulous birthday gift to my goddaughter.Elaine Lee

An absolutely excellent and highly informative guide with lots of very local tidbits, suggestions, and regional insights. Girma's style is a pleasure to read and well-organized chapters. Historical, cultural, and often with a local's perspective one gets a very clear picture of the DR, its inhabitants, wonders, and seemingly endless appeal. Essential reading for anyone planning to travel or move to the Dominican Republic.