Located in the sun's path, the Dominican Republic is a vibrant tapestry of Spanish, French, and African influences, shaped by a rich and storied history. Christopher Columbus once described this lush land as "a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys," a statement that remains true today. Beyond its sunny beaches and clear seas, the Dominican Republic offers a unique cultural experience that will captivate your senses.
There is a country that lies along the path of the sun the Dominican Republic. This vibrant nation is a colorful tapestry of Spanish, French, and African influences, woven through a rich and storied history. Christopher Columbus described it as "a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys," a description that holds true even today. Beyond the allure of its sunny beaches and azure seas, the Dominican Republic offers a unique and captivating cultural experience that engages all the senses.
The beaches here are renowned as some of the best in the world, and for good reason. With over 1,000 miles of white sand gently caressed by warm, clear blue waters, their beauty must be seen to be believed. Depending on the location, the beaches offer either a gentle lullaby for a relaxing nap by the sea or enough wind to keep a colorful kiteboard aloft. The east coast boasts superfine white sand adorned with coconut palms, while the north coast features golden sand beaches. Adding a third hue to this stunning palette are the grey sand playas of Barahona in the west. Some areas are home to resorts offering a wide range of water sports, food vendors, people-watching opportunities, and other activities, while others transport visitors to a serene, untouched paradise with peaceful, uninhabited beaches where the only interruptions are a towering coconut palm and the gentle swaying of the breeze.
The Dominican Republic boasts 21 Blue Flag beaches, as recognized by the European Foundation for Environmental Education in its 2015-2016 list of the world's top-quality beaches. Despite its small size, the Dominican Republic holds the distinction of having the most Blue Flag beaches in the Americas, according to the international non-profit organization.
The dominicus lagoon
-Beach Nueva Bahia Principe
-Bayahibe Dreams La Romana
-Arena Gorda - Bahia Principe Punta Cana
-Arena Gorda - Barcelo Punta Cana
-Arena Gorda - Hard Rock Punta Cana
-Arena Gorda - Iberostar
-Bavaro - Palladium
-El Cortecito - Barcelo Dominican Beach
Toro Head - Be Live Punta Cana
Toro Head - Natura Park
-Bavaro - Paradisus Palma Real
-Bavaro - Paradisus Punta Cana
-Bavaro - Barcelo Resort
-Costa Dorada - Be Live Marien
-Costa Dorada - Iberostar
- Golden Gate III
-Blue Jack Tar
-Los Cayos - Bahia Principe
-La Honda - Bahia Principe
-Portillo - Bahia Principe
A favorite golfing destination for former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush, the Dominican Republic has emerged as one of the premier spots to tee off in the Caribbean, if not the world. Golfers here will discover 21 courses featuring oceanfront fairways and challenging dogleg lefts around swaying coconut palms. Many courses have been designed by legendary names such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio, and Nick Faldo. Visitors don't need to worry about packing golf clubs or even knowing how to play. Each course offers affordable club rentals and lessons from internationally recognized golf pros. Regardless of your handicap, the courses in the Dominican Republic promise a challenging and unique experience.
The Dominican Republic also offers exceptional diving opportunities, with clear waters, vibrant marine life, and superb reef diving and snorkeling. Often listed as one of the top diving locations in the Caribbean, visitors can explore centuries-old shipwrecks on the north coast or enjoy the warm, protected waters of the south. While experienced divers will find plenty to enjoy, most all-inclusive hotels offer lessons and certification for beginners. Dive centers throughout the country provide scuba diving and snorkeling equipment and instruction. Generally, anyone over the age of 10 and in good health can dive, according to training agencies' standards and procedures. Complete scuba diving certification typically involves five to six lessons followed by open water dives and can be completed before or during your trip to the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic boasts one of the most extensive coastlines in the Caribbean, with over 800 miles of diverse ecological environments, ranging from desert to tropical rainforest. No matter where visitors choose to drop anchor, they will be greeted by grand mountain backdrops, white sand beaches, and turquoise blue waters. Over the next two years, the Dominican Republic is set to more than double the number of full-service marinas, introducing features never before available in the Caribbean. These new marinas are not just additional docking spots; many are being opened in areas previously unable to accommodate large vessels. Currently, the Dominican Republic can dock yachts up to 150 feet in length overall (LOA). However, the marinas under development will enable the country to handle yachts up to 250 feet LOA. Notably, Cap Cana Harbor and Marina is set to become the largest world-class mega-yacht marina in the Caribbean, capable of hosting over 500 yachts.
A glance at the Dominican calendar reveals month after month filled with patriotic holidays. While some may think this is due to the Dominican people's love of a good fiesta, it actually stems from the country's long and storied history. Holidays such as Juan Pablo Duarte's birthday and Restoration Day highlight the turbulent past of this now tranquil tropical getaway. The Dominican Republic was discovered on December 5, 1492, by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage to the New World. At that time, the island of Hispaniola, as Columbus named it, was called "Quisqueya" by the Taino Indians who inhabited the land. With a population estimated at around 600,000, the Tainos ("the good") were peaceful and hospitable to Columbus and his crew. Columbus himself grew particularly fond of Hispaniola, describing it in his journal as "a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys."
Columbus' admiration for Hispaniola, coupled with his crew's discovery of gold deposits in the island's rivers, led to the establishment of European settlements, the first of which was founded in 1493 in La Isabela. With these new settlements, the Taino Indians were enslaved and eventually wiped out over the next 25 years. Simultaneously, settlers began bringing African slaves to the island to ensure adequate labor for their plantations.
Columbus' brother, Bartholomew, was appointed governor of Hispaniola, and in 1496 he founded the city of Santo Domingo. The capital city quickly became the representative seat of the Spanish royal court and thus a city of power and influence. However, by 1515 the Spaniards realized that Hispaniola's gold deposits had significantly dwindled. Around this time, Hernán Cortés discovered silver deposits in Mexico. Upon hearing this news, most Spanish residents of Santo Domingo left for Mexico, leaving only a few thousand settlers behind. Thanks to the livestock initially introduced by Columbus, these settlers sustained themselves by providing food and leather to Spanish ships passing Hispaniola on their way to the richer colonies on the American mainland. This period is when the pirates of the Caribbean made their mark on history.
Hispaniola remained under Spanish control until 1697, when the western third of the island became a French possession. In 1804, this area, known as "Saint-Domingue," became the Republic of Haiti. Saint-Domingue became the world's richest colony due to its large sugar plantations worked by hundreds of thousands of African slaves. In 1791, a slave revolt broke out in Saint-Domingue. To prevent losing their colony, the French abolished slavery in 1794. With calm restored in Saint-Domingue, the French focused on overwhelming the Spanish on the island's eastern side, who later surrendered power.
In 1809, the eastern side of the island returned to Spanish rule. In 1821, Spanish settlers declared an independent state, but weeks later, Haitian forces invaded the eastern portion and incorporated Santo Domingo. For the next 22 years, the entire island came under Haitian control. However, fueled by their loss of political and economic control, the former Spanish ruling class developed an underground resistance group led by Juan Pablo Duarte called "La Trinitaria." After several attacks by La Trinitaria on the Haitian army, the Haitians retreated. On February 27, 1844, the eastern side of the island declared independence and named their land the "Dominican Republic."
The spirit and charm of the Dominican Republic are captured in its music, food, and national pastimes. Known for its professional winter baseball, handcrafted cigars, and annual music festivals, Dominican culture is always a vibrant and colorful expression of life. Even the museums and archaeological sites are lively, bringing the daring history of the Dominican Republic to life with antique treasures, dazzling jewels, and time capsules left by long-lost cultures. In the Dominican Republic, culture means adventure.
Like its Caribbean neighbors, the Dominican Republic's culture is a blend of European colonists, Tainos, and Africans and their cultural legacies. Spanish, also known as Castellano (Castilian), is the official language. Other languages such as Haitian Creole, English, French, German, and Italian are also spoken to varying degrees. Haitian Creole is fluently spoken by between 159,000 and 1.2 million Haitian nationals and Dominicans of Haitian descent, making it the third most spoken language after Spanish and English. European, African, and Taino cultural elements are most prominent in food, family structure, religion, and music. Many Arawak/Taino names and words are used in daily conversation and for items endemic to the Dominican Republic.
Baseball has been a dominant force in the U.S. sports industry for decades, spanning from little league to the major leagues. However, even before legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson came into the spotlight, the Caribbean was brimming with pro-level players batting, throwing, catching, and running the bases. In 1866, American sailors stationed in Cuba taught the island's natives the rules of baseball. Following the Ten Years' War (also known as the Big War) in Cuba, baseball migrated to the Dominican Republic with Cubans fleeing their country. The sport quickly earned the nickname "beisbol" among the Dominican people and rapidly became a national passion. Today, traveling across the country reveals numerous baseball fields and stadiums, highlighting the Dominicans' love for the game.
Some of the most famous Dominican baseball players in the USA include Pedro and Ramon Martinez, Juan Marichal, Moises, Jesus, Mateo and Felipe Alou, Manny Mota, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz (Big Papi), George Bell, Juan Samuel, the great Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Tony (Cabeza) Fernandez, Ricardo Carty, Vladimir Guerrero, Albert Pujols, Miguel Tejada, Henry Rodriguez, Alfredo Griffin, and over 1,000 more.
As the largest producer of cigars in the world, the Dominican Republic is renowned among enthusiasts as "Cigar Country." While Cuban cigars may be more recognizable, Dominican varieties are often considered superior in quality. Offering a wide range of aromas, colors, and prices, visitors will find it hard to resist sampling and taking home a local stogie. The central regions of Santiago and the Cibao Valley provide the ideal growing environment, boasting over 600,000 acres of tobacco plants. The meticulous cultivation and management of these crops enable the Dominican Republic to produce cigars that are truly distinctive and of impeccable quality.
Dominican cuisine is a rich blend of Spanish, Taino, and African influences, developed over centuries. While it is similar to other Latin American cuisines, many dishes have unique names. Breakfast typically includes eggs and mangú (mashed, boiled plantain), often accompanied by deep-fried meat (usually Dominican salami) and/or cheese. Like in Spain, lunch is the largest and most important meal of the day, usually featuring meat (chicken, pork, or fish), rice and beans, and a side salad. The most popular lunch dish is "La Bandera" (The Flag), consisting of broiled chicken, white rice, and red beans.
Dominican meals generally include all four food groups, incorporating meat or seafood, rice, potatoes, or plantains, and a vegetable or salad. However, they often emphasize meats and starches, with less dairy and few vegetables. Many dishes are made with sofrito, a mix of local herbs and spices sautéed to enhance the flavors. On the south-central coast, bulgur (whole wheat) is a key ingredient in quipes or tipili (bulgur salad). Other favorite dishes include chicharrón, yuca, casabe, pastelitos (empanadas), batata, pasteles en hoja, chimichurris, plátanos maduros, and tostones.
Popular treats in the Dominican Republic include arroz con dulce (or arroz con leche), bizcocho dominicano (Dominican cake), habichuelas con dulce (sweet creamed beans), flan, fro fro (snow cones), dulce de leche, and caña (sugarcane).
Favorite beverages include Morir Soñando, rum, beer, Mamajuana, batida (smoothie), ponche, mabí, and coffee.
The Dominican Republic is renowned for the creation of Merengue music, a lively, fast-paced rhythm and dance genre with tempos ranging from 120 to 160 beats per minute. This music style incorporates drums, brass, and chorded instruments, along with unique elements like the marimba. Its syncopated beats use Latin percussion, brass instruments, bass, and piano or keyboard. Though commercial Merengue, known as Merengue Típico or Perico Ripiao, is primarily dancehall music and not known for its social content, it was declared the national music during the Trujillo regime. Famous Merengue singers include Juan Luis Guerra, Fernando Villalona, Eddy Herrera, Sergio Vargas, Toño Rosario, Johnny Ventura, and Milly Quezada. Merengue gained popularity on the east coast of the United States during the 1980s and 90s, with many Puerto Rican groups, such as Elvis Crespo, produced by Dominican bandleaders and writers in the US. The emergence of Bachata-Merengue and a growing Dominican population among other Latino groups in New York, New Jersey, and Florida further contributed to its rise.
Bachata, originating in the countryside and rural marginal neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic, has also become popular in recent years. This genre often focuses on romantic themes, particularly tales of heartbreak and sadness. Initially called "amargue" (bitterness or bitter music), it evolved to the more neutral term "bachata." Bachata is closely related to the pan-Latin American romantic style called bolero and has been influenced by merengue and various Latin American guitar styles.
Another emerging genre in the Dominican Republic is Dominican Rap, or "Rap del Patio" (Street Rap). Similar to American Hip Hop or Rap but performed in Spanish with a Dominican accent, its subject matter ranges from social issues to money and fame. Unlike Reggaeton, Rap del Patio does not use the Dem Bow rhythm but features beats similar to American rap. Singing is usually not a part of Rap del Patio, and its themes are more street-oriented compared to the club themes of Reggaeton. Notable artists include Lapiz Conciente, R-1, Vakero, Joa, and Toxic Crow.
The country's national dance, traditional Merengue groups, are composed of a three-piece band featuring a melodeon (an accordion-like instrument), a guira (a scraped percussion piece), and a tambora (a double-headed drum). Over time, Merengue has expanded to include other instruments such as the saxophone, trumpets, violin, flute, and piano. Its tempo is characterized by an aggressive beat, requiring dancers to swing their hips rapidly and ensure their feet follow suit. Early Merengue lyrics often centered on sexual encounters and other socially taboo subjects, preventing its widespread acceptance initially. Today, Merengue lyrics cover a broader range of topics, including politics and current events. Its music has become so popular that it is celebrated with two regional festivals each year.
The Dominican Republic boasts a rich and intricate history that stretches back over 8,000 years to the arrival of the Taino Indians. After Christopher Columbus's discovery of the island in 1492, the Republic experienced significant interactions with the Spanish, French, Haitians, and Africans. This diverse history has resulted in a remarkable collection of personal and cultural relics from various centuries. The country has excelled in preserving these artifacts and the historical structures that house them. Visitors to major cities, particularly Santo Domingo, can immerse themselves in the historical narratives associated with some of the oldest museums and archaeological sites in the New World.
