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Introducing Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic (DR) is a land of contrasts – the physical kind, like the highest peak and the lowest point in the Caribbean, and the more metaphorical kind, like that between the urban street life of Santo Domingo and the rural villages only a short drive away. Santo Domingo, or ‘La Capital’ as it’s typically called, is to Dominicans what New York is to Americans, a collage of cultures; or what Havana is to Cubans, a vibrant beating heart that fuels the entire country. It’s also a living museum, offering the sight of New World firsts scattered around the charming cobblestone streets of the Zona Colonial.
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The DR is also famous for the large all-inclusive resorts that dominate much of the country’s prime beachfront real estate. However, the result is less like the high-rise congestion of Cancun or Miami and more like low-slung retirement communities, albeit ones populated by families, couples and singles of all ages looking for a hassle-free holiday. Beyond the gated luxury enclaves, the roads lead inland past vast sugar plantations and through small villages. To get away from the get-away, travelers head to the Península de Samaná, where the European vibe is as strong as an espresso, and where escape is the operative word. Cabarete on the North Coast has winds which draw adrenaline junkies from around the world. And for the anti-Caribbean experience head to the popular mountain retreats of Jarabacoa and Constanza – places where bathing suits are out and sweaters are in.
Last updated: Oct 20, 2009
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Dominican Republic
Our Top Picks For Dominican Republic
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1 La Vega
Put on your glad rags and dancing shoes to enjoy one of the DR's liveliest, most popular Carnival parties
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2 Cabarete
Catch the breeze or just play in the shallows at the country's top windsurfing and kitesurfing destination
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3 Whale-Watching along Península de Samaná
Look for a bigger splash from the mighty humpback whales gathering for their annual mating season
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4 Playa Frontón
Dive into a quiet underwater world amid these spectacular tropical reefs
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5 Playa Limón
Get away from everything along the near-deserted beaches and lagoons of Playa Limón
Fast Facts about Dominican Republic
- Visa
Issued on arrival
- Official name
República Dominicana
- Departure tax
Air: up to US$20 depending on length of stay; land: US$20
- Area
48,717 sq km
- Population
9 million
- Famous for
Baseball, cockfighting, merengue, cigars, Columbus landing here first
- Country code
809
- Language
Spanish
- Capital
Santo Domingo de Guzmán
- Phrase
Siempre a su orden (you’re welcome); gua-gua (bus)
- People
Dominicans
Related Groups
Our favourite Dominican Republic Blogs (beta)
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Premières impressions à Santo Domingo
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 14 October 2009
By Thomas Gold, KF9 Dominican Republic For English version, click on “read the rest of this entry”, then scroll down. « La République Dominicaine est un pays aux couleurs vives, musiques et danses irrésistiblement entraînantes et climat tropical».Voici la seule image que j’étais capable de me figurer, en attendant mon avion à l’aéroport de San Francisco, du [...]
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Questions Regarding The Dominican Republic…
Blog: Have Baby Will Travel - 22 October 2008
Recently Melodie sent me an email regarding the Dominican Republic… Hello! I just recently saw your website and I would like to say how great it is that you have established this! We have a 3 yr old and a 7 month old and this site has a lot of useful tips and info! We are planning [...]
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Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Blog: Patrick and Katrina do the Globe - 20 February 2008
Long, cold winters in Boston make you dream about a place like Punta Cana. Needless to say it felt pretty amazing to disembark into the 80-degree Caribbean air. From the airport, we found the "shuttle" to our hotel-- a beat-up minivan circa 1985. While we had understood that transportation was included in our Orbitz package, we lacked the vouchers requested by our driver and ended up paying $40 to get to our hotel. So if you do book a trip to Punta Cana, it is important you work out these details ahead of time.
