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Dominican Republic
Located in the central area of the Antilles, in the eastern two thirds of the island of Hispaniola. It is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean , to the east with the Mona Canal , which separates it from Puerto Rico , to the south with the Caribbean Sea , and to the west with Haiti , its neighbor of the island of Hispaniola Its capital and most populous city is Santo Domingo. Its terrain has arid deserts, tropical jungles and beautiful beaches with most luxury resorts, with the best being located on the north and east coasts in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana or Higuey. Depending on where you go, you'll find colonial architecture, sugar plantations, quaint towns, mountain retreats, and much more. Due to the frequency of storms and hurricanes from June to October, it is generally best to visit the Dominican Republic between November and May.
How to get to the Dominican Republic
Plane: the most used airports are the Las Américas International Airport, also known as the José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport, which is 30 minutes from the capital city, Santo Domingo, and is the main point of entry for international flights in the city and the La Isabela International Airport also known as Joaquín Balaguer International Airport which is north of Santo Domingo and mostly handles only domestic flights and flights to Haiti, Cuba and other Caribbean islands and Punta Cana International Airport what It is located just 15 minutes from the Punta Cana area.
Ships: It has the largest number of cruise destinations in the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samaná and Punta Cana.
How to get around in Santo Domingo
Metro: It has two lines, most of which are used by residents commuting to work. But there are a couple of convenient stops for the sights.
Bus or Minivan: Downtown buses tend to be white, stopping to pick up or drop off anyone on the designated route as many times as necessary, and are the slowest way to get around.
Moto taxis or motoconchos: they are popular among the locals of the big cities like Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, because they are the cheapest and fastest way to avoid traffic.
Shared taxis or conchos: also known as cart-conchos, these four-door vehicles are shared taxis, similar to city buses because they travel along specific routes and stop anywhere along the route at the request of the passengers.
What to see in the Dominican Republic
It is located on the south coast facing the Caribbean Sea and is the largest city in the country. The Colonial zone is the heart of Santo Domingo, and the narrow streets that make up its arteries are full of some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the country. Examples of 15th and 16th century architecture abound and it is dotted with lush green spaces with exotic flora. A huge limestone ridge can be mentioned is the Parque Mirador Del Sur, a tree-lined corridor riddled with caves, one of which has been transformed into a restaurant. At the National Botanical Garden, orchids, ferns, bromeliads, palm trees and more grow throughout the manicured gardens.
Christopher Columbus' son Diego and his family lived in the building that is now the Museum. Today the Gothic-Mudejar style building contains the Caribbean's most important collection of Renaissance and late medieval art, but even more interesting is the history of the building. Many expeditions of exploration and conquest were planned there during the early Spanish colonial period, Sir Francis Drake sacked it in 1586, and it later served as a warehouse and prison.
The first stone of the Cathedral was laid by Diego Columbus in 1514, but the church was not completed until 1540. Numerous architects marked on the church, which is why the ornamentation is in a Baroque style, the chapel is Gothic, and a Romanesque style is visible in the arches. This combination of styles makes the building magnificent inside and out. Peaceful, beautiful and exhilarating, one can almost feel the presence of God in the remarkable landmark.
The Monastery of San Francisco in the city of Santo Domingo It is one of the most important ruins of the Dominican Republic . It is located in the Colonial city Santo Domingo and was declared a World Heritage Site. Its construction began with the arrival of the Franciscan fathers, in 1508 and was completed in 1560 . It was the first monastery of New World , some time later, was hit by a hurricane.
It is located 25 minutes by boat from Punta Rucia, located northwest of Puerto Plata. An island without tourist infrastructure. This is Cayo Paraíso, a small island in the Dominican Republic , whose main attraction, in addition to its sand, are its coral reefs, perfect for diving looking for the charms of the key beyond the surface of the water. The Caribbean water here is so transparent that the bottom can be seen with the naked eye. Of course, there is only sand and water, none of those palm trees so attractive by the sea.
Located in Cabo Engaño, the easternmost area of the Dominican Republic, it has become one of the most popular tourist areas due to its wide range of hotel resorts with “all-inclusive” service. There are 402 kilometers of beaches of exuberant nature being a good example of a wonderful tropical coast with white sands and crystal clear blue waters, lined with numerous palm trees. In these waters, you can practice all kinds of water sports, such as snorkeling and diving, being able to explore the largest coral reef on the entire island, about 30 km long.
The birthplace of tourism in the Dominican Republic, it continues to make a huge impact. Its spectacular and extensive landscape combines sea, mountains, lush valleys, rivers and a multitude of beaches. Its fertile soil produces cocoa and coffee trees, while underneath rests the lightest amber in the world. The Puerto Plata cable car, the only one in the Caribbean, will take you to the top of Loma Isabel de Torres with its beautiful botanical garden, where you will have a panoramic view of the Atlantic coast with its more than 100 kilometers of beach that adorn the multiple coastal towns, inland farming communities dotted with rivers and waterfalls, and hotels of all shapes and sizes to suit all tastes.
It is located in the municipality of Imbert in Puerto Plata, there you will find a beautiful path that will surely surprise you with its magnificent 27 "puddles" each with a different beauty, this place ensures a connection with nature and birds. Always in the hands of a local guide, who will teach you the origins of this fantastic place while you admire the crystal clear, cold and fresh waters, with beautiful caves, waterfalls, springs and enormous molded rocks.
It is located 315 kilometers from Punta Cana, located in the province of Samaná , which is connected to the rest of the state by the isthmus of Samana. It is the tourist beach option with the most important hotel complexes in the Dominican Republic. Of mountainous relief, it has undulating valleys and heights that make up crystalline rivers that flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Around the rocky coastline of this peninsula, visitors can appreciate miles and miles of sparkling white sand beaches. The peninsula contains many beaches , especially in the city of Santa Bárbara de Samaná and has the El Catey Samaná International Airport.
Gastronomy of the Dominican Republic
Dominican gastronomy presents characteristics of a Creole cuisine , that is, of European origin but developed in America with African influences . That is why it is similar to that of Latin-speaking countries that surround the Caribbean Sea , although with slight developed variations, giving rise to unique dishes.
Mangú: mashed green plantain with red onion cooked in a vinegar sauce, cheese and fried salami.
Dominican flag: a huge plate with rice and beans (beans), with chicken or meat and accompanied by a salad, avocado
Sancocho: thick tuber stew combines chicken, pork, yucca, yams, green plantains and potatoes. Served with a bowl of white rice and avocado slices.
Pasteles en Hoja: Dominican version of tamales, although made with plantain dough, stuffed with meat and wrapped in a banana leaf.
Mofongo: An original dish from Puerto Rico, it has its own Dominican version, with mashed plantains, garlic and pork or shrimp.
Grilled or grilled meats: in the northwest, goat meat is a staple food,
Seafood: They are, of course, a big part of the diet of this Caribbean country. You will find the freshest fish, direct from the sea to the table, in particular the chillo, red snapper.
Fried fish: with tostones, avocado and yaniqueque, a thin and crispy round fried Johnny cake
Habichuelas con Dulce – A sweet bean-based dessert, Coconete is a round, crunchy coconut cookie.
Majarete: a sweet corn cake sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.
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