What to visit in the Dominican Republic. Where to go and what to see in the Dominican Republic. Now let's get serious! Basic rules for holidays in the Dominican Republic and our famous tourist reminder
Is the most visited country in Caribbean region and not without reason. Here you will find a variety of activities that tourists who come here enjoy, from surfers to animal lovers, cyclists to cultural enthusiasts and much more. However, unlike other Caribbean countries, the Dominican Republic is large enough to be fully explored in just one trip, so Good THERE have provided a condensed list of some of the best attractions the Dominican Republic has to offer.
1 Whale watching
Samana is home to humpback whales, with approximately 2,000 humpback whales visiting each year between December and March to breed in the warm waters offshore. Research shows that all populations of Atlantic humpback whales come to breed in the waters near the Dominican Republic. Humpback whales can weigh up to 40 tons and perform a variety of acrobatic feats during mating, such as jumping out of the water, and some male whales sing “songs” to attract females to mate.
Samana, Dominican Republic
2 Visit the Zona Colonial
Zone Colonial(Zona Colonial) - small town, located in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. This area is home to many important historical buildings, such as a cathedral, a monastery, a university, a customs house and a hospital in the “New World”. In addition to historical sites, Zona Colonial has many restaurants and is also known for its clubs and lively nightlife.
Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
3 Stay in Costa del Coco
Costa del Coco known in Dominican Republic as a retreat for solitude. La Costa del Coco is located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic and features a long coastline white sand and palm trees, home to a sprawling complex of all-inclusive resorts.
4 Go Partying in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the most visited city in Caribbean, as well as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement on the American continent. Here you will find some of the largest and most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, as well as the highest concentration of all-inclusive resorts. The city is a combination of old world colonial charm combined with modern Latin architecture. Santo Domingo is known for having a very vibrant nightlife with a huge number of clubs and lounges to choose from.
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
5 Explore the Dominican Alps
Dominican Alps are located 80 km from the capital city of Santo Domingo. This mountain range forms a kind of “spine” of the island. The central part of the Alps is a paradise for nature lovers, there are protected National parks, rivers and valleys. Here you will find the most best views that only the Dominican Republic has to offer. In the mountains you can take a break from the intense heat that accompanies you in the rest of the country. The cooler climate encourages the growth of fruits such as strawberries, which are difficult to find in other parts of the country. The most high mountain, Peak Duarte, green meadows grow here and pine forests, these are rare species in the Caribbean.
Peak Duarte, Dominican Republic
6 Visit Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is a beautiful area filled with pristine beaches and stunning mountain scenery. In this place you will find the best water activities in the country. Cabarete, one of the cities in this region, is known as the capital of windsurfing, the beaches in this part of the country have waves that attract surfers from all over the world. Puerto Plata is also well known for its vibrant nightlife and very rich culture, and it perfect place to learn about some of the country's traditions.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
7 Head to Los Haitis National Park
Haiti translated as " mountainous land", and this is one of the few remaining tropical forests in the Dominican Republic. In the park great amount mangroves covering an area of 1600 km². Los Haitis Famous for its large number of caves, as well as a variety of wildlife, such as the endangered hawk, the Spanish-speaking woodpecker, the Spanish emerald, pelicans, frigate birds, herons and many other majestic birds.
The park's jungle was used in the making of the film Jurassic Park.
The hills in the park can reach 40 meters and offer stunning views, this is information for those who want to try their hand at rock climbing.
Los Haitis National Park, Dominican Republic
8 Attractions on Lake Enriquillo
Lake Enriquillo is the most big lake The Caribbean is home to a diverse array of wildlife such as saltwater crocodiles, pink flamingos and lizards, but the list is certainly not limited to these animals. This is a great place to visit if you are interested in wildlife. We highly recommend that those interested in visiting this place be sure to contact a trusted travel agency, as this is a fairly remote place located almost on the border with Haiti and you still end up in dangerous wildlife.
Lake Enriquillo, Dominican Republic
9 Go to Saona Island
Saona - tropical island, located southeast of the Dominican Republic. Saona Island is a great place for a day trip. Around 300 people live here, making it a great place for a quiet and relaxing holiday. You can stroll peacefully along the shore, relax in the shallow waters or sunbathe on the white sand. This is considered one of the most beautiful island excursions that the Dominican Republic offers. Boats depart from Bayahibe every morning, and round trip travel (including hotel pick-up) can range from $50 to $80.
Saona Island, Dominican Republic
10 Swim in the cascades of Damajagua Falls
Damajagua Falls(or 27 waterfalls) are one of the biggest attractions for nature lovers in the Dominican Republic. Every year, more than 50,000 people visit these falls, take photos and swim in the natural pools formed below. A total of 27 waterfalls are found in the northern hills mountain range, which are created by Mother Nature from solid limestone.
Damajagua Falls, Dominican Republic
Many people wonder what interesting things can be visited and seen in the Dominican Republic!? Unlike many other exotic countries, the Dominican Republic does not have elephants, hippos, tiger monkeys, coyotes and other animals. Cattle, horses, and dogs were also brought by Christopher Columbus. But the island is rich in an abundance of different species of birds, lizards and, of course, very beautiful tropical nature with snow-white beaches.
Amazing nature of the Dominican Republic
Surprisingly, at this small area land (which is approximately equal in area to the area Saratov region) there are 9 climatic and 4 ecological zones. About 8.5 thousand plants grow here (this is 3 times more than throughout Europe). Here is the most high point Antilles - Mount Duarte Peak, its height is 3087m above sea level. You can climb the mountain only on foot or on horseback. And the lowest point is salt Lake, With beautiful name Enriquillo, located in the western part of the country, where real crocodiles are found. The lake itself is a nature reserve, but anyone can visit it. By renting a boat with a professional local guide, you will have a fascinating three-hour trip deep into the lake to a small island where you can watch crocodiles in the wild.
The most picturesque beaches of the Dominican Republic
Juaniyo,
Juaniyo Beach is one of the top ten best beaches world, its sand is so dazzlingly white and the sea plays with so many colors that it remains in the memory of people who visit it for a long time. The beach is located in the closed complex of Cap Cana, it is not crowded enough, so if you wish, you can find a secluded corner and enjoy the peace and quiet of this extraordinary place.
Macau
Wild beach Macau is located far from mass tourism. This municipal beach with golden sand, is very popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents. Different from the beaches east coast the absence of a reef that would break a large ocean wave. Lures you here a large number of lovers of riding the wave.
Baia de las Aguilas beach (Bay of the Eagles)
In the southwest of the country, in the Jaragua National Park, there is one of the most beautiful beaches Dominican Republic Bahia de las Aguilas, translated from Spanish as Bay of Eagles. It got its name not because of the concentration of these magnificent birds; you won’t see them there. It’s just that the shape of this beach from above resembles the wings of an eagle. Great distance from tourist center What makes this beach not crowded is that the beach is surrounded by a coral reef, which is home to many marine inhabitants, including Caribbean manatees and turtles.
Dominican Islands
Saona
Saona Island is the most big Island Dominican Republic, surrounded by white beaches. Once upon a time, this little piece of paradise was discovered by Christopher Columbus. Due to the wide variety of vegetation, the island is part of the Del Este National Reserve; many plant species grow only here. Anyone can get to this piece of paradise for one day with an excursion. There are no large and comfortable hotels here, construction is prohibited here, but for beach holiday everything you need is here.
Catalina
The island is not inferior in its beauty to Fr. Saona. The same snow-white beaches And beautiful palm trees, sea and tranquility wildlife. The island is currently uninhabited, but its beaches are also visited by thousands of tourists. This small piece of paradise is surrounded by a large coral reef. Attracts more snorkeling and diving enthusiasts here.
Beata
Christopher Columbus gave this name to the island, calling it “Madame Beata”. During the times of discovery and conquest, this island served as a battle arena between pirates and Spanish troops; currently this island is uninhabited. More precisely, it will be said that the inhabitants of this island are iguanas, a large number of species of birds and sea turtles. Travel around the island is difficult due to mangrove swamps and erosion. Very beautiful view opens to the island during sea trips, you can see the inaccessible coastline, the wild beauty of mangroves and sandy beaches.
Not very accessible due to its "neglected" nature, but very beautiful island Beata
In the footsteps of the pirates of the Caribbean
What associations do you have with the word Caribbean? Of course - pirates! There are many places in the Dominican Republic that are, to one degree or another, associated with pirates. There are forts that protected villages and cities from pirate attacks. There are models of pirate ships of that time. There are many underwater museums with sunken pirate ships. Famous Island Saona, famous for its snow-white shores, is also famous for the fact that the island was a favorite place for pirates. On it they prepared for the next attacks, divided the loot and, of course, hid their treasures. Many of which have not yet been found!
Caves of the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is famous for its caves and lagoons, there are a huge number of them. The most famous cave with lakes is in Santo Domingo, Los tres Ojos, translated from Spanish as “three eyes”. Inside the caves there are three lakes, thanks to which it got its name. The water in the lakes is crystal clear and unusually blue, each lake has a different chemical composition. There is even a real raft inside the cave that you can ride on.
Lagoons of the Dominican Republic
On the territory of the Dominican Republic, in the real jungle, there are a very large number of lagoons with crystal clear water. You can swim in many of them. The water in them is fresh and very clear; the inhabitants of these lagoons are most often turtles and fish. Lagoons occur both on the open surface and in various types of caves, which makes them mysterious and beautiful.
Historical and cultural places of the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
Colonial city of Santo Domingo, the first city of the new world. Once here on an excursion, you will find yourself in the 15th century; there are more than three hundred monuments of the colonial era. His historical districts UNESCO declared it a “Property of Humanity”.
Columbus Lighthouse
Faro a Colon (Columbus Lighthouse) is a huge structure in the shape of a cross. So they decided to perpetuate the memory of the great navigator, discoverer Christopher Columbus. Inside there is a mausoleum with the remains of the great discoverer. A large number of spotlights are placed on the roof, the column of light from which is visible for several tens of kilometers.
Where to go with children?
Manatee Park
One of the places you can go with children in the Dominican Republic is Manati Park. A very exciting program with interesting performances, where you will see one of the rituals of the Taino Indians, a performance with parrots and a show with dolphins, and if you wish, you can even swim with them. And between the performances, see the rest of the numerous inhabitants of the park, pink flamingos, crocodiles, iguanas and turtles.
Zoo
The zoo (Parque Zoologico Nacional) is located within the city of Santo Domingo. Its territory is so huge, 1250 square kilometers, that a day is not enough to get around it. If you don't like to walk a lot, a small train runs here for you. There are practically no cages in this park; the habitat for animals is as close to natural as possible.
Marinarium
If you want to swim with sharks and stingrays, then this is the place for you. The uniqueness of this place is that it is located in the ocean. Almost a floating island, equipped with sun loungers for those who want to soak up the sun and try exotic cocktails.
Water parks
In the Dominican Republic, water parks are located under open air, the weather is good here all year round. And most of them are located at hotels. There are water parks in almost all parts of the Dominican Republic. One of the newest is located in the east of the country, in Punta Cana, called Sirenis Aqualand. The next one is in the north, not far from the resort Puerto Plata, "Columbus". “Agua Splash Caribe” this water park is located in the south, in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.
Dolphinarium
Dolphin Explorer Dolphinarium, another place for those who want to swim with dolphins, is located in Punta Cana, and is located in the open ocean. A very rich program, you will not only swim with dolphins, watch a show with sea lion and a show with parrots.
Leisure
What about sports, extreme, water and underwater entertainment? Order! For lovers of extreme and sports types Holidays in the Dominican Republic are complete freedom! Since half the island is washed by the Atlantic, there are big waves reaching a height of several meters. For kite and wine surfers, there are also places to hone their skills.
Dominican Diving certainly cannot be compared with the Red Sea, but boasts sunken PIRATE SHIPS, not every sea can!
There is also rafting in the Dominican Republic, balloon, helicopter flight, horseback riding and much more. But there are no jet skis here, but there are small sports boats on which you can make group rides and compete with friends. And of course, no less exciting buggy racing! And what Russian doesn’t like driving fast!?
P.S.
Dear readers, this information is described about the country as a whole. Some excursions take more than one day. If you don’t know the area or language, it’s better to buy a tour from hotel guide or use the services of a private guide. The main thing is that after your vacation you have bright and unforgettable impressions. Have a nice holiday!
The Dominican Republic (Spanish: República Dominicana) is a country occupying the eastern part of the island of Haiti in the Caribbean Sea and adjacent islands. The western part of the island of Haiti is occupied by the state of the Republic of Haiti. The entire island of Haiti is part of the Greater Antilles archipelago. The capital of the Dominican Republic is the city of Santo Domingo. The population is about 9.65 million people (as of 2009).
In addition to the main territory on the island of Haiti (Hispaniola), the Dominican Republic owns many small islands, among which the largest are Saona and Beata.
The main export destinations are food products such as sugar, coffee, cocoa, and tobacco. In addition, gold, silver, ferronickel, iron and nickel ore are also exported. The country occupies a favorable strategic position at the intersection of trade routes from Europe and the United States to the Panama Canal.
The country's fauna is very diverse: parrots, green iguanas, American crocodiles living in a special reserve, a great variety of birds and bats. There are no snakes. Marine fauna represented by dolphins, manatees, humpback whales, turtles, large tropical fish, crabs, lobsters, and lobsters. There are no sharks directly off the coast.
A little history
The history of the Dominican Republic dates back to its discovery by Christopher Columbus on December 5, 1492. Columbus found the island of Haiti and named it "La Espanola". The locals called it "Quisqueya", which means "Mother of all lands". Today, the remains of Christopher Columbus, according to his will, are located in the Faro Colon museum complex in the capital of the Dominican Republic.
When the French landed in the western part of the island in 1655, Hispaniola was divided between France and Spain. On January 1, 1804, the territory of the island belonging to France was proclaimed the Republic of Haiti. In 1805, the army of the French part of Haiti captured the eastern half of the island. However, united with the British, the Spaniards won this armed conflict. As a result, on December 10, 1821, a new state entity appeared “ Independent state Spanish Haiti", which was again captured by the French in January 1822. In 1844, thanks to the heroic work of Juan Pablo Duarte, as well as Sanchez and Mella, later proclaimed fathers of the motherland and becoming national heroes, the division of the island was completed, and the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti were created. In 1863, on February 27, the republic gained independence and since then has annually celebrated this day with a carnival procession and festivities.
Until 1916, the history of the republic was filled with tragic events: armed conflicts with neighbors on the island, brutal repressions of the ruling dictators. The American landing off the coast of the Dominican Republic in 1916 marked the beginning of the country's political and economic dependence on the United States. Since 1930, a period of genocide began in the country: the Dominican Republic is under the rule of a brutal dictator - the former commander-in-chief of the Dominican army, General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo. Since 1962, the country has seen dozens of governments and presidents. In 1966, a new constitution was adopted. The period of political instability ends only in 1986 with the election of Balaguer as president of the country. Today, the Dominican Republic stands firmly on the path of democratic development and is a peaceful and tranquil country.
How to get there
There are non-stop flights to Dominican Republic resorts from Moscow and St. Petersburg. They are usually included in a tour package and are rarely sold separately.
Tourists who prefer independent travel and decent service on board, they can take advantage of connecting flights at airports in Europe and the USA. For example, an American Airlines flight from Moscow with a transfer in London and New York.
There is an even simpler way: from Moscow and St. Petersburg with one transfer in Paris by airline aircraft " Air France» You can fly to Punta Cana. You can fly to Santo Domingo with Iberia airlines with a transfer in Madrid.
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Climate and weather in the Dominican Republic
The climate of the Dominican Republic is humid, subtropical. The heat is easy to bear, as there are soft sea breezes and trade winds.
The rainy season lasts from May to September, with frequent but short showers. Short showers are also possible in November-December. The rest of the time the weather remains dry and warm.
The most favorable time to visit is from December to April.
Cities and regions
In the Dominican Republic there is 1 national district - the capital Santo Domingo, 29 provinces, 50 municipal districts and 110 municipalities.
Administrative divisions of the Dominican Republic
Provinces of the Dominican Republic: Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaiallat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, SanPedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde Mao.
The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo (or Santo Domingo de Guzman), the oldest (founded in 1496) and The largest city Antilles, built on the ruins of the hurricane-damaged city of New Isabella - the first spanish city on the island. Santo Domingo is the most important economic and Cultural Center country, which was named by UNESCO “Property of Humanity” for the abundance of monuments of the first settlers in the New World.
Alcazar de Colon, or Columbus's Palace, is located on the esplanade above the Osama River. The structure was erected in 1514 by order of Diego Columbus, the son of Christopher Columbus, from pieces coral reef, not a single nail was used during its construction. The building has 22 rooms, which contain a unique collection of authentic items of that era: ancient manuscripts, portraits of the owners, furniture and interior items. Information about the museum is at
Osama Fortress- the first fortress in the New World, built between 1502-1507. In its courtyard stands the Torre del Omenaje, a witness to all the most important stages of Dominican history. The rebel Indians were kept in its dungeons, and during the Republican period prisoners were sent here. At all times, the conquerors of the Dominican Republic tried to immediately hoist their national flag on the Torre del Omenaj tower. It is worth visiting the fortress to see the tower, the ruins of the fortress wall, the old arsenal and the house of the influential Dominican Rodrigo de Bastidas, adjacent to the fortress.
In addition to the above-mentioned attractions, tourists in the capital of the Dominican Republic can see Fort Concepcion (XVII century), the Captain's Palace - Casa de Bastidas (XVI century), the Sundial (1753), located at the end of Calle des las Damas, the first stone house on the island - Casa del Cordón, the so-called "House of the Ribbon" (1503), the palaces of Casa del Duarte and Casa Borghella on Isabel la Catolica Street, the first fortress of the New World - La Fortalesa (or “Fort of Worship”), the Mint - Casa de la Moneda (16th century) and the first hospital on the continent - St. Nicholas (1503-1505). It is also worth visiting the National Pantheon, the Baluarte Mausoleum or the “Altar of the Motherland”, where the graves of the founders of the Dominican Republic - Duarte, Sanchez and Mella - are located.
There are many churches in the city, which is due historically: from here Christian church intended to bring the light of faith to the aborigines. The symbol of Santo Domingo is the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, or Cathedral of Santo Domingo.
This is a temple erected in honor of the Holy Virgin in 1514-1540. Is the oldest cathedral in America. The building is made of golden-coral limestone. The style of the cathedral combines Gothic and Baroque, with a strong Plateresque influence, which is especially noticeable in the decoration of the altar. Among the treasures of the cathedral are a rich collection of carved wooden statues, furniture, jewelry and silverware. On cathedral square there is a monument to Christopher Columbus. In 1990, as part of the architectural colonial complex of the city of Santo Domingo, the cathedral was included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.
No less interesting are the Church of San Nicolas (XVI century), the Church of Regina Angelorum (XVI century) on Padre Bellini Street, the Dominican Monastery (Los Dominicos, 1510), the Monastery of St. Clare (1522), the chapel of St. Andrew, as well as the church and monastery of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes (1530), where the Academy of Dominican History is now located, etc.
There are many museums in Santo Domingo. The most interesting of them is the colonial museum of Las Casas Reales (1513-1520), dedicated to the voyages of Columbus and the development of Spanish culture in the New World. It is also worth visiting the Dominican Museum, located in the former home of Hernan Cortes, the House Museum of one of the founders of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte.
Natural Park Los Tres Ojos, or “Three Eyes”, is located near the capital of the Dominican Republic. In the park you can visit a zoo, an aquarium, caves with stalactites and stalagmites, grottoes in which, at a depth of 15 meters, there are three sulfide lakes with dark blue water, which gave the name to the park. In addition, Santo Domingo has a huge number of tropical parks, among which the most popular are Duarte, Mirador del Sur, Mirador del Este and Columbus Park. The National Botanical Garden is worth visiting with rich collection tropical plants.
Puerto Plata
The main attractions of the Puerto Plata resort are the Amber Museum, the Colonial Zone with the San Felipe Fortress (Fortaleza de San Felipe), built in 1540, Independence Park, famous for its buildings in the Victorian spirit, Cathedral Saint Philip (Catedral de San Felipe), Fortaleza lighthouse, chocolate factory, Brugal rum distillery.
South-west of Puerto Plata rises Mount Isabel de Toros (2621 m), at the top of which there is an observation deck and a wonderful panorama of the surrounding area. You can reach it by cable car. Also at the top you can see the huge bronze statue of Christ the Savior - a copy of the famous Brazilian figure, only smaller in size, and take a walk along the slopes of the mountain botanical garden. By the way, it was on the top of Monte Isabel de Toros that a number of episodes of the film “Jurassic Park” were filmed.
Santiago
Santiago is the birthplace of merengue music. Among the city's attractions are the Santiago Cathedral (1868-1895) in Duarte Park, the National Museum of Thomas Moray, and the Tobacco Museum. Here tourists have the opportunity to visit the famous tobacco factories of Jean Clément, Leon Jimenez and the Tabacalera company. In the suburb of Santiago - the city of Moca, considered the capital of the country's coffee production, you can see several beautiful churches, as well as get acquainted with the coffee processing process.
La Vega
West of Santiago lies the fertile valley of La Vega Real, in which the city of La Vega is located, which was once the summer residence of the Spanish Viceroy. Here you can see the national shrine - the Church of Our Lady of Las Mercedes (19th century) at the foot of Mount Santo Cerro, explore the archaeological excavation area in the old city, the fire department building (17th century), and also visit the traditional Vegano carnival, held annually February 27.
Wildlife lovers and ecotourism enthusiasts are eager to get to Pedernales Peninsula, famous for its three unique national parks. This is Yaragua National Park - huge national reserve, which is home to about 130 species of birds; Sierra de Baoruca National Park - a mountainous region famous for the orchids growing there; the island National Park of Isla Cabritos, with a huge variety of fauna. The bay offers excellent diving opportunities, with groupers, baleen sharks and manatees in abundance.
Opportunities for ecotourism also open up in Samana Peninsula. Worthy of attention national park Haitises with the caves of San Gabriel, Angel, Arena and Linea, and the Banco de la Plata Marine Reserve, where you can observe the population of humpback whales from mid-January to mid-March.
In addition to the above, the national parks of Del Este, Los Haitises, and Armando Bermudez are also interesting. By the way, photos of the Dominican Republic’s attractions can be viewed in a special section, where in addition to photographs you will find comprehensive information about each tourist attraction.
Where to go in the Dominican Republic
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Parks and Recreation
Transport
Private guides in the Dominican Republic
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with the Dominican Republic in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Getting around the country
Public transport in the Dominican Republic includes buses, taxis and metro. Bus routes- most popular look transport, its network covers the entire country. Comfortable air-conditioned buses operate in places visited by tourists. In cities there are Shuttle Buses(“guaguas”), intercity express buses run strictly on schedule. Bus fares are low: even over long distances, the amount rarely exceeds 100 pesos, and the average fare in the city is 5 pesos.
Taxi is another popular type public transport. Traveling on collective buses is inexpensive minibus taxis(“carro-publicos”), as well as by taxi-motorcycle (“moto-concho”). The cars do not have meters, but there is a clear price for travel between certain points. A trip within the city will not cost more than 150 pesos. Remember that bargaining with drivers is useless. Taxi ranks are located at the entrances to large hotels and close to attractions.
The Dominican Republic has a metro only in the capital, Santo Domingo. It was opened on February 27, 2008, and so far consists of one line, which starts at the intersection of Winston Churchill Avenue and Independence Avenue and ends at Hermanas Mirabal Avenue. The fare is 20 pesos.
A rented car is also quite suitable for moving around the country. To rent a car, you must have an international driving license and a credit card valid for 90 days, and the driver must be at least 25 years old. Rules traffic On the roads of the Dominican Republic, for the most part, they are not observed, this applies mainly to secondary and suburban roads, so when renting a car, be careful. The traffic is on the right.
Communication
Official language Dominican Republic - Spanish. In some regions bordering Haiti, French is retained. Haitian immigrants also speak a Creole dialect. In some areas (often mountainous), where freed slaves immigrated from the United States in the 19th century, residents settled in English, for example in San Pedro de Macoris and Samana. Tourism workers also speak English well, and many speak German or Italian easily.
Culture
The culture of the Dominican Republic is very complex and diverse, it was influenced by the characteristics of the various races and nationalities that inhabit it.
The basis of Dominican culture is music and dance. The most popular dance is salsa, it is very emotional and explosive. We no less respect the merengue - another fiery dance. Bachata is Dominican country music performed to large quantity sad ballads about unhappy love. In addition, jazz, rock and hip-hop are very popular.
Paradoxically, the art of painting in the country was widely developed thanks to the dictator Rafael Trujillo, who, while limiting the creative freedom of artists, was a great connoisseur of fine art. In 1942 he founded the National School of Art.
The local population is very friendly and open to communication. Residents are friendly, courteous to each other, and respectful to tourists. However, when dealing with Dominicans, you need to make allowances for their explosive temperament. In exciting cases, previously calm and sedate people can suddenly show a “violent temper,” bursting into a stream of words, accompanied by violent gestures. The curiosity of the Dominicans became the talk of the town.
The rhythm of life of the Dominicans differs from that accepted in Europe. For example, in response to your request, you may hear a promise that does not need translation - “momentido”, but this does not mean at all that the request will be fulfilled not only quickly, but ever. There is no need to get angry about this - just take it for granted.
The customs of the Dominicans are determined by their historical roots: they not only love carnivals and festivals, but also know how to organize them.
February 27 is Independence Day, which Dominicans celebrate with a magnificent carnival procession that lasts a week, and regional carnivals sometimes continue until Easter. Bright masks and costumes of cheerful little devils with horns are created differently in each region. From such a costume you can always determine the geography of the carnival. According to Dominican historians, the first carnival on the island took place in 1520, and probably had exclusively religious significance for the Spanish conquistadors. After February 27, 1844, the Dominican Carnival became a national holiday, absorbing the cultural traditions of people from Europe, Africa and America.
On January 26, the country celebrates Duarte's birthday with great pomp, and August 16 is the day of the restoration of the Republic. In July, the capital hosts a large-scale Merengue festival. In addition, all major Catholic holidays are celebrated in the Dominican Republic.
Kitchen
The culinary traditions of the Dominican Republic are the result of a synthesis of European, African and local recipes. Peculiarity local cuisine- widespread use of legumes, fruits, vegetables (including exotic) in combination with meat products and fish. All this is seasoned with a fair amount of spices.
Among the traditional dishes, you should try thick meat soup with rice and vegetables - “asopao”, and a stew of beans, rice, salad, fried bananas and meat - “bandera”. “Bandera” and a similar dish “service”, as well as the famous stew of vegetables and meat in various combinations - “sancocho”, are the daily food of local residents.
From meat national dishes tourists will enjoy meat and vegetables baked in banana leaves - “pastel en ojas”, fried pork “puerco en puya”, grilled pork with bananas, and the local exotic - pig carcass cooked in a special pit. It is worth trying mofongo - thick banana puree based on meat broth, pastelon-de-platanos - banana pie with minced meat.
On New Year Dominicans stew kid goat in red wine and hot spices, it is called Chivo a la Diabla. It is served with white rice or cassava.
As a side dish for meat, they serve rice and red beans in various variations, cassava, wild banana puree, as well as all kinds of salads. In addition, there are always cassava cakes on the table - “casabe” and “tostones” - fried bananas. It is interesting that bananas of a certain variety are used for frying - “platano”, they are green and hard.
Despite the fact that the waters of the Dominican Republic abound various types marine life, seafood is almost never used to prepare local cuisine. But recently, due to the popularity of the Dominican Republic as tourist destination, seafood began to appear on the menus of cafes and restaurants. Most often, fish is served cooked very simply - on a spit or grill. Fish dishes with coconut are also popular - shredded, in coconut milk sauce, crabs in cangrejo guisado sauce. Try lambi, perhaps the only traditional Dominican seafood dish.
For sweets, locals prefer coconut jam or milk porridge with tropical fruits.
Dominicans consume a huge amount of fruits, including bananas, coconuts, pineapples, guavas, mangoes, green zest lemon and many other exotic fruits. They are eaten in their natural form, made into juices or fruit cocktails, sometimes with the addition of rum. Be sure to try the Banana Mama and Coco Loco cocktails, which locals consider to be their own invention.
Speaking of rum: the production of rum in the Dominican Republic began at the end of the 19th century. At its origins were three enterprising Dominicans of Spanish origin - Don Andres Brugal, Don Erasmo Bermudez and Julian Barcelo. They created their own rum production technology, resulting in a softer and sweeter drink compared to those produced, for example, in Barbados, Jamaica or the USA. Today, these three brands of Dominican rum - Brugal, Bermudez and Barcelo - are traditional in the country, and the most popular in the world.
Excellent coffee is brewed everywhere in the Dominican Republic, which is due historically. The first coffee beans were brought to Hispaniola by the Spaniards from the island of Martinique in 1735. The plant took root, local residents fell in love with the drink made from aromatic beans, and coffee brewing traditions became part of the Dominican culture. The most popular brand of coffee in the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo.
Purchases
As a rule, when talking about shopping in the Dominican Republic, we mean shopping in Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo is considered the shopping center of the Caribbean in general - the largest commercial and shopping centers region.
All tourists who want to go shopping in the capital of the Dominican Republic go to the famous Malecon - an avenue that stretches 15 kilometers along the coast. Here you can find not only a great variety of bars, restaurants, discos and cinemas, but also a huge number of shops. The best shopping areas of the capital are the Mercado Modelo market on Mella Avenue and the colorful Conde shopping street.
Shops in the country are open from 9:00 to 19:30 all days except Sunday. Large supermarkets are open from 8:00 to 22:00 daily, on Sundays there is a short day from 8:00 to 14:00.
The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. For 1 US dollar they give approximately 45 Dominican pesos. Currency can be exchanged in hotels or banks. Widely used credit cards.
You can read about shopping in the Dominican Republic’s main resort for Russians, Punta Cana.
Souvenirs
Local cigars are considered one of the most popular souvenirs of the Dominican Republic. Their production has been established since 1844, when the first seeds of Cuban tobacco were brought into the country. And since the 1960s of the last century, when the United States imposed an embargo on the import of Cuban cigars and raw materials, the heyday of tobacco production in the Dominican Republic began.
The most famous brands of Dominican cigars are Opus X - Arturo Fuentes, Carbonell, Juan Clemente, La Aurora, Len Jimnez, Thiriet Mercedes. In addition, in the Dominican Republic you can also purchase Cuban brands “Romeo y Julieta” and “Montecristo” produced under license.
Another traditional souvenir from the Dominican Republic is larimar, or Atlantic stone. Larimar is a blue pectolite of volcanic origin found only in the Dominican Republic. Larimar jewelry can be purchased at all retail outlets in the country. An unusual turquoise-blue stone, the color of which resembles the color of waters Caribbean Sea, framed in silver or gold.
Jewelry connoisseurs can also bring amber from the Dominican Republic, which was previously considered an exclusively European gem. It turns out that amber is also mined in the Dominican Republic. Caribbean amber differs in origin from its Baltic counterpart: it came from the resin not of pine trees, but of the so-called carob trees (a leguminous plant). Local amber comes in different colors: from transparent white to bright red. The most popular colors among connoisseurs are green and the very rare blue. Amber in the Dominican Republic is mined in mines; the largest deposits are located between Santiago and Puerto Plata.
Products made by Dominican craftsmen and artists make excellent souvenirs. You can purchase very original crafts made from precious wood, leather, ceramics, shells, fabric, interesting paintings with a vivid plot. Tourists also willingly buy CDs with merengue melodies and salsa rhythms. You can buy all this in souvenir shops, local markets and from street vendors.
Among the souvenirs that have become popular not so long ago, one can name a ceramic figurine without a face - the Lime doll, created in 1981 by the Dominican artist Liliana Mera. The doll has become one of the symbols of the country.
Connection
The quality of communication in the Dominican Republic is good. Long-distance calls can be paid either in cash in local currency or by fixed-price calling cards, which can be purchased at local telephone company branches.
Dominican Republic phone code: +1-809.
To call from the Dominican Republic to Russia you need to dial 011-7-area code - phone number.
To call the Dominican Republic, you need to dial 8 - 10 - 1809 - the subscriber number (for calls from a mobile phone, “8 - 10” are replaced by “+”).
If you want to use Skype to call the Dominican Republic, select the US (country code 1) as the calling country, and enter 809 as the area code. The fact is that the Dominican Republic is located in the US telephone space.
Roaming services in the Dominican Republic are provided by the largest Russian operators cellular communications: MTS, BeeLine and MegaFon. Check roaming rates with your mobile operator.
Useful phones
Economy
Safety
In resort areas, you can use the simplest means of protection - repellents. There are regular outbreaks of conjunctivitis in the country. It is not recommended to use tap water for drinking: for this you should buy mineral or purified water in bottles.
Remember that a measurement system that is unusual for us is still in use in the country. For example, ounce and pound are used for weighing. Gasoline, motor oil and most liquids are measured in gallons.
Since medical services in the Dominican Republic are paid, it is worth taking out international medical insurance in advance. If available, emergency medical care is provided free of charge, but for all subsequent visits to the doctor you will have to pay a bill issued by the medical institution.
Many hotels in the Dominican Republic are club hotels and operate according to the all inclusive("all inclusive").
At the same time, there are cheaper accommodation options: hotels from 1 to 4 stars and even hostels. You can view the characteristics of hotels in the “Hotels in the Dominican Republic” section, where you can also book a hotel in the Dominican Republic.
In some hotels in the Dominican Republic, upon entry, tourists are asked to deposit a certain amount to provide additional paid services. The balance is returned upon check-out. Checkout hours are usually as follows: entry - 15:00, departure - 11:00.
Please note that when booking online, room prices may be lower than at hotel counters. The average minimum price for a standard double room is about $40. The price depends on the location of the hotel (distance to the beach), the degree of comfort and the proposed living conditions.
All hotel areas in the Dominican Republic are picturesque parks, many of the hotels have their own beaches.
In addition to the opportunities for activities active species water sports, This is not the first time the Dominican Republic has become “ The best place for golf" according to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), working in golf destinations in 51 countries. Many hotels in the Dominican Republic have their own golf courses.
In hotels in the Dominican Republic, tips are already included in the cost of service, but maids and porters are still left a couple of dollars. In restaurants, it is customary to leave the waiter about 10% of the bill.
If you find yourself in the Dominican Republic, make the most of your vacation! Do everything to make your Dominican vacation unforgettable.
1. Watch the sunrise on the Atlantic and the sunset in the Caribbean
Is this possible? - you ask. Yes, in the Dominican Republic - it’s possible! The unique location of the island lies in the fact that its northern coast is washed by Atlantic Ocean, and the southern one - the Caribbean Sea. If you are vacationing in the resort of Punta Cana, be sure to come to watch the sunrise by the ocean - the beach in these early hours is still quiet and deserted, the sun is slowly rising from the ocean, painting the world in soft pink colors.
In the evening, move to the southern coast of the island (the resorts of La Romana, Bayahibe, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica, Santo Domingo). Here on the shores of the Caribbean Sea you can meet the most romantic and most beautiful sunset of your life. Don't forget to bring a bottle of wine and the right person to share your excitement.
2. Ride a motoconcho
Motoconcho is a shortened version of “moto con chofer” (literally translated as “motor with a driver”). This is the most common and affordable type of taxi in the Dominican Republic. A smiling driver will take you to your destination for just a couple of dollars. And if you are traveling with friends, you can hop on a motorcycle with the whole group - it will be very Dominican, because most of the locals move this way.
3. See a real whale in the wild
On the way to Paradise Island boats make a stop in the Blue Lagoon, at the bottom of which starfish live. Remember that these are living creatures, and they must be handled with care and precision, removing them from the water for no more than 5 seconds. This time is enough to take a couple of photos.
8. Dine at God's Hammock
In one of the central provinces of the Dominican Republic, Jarabacoa, there is an amazing restaurant called Jamaca De Dios. It is located almost on the top of one of the mountains, and from its veranda there is a fantastic view of the Jarabacoa valley. Observation deck The Hammock of God restaurant is considered one of the best in the country, here you will truly feel on top of the world!
You can get to Jarabacoa by renting a car. The journey from Punta Cana will take about 4 hours, from north coast- about 2.5 hours
9. Try the famous Coco Loco cocktail on Saona Island
Only a very lazy tourist, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, will not get to Saona Island. But you are not one of them, because you will not miss the opportunity to try the famous “Crazy Coconut” at Saona - this is how the name Coco Loco is translated from Spanish :)
The cocktail recipe is quite simple - take a fresh coconut just cut from a palm tree, cut off the top, add a glass of Caribbean rum inside and drink through a straw. Tasty, colorful and very cool!
10. Go to a concert of a world star
American stars don’t perform in Russia very often anymore, and even if they come to give a concert, it’s only in Moscow. But in the Dominican Republic, concerts of world celebrities are held regularly. While on vacation in the Caribbean, you have the chance to see Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Julio Iglesias, Elton John and other world-class stars on stage. So before you book your tour, be sure to google Dominican!
11. Walk through a tropical fruit plantation
The Dominican Republic is an agricultural country where a huge amount of exotic fruits and vegetables are grown. On this island you can walk in the shade of cocoa trees, in coffee thickets, between mango trees, in a papaya grove, through a cane plantation, and also see how many other familiar and unfamiliar fruits, vegetables, fruits and herbs grow. You can take photos among the strange vegetation on any of the excursions that include a visit to the Dominican ranch.