Full Day Tour to Isla Saona and Altos de Chavon

Starting communication must improve, my tour was originally on March 28, but they did not communicate. I had to escalate and contact viartor for them to contact me. After several attempts they changed my day because they did not have more people that day with one of their drivers. On this occasion I was able to make the change, but what would happen if the next day I returned to my country? the experience was damaged for me. When the driver communicated, I began to feel calmer because he already had communication and despite the change of day, I could count on them again. They were exact at the time they picked me up. The driver named Yonathan was professional, humble and respectful, he was the only one who deserved the tip. The tour guide named Gustavo lacked knowledge of the place (altos de chavon) what he narrated was very basic and he could not answer the questions that were asked about the place. He himself worked as a photographer and asked for different positions to take photos. Already on the way to take the boat they were professional and organized. once we are on the boat they play music with ballerinas but you want to know the culture of the country you are visiting and not listen to music from another country. We arrived at the natural pool, it was the best of the trip. They should offer this trip alone and last more than 2 hours, one loses a lot of time in the scam of the photographer Gustavo taking photos. When we got to Isla Saona the food buffet was excellent and I want to mention that I am a chef with 25 years of experience. they comply with all the health requirements to handle food at adequate temperatures. We asked the photographer the cost of the photos and he refused to answer. I insisted on how much it could be and he replied that it could be negotiated and that the photos could cost $10.00 each. when you return it is on a catamaran almost two hours back, but it is part of the sacm so that they have time to transfer the photos to their ipad and be able to offer them. When I asked Gustavo (scam) he told us that photo packages start at $150.00. I was only interested in 8 that were $80.00 and he refused to sell them. In my group no one bought from him and we were 7 people. I counted how many photos we would have bought between all of us and Gustabo lost $180.00. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THE PHOTOS. Back at the port, the tour guide who called himself Papi wanted us to walk to the hotel because according to him it was faster, but we were tired from the whole trip and we wanted the bus to drop us off at the hotel entrance. He insisted several times, he was able to notice my annoyance and then he tried to fix what he told us. the driver Yonathan was very kind and gladly took us back to the hotel. This review is so that they can improve the experience and that other people can enjoy what I liked and can avoid what I did not like. I recommend Viartor 100% for booking tours in any country. I used it in Panama, Colombia and now in the Dominican Republic.

First of all I have to say, that the island is very beautiful and the party on the boat we took to the island was amazing. But when you travel alone the whole feeling is a bit different. I give you two examples: - In the end of the tour the driver gave us bottles of mamajuana with the taken photo on it to buy for 20 US. Its a nice idea , but my photo was not printed on any bottle! Is it because I travel alone?? SORRY but I couldnt understand it. Though I did not want to buy one, It would be friendly to give ANY guest on the excursion the possibility to buy it. - The guide asked anyone in the bus for the name of the hotel to bring us back home. He knew that I am here alone but I was the only one who he was NOT asking. I had to shout through the bus and finally the guide saw me and asked me for my hotel... not professional at all. I have to say, that the tour guide on this day was really strange... not a real nice guy! And the worst thing: I booked the combination: Saona AND Altos de Chavon for 85 US. The night before (!) they said that Altos de Chavon will be canceled, so I just can do Saona. For me it was ok, but UNTIL TODAY they didnt gave me back the money (10 US missing). Do the trip to Saona BUT NOT WITH THIS COMPANY!

I should have know from the moment he told me that my hotel was not on his pick up route that he wouldn't show up. I asked for clarification, since the trip description said they "picked up from any hotel". I really wanted to go to Saona Island so I kept my trip. The weather was going to be really bad on the day of my trip, so I rescheduled my day trip with Carlos for the next day. I was waiting for him, ready for my tour. After 30 minutes, I called to see where he was and he told me he wasn't coming. When I asked about a refund, he said I would get my money back through Expedia. Expedia NEVER gave me my money back because he did not ANSWER his phone after various attempts, I was told I simply would not be getting my money back; pretty sure he knew I wouldn't be able to get reimbursed. Paid 85.00 dollars for NOTHING. Do not trust them. If they sound iffy about pick you up from the hotel, go ahead and CANCEL before you lose your money.