Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel

In July 2008, I wrote about (click here for the post) I received a couple of emails from people who had been swindled by John Rodriguez (a.k.a. Juan Rodriguez). He is involved with a company called Dominican Gay Tours & Travel (a.k.a. Dominican Tours & Travel). Through this company they supposedly run: Caribbean Paradise Villa, Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel, and the Cabarete Colors Hotel. John/Juan is a very smooth operator. He is a gay Dominican who speaks English well, and all seems on the up-and-up. But, once he has you on the line he has you send a deposit using MoneyGram. Wrong move! You should not send any money to anyone you don't know, unless you are using a credit card. This way, if you are swindled you can have your credit card company get your money back for you (or at least try to).

I am starting to get several emails from unsuspecting gay tourists asking the same questions again. If you see the name Dominican Gay Tours & Travel, Dominican Travel & Tours, Caribbean Paradise Villa, Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel, Cabarete Colors Hotel, or John or Juan Rodriguez, you should RUN!!!!!!

Happy Thursday

Honestly, I have wanted to update the blog ever since the day after Thanksgiving. But, problems with the Internet prevented me from updating. Even my Vonage connection was fucked. All seems to be well now. I hope.

Thanksgiving (an American holiday) here was very nice. Ever since David Lee left, there had been a void in my social set about what to do come holiday time. This year I decided I would try and step in and fill the void. I decided that the best thing to do was to have a potluck dinner. Everyone would bring a dish. I was not disappointed. I even ventured to make a couple of pumpkin pies, thanks to a recipe by Paula Deen. And they turned out quite nice, thank you very much. Great time was had by all.

The weather has changed and it is now quite breezy at night. To the point that I am seeing people with semi-heavy jackets on. I even saw a well-dressed woman with a fur stole (imitation?). I LOVE this weather, so I am still out there with short sleeves and flip flops. I do admit that a couple of nights ago I had to turn the ceiling fan off and put an extra sheet on the bed, as it was quite chilly. Nothing like the Caribbean changing of the seasons.

I have been inundated with news about a new hotel in Bavaro/Punta Cana that is supposed to be gay friendly. It is called the Bavaro Rainbow Hotel. I don't know who is behind this hotel and don't know if it is legitimate or not. What I do know is that Dominican Gay Tours & Travel is afilliated with this venture. Regular readers of the blog know that there has been some discrepancy with this company and its practices. Click here to see what I wrote about them in July of this year. Here is my suggestion, DO NOT send them cash to them through MoneyGram or Western Union, pay with a credit card ONLY. This way if there is a problem your credit card company will refund your money. I am interested to find out if anyone has stayed there?

Here are some other news:

JetBlue Announces Service from Fort Lauderdale to Santo Domingo

Documentary: Man Hunters

Dominican Tours & Travel

I received this email yesterday:

Hi Anthony.

First of all, I just returned from Santo Domingo and had the BEST time. I loved the country and people that I saw and met and can't wait to go back.

Now, unfotunately, I had an experience with a gay tour operator and I am hoping to can help get the word out to your readers and friends about them:

Dominican Tours and Travel.
CABARETE COLORS HOTEL.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Phone: 809-967-1491 DOM REP
www.cabaretecolorshotel.20m.com
www.dominicantoursandtravel.20m.com
Av. Winston Churchill esqu. Correo y Cidron #2B, Sto, Dgo, Dominican Republic.

I contacted them about a full day tour from Santo Domingo to Saona Island and sent them via Money Gram the fee of $175, plus the $14 fee to send....a total of $189. The tour was to have taken place this past Friday, July 25 and I was to have been contacted at my hotel the night before to confirm. When I had not heard from them by 7:30 I emailed and called and received no reply. No one contacted me and the tour did not take place. Although I can absorb the financial loss, I hate to see things like this mar the impression visitors have of your beautiful country. I was SO disappointed!

Thanks for any assistance in warning people about this guy and company.

Stephen Browning
Palm Desert, California

I have sent the company this email and asked for their response. If I receive a reply I will be posting it here for all to see. In the meantime, if you don't know of a company personally, or gotten a recommendation from a reliable source, don't wire money to anyone. This just doesn't pertain to the Dominican Republic, this is anywhere. Use a credit card. That way, if you don't get the services promised you can let the credit card company take care of it.

Buyer Beware!

Update (7/31/2008): I received a response from John Rodriguez, from Dominican Tours & Travel, stating they never received the money. Stephen forwarded me the email correspondence, along with a copy of the receipt from MoneyGram. I am awaiting further response from the company.
Update (8/2/2008): Still no response from the company, but I have heard from a couple of other people who have similar stories to tell. I heard from a travel agent in Venezuela who told me about paying monies and receiving nothing. So again, be careful of this company. Several people are starting to put warnings on different gay travel boards. Don't send money to anyone that you don't know by wire transfer. Always use a credit card, this way you can dispute it later with the credit card company. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!!!