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Zona Colonial - Old Town Santo Domingo
6 Reviews Besides comfortable shoes and clothing and a water bottle (or 2), a good map of the Old Town is good to have if you want to know where you walked by or information in general. A good one can be found...
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A coconut drink is sold in many places in the Dominican Republic - for example at local markets where the sales man will open it in front of you and serve it with a straw.Refreshing, but okay - its not one of my favourites… If you try be sure that the coconut is fresh (young and green) and check the coconut for insects holes...
It is very easy to find seashells and corals in the Dominican Republic. If you take a walk along the beaches you’ll see many different kinds - and they are very beautiful, but dead shells and corals are often home and food for other species and is a part of the natural environment, so don’t bring them home!It is also against the law in many countries to bring shells and corals into the country!
If you are interested in Dominican Republic cuisine – or maybe want to try some cooking at home – I can recommend the book: “Aunt Clara's Dominican Cookbook”.Have you for example ever tried “Mondongo”?Read more at: www.dominicancooking.com
The climate at the Dominican Republic is tropical maritime with little seasonal temperature variation. The wet season is from May to November with most rain in the northern and eastern regions. The main annual temperature ranges from 21c in the mountainous regions to 25c on the plains and the coast. The average temperature in Santo Domingo in January is 25c and 30c in July.The island lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to October/November!
I agree - it is wonderful over there - seafood is awesome and all that fruit- and I do have a passion for roadside chiccarones although I have to dio that sparingly - but they are soooooooooooooooo good. I wanted however to bring over food for the poor there- from what I see in their supermarkets, everything is so expensive for them.. here we have great supermarkets, with awesome discounts and deals all the time- they are so por there and no one gives them a break on prices like we get here...
Except in Santo Domingo, I would take someone to one of the many seaside "malecons" (ocean front roads) on a Friday Saturday or Sunday afternoon and buy a couple large Presidente beers and watch the Dominican world pass by. Over the last four years, it has seemed to me that the economy and condition of the country has been steadily improving. What has not changed is the liveliness and friendliness of the people that is especially notable away form the beach resorts. I love the Bachata musical style and how almost everywhere you go in the Dominican Republic you can hear the Dominicans enjoying their music.
The DR is not so big but the farthest road trip, be it by bus or by car, can take 5-6 hours. Depending on when you start it can take up to 8! (like from Punta Cana to Enriquillo lake), so to help you plan your road trip, this table can tell you how many kilometers there are between your point of origin and your destination. Be aware that Dominicans drive like crazy (hehe) and that taking buses is a lot cheaper than renting a car, buying insurance and gasoline. Either way you want to travel, remember to bring water and notice that on Caribe Tours buses food isn't allowed to be brought.
We felt that our resort was fantastic. We are 78+ and had no trouble at all getting around. I really can not understand the reviews that said you would have to wait long periods for transportation. Never more than 5 minutes. If there were not so many places to0 travel, we would go back there all the time. Besides the obvious beauty of the resort and the charm of the staff, it would be the stark contrast of the living conditions of the citizens in the country side. Of course we have that here in the States.
You could visit DR all year round, but I'd suggest to avoid visiting in May because it rains a lot.Our high season goes between mid December to March (more or less) and Easter week if it's in April. Other times where the prices sky rocket are long weekends due to moving any public holiday. The traditional dish called "La Bandera" (the flag). Read about it on my Local Customs page.
My trip to the Dominican Republic was a bit different to a normal tourist trip... I stayed in a friend's appartment in the near of Higuey. It was a small village without streets and shops, just small tienditas. To do a trip as this I really give you the good advice to speak a bit of Spanish. Otherwise it's a bit difficult. Don't drink the water, and try the fresh seafood you can eat in small restaurants in Boca Yuma. There as well you have great posibilities to dance salsa, merengue and bachata in a lovely pavillon next to the sea... Every sunday afternoon... There's not many culture, but if you visit the Dominican Republic with an open heart, you will make a lots of new friends.
Playa Esmeralda Beach Resort Dominican Republic
2 Reviews and 26 Opinions This all-inslusive resort was fabulous, as all-inclusives go. Kinda like being on a cruise. If lying...
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9 Reviews and 1036 Opinions I originally stayed at this resort Feb 2012, while there I had a wonderful time. I was most...
Hotel Atarazana Santo Domingo
1 Review and 154 Opinions I stayed here on a recent business trip in the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo. This 6 room hotel...
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