The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with
Haiti, with the latter occupying one-third of the island (on the
Western side.) Discovered by Columbus, the island of Hispaniola
was used for many years as a place to launch explorations into
the New World. Today, the small nation is divided up into five
basic regions.
Greater Dominican Republic - This mostly metropolitan area
contains many beaches and the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Eastern Dominican Republic - This is where the majority of the
high-class fancy resorts are in the Dominican Republic.
Eastern Cibao - The Bay here is sometimes referred to by
locals and tourists alike as a "Paradise on Earth"
Western Cibao - This region is home to the second largest city
in the Dominican Republic. It is also where the highest
mountains in the Caribbean reside.
Southern Dominican Republic -This is the most secluded part of
the Dominican Republic and isn't usually visited by tourists.
Things to do in the Dominican Republic
Shopping - The Dominican Republic offers many opportunities to
find the perfect gift for you or your loved ones. If you can
find the large outdoor mall in the Colonial District of Santo
Domingo, you're going to be in love if you're a shopper.
Beaches - Whether it is swimming, surfing, scuba diving or
just enjoying lounging around, the beaches in the Dominican
Republic are some of the best in the world.
Alcohol - There is a wide variety of local beer and rums for
you to try. Brugal, Barcelo, and Bermudez are three of the more
popular rums available in the Dominican Republic. It should be
noted that drinking and driving is strictly prohibited in the
Dominican Republic.
Food - If you like Caribbean style seafood, you are in luck.
There is other fare available, but you will want to try some of
the local favorites. Try to avoid drinking the tap water at all
costs, however.
Being close to Haiti, one of the poorest countries on the
planet, the Dominican Republic might not seem like a great place
to travel. That said, it is in the Caribbean and offers
breathtaking scenery, great beaches, and an urban experience
that is a little different. Whether you want to travel there to
help out the locals or just want to go and relax, the Dominican
Republic has something to offer you. While tourists are
generally well accepted in the Dominican Republic, if you at
least attempt to speak Spanish (the native language), you will
be respected a little more by the people. Also, be aware that
even though there are large luxury resorts there, the Dominican
Republic is generally a poor country. If you are able to tip
your service workers, you can be guaranteed the best service
possible and also feel good about yourself for helping those a
little less fortunate.
The Dominican Republic isn't going to be a destination for
everyone, but if you want to see a different side of the
Caribbean lifestyle, you will want to visit. The country has a
rich and varied history that goes back many years. While the
Dominican Republic of today is still growing, it has become
quite a nation over the last few decades as the people strive to
overcome their past and work toward a better future. Visiting
the Dominican Republic can be a life changing experience as well
as a relaxing one. This makes it a good choice for travelers who
have been all over the world and are looking for something a
little different for their next trip.
About Dominican Republic