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In 1492, Columbus discovered and named the island of Hispanola. It is 2/3 of this island that is now the Dominican Republic. The capital of Santo Domingo is the New World's oldest capital. It has many fine examples of 16th century Spanish architecture and many fascinating structures that have survived over 500 years. This is a perfect place for relaxing for the weather is wonderful and the landscape simply beautiful. The pristine beaches stretch for nearly 1000 miles. For a memorable vacation, the Dominican Republic is becoming one of the most respected and enjoyable destinations in the Caribbean.
Beaches and Swimming - The Dominican Republic has some of the best beaches in the world. The following list is divided on the basis of geographic region.
East Beaches- Boca Chica, Playa Caribe, Bayahibe, Juan Dolio, Las Terrenas, Guayacanes and Villas del Mar located in San de Macoris, Anadel and Cayo Levantado.
The oldest cathedral in the Americas is here in Santo Domingo. The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor was founded in 1540 and is part Gothic and baroque. It is claimed that the remains of Chrisopher Columbus are buried here by his decree. The Alcazar of Diego Columbus was built for Columbus' son Diego in 1514. The castle-fortress reflects the nature of Spain's greatness in the time following Spain's opening of the new world. The Museum of the Royal Houses, which traces the history of the island, is located on the Calle Las Damas which is the oldest street in Santo Domingo. The oldest standing house in the western hemisphere is the House of Cord which dates to the 16th century. The Plaza de la Cultura has several museums including the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History and Geography and the Museum of Natural History and Science. In the same area is the National Theater and the National Library. In the same area are the National Zoo and the National Botanical Gardens. Of special interest is the Museum of the Dominican Family and the Museo Numismatico y Filetico.
West of Santo Domingo
San Cristobol - The city is 18 miles from Santo Domingo and is in a very dry area which remains largely undeveloped. Las Salinas has a very good beach and the development at Las Almendros has a very good beach. San Cristobal is the birthplace of the infamous dictator Rafael Trujillo who ruled this poor people ruthlessly for years and was assassinated in 1961. His home, which is called Casa de Caoba, can be visited but it is not in good repair. The mansion which he never occupied is called El Palacio del Cerro is in better shape and can also be visited. In the area are caves with petrographs known as El Pomier.
Barahona - This is a pretty town with brightly colored houses. The small airport which served the little air traffic has now been upgraded to an international airport to accommodate the anticipated hoards seeking the pristine beaches of Barahona. The choice is good as there are a number of excellent beaches in the area including San Rafael, and El Quenaito. Between Enriquillo and the town of Pedernales, which is the most westerly town in the DR, is simply one long, uninterrupted, sandy beach. A few miles inland is the Cabritos National Park with a lake which is 120 feet below sea level and is said to be three times saltier than sea water. There are quite a number of flamingos and crocodiles.
The East
Boca Chica - About 15 miles east of Santo Domingo is Boca Chica which is blessed with absolutely stunning beaches. It serves as the main resort for Santo Domingo. On weekends it is crowded and swarmed over by peddlers of all sorts. During the week this is a very fine place to swim.
Juan Dolio - East of Boca Chica is Juan Dolio which is a very good beach area. There are a great number of hotels here but the lack of real planning during the development of the area has left a hodgepodge of hotels, guest houses and a very irregular panorama. Other beaches are the Embassy and the Guayacanes.
San Pedro de Macoris - The city of 90,000 is not really a tourist spot but rather a quiet sea port which is being targeted for tourism in he future. The local cathedral is of interest as is the Universidad Central del Este.
La Romana - The city is found further to the east from San Pedro and has a population of over 100,000 people. The large central park is very attractive and a pleasant part of the city. Adjacent to it is the Santa Rosa de Lima Church which is also adjacent to a small park. The Museo Arqueologico Regional is small but interesting. The main economic strength of the area is the sugar plantations. Tourism is not developed here. Off the coast is Serena Cay to which boats go on day excursions. The facilities on the island are very good, clean and reliable.
Bayahibe - This small fishing village 13 miles east of La Romana is filled with fishing boats, many of which are available for hire. A small beach a short distance from town is very good.
Higuey - Further east from Bayhibe is a 16th century church which stands in contrast to the modern Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia which is huge by comparison and is the center of religious activity in the area.
Punta Cana - This is a place of all inclusive resorts and beautiful beaches. If you have a boat the local Marina Punta Cana is small but may take you.
North of Santo Domingo
Puerto Plata - This is the main town in the north and is located along what is known as the Amber Coast. The city was founded in 1502 and although nothing exists from that time, many old and colorful buildings do exist and add to the atmosphere of the area. San Felipe Fortress is thought to be the oldest in the Americas. Nearby is the hill called Loma Isabel de Torres which has a Christ figure at its summit resembling that of Rio de Janeiro which can be reached by cable car. The Museum of Dominican Amber is small but well worth a visit as well as the new Museo de Arte Taino. Beaches and resorts are plentiful in the area. The area called Playa Dorada is a euphemism for what is actually 15 hotels which rage from three to five star. The beaches in this area are exquisite!
Sosua - About 16 miles along the coast to the east is the village of Sosua which has a nice variety of shops and good restaurants. On the side of town called El Batey is a community of German Jewish refugees that came here in 1941. Most of the original settlers are now gone but services are still held in the synagogue.
Cabarete - This has to be the windsurfing capital of the world. The World Windsurf Championship is held here annually in June. There are a myriad of hotels along the 2 miles of beaches. If you are into windsurfing boards and recommended insurance are available.
Rio San Juan - Further on from Sosua and Cabarete is the town of Rio San Juan which is situated on a pretty lagoon. Visitors to the town can take excursion boats through the local mangrove forest.
Playa Grande - This is another resort complex under development which looks to be a very good setting for holiday makers.
Playa Dorada - Yet another resort complex with pristine beaches and very new hotels. The area is being carefully developed.
Samana - Located on a beautiful peninsula of the same name, the area enjoys exceptionally good weather and in an ideal place to find a lot of varied activities. From December to March local boats take visitors on whale watch excursions which can be very exciting. This is the time for both mating and calving. The waters around the Semana Peninsula are dotted with yachts from all around the Caribbean and the world making the harbors very colorful especially in the winter months. Do be mindful that deserted beaches without life guard facilities can be hazardous as there can be undertows which are life threatening.
Las Terrenas - At low tide you can walk out far from the sandy beach and encounter the coral reefs and observe the beautiful underwater sea life. This is an ideal place for divers in search od abundant color and stunning coral reef.
Capital: Santo Domingo
Population: 7,507,000
Area: 19, 200
Language: Spanish
Time: + 1 hours from New York
Electricity: 110 Volts AC / 60 Hz
Geography: The Dominican Republic make up the eastern 2/3 of the island of Hispanola which is shared with Haiti. The DR is also bordered in the south by the Caribbean and in the north by the Atlantic. The western portion of the country is mountainous.
International Airport
St. George's - Pearls International Airport - The airport is 15 miles from town. Busses and taxis are usually available to arriving flights. Transit time is about 30 minutes
Tipping: There is no need to tip as service charges are included in virtually all bills.
Shopping: Shops open at 8 am and close at noon opening again at 1 pm and closing again at 4 pm. Saturday hours are from 8 am until noon. Goods here are from around the world and are duty free, so they are at very good prices.
Food and Drink: Conch is very tasty, as sell as lobster and crab backs. Do try avocado ice cream. Rum is good here especially when it is topped with the native nutmeg. Coconut milk with gin is a popular drink. Soft drinks are plentiful.
Social: The islanders are open and outgoing. Their outlook toward dress is on the conservative side. Do not wear swim-wear in shops or stores which are away from the beach.
Business: A light jacket and tie are appropriate.
Tipping: There is no need to tip as service charges are included in virtually all bills.
Shopping: Shops open at 8 am and close at noon opening again at 1 pm and closing again at 4 pm. Saturday hours are from 8 am until noon. Goods here are from around the world and are duty free, so they are at very good prices.
Food and Drink: Conch is very tasty, as sell as lobster and crab backs. Do try avocado ice cream. Rum is good here especially when it is topped with the native nutmeg. Coconut milk with gin is a popular drink. Soft drinks are plentiful.
Social: The islanders are open and outgoing. Their outlook toward dress is on the conservative side. Do not wear swim-wear in shops or stores which are away from the beach.
Business: A light jacket and tie are appropriate.
Climate
The temperature hardly changes all year staying, on average at bout 80F. The dry season is from January through most of April. Even during this time it almost never rains more than an hour a day.
Whale It
Each winter, the clear blue waters off of the Dominican Republic's Samana Peninsula are visited by more than 1,000 humpback whales, who come here to mate. Take an afternoon trip aboard Kim Beddall's Victoria II, a 50-foot fishing boat, and get up close and personal with the mighty mammals in Samana Bay. Watch 50-foot humpbacks breach the surface, loudly slapping their flippers against the water and spouting columns of spray. On this trip, you won't get to swim with the whales--it's frowned upon by environmentalists ($32; 809-538-2494). True junkies can board the Bottom Time II, a 90-foot catamaran that motors out to Silver Bank for expeditions that last a whole week ($1,895; 800-234-8464 ).
Hike It
At 10,128 feet, Pico Duarte is the Caribbean's tallest mountain, and you can climb it on Iguana Mama's three-day camping trip. You get tents, sleeping bags, and dinners cooked over an open campfire. Your trek begins in La Cienaga in Bermudez National Park, where you're joined by guides with mules that haul your gear. While you should expect to hoof a good portion of the 29 miles yourself, you can hop a mule, too, if you get tired on the trail. Starting in a rainforest, lush with palms, banyan trees, and bamboo, you'll ford shallow rivers and pass through tiny fishing villages. Then as you summit, the landscape changes from spreading meadows to bouldered ravines near the mountain's crown, where a bust of Juan Pablo Duarte (who led a struggle against occupying Haitians in 1844) surveys the valleys below. At night, retire to a tent, or-since the hikes are set to coincide with the full moon-sleep under the bright mountain sky ($350; 800-849-4720 ).
Make It Up
With mountains, waterfalls, white-water rapids, how do you fit it all in? Pick your activities and let Costa Verde Travel handle the details. Or opt for this six-night package, which was created by Costa Verde just for Travel Holiday readers: Your vacation begins at Nanny Estates, a beachside condo complex in Cabarete, where you spend three nights and two days learning to windsurf ($80 to rent equipment) or cruising the Yasica River with a local guide who points out hummingbirds, parrots, herons, and ibises. Next you head into the mountains and settle into a new base camp: the rustic--but fun--Rancho Baiguate. From there you can raft rapids on the Yaque del Norte River and hike a canyon trail to the top of Jimenoa Falls. How do you get down? By rappelling down the 30-foot cascade ($629; 809-537-1035).
Beach It
For a surfside wind-down from the outdoors, head to the Melia Bavaro resort in Punta Cana, where the 750 suites come with living rooms and bedrooms. Outside, soak up the shade under a coconut palm or go horseback riding ($20) on a beach that stretches for miles (from $90 per night; all-inclusive rates from $250; 800-336-3542 ). For something quieter, try the 11-room Villa Serena on the Samana Peninsula. Half an hour away by boat or jeep is Playa Rincon, a 2.5-mile strip of white sand backed by towering cliffs. At night, dine at the inn or walk down the shore to a nameless palm-thatched restaurant, where a local fisherman serves up his own catch of the day (from $105; 809-538-0000). | 