The Dominican Republic immediately leads the imagination to run wild with images of white powdery beaches, clear blue sea, and palm trees. Fortunately those who visit the Dominican Republic are not disappointed, as this is exactly what you get!

It is an island of contrast, bordering the Caribbean Sea in the south and the Atlantic Ocean in the north.

Columbus pronounced that there was ‘no more beautiful island in the world’ on seeing its idyllic Caribbean coastline. A coastline that stretches 870 miles, a third of which is purely devoted to beaches.

The landscape is mountainous (featuring one of the highest mountains in the Caribbean) and forested, lined with the excellent beaches for which it is most well known.

It is the grandfather of the Caribbean islands, being able to boast the oldest city, street, cathedral, university and the remains of the oldest hospital in the New World.

However, it also offers many European style hotels with first class amenities such as tennis courts and casinos. So if you are a holiday maker who also likes something to do aside from hours of sunbathing, don’t worry, because many of the resorts are based on or located near to the beaches, the majority of them also offer great watersports packages.

Windsurfers and water-skiers are particularly drawn to the beaches of Puerto Plata, on the north Amber Coast, also popular with snorkelers and fishermen and women due to the excellent reefs that are there, not yet spoiled by too much civilisation.

Going to the Dominican Republic travellers will no doubt get what they expected, beautiful beaches, great weather and things to do if the visitor should they wish to get more out of their visit than simply a tan.

Within the Dominican Republic there is a blend of (lifestyles) European, Caribbean and Latin influences. Despite it’s obvious natural charm and many attractions it is not as developed as more traditional destinations. It is being rebuilt and restored and as well as offering visitors sun and sea, it also offers the chance to learn about the politics and history of a developing society.

THE WEATHER / WHEN TO VISIT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic has a semitropical climate. In the lowlands the temperatures average around 74 degrees throughout the year, during the summer months they can range between 81 and 92 degrees. The highlands are considerably cooler, averaging 60 inches of rain each year.

The wet season in the Dominican Republic is from June to November, hurricanes are more likely to occur during this time (July through mid-October), possibly the best time to avoid visiting THE Dominican Republic!

THINGS TO DO IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The majority of people visiting the Dominican Republic will do so for one main reason, the beaches.

This is obviously the main attraction to many, and fortunately there are plenty of them, each one as beautiful as the next.

As a change to the usual beach trip, a visit to Los Tres Ojos de Agua (The Three Eyes of Water) is highly recommended. It is an incredible cave complex a few miles east of Santo Domingo, with three beautiful lagoons surrounded by lush vegetation and stalactites and stalagmites.

If however, you wish to occasionally get away from the beach for a day or two then there are other things to do.

In Puerto Plata one of the popular attractions is the oldest fort in the New World – Fort San Felipe. It was restored in the 1970’s and is open Thursday to Tuesday.

Near Puerto Plata’s central park is the Museum of Dominican Amber, where you can see a collection of rare and beautiful amber specimens.

If you fancy a cable car ride and a chance to look around seven acres of incredible botanical gardens, then a visit to Isabel de Torres is recommended. A tower and fort providing the visitor with a panoramic view of the Amber Coast 2595 feet above sea level, makes a great change from sunbathing and is a very pleasant day out.

If you fancy a shopping expedition, then the best buys in the Dominican Republic include the national speciality of amber jewellery and decorative pieces. Larimar or Dominican turquoise is another popular stone. Jewellery not your thing? There are plenty of other purchases to be made, wood carvings, rocking chairs, baskets and limestone carvings all make good buys and great reminders of your holiday.

The shops are open here Monday-Saturday from 8/8.30am-6/6.30pm.

The banks are open 8-4 Monday to Friday.

The nightlife of the Dominican Republic varies from discos and casinos (Las Vegas style) to quiet cafes and more traditional folk music and dancing. The world’s longest disco is in Santo Domingo, called the Maleon. Much of the nightlife for holidaymakers however, may be based within their resorts, as there has been the influx of the all-inclusive holiday.

Experiencing the ‘real’ nightlife of the Dominican Republic may depend on how close you are to one of the towns.

Although whether it be in an all inclusive resort or one of the towns, it will be near impossible for any visitor to escape the Dominican Republic without having humiliated themselves at least once by dancing the merengue.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Festivals and carnivals are held all year round, in both the larger cities and the rural communities. Because of the Latin American influence, the carnival is a traditional event. The Merengue Week festival is a rum-fuelled affair that celebrates the national dance.

The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival is held in various towns each year, where some of the best jazz singers in the world come together for this festival.

The third Monday of every June in the small coastal town of Caberete sees Race Week, where visitors can get a tan, while dancing and experiencing the sports, music and fun of Caberete.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

On average a meal in the Dominican Republic can cost between £5-10 depending where on the island you are staying. A beer costs about £1.30 in most of the resorts however, often you can practically halve the price by buying it outside of the resort. Similarly for a bottle of wine, within resorts it is likely to cost around £4, but is possible to buy it cheaper elsewhere.

Coke and other soft drinks cost around 60/70p per bottle.

HOTELS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic has many resorts, most of which are located near the beaches. You can stay in all-inclusive resorts such as La Esplanada or the Jack Tar Village, Puerto Plata, which cost anywhere in the region of £60-120 per night.

Alternatively the cost of hotels can range around £25-80 per night in places such as Hotel Santo Domingo, Hotel Atlantis or the Dominican Fiesta Hotel.

Some visitor’s stay in more than one hotel to vary their holiday and see more of the island, the low prices make this an easy option. However, it is often just as easy to book into an all-inclusive resort and not feel as tough you have missed out on a thing.

 VISAS AND INNOCULATIONS

No visa is required for stays of up to 3 months, however you must have documents for onward or return travel. Please do check this before travelling.

Malaria, Hep A, Typhoid and Polio are recommended. Please seek professional advice, these are only guidelines.

The usual health advice applies as with most foreign countries. Don’t drink the tap water or consume ice in drinks. Drink bottled water or use purification tablets.

Take care against dehydration and over exposure to the sun, by drinking lots of (bottled) water and use high factor sun creams.

 PHRASE BOOK

Spanish phrases you may find useful