The Dominican Republic is the most visited tourist destination in the Caribbean. You must have seen the beautiful pictures of the tourist attractions of this country in the tourist posters; White sandy beaches with clear waters surrounded by palm trees. If you are interested in coastal tourist destinations, do not miss the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic.
Where is the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean. The country has a variety of geographical areas, from mountains to the coast and lakes. The average temperature of the island is 26 degrees Celsius and the climate variation is interesting.
The Dominican Republic hosts the first cathedral, castle and monastery built on the American continent, and in the colonial region of Santo Domingo, it has World Heritage sites. You may be interested to know that the national sport of this country is baseball.
Attractions of the Dominican Republic
The endless expanse of beautiful white sandy beaches with the emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea is the Dominican Republic’s best recreational destination. If you are looking for luxurious resorts with full facilities, honeymoon hotels, family-friendly accommodations with an endless list of leisure activities and water sports, the Dominican Republic is the place for you.
In the following, we will introduce the most important tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic.
1. Bavaro Beach
Bavaria Beach is located in Ponta Cana, a Dominican tourist city. There are several resorts along the beach, all with easy access to water sports. This is not a destination where you can experience a quiet journey and it is full of excitement.
Boating, parasailing, swimming and jet skiing are some of the fun activities you can experience here. In terms of variety of restaurants and shopping malls, there is no lack of chemistry here.
2. Santo Domingo Historic District
This is the city where Christopher Columbus first arrived in the United States, where you can see the hustle and bustle of modern life in the background of centuries-old buildings. Colonial architectural works, many of which today have been turned into exotic museums, restaurants, shops and hotels, take you on a journey into the heart of history.
Most attractions are located around Calle El Conde. This street is famous for its shopping malls and open-air restaurants. In the same alley you can see many old buildings, such as the Primada Church or the first American cathedral that is still in use.
3. Puerto Plata
Along the north coast is Porto Plata and its beautiful and famous beach, which is one of the most attractive tourist attractions in the Dominican Republic. This golden sandy beach is full of luxurious resorts, though not as many as in Ponta Cana.
This area is much calmer Punta Cana and feels more relaxed. The beaches are not crowded with boats and water sports. Of course, this beautiful area is also suitable for swimming or diving. In this area you can walk to the untouched beaches with palm trees and dense forests.
4. Coastal town of Cabarete
Cabaret is a seaside and quiet city. The city is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and large crescent-shaped beach, where visitors can sit on the beach sand and eat their food there.
Unlike the luxury destinations of the Dominican Republic, such as Punta Cana and Porto Plata, the city is not full of multifaceted resorts and tourist attractions. It hosts people who like to experience a simple, non-luxurious journey, such as backpackers, retirees and kayakers, and surfers who come here for weeks or months, especially during the winter.
If you live near Porto Plata, you can experience a day trip to the city, shop there and dine at great local restaurants. Early in the evening, especially on weekends and Tuesdays, musicians perform at local beach restaurants, which can be a different and engaging experience.
5. Las Galeras Coastal City
At the farthest point of the Samana Peninsula, where the road ends at the sea and overlooks one of the beautiful beaches of the region, is the small town of Las Galras. The remoteness of this seaside town will appeal to travelers looking for an unprecedented experience. Palm-covered beaches, white sands and turquoise water create unique scenery that you will not find anywhere else.
The beaches of this region are one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic and offer a different experience from the main entertainment destinations of the island. Here you can rent a boat to take you to a remote beach.
The city itself has only one main street. Many restaurants run by French immigrants offer great food at very low prices. The restaurants in the surrounding mountains or along the cliffs by the ocean have a variety of dishes that you must reach to get to the city.
6. Kiteboarding on Kite Beach
The city of Cabaret is known around the world as a popular destination for kiteboarding. The center of this fascinating sport is the kite beach or kite beach. Kite Beach is about a 20-minute walk from the beach.
This small area has a unique atmosphere. The beach is quiet in the morning and no one is there except runners or people who swim or boat. In the afternoon, when the wind blows, the kites fly to the shore and the sky is full of kites.
Several restaurants along the coast offer typical cuisine, many of which focus on vegetarian and other healthy foods. On Friday afternoons, a free circus is held at the bottom of the beach.
7. Watching whales in Samana Bay
Every winter, from December to March, thousands of humpback whales enter Samana Bay to mate and give birth, making the area one of the best places to see these beautiful giants in the wild.
The city itself has nothing to do with travelers, but whales are so attractive that many tour companies offer day trips from various destinations across the island to the bay. Most Dominican tourist cities offer whale watching tours in the off-season.
8. City of Las Terrenas
Las Tranas is a bustling city with a quiet and pleasant coastal area, where winding dirt roads pass by small French cafes and offer views of palm trees, beaches and oceans. Walk a short distance to the busy streets, where the Dominicans are busy with work and daily life.
If you want to taste the native culture of the Dominican Republic, this city is one of the best places to visit. Like Las Galras, many French people live in the city and have set up restaurants and inns.
9. Twenty-seven Damajagua Falls
If you are looking for adventure, one of the most exciting things to do in the Dominican Republic is to climb a narrow gorge of waterfalls and jump from the top of each into the pools below. This attraction is not for everyone and you should be physically fit, but it is extremely attractive and unforgettable.
On waterfall tours, you will be given a life jacket and helmet, and guided by your experienced guide.
The waterfalls are near Porto Plata and you can visit the waterfalls without a tour, but having a tour guide in the area is mandatory. In addition, to enjoy the most, you must be able to swim and not be afraid of heights.
Safety on a trip to the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a country with a friendly and tourist-friendly environment. Most trips to the Dominican Republic end smoothly, but crime rates in the region are high and a variety of crimes occur, from pickpocketing and theft to violent crime. To prevent anything from happening, do not carry expensive items and a lot of cash with you, and do not use expensive devices such as smartphones and laptops in front of others.
Be extra careful at night and in remote areas. If thieves attack you, do not resist because you may be harmed. Do not take suspicious and unregistered taxis. Use licensed taxis and get their number from the hotel.
Lifeguards and safety equipment may not be available on all beaches, and the sea can be dangerous at times, especially during the rainy season.
The best time to travel
The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is April and May, when the peak tourist season is over and the storm and rainy season has not yet begun. The Dominican Republic is a popular winter destination for travelers seeking to escape the cold of the North.
Travel to Dominican Republic
Travel to the Dominican Republic is on the rise, but it is still lower than in other Caribbean destinations. If you can travel with tours that include flights, hotels and tours and are offered in the US, UK and Ireland, your costs will be significantly reduced.
If you have a cheap trip, your trip will cost $ 40 a day, which means if you eat in small restaurants and stay in a cheap hotel. The cost of renting a car is high and it costs $ 60 a day. You should also set aside $ 100 for outdoor recreation.
Currency of the Dominican Republic
There are two types of currency in the Dominican Republic; US dollars are accepted in luxury hotel chains and tour companies. The local currency is also called the peso. You have to use this currency to do your financial transactions all over the country, but in tourist centers, especially those run by foreign companies, the fees are paid in dollars.
ATMs are easy to find all over the country, even in small towns. Visa and MasterCard cards are accepted in major cities and tourist attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to live in the Dominican Republic?
The average cost of living in the Dominican Republic, excluding rent, is $ 540. The cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is $ 200 to $ 380.
2. What is the common currency in the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican currency is called the peso, and each US dollar is approximately 57 pesos.
3. Where is the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean.
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