Why go to Dominican Republic? The 10 good reasons to go Dominican Republic
A colourful carnival
The carnival reaches its climax on 27 February, the day of national independence.
Sumptuous golf courses
Yes, the country is one of the most popular destinations for golf!
The Mecca of kitesurfing and windsurfing
Cabarete has built up a solid reputation: constant and regular wind, huge beach.
An ideal year-round climate
The weather is very mild, with an average year-round temperature of 26°C.
First capital of the New World
Walking around Santo Domingo, the cradle of the New World, is like leafing through a history book.
Merengue and bachata
Merengue may be the national dance, but bachata is very popular with young people. Sabroso !
Endless beaches
From the wild beauty of the southern beaches to the paradisiacal landscapes of the northern beaches.
An unparalleled gentle way of life
Music, rum, sea and sun go hand in hand: life is sweet, like the Dominicans.
A tropical gastronomy
The sea and ocean provide fish, the fertile valleys offer tropical fruits.
A land of contrasts
Between sea and mountains, the country lends itself very well to outdoor activities.
What to visit Dominican Republic?
Interview: My Dominican Republic
by Martin Fouquet, author of the guide
After studying philosophy followed by a long trip to South America, Martin decided to dedicate himself to writing travel guides, an activity that has kept him busy for the past ten years. Familiar with America and the Caribbean, it is with renewed curiosity that he has travelled through the Dominican Republic, from its passes to its beaches, from its jungles to its towns and fishing villages.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Dominican Republic
Timetable
Santo Domingo's museums and cultural institutes (the capital has the largest concentration) are generally open from 9am (sometimes 10am on weekends) and close between 5pm and 7pm (a little earlier on weekends), depending on the establishment. Natural and urban sites, on the other hand, are accessible at all hours.
To be booked
Prior reservation is required for guided tours (museums, neighborhoods, natural areas, etc.).
Budget & Tips
Unfortunately, there are no cultural passes for Dominican museums and cultural sites, not even in Santo Domingo. However, some local agencies offer tours combining visits to several sites.
Main events
A highly festive country, the Republic has no shortage of events throughout the year. In addition to the Santo Domingo Merengue Festival at the end of July and the Puerto Plata Festival at the end of September, there are also THE carnivals. In the Dominican Republic, the dates of carnivals correspond either to the celebration of patriotic feasts, or to the celebration of patronal feasts (in honor of a saint). A single town can therefore have up to four carnivals a year! The two patriotic feasts for which the whole country celebrates are: the Battle of Independence on February 27, and the Battle for the Restoration of the Republic on August 16. In addition, there are other carnivals whose dates are specific to each city. For example, the city of Azua celebrates the Battle of Azua on March 19 each year (for more information: www.carnaval.com.do).
Guided tours
In the Dominican Republic, while there are a few guided tours of museums and cultural centers (cigar factories in particular), the vast majority of tours are aimed at discovering towns and villages, as well as natural treasures such as bays, gorges, protected parks, coastlines, islands and fields of crops.
Smokers
Smoking is prohibited in museums and other cultural institutions. As for open-air and natural areas, it is the responsibility of smokers not to disturb non-smokers, and to keep these areas clean.
