Top 10 Things About Dominican Republic You Should Know
It is a beautiful Caribbean island loaded with seductive sandy beaches, luxury holiday resorts, intriguing history, and a vibrant and passionate people culture ... read more...that makes visitors fall in love with this Hispaniola island nation. It is only three hours from New York. The Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti to the west, has seen its share of upheavals in the past, but has since grown into a prosperous country. It is now the most visited island in the Caribbean, as well as a popular destination for family vacations, weddings, and honeymoons. Perhaps it is because of the island's gorgeous and scenic beaches, or because visitors can enjoy the spectacular coral reefs while scuba diving, or the verdant scenery for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. This list of necessary things about Dominican Republic will help you to know more about this beautiful country.
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One of the most important things about Dominican Republic before going to this country is whether it is safe or not to travel. Many women have visited the Dominican Republic and had an unforgettable experience. However, this country is not the safest for ladies traveling alone, since there have been stories of women being attacked or humiliated, so be cautious, especially at night, and take precautions at all times, avoiding dark and empty streets and locales.The transportation here is unsafe, particularly at night. When possible, avoid taking public transportation because this is where robberies and pickpocketing occur. Rather than hailing a taxi on the street, always call ahead. Pickpocketing is not as common in the Dominican Republic as violent crime, but you should still be cautious and keep your money and valuables hidden, such as in hidden pockets of your clothes, and never store all of your money in one location.
Overall, the Dominican Republic is a safe place to visit, despite its many risks and high crime rate. You should be informed that the majority of thefts and pickpocketing occur in tourist destinations, restaurants, shops, and public transit, and that violent crime occurs on the streets as well. Keep in mind that if the situation is very bad, you should avoid traveling through this country at night. -
The island is as well known for its natural beauty as it is for the numerous all-inclusive resorts. While there are plenty of spots with swim-up bars designed for relaxing weeks by the ocean, walking off the hotel property is one of the finest ways to completely immerse yourself in the Dominican culture. Getting off the usual road and discovering less developed natural enclaves will reward you with waterfalls, whale watching, and flora-filled rainforest excursions.
Dominicans commuting for business, visiting family outside the country, and navigating their way to school are all frequent occurrences. Taxis are plentiful, and ridesharing services are available in the three major cities of Santo Domingo, Santiago, and. Public transportation, such as bus travel, is an inexpensive and memorable way to see the island. The following destinations are usually highly recommended for visitors. Note it down if you are planning a trip to this country.
- Punta Cana is best for casinos and resort life
- Santo Domingo is best for culture buffs
- Samaná is best for whale watching
- Sosúa is best for late-night partying
- Cabarete is best for thrill-seekers
- El Limón waterfall is the perfect adventurous hike
- Bayahibe is best for scuba diving
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You want to visit Argentina but are unsure about the best time to go? Do not worry, Toplist will help you. The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with high temperatures all year. There are dry and rainy seasons, as with other tropical places, but even during the rainier months, there are usually plenty of hot, sunny days and any rainfall is usually in heavy showers that clear rapidly.
The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is minimal. August is the hottest month of the year, with average daily highs of 34°C and lows of 23°C. January is the coolest month of the year, with average daily highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C.
July is the driest month, with only 18 mm of rain and 28 beautiful sunny days. November is the wettest month, with 148 mm of rain falling over six days.
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The Dominican peso is the Dominican Republic's currency. It is simple to exchange US money and travelers' checks.You can use banks or official exchange bureaus to swap money (casas de cambio). In most ATMs, UK credit and debit cards will function. When taking cash from an ATM, use extreme caution and, if possible, withdraw money from a bank branch, shopping center, or supermarket rather than an ATM on the street.
In the Dominican Republic, credit card cloning and identity theft are a concern. When paying, avoid allowing your payment card out of your sight and instead pay in cash.
Coins of 25 and 50 cents, which are rarely used, as well as 1 and 5 pesos, will be available for exchange. There are 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 peso notes available. The US dollar can also be used as a second coin because it is accepted by all tourist establishments. Additionally, the US dollar, like the Euro, may be exchanged for pesos at any bank, exchange house, or many hotels. -
Because it is said that the road to a person's heart is via their stomach, traditional Dominican food will make anyone fall madly in love with this Caribbean country. Dominican cuisine reflects the country's rich history, culture, traditions, and identity, including recipes and ingredients from native Tainos, Spanish conquistadors, and African slaves, seasoned with flavors from throughout the world.
Sancocho, one of the most popular dishes in the country, is served during parties and special occasions such as New Year's Eve. Meat, veggies, tubers, and sauces are all used to make this rich stew. It is always served with white rice and sliced avocado, but there are variations, as with any traditional dish. Sancocho "classic" is cooked from yam, squash, malanga (yautia), and yucca, among other tubers and edible plants, is grown in the Dominican Republic. Diced corn on the cob, garlic, lemon juice, green plantain, cilantro, oregano, salt, oil, and other seasonings are included.
It can be light or dark in color depending on whether it is made entirely of chicken or with different species of plantain, as well as beef, goat, and hog. Sancocho with green pigeon peas or red beans is another option. The house specialty is the sancocho de siete carnes (seven-meat stew), which includes chicken, hog, beef, goat, Creole chicken, smoked ribs and chops, and longaniza sausage. A gathering of true carnivores! Sancocho, by the way, is a popular hangover remedy in the Dominican Republic.
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The country has a multitude of festivals in addition to wonderful food and adventure. Your journey will be incomplete if you do not experience or participate in Argentina's culture. Guloya Festival, Carnaval, Barcelo Desalia Festival, Isle of Lights Festival, and Merengue Festival are just a few of the country's most well-known festivals. At the most popular festivals and celebrations in this island nation, Dominican culture, delectable dishes, religious rituals, Latin music, stunning beaches, and friendly people combine to produce a high-quality, one-of-a-kind experience.
The Dominican Republic's New Year's celebration represents the start of a year filled with events. The Guloya costumes, drum beats, and yaniqueques—a famous street snack made of crispy fried dough—fill San Pedro's Miramar district with color. Prepare to see the baile Cocolo (Cocolo dance), in which African descendants perform on the flute, drums, and chimes while the dancers demonstrate their strong reverence for Dominican customs. You will want to get up and dance with the artists, who are dressed in multicolored slats, feathers, and tiny mirrors. If you are lucky, they will pick you out of the audience to give you the entire dancing experience. Keep reading to know more about some of the most interesting things about Dominican Republic
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The Dominican Republic is credited with inventing the merengue form of dance music, which is fast-paced and rhythmic. The Merengue is a Latin American and world dance that combines a European Waltz, African rhythms, a Polish Mazurka, and a French rural dance called Cotillion. It is the Dominican Republic's national dance.
Partners form a closed position around each other. The leader uses their right hand to grip the follower's waist and their left hand to hold the follower's right hand at eye level. Partners move their hips left and right by bending their knees slightly left and right.
Throughout the song, the leader's and follower's hips move in the same direction. The right or left step is frequently emphasized by the rhythm of these steps. A 'danced walk' is a common name for this pattern. A dancer will generally place their weight on the same foot during this dance. In short steps, partners can stroll sideways or circle each other. They can move to an open position and complete separate turns without releasing one hand or letting go of the others. They may twist their handhold into complicated pretzels during these turns. Other choreographies are feasible as well. The upper body is held steady and turns are slow, usually four beats/steps per entire turn, despite the fast tempo of the song.
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Santo Domingo became the site of the first church, hospital, customs house, and university in the Americas after Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1492. This 1498 colonial town was set up on a grid design that became the paradigm for practically all New World town planners.
The Colonial City of Santo Domingo, encircled by walls, has kept the extent of its land, its grid pattern, and the majority of its architectural significant features practically intact. Except for a few notable exceptions, it has maintained its historic scale, including street widths, property sizes, and building heights. It has blended architecture from numerous eras, including its forms, styles, materials, and construction processes, to enrich knowledge and interpretation of its economic, social, and cultural growth as a living historical center.
It preserves its social fiber, its high symbolic value, and, in general, the various applications that characterize the foundation's early structures. Despite the constraints of property growth, hurricane and earthquake damage, the key features that underpin the City of Santo Domingo's functional and physical integrity are intact.Official name: Colonial City of Santo Domingo
State Party: Dominican Republic
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean -
The Dominican Republic is the world's only producer of Larimar, a rare blue variant of the silicate mineral pectolite.
During my visit, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the hotel's managers, who told me about the Larimar stone, which is native to the Dominican Republic. The color of this stone varies from white to light blue to green-blue to deep blue. (Can you guess what I bought for myself as a souvenir? A gorgeous Larimar bracelet and earrings)
The story behind the name of this stone is very fascinating. It is said that Miguel Méndez and a Peace Corps volunteer named Norman Rilling rediscovered Larimar on a beach near the Bahoruco Mountain Range in the coastal province of Barahona in 1974 (which had previously been discovered by Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren of the Barahona Parish in the early twentieth century).
The diamond was given the name Blue Stone by the natives, who thought it came from the sea. Larimar was created by combining Miguel's little daughter's name Larissa and the Spanish word for sea (mar), to represent the colors of the Caribbean Sea, where it was discovered. It is no surprise that the Dominican Amber Museum in Puerto Plata is so famous, given the gorgeous bluestone. -
The last fact in this list of the most interesting things about Dominican Republic is about the locals here. The biggest impression that might leave on you and the visitors, after spending a trip in the Dominican Republic is the friendliness, warmth and vibrant nature of the Dominican people! With their amazing sense of humor, talkative way, love of music, and down-to-earth kindness, it is no wonder this island is a place people are flocking to more and more.
You can enjoy the atmosphere of celebrating Christmas Eve on the island and in a country that is predominantly Catholic, the observance of this holiday is quite reverent. A beautiful nativity re-enactment is performed on the stage at the resort, which you can be comfortably able to view from your suite balcony.
As far as music goes, it was never ending! From the moment you wake up till 10:30 each night, festive and lively Spanish music is heard throughout the property. Everyone, you will have the pleasure of encountering from the moment you arrive in Santiago Airport and throughout the stay is engaging, upbeat, and down to earth.