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Dominican
Republic
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The Caribbean's most complete island in every way. Despite the power shortages, still my favorite. |
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The Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of Hispaniola, the Caribbean 's second largest island after Cuba, and boasts the Caribbean 's highest mountain, 10,700-foot high Pico Duarte. The DR, as it's commonly known, also contains the Caribbean's lowest point, Lago Enriquillo, 130 feet below sea level. The Dominican Republic offers true tropical rain forests, fertile valleys, rushing rivers and waterfalls, inviting ocean beaches, giant sand dunes, mangrove jungles, ancient Taino ceremonial sites, plenty of caves, picturesque villages and cities. . . and the Caribbean's most historic city walk, the old city of Santo Domingo. The
DR is the Caribbean's most complete island. And it doesn't hurt that Dominican Republic travel is still reasonable, sometimes cheap. For a preview, take a look at
this As the first permanent city in all the Western Hemisphere settled by Europeans, the City of Santo Domingo de Guzman is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Columbus Lighthouse (Faro a Colon), claiming to contain the remains of Columbus, is nearby The old Colonial City is home of the first cathedral, first hospital, first monastery, first university and first court of law, all of which survive in some restored form. Shopping in the old city is also first rate. Although
Americans have yet to really discover the DR, the rest of the world
certainly has. The DR receives many, many more tourists than
any other Caribbean country. To accommodate visitors seeking
its far flung reaches, the DR provides 7 international airports.
More than 60 chartered airlines--mostly from Europe and Canada--fly
not only into Santo Domingo but also the coastal resort areas of Puerto Plata, Casa de Campo (La Romana) and
Punta Cana.
The most remote region is the southwest, the Barahona region served by the airport at Barahona city. Less remote but still off the beaten path is the Samana Peninsula, famous for its whale watching and beaches. Samana, however, should soon be coming into it its own now that it has a fine international airport. But for it to boom, it will need more frequent air traffic. The DR also boasts what is considered the Caribbean's most complete resort, Casa de Campo; it even offers skeet shooting! And the Dominican Republic has more all-inclusive resorts than even Jamaica. I have a confession to make when it comes to the DR. It may be my favorite island. Most of all because of the friendly people (who actually like to be photographed), its history, the varied scenery, the postcard beaches, the varied activities and tasty cuisine. If you're active, you can hike, white water raft, mountain bike and whale watch like nowhere else. The local El Presidente beer makes everything else in the region (and especially the U.S.) taste like pale ale. But it's a poor country and you may be hussled in unexpected ways. In the DR, the policeman is not always your friend.
Travel Information
Dominican
Hotels & Resorts Detailed
Background Facts & Map Current recommendations Arrival
Briefing Getting
Married in the Dominican Republic Dominican
Republic Daily News The game is the country's greatest passion Birds
of the Dominican Republic Columbus
Lighthouse
Echoes of the Past
Lago
Enriquillo The
North Coast Pico
Duarte Climb Samana
Peninsula Santo
Domingo Santo
Domingo Colonial City Tour
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