Dominican Republic Vacations

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The country has the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean lies to the north while in the west lies the smaller and lesser developed Haiti. The terrain is mountainous, with cacti-studded deserts, fertile valleys, lush rainforest, 1,600 km of coastline with miles of prime soft sandy beaches and towering hills. The highest peak, the Pico Duarte, rises in the Cordillera Central (the Central Range) to a height of 3,087 meters. The country is made up of 32 provinces which are grouped into three large ones and the capital. The three large regions are the Southwest Region, the Southeast Region and Northern Region or the Cibao.

A land of contrasts, the Dominican Republic (DR) has both the highest peak and the lowest point in the Caribbean.  Santo Domingo or “La Capital” is the country’s capital and Spain’s first capital in the New World. Besides being the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, it can also boast of the first for castles and church which are both in the Ciudad Colonial area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Being the second largest country in the Caribbean having an area of 29,948 square miles, the Dominican Republic is blessed with swaying coconut palm trees and crystalline waters which teems with tropical rainbow-hued fish, as well as a wealth of land and water activities. From the underwater experiences to the palm-fringed beaches to the stunning historical highlights of this “heaven on earth,” your days will be filled with fun with the ever smiling and hospitable people around you. The delicious cuisine dominated by Spanish, Creole, and African influences, the small fishing villages, the remarkable architecture, with bright sunny days all through the year, the beautiful sand and sea draw more and more travelers to the breathtaking shores. Exploring the cultural and natural beauty of Dominican Republic creates and unforgettable experience to last a life time.

The country enjoys a pleasant maritime climate and there is a tropical breeze all the year-round and the temperature hovers between 17C and 30C according to the altitude. There are hardly any variations between the summer and winter months. The two rainy seasons are from April to June and September to November which are well underlined. The dry season which runs from November to April, is the best time to visit this beautiful country.

Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the world, is the country’s bustling capital with a population of 2.25 million and boasts of diverse cultures, shops, and vibrant nightlife and a great variety of restaurants. Santo Domingo has two international airports, the Las Americanas International Airport and the Herrera International Airport, and boasts of several cruise ships.

 Attractions

The Colonial City, in Santo Domingo is the best starting point for anyone to explore and discover the city, and has numerous historic buildings, like Ozama Fortress, Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales), Castle of Columbus (Alcazar de Colon), the Botanical Gardens an Parks, which covers about 2 million square meters and is a treasure trove of exhibits of the exotic, natural flora of the island which include orchids, palm-trees and other exotic plants, it is a lovely place as it is a true nature lover’s paradise; the Los Tres Ojos is another important “must see” in Santo Domingo is the impressive 50-foot deep cave  is which surrounded by three lagoons, stalagmites and lush vegetation. Other attractions include the Columbus Lighthouse, are in the Mirador del Este Park and have a beautiful cross-shaped structure, the Museo Bellapart National Aquarium, a medium sized aquarium with a huge fish tank and more.

 Activities

One has the choice of taking up any activities ranging from water skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing to mountain climbing to golfing, and from deep sea fishing, catamaran sailing, soaking up the sun’s rays to just lazing on the lovely beaches. From taking a stroll along the El Malec n, a wonderful boulevard with bistros, bars and nightlife to a fun to fun filled jeep safari through the tropical terrain, from just relaxing in the quiet, secluded beaches to parasailing over the crystal-clear waters of the beaches in the Punta Cana, your vacation  will be truly memorable.

Since the Dominican Republic is a nature lover’s heavenly paradise, one can expect to see some of the most beautiful sights that nature has to offer. The gorgeous beaches at Playa del Macao, the exciting wildlife refuges at Lago Enriquillo, the truly fascinating Eastern National Park, the thrilling cable car ride up the side of the Mount Isabel de Torres and the magnificent Los Tres Ojos in Santo Domingo are some of the activities that travelers can look forward to. The gothic charm of the Cathedral Primada de America and the modern Basilica de Higuey are some of the man made wonders that are worth visiting.

Things to do

Surfing

The North Coast of Dominican Republic is most suitable for surfing adventures which features warm and safe surfing waters. Cabarete, one of the best spots for surfing in Dominican Republic is hugely popular for its water sports activities. Even if you don’t know surfing or is just a beginner, you’ll find many good schools with experienced instructors to guide you.

Dominican Republic

With the superb surfing conditions especially in winter when the waves can break up to as high as 5 meters, it is truly a thrilling experience. Windsurfing is another popular sport in Cabarete because of the good wind and bid swells.

Whale watching tours

In the recent years, whale watching tours have become an increasingly popular adventure and the it is not an exception in the Dominican Republic either. The thrilling experience of whale watching tours awaits you in the Sanctuary of Humpback Whales in Samana Bay which is sure to give you some of the most memorable experience which will last you a life time and give you the chance of being very close to hundreds of these magnificent creatures. So, the Dominican Republic is the ideal spot where you can go if you want to experience some of the unique and wonderful holidays!

Hotels and Resorts

With bright sunny days and welcoming stretches of white sands, the clear white waters with its coral reefs and cascading waterfalls, the lush green, refreshing valleys not to mention the natural and historical attractions, the Dominican Republic is a heaven to take a long deserved vacation. With its world-class seaside resorts and the 5-star hotels with top-notch facilities in exotic locations are all that make the Dominican Republic a holidaymaker’s dream come true. Plan well and your stay in any of the country’s luxury hotels will be really an experience where you can just relax with absolutely no worries what-so-ever!

When one thinks of the beauty of the translucent and serene waters of the Samanta Bay which happens to be one of the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic, one is reminded of the stunning Bannister Hotel which is the true Caribbean getaway for anyone looking forward to a truly enjoyable holiday. The prestigious hotel provides a full service Marina, gourmet restaurants, equestrian center, a lovely gym, boutiques, a relaxing spa, and a beach club which will not disappoint even the most demanding travelers! The 54 cabana style guestrooms offer fully-equipped kitchens and living areas, balconies some with sweeping views and featuring all the modern room facilities and amenities. Staying at the Bannister Dominican Hotel gives one the best opportunity to explore the Caribbean sandy coves and the tropical forests at its very best!

From hiking to the picturesque El Limon Waterfall, or a swim in the cool, crystalline pools or  snorkeling in the beautiful Caribbean coral reefs, to enjoying a scenic whale watching tour during the wintertime, to sunbathing in the pristine sugar-white sandy beaches or else just rejoicing in the unique atmosphere of the Cafe del Mar. There are plenty of other land and water adventures and experiences which include horseback riding, mountain biking, deep sea fishing, catamaran sailing and exciting windsurfing. The other places worth visiting around the area are the Los Haitises National Park, the Cayo Levantado Island, waterfalls, the unspoiled forests and caves and the pre-Columbian drawings.

Another popular resort in the Dominic Republican is the newly constructed Majestic Colonial Punta Cana which is a five-star resort, located on the shore of the Bavaro-Punta Cana Beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the whole world. You can find many semi deserted islands like the Saona Island and Catalina Islands, several national parks, the bustling city of Santo Domingo and other interesting places nearby. The resort is really impressive with its 658 fully furnished and spacious rooms and featuring every possible facility that one can imagine when they think of a world class resort. It also boasts of 6 restaurants – some of which are open-air, 9 bars opening at different hours, theatre for shows and entertainment, a majestic casino, a magnificent Spa which offers a mix of both body and health treatments, gazebo for weddings, live piano music at the Lobby bar at night, discotheque, the 2 integrated Jacuzzis which is within the swimming pool and fully equipped fitness centre. There is a Children’s Club also where there are plenty of activities to keep them entertained. You can indulge yourself in land and water adventures, including mini-golf, volleyball, tennis, diving and swimming. The resort is ideal for honeymoons and weddings too.

Earlier known as the Oasis and now renamed as Hotel Be Live Hamaca, it is located in Boca Chica. An all-inclusive resort, it located just 10 km from the Las Americanas International Airport and ideal for families and travelers seeking peace and quiet and for those looking for a perfect spot to celebrate a wedding. The hotel features 617 guestrooms, each one with either a step-out patio or a balcony overlooking the beach, pool or tropical garden, which in itself is a soothing experience.

Recreation facilities here include bocce, gymnasium, aerobics, tennis, mini golf, squash, ping pong, fishing, sun loungers (swimming pool), waterskiing, volleyball, paddle tennis, nightclub, kids club for children from 8 to 12 years, etc. The dining options and truly amazing with six impressive restaurants, buffets, snack and sports bars where you can choose between Italian, Mexican and the local cuisines and a wide range of high-quality products at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do not miss out to enjoy The Caribbean cocktails in the beach are also something that should not to be missed. The Wet Bar treats you to a full range of massages, facial and body treatments and hydrotherapy, in their Spa center. With its luxurious facilities and amenities, the five free-flowing pools and vibrant nightlife of elegant clubs, not to mention the great variety of services and activities, the Be Live Hamaca Hotel is without doubt the perfect “home away from home” where one can relax without a care in the world.

Dominican Republic

The Santana Beach Resort and Casino is the perfect spot to turn to for a vacation of a lifetime. Nestled at the beach La Roman, it is a 3-storeid building with 400 spacious and beautifully designed rooms with air conditioning, full bathroom, satellite TV, a balcony and terrace with the most scenic views and everything you can think of. Services and activities like a large tropical swimming pool with vegetation, water-jets, bridges and islands, massage parlor, spa featuring marvelous massage service, outdoor Jacuzzi, casino with free entrance and drinks, disco ‘El Pirata’ and land and water adventures like kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, horseback riding, banana-boat riding, diving, billiards, tennis courts, and a fully equipped fitness center with sauna. Other facilities include 4 restaurants serving Italian, Mexican, Oriental and international cuisines, a buffet, pizzeria, tropical and sports bars. A Children’s mini-club playground and separate outdoor pool are also available.

Guests can also take advantage and enjoy the entertaining night shows, or play some exciting game of table games in the gambling casino which offers a wide selection of games.Some of the other well known  resorts in Dominican Republic that are worth mentioning include the Dreams La Romana Resort, Melia Caribe Tropical, Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus The Spa Hotel, Oasis Canoa Beach Resort and Spa, etc..

A holiday in the Dominican Republic will bring you closer to nature and help you appreciate the spectacular natural beauty and the fabulous white beaches of this beautiful country. It is the true destination for anyone searching for tranquility and true peace and at the same time have a real vibrant and exciting Caribbean experience.