The Dominican Republic occupies about two-thirds of the second largest island in the Caribbean, Hispaniola, and is famed for being the place where Columbus hit land in the Americas, pronouncing it to be the most beautiful island he had ever seen.
Nestled between Cuba (150 miles northwest) and Puerto Rico (75 miles east), the Dominican Republic comprises 19,120 square miles with a population of 7.6 million. It’s mountain range provides the highest peak in the West Indies, the 10,417-foot Pico Duarte.
This naturally beautiful country occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola (Haiti occupies the remaining third), offers rugged mountains, beautiful beaches, rolling hills and valleys – and the richest history of any Caribbean country.
As a Caribbean island, it does indeed enjoy glorious natural beauty. The palm-tree lined, golden beaches of the stereotype do exist in reality, and it is abundant in cultivation, particularly of tropical fruits which you see being sold on every roadside, sugar cane and coffee plantations. The cultivation of coffee, enjoying hillsides to grow upon, belies the fact that the Dominican Republic also boasts the highest mountain peak of the Caribbean.
Dominican Republic Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Seek out the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Dominican Republic Tours
Find the best sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Key Facts
• Capital City: Santo Domingo
• Currency: Dominican Peso, DOP
• Language: Spanish
• Time Zone: -4 GMT
• Dialling Code: +809
Best Time to Visit?
December to February and July to August are the most popular times of year to visit.
A lot of foreigners like to celebrate Christmas in the Dominican Republic for a holiday unlike any other. Dance the Bachata and Merengue around the coconut trees and palm trees decorated for the holiday season. Why not spend Christmas in your swimsuit?
February is also a particularly good time to head to the Dominican Republic as the weather is perfect and you can enjoy Carnival when celebrations and parades take place every weekend and the whale season begins. There are severe storms between June and October so this time of year is best avoided.
Getting There and Away
There are regular flights to the Dominican Republic to locations like Punta Cana, Samaná, Puerto Plata, and La Romana.
Getting Around
There are no trains in the country so the best way to get around is either by local bus or taxi.
Bus
The local buses are cheap (perfect for backpackers) but often unreliable and over-crowded. You will almost always have to travel through the capital of the country to get from one region to the next.
Taxis
All taxis are unmetered so you should agree on the cost ahead of time.
Rental Cars
This is the best way to get around the island on your own schedule. Companies to consider using include: Avis, Budget and Hertz.
Publicos
These are unmetered multipassenger taxis that have proven to be an inexpensive and easy way to get around. Publicos can be hailed from anywhere but make sure you tell the driver where you’re headed!
Guaguas
More crowded than publicos, guaguas are minivans or panel trucks that transport travelers for a very low cost.
Practical Information
Religions Practised:
Christianity (Roman Catholic)
Total Area:
48,730 square kilometres
Population Size:
9.904,000
Voltage and Plug Info:
110 V. Japanese-style plug with two parallel blades.
Visas:
The majority of visitors to the Dominican Republic do not need a tourist visa but will be required to fill out a tourist card. This is valid for 30 days and an extended 90-day visa is available for a slightly larger fee.
Safety:
The Dominican Republic is generally a safe country, particularly around the luxury hotel complexes and tourist destinations. It is important to keep your wits about you because muggers and pickpockets’ may be around so don’t flash your valuables, even in hostels or hotels. There is no law against drink driving for residents of the Dominican Republic so be cautious around the roads at night time and never walk in the road.
Vaccinations and Health:
There is a risk of malaria in the Dominican Republic, particularly around the rainforest area, so it is advisable that all visitors take antimalarials whilst in the country. There is also a slight risk of dengue fever which is spread through mosquitoes so always wear insect repellent and try to cover up whenever possible. A vaccination certificate is not required when entering the Dominican Republic but it is advisable to be update with all your usual vaccines as well as diphtheria, typhoid, tetanus and hepatitis A. Some health officials would also suggest having hepatitis B, cholera and rabies vaccines.
Top Things to Do
Rich with history, the capital city, Santo Domingo, is the oldest city in the Americas. Indeed, the Dominican Republic is home to the oldest street, house, cathedral, university and hospital in the New World! Here you will find fascinating museums and renovated buildings.
Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination with lots of hotels and resorts.
Although some people opt to purchase a package deal in Punta Cana and then not leave their hotel to explore the country, don’t do this! You might like to view my tips for some of the best places to eat in Punta Cana.
There are resorts and beaches galore in the Dominican Republic, and most holiday evolve around the coastlines. This really is one of the best beach destinations in the world.
Take a trip to the Columbus Lighthouse, a pyramid structure that allegedly contains the bones of Columbus. Or visit the Museum of the Royal Houses and see replicas of Columbus’ ships and sunken treasures from 1724.
Another fascinating stop is the Jardin Botanico which is the largest Latin American botanical gardens, covering 445 acres, which can be toured on a horse-drawn carriage.
For anyone with an interest in sports, there is golf, tennis, boating, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and parasailing.
Shopping
North American shoppers are generally most interested in Dominican Republic jewelry, particularly pieces made from amber (a stone ranging from bright yellow to black), or from another local stone called larimar (the “Dominican turquoise”).
Other good souvenirs include mercedoras (rocking chairs, which are sold disassembled and boxed for convenience), Lime (pronounced “Le-may”) which are locally-crafted figurines, leather goods, coffee and cigars.
History
Discovered during their first voyage for the New World in 1492, Christopher Columbus and his brother Bartolomeo founded the Dominican Republic four years later. Not long after, the island became the focal point for Spanish expeditions.
After settling Cuba, Puerto Rico and Mexico, the island colony became very prosperous for Spain. It wasn’t until 1586 that the city fell to pieces when Sir Francis Drake from England attacked the island and set fire to the capital.
The Dominican Republic has just begun to take control of the island after being manipulated by Generalissimo Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s oppressive dictatorship. The country has invested several million dollars to rebuild it’s tourist appeal.
Culture
Dominicans are predominantly Afro-Caribbean as an ethnic group, but there are also strong traces of a mix of European, particularly Spanish, blood, and it is the Spanish language which is spoken across the island.
The fusion of cultures is particularly strong in the tropical music. Salsa is popular, but more so are the native Dominican rhythms of merengue and bachata which blare from every cafe and taxi and which require great agility in the hips to be able to swing to the music as required!