CARIBBEAN – GREATER ANTILLES May 2020
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean country that occupies the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Besides white sand beaches and mountain landscapes, the country is home to the oldest European city in the Americas, now part of Santo Domingo.
The first European settlement founded on the American continent was located on La Isabela, founded in 1493. The City of Santo Domingo was founded by Bartolomé Colón, on August 5, 1496 and was later moved to the west side of Ozama river in 1502.
In 1606 the royal crown of Spain ordered the depopulation of the western end of the island due to high piracy and contraband. This led to the French invasion and the establishment of Haiti.
In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844.
Capital: Santo Domingo
Language: Spanish
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
Population: 10.4 million
Country Code: +1809, 1829, +1849
REGIONS
Greater Santo Domingo. The cosmopolitan capital and its surrounding beaches.
Eastern Dominican Republic. Home to the world-famous all inclusive hotels of Bavaro and Punta Cana, and the major resorts of Casa de Campo and Cap Cana.
Eastern Cibao. A beautiful bay often described as a “Paradise on Earth”
Western Cibao. The second largest city, the highest mountains in the Caribbean, and the popular beaches of the Atlantic Coast.
Southern Dominican Republic. The most secluded area of the country, almost untouched by tourism, with a unique scenery and wildlife.
GETTING IN
You will be charged US$10 for a tourist card on arrival. This must be paid in US dollars or euros. Local currency, sterling, or other currencies will not be accepted. A departure tax of US$20 cash is payable on most charter and some scheduled flights. If you are flying on a US carrier, the departure tax is always included in the taxes when you purchased your ticket, so you will not have to pay anything when leaving.
Taxi fares to nearby hotels are posted just outside the airports.
Taxi from the airport to Santo Domingo (Ciudad Colonial): it is about US$40. There are no hotel “courtesy shuttles” at airports in the Dominican Republic.
By boat. There is a ferry that travels between Mayagüez in Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. The website says the journey takes 12 hours, leaves Puerto Rico on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8PM, and arrives in Dominican Republic at 8AM the next morning.
For prices and bookings, visit the Ferries Del Caribe English website.
GET AROUND
Because of the geography of the country, to get from one region of the country to another you have to go through the capital. At horariodebuses.com you can check bus timetables between destinations in the country.
By car or motorbike. Gasoline is expensive. Some roads, especially in remote areas, are fairly dangerous (often without lane divisions) and many people tend not to respect oncoming traffic. Probably the biggest challenge is avoiding accidentally running over pedestrians. The best recommendation is not to drive after dusk.
Guaguas (local buses). Traditional means of transport filled to the brink with people and luggage. If you prefer authentic experience over comfort, traveling by guagua is the right choice.
Long-haul buses. Caribe Tours cover most major cities. Air conditioning can be extremely cold – bring a sweater. Metrobus serves the northern and eastern part of the country.
SEE
There is one UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town of Santo Domingo which is the oldest European city in the Americas. In addition to that there are many national parks and beaches in the country.
Pico Duarte (3,098m). Climb/hike the highest mountain in the Dominican Republic but in the whole Caribbean.
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Dominican Republic – East, South (Santo Domingo, La Romana, Barahona)
Tentative WHS
Nuestra Señora de Monte Alegre or la Duquesa Sugar Mill [Ruta de Los Ingenios] (05/04/2002)
Sanate Sugar Mill [Ruta de Los Ingenios] (05/04/2002)
Sights (Temporarily Reinstated)
Bahía de Las Águilas
Lake Enriquillo
Parque Nacional Los Haïtises
Islands
Catalina
Hispaniola
Saona
XL
Isla Cabritos
Las Caobas Reserve Area
Southeastern capes (Cabo Falso, Cabo Beata)
Beaches
Bahía de Las Águilas
Bavaro Beach
Boca Chica
Juanillo Beach
Caves
Cueva de las Maravillas
Cueva Fun Fun
World of Nature
Del Este
JARAGUA NATIONAL PARK
Tentative WHS: Jaragua National Park (21/11/2001)
Cities of the Americas
BANI
BARAHONA
COTUI
SAN JUAN de la MAGUANA
SAN PEDRO de MARCORIS
SANTA CRUZ del SEIBO
AZUA
Tentative WHS: City of Azúa de Compostela (21/11/2001)
BONAO
Museums: Bonao: Museo de Arte Candido Bidó
HIGUEY
Religious Temples: Higuey: Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
LA ROMANA
Sights: Altos de Chavón, La Romana
Airports: La Romana (LRM)
Modern Architecture Buildings: Cumayasa Building
SANTO DOMINGO / BAJOS de HAINA / SAN CRISTOBAL
World Heritage Sites: Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Amber World Museum
Larimar Museum
Memorial Museum of Dominican Resistance
Modern Art Museum
Museo Bellapart
Museo de la Porcelana
Museum of Dominican Man
Museum of Rum
Museum of the Royal Houses
National Museum of Natural History
House Museums/Plantations: Museo Casa Duarte
Castles, Palaces, Forts
Alcázar de Colón
Fortaleza Ozama
Museum of the Royal Houses
National Palace
Religious Temples: Catedral Primada de América
Modern Architecture Buildings: Torre Caney
Entertainment/Things to do
Altar de la Patria
Juan Pablo Duarte Wax Museum
National Aquarium
Trampoline Children’s Museum
Zoos: Parque Zoologico Nacional
Botanical Gardens: National Botanical Garden
Aquariums: National Aquarium
Markets: Mercado Modelo
Monuments
Christopher Columbus statue
Obelisco Hembra
Maritime/Ship Museums: Museo Naval de las Atarazanas
PUNTA CANA*
Airports: Punta Cana (PUJ)
Museums
Aromas Museum
ChocoMuseo
Beaches: Punta Cana beaches (Sights)
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Dominican Republic – North (Santiago, Puerto Plata, Samaná, La Vega)
NOMAD MANIA Dominican Republic – North (Santiago, Puerto Plata, Samaná, La Vega)
Tentative WHS
Archaeological and Historical National Park of Pueblo Viejo, La Vega (#) (21/11/2001)
Historical Centre of Puerto Plata (21/11/2001)
Jacagua, Villa of Santiago (21/11/2001)
Montecristi (21/11/2001)
Sights (Temporarily Reinstated)
Damajagua Waterfalls
Jarabacoa
Río Yaque del Norte Landscapes
Islands: Hispaniola
Borders
Dominican Republic (sea border/port)
Dominican Republic-Haiti
Museums: Sosua: Mundo King art museum
House Museums/Plantations: Tenares: Casa Museo Hermanas Mirabal
World of Nature: Los Haitises
Festivals: Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
Experiences
Cocolo dance drama tradition
Quinceañera/Festa de quince/Festa de debutantes
Botanical Gardens: Las Terrenas: Shaggy’s Paradise Botanical Garden
Beaches
Playa Dorada (Sight)
Playa Grande, Rio San Juan
Playa Rincon
Waterfalls
Charcos
El Limon Waterfall
XL:
EL MORRO de MONTECHRISTI
Tentative WHS: Montecristi (21/11/2001)
World of Nature: Monte Cristi
House Museums/Plantations: Monte Cristi: House Museum Of Máximo Gómez
SANTIAGO de los CABALLEROS*
Religious Temples: St. James the Apostle Cathedral
Monuments: Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración
Cities of the Americas
SABANETA
SAN FRANCISCO DE MARCORIS
LA VEGA
Tentative WHS: Archaeological and Historical National Park of Pueblo Viejo, La Vega (21/11/2001)
Religious Temples: Immaculate Conception Cathedral
PUERTO PLATA World Cities and Popular Towns
Tentative WHS: Historical Centre of Puerto Plata (21/11/2001)
Airports: Puerto Plata (POP)
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Puerto Plata Cable Car
Museums: Museo de Arte Taino
House Museums/Plantations: Casa Museo General Gregorio Luperon
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Fortaleza San Felipe
Religious Temples: Catedral San Felipe
Theme Parks: OceanWorld Adventure Park
Lighthouses: Puerto Plata Lighthouse
Religious Monuments: Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)
SAMANA
Sights: Samaná Bay Habitat
XL: Samana Peninsula
Airports: Samana (AZS)
Museums: Whale Museum
Zoos: Iguanario Los Tocones
Pedestrian Bridges: Puente De Cayo Samana
SANTIAGO / MOCA World Cities and Popular Towns
Airports: Santiago (STI)
Museums: Centro Leon
Castles, Palaces, Forts: San Luis Fortress
Entertainment/Things to do: Centro Cultural Eduardo León Jimenes
