The Dominican Republic: you’ve most likely heard of it, perhaps heard of the baseball gamers it has given Main League Baseball. Perhaps even been there already, however it doesn’t matter what (or don’t), the Dominican Republic is a spot with somebody for everybody from solo vacationers to these with households. So whether or not you’re searching for a calming seashore, an evening out within the metropolis or kite boarding in among the finest locations on Earth, there are lots of unimaginable locations to go to within the Dominican Republic.
Earlier than we delve into what you are able to do within the Dominican Republic, you first must know when is the perfect time to go to. The Dominican Republic is a tropical island, situated simply south of the Tropic of Most cancers. This implies the summers might be heat and brutally humid, whereas the winters dip all the way down to the proper, low-humidity temperatures for having fun with every thing it has to supply.
See additionally: Ideas for Journey to the Dominican Republic
When to go to the Dominican Republic
Summers (verano e infierno – summer season and hell) within the Dominican Republic will not be as heat as you would possibly count on, with averages reaching round 80-85˚ F (27-29˚ C), however the humidity can attain as a lot as 90-100% making being open air troublesome at instances. Nevertheless, it’s best to be aware that almost all locations to remain will provide air-con. As a nation within the Caribbean, the DR can be underneath Hurricane Watch from June-November and whereas it has been spared from giant hurricanes lately, it’s one thing to have in mind in your journey planning. All of that stated, the months of March – October are the off-season within the Dominican. Nevertheless, costs of lodging and airplane tickets drop off and it’s nonetheless a beautiful time to be within the nation!
Winters within the Dominican run from roughly November by way of March when humidity reaches rather more manageable ranges, whereas temperatures stay within the low to mid 80’s. That is the best time to go to the Dominican, although be warned, it’s additionally “excessive” season when costs for lodging, airplane tickets and every thing else peak. But, you’ll nonetheless be capable of discover nice offers on locations to see and issues to do through the Dominican winter.
Getting across the Dominican Republic
Getting across the Dominican Republic is finest finished by automotive. All the main automotive rental firms are current within the DR and driving there, whereas intense, can typically be finished with ease. Once you’re driving within the Dominican, particularly in cities, you’ll want to concentrate to motos (folks on motorbikes) as they will take over the roadways, particularly outdoors Santo Domingo. You may additionally need to have a eager eye out for potholes. Go away a serious roadway and potholes may find yourself being the bane of your journey. There are pace limits, that are largely obeyed by different drivers as are cease lights and indicators. If you happen to’re comfy driving usually, you’ll be a lot comfy right here.
Finest locations to go to within the Dominican Republic
Though there are lots of extra locations to go to within the Dominican Republic, a few of that are extra “off the overwhelmed path”, we’re focusing right here on taking a look at a number of the locations within the Dominican Republic which may be higher identified, or simpler to entry because of having worldwide airports, and supplying you with some choices of issues to do outdoors of the standard seashore trip most individuals have a tendency to consider the Dominican Republic for.
Let’s begin with Santo Domingo, the primary metropolis of the Americas, for these of you who assume you possibly can’t see something “previous” on this aspect of the world.
1. Santo Domingo
Attending to Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is just second to Punta Cana in airline visitors. Relying on the place you might be, it might be roughly simple to discover a direct, reasonably priced flight, nevertheless it’s definitely not not possible. The airport code for Santo Domingo is SDQ.
Flights to Santo Domingo usually come from the next locations:
From North America
Lots of the largest cities on the East Coast of the US, resembling New York, Boston, Altanta, and Washington, D.C. provide nonstop flights to Santo Domingo. To get to Santo Domingo from the West Coast, you will want a layover someplace within the East to hop down. The three largest US-based airways (Delta, American, United) all provide nonstop flights to Santo Domingo from the East Coast, along with a number of the main lower-cost airways (Spirit, JetBlue).
You may also fly nonstop to Santo Domingo from Toronto, Canada, and Mexico Metropolis, by way of their flagship airways.
From Central and South America
There are every day nonstop flights from Bogota, Colombia, and Panama Metropolis, Panama. Panama can be an amazing layover choice in the event you’re flying from the West Coast, because it’s solely a two hour flight to Santo Domingo from there.
From Western Europe
You possibly can fly nonstop to Santo Domingo from Madrid, Paris, and Frankfurt. From Europe, nevertheless, you may have a a lot higher provide of flights in the event you fly to Punta Cana as a substitute, which is a two and a half drive to Santo Domingo.
You may also go to Santo Domingo as a part of a Caribbean cruise itinerary. Main cruise traces resembling Carnival, Ponant, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Seaborn are stopping on the Santo Domingo Port in a few of their itineraries, which permits you, generally, a minimum of sufficient time to go to the Colonial Metropolis. As the primary metropolis within the Americas, the Colonial Metropolis is the crown jewel of Santo Domingo. If you happen to solely do one factor within the metropolis, do that.
The Spotlight of Santo Domingo: the Zona Colonial
Based in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus (Christopher Columbus’ brother), Santo Domingo was the founding capital of the Spanish Empire within the Americas. As such, it boasts a lot of “the firsts” of its form by way of authorities buildings and infrastructure, together with the primary fort, the primary courthouse, the primary hospital, and the primary cathedral. The entire Colonial Metropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.
Simply walkable regardless of the cobblestone streets, the Zona Colonial options remarkably preserved examples of Gothic and Renaissance structure, most notably current within the Catedral Primada de America.
Begin your journey on the Colonial Zone at Plaza España, an open sq. going through the port, which provides you entry to landmarks such because the Alcazar de Colon (the Palace of Diego Columbus), and the Calle Las Damas, the place many of those “first of the Americas” buildings are. Give your self a minimum of a morning to discover and luxuriate in one of many a number of cafes or eating places unfold throughout the totally different streets of the Zone.
A Seasonal Spotlight: Winter Baseball
Whereas many, if not most, folks don’t go to the Dominican Republic to look at baseball, it is likely one of the most enjoyable actions you are able to do whereas visiting. Baseball is the nation’s nationwide sport, one thing evident by the massive variety of Dominican gamers that find yourself taking part in professionally. Working from late October to mid-January, the video games are held in venues across the nation. Tickets are extraordinarily reasonably priced and also you’ll have the prospect to see some huge names from the MLB come down and play winter baseball in addition to glimpse future up and coming stars. In contrast to video games within the US, baseball video games listed here are a bit wild with an enormous array of drinks and cheerleaders. That’s proper, cheerleaders! All in all, Dominican video games are a spotlight when visiting the nation and in the event you get the chance, it’s one it’s best to take. Weekday video games are normally within the night and weekend video games begin within the late afternoon.
2. Punta Cana
If you’re conversant in the Dominican Republic, or have been earlier than, chances are high you visited Punta Cana or that got here up as an choice to your trip. And whereas Punta Cana is the prime vacation spot for resort holidays within the Dominican Republic, there’s extra to it.
Attending to Punta Cana
Punta Cana is well the Dominican’s high vacation spot. With the island’s busiest airport (and 2nd busiest in your complete Caribbean), getting there may be not troublesome. Punta Cana has year-round flights from everywhere within the Western Hemisphere; you would possibly need to arrive from both jap North America, South America, or Europe. With a brand new freeway constructed, Punta Cana can be solely a brief 2.5 hour drive from the capital – Santo Domingo do you have to select to lease a automotive.
What to do in Punta Cana
Punta Cana is the Dominican’s high vacation spot, boasting most of the finest actions and lodging on your complete island and presumably in your complete Caribbean. Punta Cana boasts all-inclusive resorts in addition to themed resorts, such because the Nickelodeon Resort, the place every thing, from the rooms to the eating places and rides, is themed after a few of Nickelodeon’s hottest reveals. You possibly can even keep in a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed pineapple suite, which is a townhouse formed like a pineapple on the surface. Or the Hard Rock Hotel, which hosts a number of the high concert events and reveals within the nation, together with world-famous Cirque du Soleil lately.
Punta Cana additionally boasts pristine, in depth seashores for each seashore style. Listed below are some examples:
- Macao Seaside is the popular vacation spot for these searching for journey in Punta Cana, with its buggy rides and surf-friendly waves.
- Juanillo Seaside in Cap Cana, a postcard-perfect seashore of white sand sprinkled with palm timber, is ideal for swimming and water sports activities like kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), in addition to lounging underneath excellent blue, breezy skies.
- Cabeza de Toro is a seashore space northeast of Punta Cana the place you possibly can exit fishing and snorkeling. This space of the nation typically sees aggressive fishing tournaments, so fishing is a number of the finest you are able to do. You possibly can guide a fishing, snorkeling, or crusing tour by way of most resorts.
Final however not least, the Ojos Indigenas Reserve in Punta Cana is a welcome respite from the beach-heavy setting Punta Cana can carry throughout at instances. The Ojos Indigenas Reserve consists of 12 freshwater lagoons in 1500 acres of land. The reserve consists of species endemic to the Dominican Republic and intends to protect the pure habitat of the world because it was skilled by the Taino folks, the indigenous inhabitants of the island.
3. Dominican Republic’s North Coast
Subsequent, let’s speak in regards to the unique vacationer vacation spot of the Dominican Republic: the North Coast. The north coast is residence to most of the hottest locations to go to within the Dominican Republic.
Attending to the Dominican Republic’s north coast
The North Coast of the Dominican Republic gives a beautiful reprieve from the resorts of Punta Cana and the enterprise of Santo Domingo. Getting there may be as simple as flying into Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón Airport with various seasonal flights from the jap US, Europe and Canada in addition to a number of yr spherical flights from the US East Coast and Canada. Puerto Plata is a couple of 10 minute drive from the airport, whereas Cabarete is a couple of 20 minute drive.
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is the Dominican Republic’s largest metropolis within the north, with a inhabitants of round 330,000. Based in 1502, Puerto Plata gives a complete host of web sites to see and do. You possibly can go to Fort San Felipe (accomplished in 1577) as the principle colonial remnant on the North Coast of the DR.
You may also take a cable automotive up Mount Pico Isabel de Torres to see a smaller Christ the Redeemer Statue than Rio, however a taller mountain and absorb resplendent views of the town and ocean. If you’re there on the finish of February to early March, you may as well get pleasure from Carnivál in Puerto Plata when Dominicans exit and have a good time with masks, parades, and rather more.
High attraction in Dominican Republic’s north coast: The 27 Waterfalls
One of many essential points of interest within the space, nevertheless, are the Damajagua Falls or 27 Waterfalls (Veintisiete Charcos), however take note you’ll must be 12 or older. If visiting within the winter when water ranges are larger, you possibly can go to this glorious pure surprise and luxuriate in a very expertise. You’ll have a guided tour and two choices to make your manner up. You hike (faster and simpler) or swim and climb up by way of deep, beautiful caverns. You possibly can go as much as the primary stage (7 waterfalls), 2nd stage (12 waterfalls) or the third and most troublesome stage, all 27 waterfalls, however be warned it’s a troublesome swim up. Upon reaching your vacation spot, you’ll be capable of leap and slide your manner again down with falls touchdown from 5 ft as much as round 15-20 foot jumps. If you happen to’re prepared and ready, the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua might be one of many highlights of your journey!
When planning, you’ll discover a host of lodging for everybody from boutique resorts to all-inclusive resorts. Choices inside the metropolis can be found for these searching for a extra low-key, genuine Dominican keep, however all-inclusive resorts across the metropolis and surrounding space. If you happen to’re unfamiliar, all-inclusives cost by particular person (not room) and embrace room, meals, and drink. We advocate doing all of your analysis as a number of the all-inclusive have seen higher days.
4. Cabarete
A brief drive from Puerto Plata and about 20 minutes from the airport, you will discover your self in Cabarete, a thriving seashore city the place many younger folks and snow-birds alike find yourself. Cabarete is likely one of the high kiteboarding places on this planet and simply west of the city (1-2 miles) you’ll discover a whole bunch of surfers within the winter months.
Cabarete has many nice meals choices together with a complete slew of fantastic seashore bars. There are fewer resorts obtainable right here, however loads of wonderful choices on the town and subsequent to the seashore. Many locations obtainable to remain have full kitchens obtainable as properly and the grocery retailer is stocked properly sufficient to fulfill all vacationers. Cabarete can be one in every of, if not the, finest spot on the island to search out giant sweets for boogie boarding and browsing. Like all over the place else within the Dominican Republic, Cabarete has one thing for everybody: seashores, out of doors actions, and nice foods and drinks.
5. Samaná Peninsula
Persevering with on the Atlantic coast, Samana is a particular change of tempo from what we see within the largest resort locations within the Dominican Republic.
Attending to Samaná Peninsula
Whereas one of the crucial stunning elements of the Dominican Republic, it may also be one of many harder to reach at Samaná does have an airport with a number of yr spherical flights (all from Canada – Toronto & Montreal and Europe – Madrid) with seasonal flights from these identical locations, however Miami within the US. As such, many vacationers lease a automotive and drive. From Santo Domingo it’s a 2.5 hour drive on simple going roads. There are a number of tolls alongside the way in which, however the various route is just not value avoiding these prices because the roads are far worse and it takes far longer.
Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas is one the principle locations you’ll need to go to on the Samaná Peninsula. With a inhabitants hovering round 15,000, it has grow to be a go-to spot for expats, particularly from France, searching for a extra relaxed life-style. Regardless of its dimension, nevertheless, Las Terrenas has a lot to supply for everybody! Like many locations to go to within the Dominican Republic, Las Terrenas is surrounded by stunning seashores. If you happen to’re staying within the metropolis, the seashores are only a brief stroll away. Playa Las Terrenas and Punta Pops are proper there and supply loads of shade with crystal clear blue waters. In contrast to different locations within the Dominican Republic, the seashores listed here are going to be far much less crowded as Las Terrenas offers a quieter time (although nonetheless with an amazing nightlife, extra on that later!).
If you happen to’re staying outdoors the town, the seashores will not be practically as huge, however are much more peaceable with loads of locations to loosen up and benefit from the heat waters, whether or not its Playa Carolina Portillo to the east or Playa Bonita to the west. Playa Cosón, a brief drive additional east from Playa Bonita, gives vast swaths of beautiful golden sand seashores, with towering palms. It is usually as remoted a seashore as you could ever discover.
Whereas Las Terrenas is just not as full of life as say Cabarete or Punta Cana, it nonetheless gives an thrilling nightlife. A row of eating places and bars alongside the waterfront in downtown Las Terrenas gives a slew of locations to go for households and singles alike. As with the seashores, simply outdoors the town to the East and West, many small bars and eating places additionally exist, many as a part of resorts for these searching for a quieter evening out.
Ultimate ideas
That is, certainly not, an exhaustive journey information on the Dominican Republic. Hopefully, it provides you some concepts to your subsequent trip. Because of its pure magnificence and wealthy historical past, the Dominican Republic is a primary Caribbean vacation spot for all vacationers. Able to go?
