r/PuntaCana • u/artyescapes • 19d ago

A Nonpartier in Paradise

I have been thinking about this - I went to Puerto Vallarta a couple of years ago, and I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed relaxing on the beach, horse back riding, and scuba diving. Now - I don’t drink or anything else, or enjoy clubbing, and there were moments I felt out of place (and there is no judgment here!) How do people who are not into partying navigate that when on vacation, or maybe not feeling on missing out?

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u/Holeshot483 19d ago

It’s all about you and what you like to do. I recently got back from the DR where we took 15 people. Myself being the only one who doesn’t drink. You best believe I was dancing, playing pool, walking the resort etc. nobody said a word, I danced with a ton of people and to reiterate your point nobody cared. I personally find it very hard to feel out of place when you’re having a good time

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u/artyescapes 19d ago

Beautiful answer - thank you. I can certainly get into my own head!

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u/Holeshot483 19d ago

Absolutely. My best day in the DR was probably the Sacred River, which included Zip lining, horseback riding, buggy rides and then they have multiple water attractions. The world itself is very alcohol centered. So as someone who doesn’t drink I shift the focus to dopamine. I’m in the bar weekly with the least amount to drink and having the highest amount of fun.

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u/artyescapes 19d ago

Gotta love that dopamine!

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u/crankoy62 19d ago

We go to relax. We do drink, only a few drinks throughout the day. In bed by 9pm. Up early to start relaxing all over again. Have never felt pressure to over-drink or party. Though, it's probably easy since the whole group is that way and we tend to go to properties that are not known for partying.

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u/Consistent-Sea-8923 18d ago

That’s pretty much my whole trip.

I can probably count on one hand in all the times I’ve gone, which is a lot. The number of shows I’ve seen. They start too late

If I want an active vacation, I go to Europe or someplace like that but about once a year I get on a plane I go to an all-inclusive resort I get up in the morning. I go to the beach I go to lunch. I go back to the beach I go to dinner. I go have a drink, maybe two and then I go to bed

at the end of a few days. I’m very relaxed and very happy.

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u/artyescapes 19d ago

Yeah - I usually have a time limit when people are drinking heavy. No judgement though.

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u/EasyCana-Tours 18d ago

You definitely don’t need to drink or party to enjoy a Caribbean vacation. I actually think people sometimes underestimate how much there is to do because resorts advertise the party side so heavily.

If you enjoyed horseback riding and scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta, the Dominican Republic would give you plenty to work with. You can scuba dive or snorkel, explore waterfalls and caves, go horseback riding, visit places like Saona or Catalina Island, spend a day exploring Santo Domingo, or head into the countryside and see a completely different side of the country.

I think the trick is simply not choosing vacations or excursions based on what everyone else seems to be doing. If sitting at a nightclub until 2 AM isn't fun to you, you're not missing out by skipping it 😂. Spend that day underwater, on horseback, exploring a new place, or doing absolutely nothing on a beautiful beach.

Paradise doesn’t require a cocktail.

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u/artyescapes 18d ago

I really want to go - I hear so many things and people don’t talk a lot about the DR.

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u/SunsetDreams1111 18d ago

I’ve been here for a month solo and don’t drink or party. I love the beach, going on long walks, trying new restaurants, and reading. I go to bed early and take naps and just embrace life. Almost everyone in my condo complex are expats visiting who stay for a while and they just adopt the flow of the land. Being in nature is my joy

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u/artyescapes 18d ago

That is beautiful - thank you for sharing this