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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Cabarete
La Romana
Puerto Plata
Punta Cana
Samana
Santo Domingo
Sosua
Dominican Hotel
Maps
Dominican Rep - South Coast
Dominican Rep - North Coast
Dom. Rep - North &
Central
PUERTO PLATA Resorts Map
Playa Dorada Resorts
Sosua Resorts Map
Cabarete Resorts Map
Las Terrenas Map
Santiago Map
SAMANA Map
PUNTA CANA Resorts Map
Santo Domingo Resorts
Boca Chica Resorts Map
Higuey Hotels Map
Juan Dolio Resorts Map
Barahona Resorts Map
RESORT REVIEWS
Debbie's
Dominican Republic
& Caribbean Reviews
Trip Advisor
Puerto Plata Resort Reviews
Punta Cana Resort
Reviews
La Romana Resort
Reviews
Samana Resort Reviews
Sosua Reviews
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DOMINICAN:
Passport/Visa for Dom Rep
Dominican
Travel Overview
Climate in Dominican
Map of Dominican
Money in Dominican
Things to Do/See in Dominican
MALARIA in the
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - UPDATE
(as of 2007, Alta Gracia region)
CHOLERA in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - UPDATE
(as of Dec 1, 2010)
PUERTO PLATA
PUNTA CANA
SANTO DOMINGO
LA ROMANA
SAMANA
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Either of the following are valid for
CANADIAN TRAVELLERS
for entry/exit - into/from the Dominican:
1) i) a
valid passport alone,
ii)
OR a birth certificate,
Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of
Citizenship, AND
valid, current photo identification, are
required for both entry and exit.
2) All tourists must purchase a
visa/tourist card at a cost of $10.00 U.S. (ONLY
US accepted!)
to
enter the Dominican Republic.
**Canadian travellers are 'normally' provided with
this visa/tourist card before leaving Canada.
Visitors who do not obtain a visa/tourist card
prior to entry must purchase one at the airport
when they arrive in the Dominican Republic.
3)
There is a departure tax of $20.00 U.S./person.
**Canadian or other foreign currencies are not
accepted for the departure tax!!**
Dominican Republic
Embassy for Canadian Travellers -
WEBSITE
Dominican Republic Embassy for US Travellers -
WEBSITE
**Disclaimer**: We make no express or implied
guarantees with respect to documentation required
for travel from your home country. We suggest you
consult with the appropriate Embassy based on your
Nationality for exact documentation required
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PUNTA CANA
VACATIONS
An Eden in the East
To the far east of the island is one of the most
beautiful gems of the entire Caribbean region:
Punta Cana.
Every year, more and more travelers from around
the globe wing their way to this enchanting area
for the opportunity to unwind along its 30 miles
of super fine white-sand beaches. Often called the
"Coconut Coast" due to the hundreds of coconut
palm trees gently swaying along the beaches, the
Punta Cana and Bávaro resort areas are home to
more than 30 resort properties and 20,000 hotel
rooms, making it one of the most popular vacation
destinations in the entire region. Gloriously,
with all of the visitors coming to
the Punta Cana area, the gorgeous beaches are so
pristine and large that a traveler can just as
easily find a quiet stretch all to themselves for
a romantic getaway or a relaxing afternoon as well
as find an exciting game of volleyball or take a
swim in the warm azure waters.
Getting There
Punta Cana International Airport serves Punta Cana
and the surrounding areas. A short drive from the
airport takes visitors right to their
accommodations and they can be on the beach before
they know it.
Where to Stay
The majority of the resorts in the Punta Cana and
Bávaro region are all-inclusive hotels that are
almost destinations in themselves. With a wide
variety of family-friendly resorts, upscale
properties and smaller romantic hotels, there is
surely a match to be found for any interest when
it comes to booking a hotel. At many of the hotels
and resorts, visitors often have all of their
needs met right on hand: they can eat, play, sleep
and party the day and night away without ever
leaving the property grounds. This area has been
home to a massive boom in hotel growth over the
last 25 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
Major hotel projects continue to be developed
every year, promising that Punta Cana will long be
on the top of the list of most popular vacation
destinations in the entire Caribbean.
Major properties from the Club Med, Iberostar,
Melia, Occidental Allegro, Secrets, Superclubs and
Barceló brands can be found in and around this
area, as well as the world-class Punta Cana Resort
and Club and many others. Accommodations range
from budget to luxury here in Punta Cana and can
meet everyone's needs and interests. The luxury
Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort (www.rocoki.com),
scheduled to open in November 2006 20 minutes from
Punta Cana's airport, will offer real estate
options, a golf course designed by Nick Faldo, an
aquatic sports center with full-service marina, a
spa and hotel accommodations by Westin.
What to Do
Whatever your clients are looking for in a
fun-filled vacation, they'll find it here,
beginning with great golf. Punta Cana is home to
several great courses, including the P.B.
Dye-designed La Cana Golf Course at the Punta Cana
Resort & Club that offers breathtaking views of
the Caribbean Sea at every hole. There are also
the Pepe Gancedo-designed Cocotal Golf and Country
Club and the Juan Manuel Gordillo-designed Golf de
Bávaro in the region. And there's more to come:
New courses bearing the stamp of Tom Fazio, Jack
Nicklaus, P.B. Dye and Nick Faldo will undoubtedly
grow the demand for this area.
In 1994, the Punta Cana Resort and Club
established the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation
to protect and preserve the natural resources of
the Punta Cana region, while contributing to
sustainable tourism on all levels; locally,
regionally, and nationally. This led to the
creation of the Punta Cana Ecological Park, a
natural sanctuary for local flora and fauna.
Visitors follow trails that meander through forest
settings and beautifully cultivated gardens where
they will see unusual plants and rare and
endangered animals. Living exhibitions showcase
the island's diverse bird species and insect life,
the native rhinoceros iguana, a petting farm where
children can feed the animals, and some of the
unique history of the island.
Beyond the links, excursions are available to
Manati Park in Bávaro where they can interact with
iguanas, sharks, birds, and other wildlife, as
well as swim with dolphins and walk through a
reconstructed Taino village to learn about the
indigenous culture and history of the Dominican
Republic. There are also ongoing shows and
spectacles to enjoy there every day.
Hardcore divers will love the fact that Punta Cana
is home to the island's largest coral reef,
offering advanced diving where the Atlantic Ocean
converges with the Caribbean Sea. For the more
laid-back visitors, the endless breathtaking
beaches offer up a wealth of activities and
opportunities to relax and rejuvenate under the
warm Caribbean sun or in the shade of a palm tree.
Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching
blue marlin, barracuda and dorado, among others.
Arrangements for a full day or half day of fishing
can be made at hotel front desks or at the Cabeza
de Toro Yacht Club or Punta Cana Marina. The best
time for fishing here is in the summer.
Meetings Market
Punta Cana has emerged as a serious player in the
meetings market. Corporate groups large and small
can find their needs met at many of the resorts
throughout the area. Those looking for larger
convention space can turn to the Barceló Bávaro
Convention Center with its various meeting rooms,
ballrooms and amenities. Many of the other resorts
offer smaller spaces that work great for a sales
meeting in between tee times or spa treatments.
And don't forget, under the terms of the Tax
Information Exchange Agreement
with the Caribbean Business Initiative, business
meetings in the Dominican Republic are tax
deductible for U.S. citizens.
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PUERTO PLATA
VACATIONS
The North Coast of the Dominican Republic is the
granddaddy of tourism for the island. Generations
upon generations of travelers have come to Puerto
Plata and the nearby areas of Sosúa and Cabarete
to bask in their charm, beauty and ambience. Named
the Amber Coast because of the abundance of the
semi-precious gem in the region, this is the area
where Christopher Columbus landed during his first
voyage of discovery. And the discoveries continue
to this day. Every year, visitors come to taste
the delicious Brugal rum right from its factory
here, fly through the sky on a kiteboard in
Cabarete, soak up the culture with a stroll
through the Victorian architecture of Puerto Plata
or hit the links in the mega-resort complex of
Playa Dorada. Here, all of the delights of the
island meet amid lush jungle forests, soaring
mountains, gold sand beaches and breathtaking blue
waters. With one foot in the past and one foot
firmly in the future, Puerto Plata and its
neighboring destinations continues to be a major
attraction for the island.
Getting There
Gregorio Luperón International Airport is just
west of Puerto Plata, about a 15-minute drive from
the Playa Dorada hotel complex.
Where to Stay
The Playa Dorada complex is located just a few
miles east of the city of Puerto Plata and is home
to 15 hotels (most of them all-inclusive,
value-added bargains for travelers), a mall,
restaurants, its own 18-hole Robert Trent Jones
golf course and, of course, great beaches. This
was the first true vacation destination on the
island and continues to welcome thousands of
visitors from around the world. Most of the
resorts here range in size from about 190 to 500
rooms. As the tourist destination continues to
expand, more hotels are opening up beyond the
walls of this famed complex. Nearby Costa Dorada
is now home to some magnificent new all-inclusive
properties, and higher-end luxury properties have
opened in Cofresi. For travelers looking for a
real bargain and more intimate experiences,
smaller properties continue to draw visitors to
Sosúa and Cabarete.
Also new is Casa Colonial, which opened in early
2005. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
and a project of Dominican-owned VHHR hotels, it
is already becoming known among the celebrity
circuit – its Presidential Suite is a favorite
with Donatella Versace. Future plans include the
mega-resort Atlantica near Luperón, which will
feature seven smaller villages among protected
mangroves, limestone cliffs and coral canyons, a
450-slip marina and three golf courses.
What to Do
The biggest concern about what to do on the North
Coast of the island is trying to decide where to
begin. Whether one is looking for some family fun
interacting with dolphins, more adventurous
outdoor activities, or a bit of history and
culture, there is something for everyone to do
here. In the town of Puerto Plata, visitors can
soak up the Dominican culture and friendliness by
spending some time simply wandering through the
Parque Central and its side streets. With its
gingerbread motifs and welcoming cafés and
restaurants, this area is ideal for a bit of
culture when visitors need a break from the sun.
Also located here is the Amber Museum, a must-see
experience for any visitor to the region where
guests learn about the history of the stone while
viewing a wide selection of amber.
No visit to the Dominican Republic is complete
without tasting some of its rum, a highlight of
touring the Brugal rum factory in Puerto Plata.
History buffs will also enjoy strolling through
the 16th century San Felipe Fort, which was built
by the Spaniards as protection against seaborne
invaders. For a breathtaking view of the
surrounding lands, visitors can ride 2,565 feet to
the top of Mount Isabel de Torres via a cable car
(teleferico) or work off the rum they've enjoyed
by hiking up to the summit.
Another major new draw in this area is Ocean World
marine theme park. Here visitors can interact and
get up close and personal with dolphins,
stingrays, sharks, birds, iguanas and even tigers.
Ocean World is home to the world's largest dolphin
lagoon as well as the world's first shark
inter-action pool.
Golf remains a popular attraction and will
continue to be so as new courses designed by Jim
Fazio and Arnold Palmer near opening and will soon
join the aforementioned Playa Dorada Golf Club and
the Playa Grande course.
Damajagua Falls is a series of 27 cascades near
Puerto Plata. The currents can be strong so it is
not recommended for children or weak swimmers.
Swim, climb up narrow limestone canyons then jump
or water-slide down. Water shoes are suggested
because of the slippery conditions.
For an added treat, visitors can time their
vaction to coincide with exciting events such as
the annual Cabarete Kiteboarding World Cup in June
2006, where riders and manufacturers from around
the world come together for four days of product
testing, competitions and parties. For music
buffs, there's the lively Annual Dominican Jazz
Festival in the fall (www.drjazzfestival.com).
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Sosúa
The once-sleepy village of Sosúa is a growing
destination for many travelers looking for a more
intimate and authentic experience on the north
Coast. A short drive from Playa Dorada brings
visitors to this laid-back, bohemian enclave of
open-air restaurants, bars and cafes. Grab a cold
Presidente beer and kick back while tourists and
locals mingle together and share in the warmth of
the sun and sand. Always popular with the European
crowd, Sosúa is gaining more interest from U.S.
travelers as more hotel accommodations afford more
options for visitors, ranging from budget to
high-end luxury.
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Cabarete
Always known for its strong winds and popular
windsurfing opportunities, Caberete – a 15-minute
drive from Sosúa – has adopted a new extreme sport
as its favorite pastime: kiteboarding!
Athletes strap on a board and harness to fly over
the waves and into the air as their kite lifts
them up off the water in this difficult but
exhilarating sport. Cabarete is also a convenient
base from which to take excursions to go mountain
biking, rock climbing, hiking and even whitewater
rafting. (The Dominican Republic is one of the few
Caribbean destinations where you can really ride
the rapids.) The best time for windsurfing and
kiteboarding is in the summer months. Given
Cabarete's popularity with the younger set, it's
no wonder that the town sports nightlife as varied
as its daytime activities. Carretera 5, the town's
main road, is jam packed with bars and dance
clubs, many of which feature live music.
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LA ROMANA VACATIONS
La Romana is the third-largest city in the
Dominican Republic with a population estimated in
2005 at 240,000. The city is capital of the
southeastern province of La Romana, opposite
Catalina Island. The modern La Romana
International Airport was opened in 2000 and the
city is near several other cities, such as San
Pedro de Macorís and the national capital, Santo
Domingo de Guzmán. The city is a hub for a growing
tourist industry with several nearby local
resorts, such as the beachfront Bayahibe, Punta
Cana and Casa de Campo.
La Romana is not a typical Dominican town;
instead, it is a company town, with the Central
Romana Corporation owning the majority of the
town. It is a town with nearly 100% employment,
mostly in the tourism industry or with The Central
Romana Corporation, the Free Zone, or one of the
service businesses there.
This town is characterized by its tremendous
influence in the country's tourism programs. Its
filled with beautiful beaches and many hotels and
resorts. There are also many growing suburban
areas with huge mansions that are surrounded by
tropical trees.
This town has a large population, and all the
problems associated with high-density areas.
It does not have many notable sights in terms of
architecture or urban spaces, being barely 100
years old. It grew very fast compared that to the
much older and slower-paced La Vega or Seibo,
which are more typical Dominican towns.
La Romana has become one of the most popular
tourist destinations in the country because of the
beautiful beaches and the tourism infrastructure
that has been put in place.
Casa de Campo Resort complex is the flagship of
the La Romana All Inclusive Resorts area. Built in
1975 to be the premiere destination in the
Caribbean, it has lived up to the hype. The resort
houses 3 championship golf courses, one of them
being the famous "Teeth of The Dog" which is
ranked 34th in the world. The Casa de Campo resort
also houses its own polo fields and a private
airstrip.
Altos de Chavon is a replica of a 15th century
Mediterranean village located just minutes from La
Romana. Here you’ll find artists’ studios,
craft-shops, galleries, restaurants and bars to
satisfy all types of visitors. Take in a show at
their 5000 seat amphitheater that still attracts
big name artists. Altos de Chavon is one of those
must-visit locations on a trip to La Romana All
Inclusive Resorts.
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SANTO DOMINGO
VACATIONS
City of Firsts
The heart of the Dominican Republic can be found
in its capital by the sea, Santo Domingo. Often
referred to as the City of Firsts, Santo Domingo
has one foot firmly planted in its rich and
fascinating past and the other foot firmly in the
modern day. Set up as the first capital and
European city in the New World and the first to
use Spanish coinage, the city is also home to the
New World's first university, street, cathedral,
monastery, palace and court of law. For a more
modern day visit, this metropolis is home to
top-notch cafes and restaurants, exciting
nightlife spots where the merengue never stops,
rich cultural offerings and, of course, exciting
baseball – the national pastime.
Getting There
Las Americas International Airport in Santo
Domingo is the most popular gateway into the
country, welcoming flights from all around the
world. Visitors can opt to spend a day or two
exploring the city before heading off to their
beach resort or they can stay right in the heart
of the capital.
Where to Stay
Throughout the city, visitors can choose from a
range of accommodations. Many of the city's hotels
cater to business travelers but vacationers are
also just as welcome. Five star hotels include the
new Hilton, the Jaragua Renaissance, the Santo
Domingo Hotel, V Centenario, Melia Santo Domingo,
among others, as well as a variety of hotels in
the Colonial City.
What to Do
The most popular attractions for visitors to Santo
Domingo are found throughout the Colonial City
section, which has been designated as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Here tourists find a charming
expanse of 16th century buildings that simply drip
with history, including El Alcázar de Colón (the
home of Columbus' son Diego); Calle Las Damas, the
oldest street in the New World where Spanish women
would spend their afternoon; the Ozama fortress;
and the palace of the Spanish Court. Visitors can
also experience modern life in the Colonial City
by partaking in the hustle and bustle of the Calle
El Conde street marketplace. For culture and
history buffs, visits to the Museum of the
Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the
National Museum of History and Geography, and the
National Museum of Natural History await
exploration. No trip here is complete without a
visit to the Faro a Colón, the Columbus
Lighthouse.
Constructed in 1992, this massive lighthouse is a
modern work of art with its architecture and is
home to several museums and the guarded remains of
Christopher Columbus himself. Fans of horse racing
can catch some action at the Perla Antillana
hippodrome on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Party Pleasures
Nothing beats a night on the town in Santo
Domingo. Dinner is usually served late – around 9
p.m. – and the choices are limitless. Visitors can
select from eclectic cuisine at trendy new
restaurants or enjoy a hearty meal from one of the
street vendors which cooks up more traditional
Dominican fare. These dishes embrace the flavors
of local Antillean and hearty Creole recipes.
Rice, fish, other seafood, meat and vegetables –
with light spices or coconut to add flavor – are
staples of the island's diet.
Once dinner is completed, visitors still face a
barrage of choices. They can enjoy some of the
island's own rich coffee, flavorful rums or the
"miracle" and aphrodisiac Mamajuana (a concoction
of herbs, roots, leaves, bark, rum, gin, wine,
honey and lemon which is said to cure everything
from impotency to the flu).
After the palate has been satisfied, travelers can
dance the merengue throughout the night in one of
the hot dance clubs, enjoy a performance at the
National Theater, or stroll down the Malecón
pedestrian walkway with its general people
watching and outdoor entertainment. Even when the
sun goes down, there is always something to keep
visitors going through the night.
Festivals
Santo Domingo hosts a number of festivals each
year. The Merengue Festival is a week-long
celebration (late July/early August) of the
country's most famous music genre. Revelers dance
in the streets along the Malecón to music provided
by some of the world's best known merengue acts.
The colorful Carnival, held just prior to the
Lenten season, is characterized by homemade masks,
parades, food and, of course, drink. Every
weekend, Thursday to Sunday, starting at 8:30 p.m.
on the Colonial Zone at Plaza Espańa and Columbus
Park, Santo Domingo de Fiesta brings together
artists and musicians to entertain with beautiful
songs and music.
Play Ball!
For true baseball fans, catching a game in the
Dominican Republic is a real treat. Santo
Domingo's Quisqueya Stadium is one of four venues
where six teams compete from October to January
for the honor of representing their country in the
Caribbean World Series. It's not uncommon to see
major league stars such as Baltimore's Miguel
Tejada and Cleveland's Ronnie Belliard playing for
local teams alongside potential future big
leaguers. Your clients may be able to "scout" the
next Pedro Martínez, Bartolo Colón, Albert Pujols
or David Ortiz, just a few of the dozens of
outstanding players who hail from the Dominican
Republic. Entrance fees range from about $1 to $5
at the beginning of the season. Fees increase to
about $1.25 to $9-$10 at the end of the season.
Call 809-566-4488 for this season's schedule.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica Conveniently located near Santo
Domingo's airport, Boca Chica is a resort town
bustling with activity. The beach is actually a
reef-protected lagoon characterized by powdery
sand and turquoise waters. And because of its
conditions – calm, warm waters – the area is a
popular destination for Santo Domingo residents
and their children on the weekends. Considered a
"shopping beach," vendors set-up shop up and down
the main street that runs parallel to the beach.
Visitors, many of whom come from the wide array of
the hotels and resorts in the area, can buy
everything from jewelry and artwork to food and
drinks.
Juan Dolio
Located halfway between Santo Domingo and La
Romana, Juan Dolio is a perfect escape for couples
and families. While the town is calm and peaceful,
excitement is only minutes away in the form of an
excursion to La Romana or Santo Domingo. Tour
operators offer daytime excursions to go scuba
diving, see a baseball game at San Pedro Tetelo
Vargas stadium, or other diversions. Evenings in
Juan Dolio begin with a meal in one of the town's
many fine restaurants serving a variety of
international cuisine, including Spanish, Mexican,
German, Italian and, of course, Dominican. Later
visitors can go to a disco and dance to the
vibrant merengue, or try their luck at one of Juan
Dolio's casinos, which offer free transportation
to and from the hotels.
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SAMANA VACATIONS
Samaná is a province of the Dominican Republic.
Its capital is Santa Bárbara de Samaná, also known
as Samaná City.
Samaná is located on the coast of the Atlantic
Ocean in the northeastern part of the Dominican
Republic. It is known for its mountains of which
it is almost entirely formed. Samaná has numerous
beaches, and with the 6 November 2006 opening of
the new Samaná El Catey International Airport, it
is bound to become one of major tourist
destinations in the Dominican Republic.
It was discovered on January 12, 1493 by
Christopher Columbus who was greeted with a
barrage of spears and arrows from native Taino
warriors. It is said that this was the first
instance of violent opposition to the Spanish
Conquistadors in the Americas.
Samaná is considered one of the most beautiful
areas of the Dominican Republic, yet remains one
of the least known by Dominican natives in general
and foreign visitors in particular. Its tourist
industry has not yet exploited the full potential
of its location: the tropical forests, coconut
groves, hundreds of cozy alcove beaches with
turquoise crystal clear waters, waterfalls,
protected national parks, a protected bay, a
peninsula.
Samaná is one of the breeding places of the
humpback whale. Thousands of humpback whales come
to the coast off Samaná from January to March.
At one time proposed to be the capital of the
country, Samaná was to be sold to the United
States as a military base during Pedro Santana's
presidency, but the deal was never realized,
because the United States felt that the cost was
too much
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World Travel Warehouse.
St. John's NL -
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