The Worst Vacation Ever: My Dominican Republic Disaster (And How You Can Avoid It)

I’m not being dramatic when I say this was the worst vacation I’ve ever taken. And I’ve been on some questionable trips, believe me. But this particular journey to the Dominican Republic? It was a masterclass in everything that can go wrong when you don’t do your research, ignore warning signs, and basically just wing it.

The trip cost me more than any other holiday I’ve ever taken—not just in money, but in discomfort, frustration, and actual physical suffering. My boyfriend got sick. Then I got sick. We were eaten alive by mosquitoes that I was convinced were carrying malaria. We got stuck in the mud on a flatbed truck with no seatbelts. And I accidentally grabbed a stranger’s crotch.

But here’s the thing—and I know this sounds contradictory—it also gave me one of the best days of my entire life. The day we visited Damajagua Cascades, also known as the 27 waterfalls near Puerto Plata, was absolutely incredible. It was the one day neither of us was ill, which probably helped. The waterfalls were stunning, the adventure was real, and for a few hours, I forgot about the mosquito bites covering my legs.

So I’m going to tell you this story—the good, the bad, and the muddy. And I’m going to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes I made on this trip. Because the Dominican Republic is actually amazing. I just picked the absolute worst time to go and was wildly unprepared.

Why We Chose the Dominican Republic (And Our First Mistake)

Looking back, we should have known something was off when we booked this trip. It was a last-minute decision—one of those “we need a vacation right now” moments. We’d both been working nonstop, and when we saw a deal on flights and an all-inclusive resort, we jumped on it without thinking too hard about the details.

The Dominican Republic seemed perfect. Caribbean beaches, tropical weather, adventure activities, and an all-inclusive package that meant we wouldn’t have to worry about anything. What could go wrong?

Well, apparently everything.

First mistake: We didn’t check what time of year we were going. The dates worked with our schedules, the price was right, and that was enough for us. We didn’t consider that maybe there was a reason the resort was offering such a good deal during that particular week. Spoiler alert: It was because we were traveling during the worst month to visit the Dominican Republic.

We arrived in September—peak hurricane season, peak mosquito season, and peak humidity season. The trifecta of terrible timing. But we didn’t know that yet. We were just excited to be on vacation.

Second mistake: We packed like we were going to a regular beach resort. Swimsuits, flip-flops, a couple of sundresses and shorts, sunscreen. That’s it. No bug spray, no long sleeves, no closed-toe shoes suitable for hiking. We were completely unprepared for any kind of adventure beyond lying on a beach chair.

The First Few Days: When Things Started Going Wrong

The resort was… fine. Not great, not terrible, just fine. But within 24 hours, we both noticed the mosquitoes. They were everywhere. Not just in the evenings, but during the day too. Aggressive little demons that seemed personally offended by our presence.

I got bitten on the first night. Then more bites the second day. By day three, I had bites on top of bites. My legs looked like I had some kind of rare tropical disease. Which, for all I knew, I might actually get from all these mosquito bites.

The resort staff seemed unfazed when we mentioned it. “Yes, the mosquitoes are bad this time of year,” one employee told us cheerfully, as if this was common knowledge. Which, I later learned, it absolutely was. Everyone knows that September is mosquito hell in the Dominican Republic. Everyone except us, apparently.

Then my boyfriend started feeling sick. Fever, body aches, exhaustion. Was it dengue? Malaria? Just a regular flu? We had no idea. The resort doctor checked him out and said it was probably just a virus, but to watch for symptoms getting worse. Comforting.

So there we were, a few days into our “relaxing vacation,” with one person sick in bed and the other person covered in itchy welts, Googling “can you die from too many mosquito bites” at 2 a.m.

This is when most people would just write off the trip, stay by the pool, and count down the days until they could go home. But we had already booked an excursion for the next day—an off-road adventure to the Damajagua Cascades. And by some miracle, my boyfriend woke up feeling better that morning. Not great, but functional. And I was determined to salvage at least one day of this disaster vacation.

The Off-Road Adventure: Rum, Mud, and Accidental Crotch-Grabbing

This excursion was not your typical tourist bus tour. Oh no. This was an adventure with a capital A. And perhaps a few too many capital R’s for “rum.”

Our ride for the day was a massive flatbed truck—the kind you’d see on a farm or construction site—with wooden benches bolted to the bed and a railing around the edges. No seatbelts. No padding. Just benches, a railing, and about 15 tourists who were apparently okay with this setup.

I should mention that this was 9:30 in the morning, and our guide was already passing around bottles of local rum. “It’s tradition!” he announced cheerfully. “You can’t visit the waterfalls without trying our rum!”

Now, I’m not usually much of a day drinker, but when in Rome—or Puerto Plata, as the case may be—you do as the locals do. So yes, I had rum at 9:30 a.m. Several people had quite a bit of rum, actually. Which made the bumpy ride through the hills even more exciting.

The views were incredible, I’ll give them that. Rolling green hills, dramatic cloud formations, glimpses of the ocean in the distance. And stray dogs. So many stray dogs running alongside the truck, like they were escorting us on our journey.

As we climbed higher into the mountains, the roads got progressively worse. These weren’t paved roads. They were barely roads at all—more like suggestions of where a road might have been at some point before a monsoon washed it away.

“We had some recent rainfall,” our guide mentioned casually, as we bounced over rocks and through puddles that were more like small ponds.

Everyone was laughing and enjoying the adventure, rum bottles still making the rounds. The whole thing felt like some kind of fever dream—which, given that my boyfriend had literally had a fever the day before, wasn’t that far from reality.

Then came the turn that changed everything.

The truck swerved around a muddy bend—our driver trying to avoid a particularly deep section of mud—and the entire vehicle lurched violently to the side. I was sitting on the outer bench, which meant I had no backrest, just the railing behind me. The momentum threw me sideways, directly into the passenger next to me.

A very tall man who I’d barely spoken to all morning.

In my desperate attempt to not fall off the truck entirely, I grabbed onto the first thing I could reach. Which was, unfortunately, his crotch.

I grabbed a stranger’s junk on a bouncing truck in the Dominican Republic mountains at 10:30 in the morning while mildly drunk on rum.

There was a moment—a horrible, frozen moment—where we just made eye contact. His girlfriend, sitting next to him, also made eye contact with me. Nobody said anything. What was there to say?

“Sorry,” I finally managed. “The truck—I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine,” he said quickly, his face bright red. “The turn was… yeah.”

We didn’t speak for the rest of the day. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or die of embarrassment, so I settled for staring intensely at the passing scenery and pretending it never happened.

Stuck in the Mud: The Mosquito Nightmare Begins

As if the accidental groping wasn’t enough, our truck—and another truck ahead of us—got completely stuck in the mud about 20 minutes later.

We all had to get out and stand around while the drivers and some local farm workers tried to free the vehicles. This involved a lot of revving engines, spinning tires, and mud flying absolutely everywhere. The unfortunate couple I’d already traumatized got splattered with mud. Others did too. I managed to stay relatively clean, but only because I’d positioned myself far away from the trucks out of sheer embarrassment.

Which is how I ended up standing next to a very grumpy mule in what I can only describe as a mosquito breeding ground.

The mosquitoes that had been bad at the resort? Those were nothing compared to these mountain mosquitoes. These were a different breed entirely. Bigger. More aggressive. Absolutely relentless.

I was wearing shorts and a tank top—because why would I wear anything else on a tropical vacation?—which meant I was basically offering myself up as an all-you-can-eat buffet. I tried swatting them away, but for every one I killed, three more appeared. It was like a horror movie, except instead of zombies, it was tiny flying vampires.

The mule didn’t appreciate my presence either. He kept giving me side-eye and shifting away from me, like even he knew I was bad luck.

I stood there for what felt like hours but was probably more like 45 minutes, getting devoured by insects, wondering if I was going to contract malaria or dengue or possibly both, mentally calculating how much this “vacation” was really costing me in terms of medical bills and future therapy.

This was it. This was my personal hell. Stuck in Dominican Republic mud, next to a judgmental mule, being eaten alive by what I was convinced were disease-carrying mosquitoes, having sexually assaulted a stranger earlier that morning.

At this point, I desperately needed to know everything about mosquitoes in the Dominican Republic—but it was a bit late for research.

The 27 Waterfalls: Why It Was All Worth It

Here’s where the story takes a turn, because after we finally got unstuck from the mud and continued our journey, we arrived at Damajagua Cascades. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

The 27 waterfalls—though we only did 12 of them, which was plenty—are a series of cascades flowing down the lush, green mountains. You hike up alongside them, then work your way back down by jumping, sliding, and swimming through each one. It’s part hike, part water park, part adrenaline rush.

They give you a life jacket and a helmet, which should tell you something about the nature of this activity. This isn’t a gentle nature walk. This is jumping off rocks into pools of water, sliding down natural water slides formed by centuries of flowing water, and occasionally wondering if you’re about to die in the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.

The first waterfall we jumped from was maybe eight feet high. Our guide went first, demonstrating the proper form—arms crossed over your chest, feet together, just step off and let gravity do the rest. Easy, right?

I stood at the edge, looked down at the pool below, and every survival instinct in my body screamed “no.” But there were people behind me waiting their turn, and I’d already made enough of a scene for one day, so I jumped.

The moment of freefall, the shock of hitting the cold water, the rush of adrenaline when you surface and realize you’re fine—it was incredible. All the frustration of the past few days, all the mosquito bites and sickness and mud and embarrassment, it all just melted away for a few hours.

We jumped from higher waterfalls—15 feet, 20 feet, one that was probably closer to 25 feet that I almost chickened out on but eventually did. We slid down smooth rock faces with water rushing around us. We swam through narrow passages between boulders. We climbed over slippery rocks with the help of our guides, who were incredible—patient, encouraging, and somehow managing to make sure none of us tourists killed ourselves.

Even the guy whose crotch I’d grabbed earlier seemed to forgive me by the end of the waterfalls. Or at least, we managed to smile at each other without dying of awkwardness when we both jumped from the same waterfall.

For those few hours, nothing else mattered. Not the mosquito bites covering my legs, not the money this trip was costing us, not the fact that we’d been sick for half the vacation. It was just pure, exhilarating, exhausting adventure.

If you’re planning to visit, I’d recommend checking out my complete guide to visiting the 27 waterfalls for everything you need to know about this experience.

The Aftermath: Sick Again and Covered in Bites

The waterfall high lasted until about midnight, when I woke up with a fever.

Apparently, it was my turn to get whatever my boyfriend had been fighting off. Or maybe it was something new. Or maybe it was actually dengue from all those mosquito bites. Who knows? All I know is that I spent the next two days in bed, feeling miserable, while my boyfriend—now recovered—brought me water and medicine and probably wondered why we’d ever thought this vacation was a good idea.

The mosquito bites had reached a critical mass. I counted over 40 on my legs alone. They were swollen, itchy, and some of them were starting to look infected. I’d been scratching them in my sleep, which wasn’t helping. The resort finally gave me some kind of anti-itch cream, but it was too little, too late.

We spent the remaining days of the trip doing very little. I was too sick to leave the resort, and honestly, we’d both kind of given up on having a “fun” vacation at that point. We ate at the resort restaurants—which were mediocre at best—and lay by the pool when I felt well enough to move.

The final tally for this disaster vacation: two bouts of illness, over 100 mosquito bites between the two of us, one muddy truck incident, one sexual assault by accident, hundreds of dollars in medication and additional medical costs, and a whole lot of regret.

But also: one incredible day at the waterfalls that I’ll remember forever.

What I Would Do Differently: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

If I could go back in time and give myself advice before this trip, here’s what I’d say:

Research the Timing

This is probably the biggest lesson. September is objectively the worst month to visit the Dominican Republic. It’s peak hurricane season, peak mosquito season, and peak humidity. The reason that resort deal was so good? Because nobody wants to visit during this time.

The best time to visit is December through April—dry season, minimal mosquitoes, beautiful weather. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you know what’s also expensive? Getting sick on vacation and needing medical care. March and April are particularly good if you want nice weather without the peak December-February crowds and prices.

Pack Bug Spray (Lots of It)

I cannot stress this enough: bring industrial-strength bug spray. Not the natural, eco-friendly stuff that smells like lavender and doesn’t work. I’m talking about the heavy-duty DEET-based repellent that the CDC recommends for tropical climates.

And don’t just bring one bottle. Bring several. You’ll be reapplying constantly, especially if you’re sweating or swimming. The resort might have some for sale, but it’ll be overpriced and might not be very effective.

I’d also recommend bringing after-bite treatment—hydrocortisone cream, anti-itch gel, whatever works for you. Because even with bug spray, you’re probably going to get some bites, and you’ll want relief.

Wear the Right Clothing

Pack long, lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts for evenings and any excursions that take you into jungles or mountains. Yes, it’s hot. Yes, you’re on a tropical vacation. But covering your skin is way more comfortable than being covered in itchy bites.

For the waterfall excursion specifically, I’d recommend water shoes with good grip (not flip-flops), a swimsuit that won’t fall off when you’re jumping into pools, and clothes you don’t mind getting muddy. Because you will get muddy.

Get Travel Insurance

We didn’t have travel insurance for this trip, which was stupid. Between the medical issues and the general disaster of it all, insurance would have saved us a lot of money and stress.

Good travel insurance covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and sometimes even activities like waterfall jumping (though check the policy details on adventure activities).

Do Your Research on Activities

The waterfall excursion was amazing, but I was completely unprepared for how physical it would be. If I’d known what to expect, I would have brought better shoes, worn more appropriate clothing, and maybe mentally prepared myself for the jumping and climbing involved.

Read reviews, watch videos, ask questions when you book. Don’t just show up and hope for the best like we did.

Consider Your Accommodation Location

All-inclusive resorts are convenient, but they’re not always in the best locations. Our resort was kind of in the middle of nowhere, which meant long drives to get to any attractions and limited options for leaving the property when we didn’t want resort food.

If I went back, I might stay in Puerto Plata proper or in a smaller boutique hotel where I could more easily explore the area. Of course, this requires more planning and research, which brings us back to the overall theme of this story: don’t wing it.

Despite Everything, Why the Dominican Republic Is Worth Visiting

Here’s the thing I want to make clear: my terrible experience doesn’t mean the Dominican Republic is a terrible destination. It absolutely isn’t.

The Dominican Republic has incredible natural beauty—mountains, beaches, waterfalls, tropical forests. It has a rich culture, fascinating history, and genuinely warm, friendly people. It has adventure activities that rival anywhere in the Caribbean. And the food, when you get past mediocre resort buffets, is actually delicious.

My mistake was going at the wrong time, being unprepared, and not doing my research. Those are fixable problems.

If you go during the right season, pack appropriately, do your homework on activities, and maybe don’t grab anyone’s crotch on a truck, you’ll probably have an amazing time.

The waterfalls alone are worth the trip. Puerto Plata has so many things to do beyond just beaches—historic forts, cable cars up mountains, amber museums, incredible diving and snorkeling.

I genuinely want to go back someday. Maybe in February or March, when the weather is perfect and the mosquitoes are minimal. With proper bug spray and realistic expectations. And maybe without the rum at 9:30 a.m., though I’m not making any promises on that one.

Your Dominican Republic Trip Checklist

If you’re planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, here’s a practical checklist based on everything I learned:

Before You Book

• Check the timing—avoid September and October if possible
• Research mosquito season and disease risks
• Look into travel insurance options
• Read reviews of resorts and their actual locations
• Book any major excursions in advance to secure spots

What to Pack

• Industrial-strength DEET bug spray (multiple bottles)
• After-bite treatment and anti-itch cream
• Long, lightweight pants and shirts for evenings
• Water shoes with good grip
• Waterproof phone case for excursions
• Basic first aid kit with fever reducers and stomach meds
• Sunscreen (reef-safe if you’re going in the water)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Cash in small bills for tips and local purchases

Health Precautions

• Check if any vaccinations are recommended
• Bring any prescription medications you need
• Know where the nearest medical facilities are
• Understand your travel insurance coverage for medical issues
• Apply bug spray religiously, especially at dawn and dusk
• Stay hydrated in the heat and humidity

Activity Planning

• Book the Damajagua Cascades excursion (seriously, do it)
• Check physical requirements for activities honestly
• Bring appropriate gear and clothing for each excursion
• Listen to guides and follow safety instructions
• Know your limits—you don’t have to do all 27 waterfalls

During Your Trip

• Reapply bug spray constantly
• Stay covered during mosquito prime time (dawn and dusk)
• Drink bottled water
• Be cautious with street food if you have a sensitive stomach
• Keep copies of important documents separate from originals
• Hold onto railings on flatbed trucks to avoid accidental groping

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the worst month to visit the Dominican Republic?

September and October are the worst months to visit. These months have peak hurricane activity, the most mosquitoes, highest humidity, and the greatest chance of rain. May through November is generally considered rainy season, but September and October are particularly bad. If you’re looking for the best weather and minimal mosquito activity, visit between December and April.

Do I need malaria medication for the Dominican Republic?

Malaria risk in the Dominican Republic is low, and antimalarial medication isn’t typically recommended for tourists visiting resort areas. However, dengue fever is a real concern, and there’s no vaccine or preventive medication for it. The best protection is preventing mosquito bites in the first place with DEET repellent and covering your skin. If you’re planning to visit remote areas or have concerns, talk to a travel medicine doctor before your trip.

Is Damajagua Cascades worth it?

Absolutely yes. Despite everything else that went wrong on my trip, the 27 waterfalls excursion was incredible and completely worth it. It’s physically demanding—you’ll be hiking, climbing, jumping, and sliding—but it’s an unforgettable experience. Even if you only do 7 or 12 of the waterfalls instead of all 27, it’s still amazing. Just make sure you’re reasonably fit, wear appropriate shoes, and bring clothes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.

How difficult is the 27 waterfalls hike?

It’s moderately difficult. You’ll be hiking uphill on uneven terrain to start, which requires decent fitness. Then you’ll work your way back down through the waterfalls, which involves climbing over slippery rocks, jumping from heights of 8-25 feet, and swimming through pools. If you can swim, are reasonably coordinated, and don’t have major joint problems, you should be fine. The guides are excellent and will help you through the tricky parts. You can also choose to do only 7 or 12 waterfalls instead of all 27 if you want a less intense experience.

What should I pack for a Dominican Republic adventure?

The essentials: industrial-strength DEET bug spray, water shoes with good traction, quick-dry clothing you don’t mind getting muddy, waterproof phone case, sunscreen, long lightweight pants and shirts for evening mosquito protection, basic first aid supplies, and after-bite treatment. For waterfalls specifically, wear a secure swimsuit and avoid flip-flops—you need shoes with grip. Don’t forget to pack for both beach relaxation and adventure activities.

Is travel insurance necessary for the Dominican Republic?

Yes, I strongly recommend it, especially if you’re planning adventure activities. Medical issues can happen anywhere, but they’re particularly common in tropical destinations due to heat, unfamiliar food, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Good travel insurance covers medical emergencies, evacuation if needed, trip cancellations, and sometimes even adventure activities. It’s worth the peace of mind and can save you thousands of dollars if something goes wrong. I learned this the expensive way.

Final Thoughts: The Worst Vacation That Taught Me Everything

Looking back on this trip now, it’s become one of my favorite travel stories to tell. At parties, over drinks, whenever someone asks about my worst vacation—this is the one. The mosquitoes, the mud, the accidental crotch grab, the fever, the expense, all of it.

But it’s also the trip that taught me the most about travel. About the importance of research and preparation. About how timing can make or break an entire vacation. About how you need to respect the climate and environment of where you’re going, not just assume it’ll all work out.

And it taught me that sometimes, even in the middle of a complete disaster, you can have moments of pure magic. Those hours at Damajagua Cascades, jumping and sliding down waterfalls with a group of strangers who’d all survived the truck ride together—that was real. That was special. That’s what I remember most clearly, even more than the mosquito bites and the sickness.

So would I go back to the Dominican Republic? Honestly, yes. But I’d go in March, with a suitcase full of bug spray, proper shoes, realistic expectations, and probably a better sense of balance on moving vehicles.

If you’re planning a trip, learn from my mistakes. Do your research. Pack smart. Visit during the right season. And maybe hold onto something that isn’t another person’s crotch when the truck swerves.

The Dominican Republic is beautiful, adventurous, and absolutely worth visiting. Just don’t do it the way I did.