Dominican Republic: when palm trees, waves and hot sun call you

Beautiful sandy beaches and luxury resorts attract a lot of tourists every year, who then soak up the sun and jump into hotel pools. In reality, there is much more to the popular "Dominican", which will not remain hidden from the watchful eyes of tourists. The island boasts an extremely picturesque and varied geography, ranging from green forests and mountains to desert-like areas. This holiday paradise gained worldwide fame thanks to the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, which brought the images of paradise beaches to the world. Today, the Dominican Republic is visited annually by approximately 6 million sun- and beach-seeking tourists, which places it at the very top of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.

When to the Dominican Republic?

If you are not a fan of the infernal heat that stalks you on the beach during the summer days, then choose the winter months. The temperatures are more tolerable between December and April, but still high enough to make it worthwhile to jump into the sea or the pool. With many tourists looking to escape the winter and cold during the winter months, the tourist season is at its peak at this time, but if you don't mind a few more beachgoers, then this is the right time to visit the Dominican Republic. We advise you to choose April or May, when the tourist season is coming to an end, as the period of rains and hurricanes begins in summer.

What should I see in the Dominican Republic?

For starters, what will make you win over the island in no time – the beaches! You can find the most popular ones in Punta Cana, Puerto Plati and La Romani, where the largest concentration of luxury resorts and resorts is located. Cabarete attracts surfers and kitesurfers, and many water activities can also be found on other beaches on the island. The Dominican Republic is famous for its "kitsch" white beaches with palm trees, but the real wealth is hidden in the interior of the island.

There you will find a bunch of botanical gardens, national parks and hiking opportunities. He is one of those Parque Nacional del Este, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a peaceful place where the beauty of nature really comes to the fore. Many people remember Isla Saona in particular, a part of the park represented by a beautiful beach. It is also extremely popular Los Tres Ojos, the park of triple eyes, which was named after the three lagoons located in its area. These are limestone caves that were filled with water over time and have become a real eye-catcher. The Dominican Republic is famous for its diverse animal and plant species.

In the east of the island, you can admire the magnificent humpback whales, which choose Samana Bay as their home between December and March. You won't be bored even in the capital, Santa Domingo, where you can taste excellent Caribbean cuisine and listen to local music. According to some data, more than one million people live in the capital, and because of its more than 500-year history, it is bursting with cultural and architectural heritage.

This is mainly concentrated in ti to Ciudad Colonial, the oldest colonial city in the New World, as this part of the world was named after the discovery of Christopher Columbus. The latter is also depicted in a bronze statue that stands in Colon Park. Among the sights worth seeing are the first cathedral in America, Alcazar De Colon and Ozama Fort. This area of the city is also famous for its lively nightlife and excellent cuisine.

How to explore the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic boasts a well-developed bus network, which is an affordable way to travel. To a greater extent, the locals decide to overcome the distance with guaguas, which vary from minibuses to vans. You can also find excellent taxi services in the cities, where you will search in vain for a taxi meter, so it is a good idea to set a price before starting the ride. Renting a car is one of the more expensive ways to explore the island, but it allows for a great deal of freedom. The reason for the price comes largely from the cost of gasoline, and traffic accidents are also common.

How much is a plane ticket to the Dominican Republic?

You can fly from Venice to Punta Cana for just a few hundred euros. Air tickets from Venice to Santa Domingo start at 405 euros, and in the summer for Punta Cana from 390 euros. There are also good connections from Munich and Vienna, and you can also find cheap tickets, the prices of which start at 400 euros, from Zagreb. With the airline Condor and a stopover in Frankfurt. You can search for flight tickets according to your vacation date HERE.

Covid-19 restrictions in the Dominican Republic

This may sound a little unbelievable, but at the time of writing this article, you did not need any documents to enter the country. The authorities just picked a few random travelers and tested them with a rapid test. As the conditions change rapidly, it is advisable to inquire with the representative offices or consulates. Check all current information about Covid-19 restrictions HERE.

Accommodation in the Dominican Republic

Ecolodge Tubagua Puerto Plata

Located 11 miles from the popular Puerta Plata, this eco-friendly property offers panoramic ocean views. It consists of cute houses, and some rooms offer a magnificent view of the surroundings. There is also a restaurant within the accommodation, if you are going on a trip they will prepare a meal for you.

 

Liberty B&B

Located in Las Terrenas, Liberty B&B offers guests an outdoor pool and a charming sun terrace. The rooms are comfortably furnished and offer a view of the garden. The property is located not far from the town's beach and restaurants, and offers free parking and laundry facilities.

Mahona Boutique Hotel

Also in Las Terrenas you can find the Mahona Boutique Hotel, with a large green garden where you can relax in hammocks. The rooms are tastefully furnished and overlook the outdoor pool. Guests are also offered room service and a concierge service, and in the mornings they treat you to a continental breakfast.