Full of energy and high spirits, the Dominican Republic has become one of the best destinations in the Caribbean. A diverse landscape is the Dominican Republic’s premier attraction as the island boasts terrains filled with lush mountains, desert dunes, and white sand beaches.
But hidden within the peaks and coves of the island, there are also colonial towns, fishing villages, urban cities, and luxury resorts.
Bienvenidos – Welcome to the Dominican Republic
Apart from natural beauty, the Dominican Republic has also become known for its lively character and rich culture. The party scene runs almost non-stop throughout the country, and the locals are eager to share in their celebrations with visitors. Through many of these celebrations, tourists can also take a peek into the island’s historical significance. With stories of Conquistadors, indigenous tribes, and foreign explorers, the Dominican Republic walks hand in hand with their past as they head towards the future.
Called “La Capital” by locals, Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic. The city is known for blending the past with the present, and it proudly represents various cultures. Remnants from the New World and hints of colonialism still stand tall in Santo Domingo. The most famous part of the city is the Zona Colonial, which has the island’s oldest churches and fortresses. Yet, while history is alive in the streets, Santo Domingo is still an urban metropolis with clubs, new gastronomy, and luxury boutiques to explore.
- Culture and Language
- Visa Requirements
- Spending Budget
- How to Get Around
- Top Cities to Visit
- Points of Interest
Culture and Language
While the island has had a lengthy history, the most famous events of the country’s past began when Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands. The island he landed on was named La Isla Española for Spain, but it became more well known as Hispaniola. The Taíno people originally inhabited the island and ruled with five chiefdoms.
Dominican Republic History
By 1493, Christopher Columbus had built a colony on the island. In the next 3 years, the settlers would begin constructing Santo Domingo and the city was officially named the capital in 1496. But with the expansion of the island, dark events occurred. The settlers enslaved the local Taíno people in gold mines, which led to many of them dying from disease, starvation, and forced labor.
The importation of slaves from Africa followed several years later, which led to many uprisings and conflicts on the island. For the rest of the 16th century, the island rapidly declined as the mainland of the Americas was discovered. For the 17th and 18th centuries, the island’s growth was still minimal. The French were given a part of the island for a brief period in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until Hispaniola was united that the Dominican Republic regained its popularity.
Since the Dominican Republic gained its independence in 1844, it has been an uphill battle to establish a stable government. But having won that battle, the Dominican Republic is now flourishing under a Democratic government that has successfully expanded the tourism, mining, and textile industries.
The island’s history is significant in its cultural representations. The vast majority of the Dominican Republic’s culture can be traced back to Spain, the Taíno people, or from Africa. This unique blend of the three distinct cultures has all come together to influence the island’s lifestyle and customs. One of the most famous pieces of Dominican culture is the merengue, which is a local style of song and dance.
Official Language
Aside from the architecture and tradition, one of the other cultural stamps that Spain left on the island is their language. Spanish is the official language in the Dominican Republic. It is estimated that over 90% of the population in the Dominican Republic speak and understand the Spanish language. But Dominican Spanish differs from other Spanish language variants, which makes it unique to the island.
The English language is also recognized as a foreign language in the Dominican Republic, and it is taught as a secondary language in school. However, the language is not widely spoken on the island and instead, most speakers are foreigners or expats. But with a booming tourist industry, the English language is becoming more common.
Visa Requirements
With millions of visitors flocking to the Dominican Republic each year, it is important to be prepared for your trip. Before you can sink your toes into the sand, you need to get all of your legal travel documents ready to go. While some countries may require a tourist visa, US citizens who are traveling from the United States do not need a tourist visa if they are staying for less than 30 days in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic requires US citizens to have a valid US passport at their time of entry. Your passport must also have a minimum of 6 months validity remaining at the time of your entry into the Dominican Republic. There are no other restrictions for entering the Dominican Republic. But when you are exiting the country, you must declare any currency that is valued at more than $10,000 Dominican pesos or the US dollar equivalent.
Upon your arrival to the Dominican Republic, Customs agents may also ask you for a ticket leaving the country, proof of sufficient funds, and a local address. It is important that you write the address of your main place of accommodation, so keep good notes when you are making your reservations.
Spending Budget
When you compare the cost of a trip to the Dominican Republic to other Caribbean destinations, you will find that it is relatively affordable. While prices are rising, the Dominican Republic is still less expensive than other island destinations and with a spending budget outline, it can even be friendly for budget backpackers.
It is better to outline a spending budget before you start your trip, so you aren’t caught off guard by the cost of accommodation, food, or transportation. With a budget and spending plan, you can also save money by finding good deals or local prices. Your spending budget will include the cost of airfare, accommodation, food, drink, and transportation.
Airfare
The first big step and cost of your trip will be the airline ticket. There are many airlines that have service with non-stop or connected flights to the Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. From the United States, the average cost of a flight is $400 US dollars, but because of the increased popularity of the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination, there are plenty of airlines that offer discounts or deals on tickets.
The cost of a flight to the Dominican Republic will also be higher in the dry season. The dry season runs from December to April and it is the time when most tourists will visit the island, which also means that the local prices go up. There are tourists in the wet season, which runs from June to November, but it is significantly less than the winter months.
Accommodations
The same increase and decrease are reflected in the price of accommodation. There are many accommodation options in the Dominican Republic from hostels to hotels, and all-inclusive resorts. The most affordable option would be a dorm room in a hostel. Most dorm rooms cost $35 US dollars per night, but depending on your location, you may see prices drop as low as $25 US dollars per night.
However, the downside to dorm rooms in hostels is the lack of personal space and amenities. Not all hostels will provide internet, which doesn’t suit all travelers. If you want or need Wi-Fi, it is better to look at a local or budget hotel. Many of these hotels will start their nightly rates at about $55 US dollars, which will include the price of internet. Boutique hotels are a step up from budget hotels and they may have better services. Many boutique hotels will cost about $150 US dollars per night.
If you want to splurge on your trip, the Dominican Republic is well known for its beach-front resorts. With plenty of coastlines, there are hundreds of options, but the major resort areas are in Punta Cana, La Romana, and Las Terrenas. Resorts are pricey, so expect to pay $250 US dollars minimum per night. Many of the best resorts will charge hundreds of dollars per night and may even exceed rates of $1,000 US dollars per night.
Food
While the cost of resorts may be high, many are all-inclusive, so they often include food as a part of the nightly rate. But if you want to get out and explore the streets, it is important to consider the cost of food as a part of your spending budget.
Dominican cuisine has become famous for its rich dishes and spicy flavors. Some favorite local dishes include catibia and salpicon. Catibia is the Dominican Republic’s take on an empanada, which is made of yuca and filled with meat or cheese. Salpicon is a fresh seafood dish, which includes chunks of the local fish with vegetables and a vinaigrette.
Sancocho is a rich stew that has become a staple on the island. While many variations of sancocho exist, the Dominican Republic uses a variety of meats and vegetables to concoct a savory broth. Plantains are also a staple in the local diet and one of the best ways that they are prepared are in tostones. Tostones are often served with meals as a side, or they can be a main dish when topped with the local salami or cheese.
Dining
No matter what gets your mouth watering, there are a lot of distinct flavors that you can try in the Dominican Republic. However, it is important to know the cost of food, so you can better plan your trip and expenses. Local meals will be the most affordable and many vendors or restaurants will sell their dishes for about $6 US dollars. In some tourist areas, you can expect prices to rise to about $15 US dollars for a meal.
The most expensive meals on the island will be in the top restaurants or resorts. In the most popular areas, expect to pay up to $40 US dollars for a meal. However, most places on the island still provide excellent dishes for a lower cost. With the sea and local agriculture, many of the local cuisine is made with fresh ingredients.
Good food often leads to a night out on the town, so the cost of alcohol will be another part of your budget. Local alcohol in the Dominican Republic is very affordable and a six-pack of beer often costs about $2 US dollars. Presidente is the local beer, which is available throughout the island.
Wine is also affordable and many mid-range bottles sell for less than $10 US dollars. However, expect the price of alcohol to increase in the resorts. Drinks in resorts can be expensive and expect to pay up to $7 US dollars for a single beverage.
Daily
When your expenses are all put together, expect to spend about $60 US dollars per day on a backpacker’s budget. Some super budget travelers can reduce that cost further and spend about $40 US dollars per day, but it is a feat not easily achieved. If you are looking for a more comfortable trip, be prepared to spend up to $200 US dollars per day. This would allow you to stay in local hotels and still take part in some fun activities. You can also go on a luxury vacation, but if you do, plan to spend well over $200 US dollars per day.
How to Get Around
While the Dominican Republic is not the largest island, it is still large enough that you will need to consider how you will get around from city to city. Transportation is another part of your spending budget that may or may not be essential. Some travelers stay within a resort area, so they do not use transportation frequently. But other travelers may want to get out and explore the different coasts.
Bus Service
The most affordable way to travel around the Dominican Republic is by using the local bus service. There are plenty of tour operators that provide services to tourists to transfer them between major cities like Santo Domingo and Santiago. Some buses also connect you to specific areas on the island like the Samaná Peninsula or the Silver Coast.
Most of the buses and tour operators also have very affordable pricing. Even long-distance bus rides across the island will cost less than $10 US dollars for a one-way trip. Shorter trips will be even more affordable, and prices are often less than $3 US dollars per ticket.
However, it is important that you book your tickets at least 2 hours before you intend to travel. Many tickets can be booked online and there are no refunds. So, it is important that you double check the dates and times of your travel before you make a reservation.
Car Rental
If you want more freedom to explore the island on your own time, you may want to consider renting a car. Car rentals are widely available throughout the island, but they can be very expensive. Most rental companies will charge $60 US dollars per day at a minimum. Larger cars will be more expensive and could cost up to $100 US dollars per day. Motorcycles are also available to rent and cost about $40 US dollars per day. But motorcycle theft is very common, and you will need to take extra care to lock up your bike when it is not being used.
Guaguas
For budget travelers, you can travel using the local Guagua system. Guaguas are basically an unregulated way of travel that is mostly used by the locals. Guaguas use small vans or buses to transport people from town to town and they do not travel very far. If the distance to your destination is far, you will probably have to travel from town to town, and switch guaguas. But with a cost of less than $2 US dollars per ride, the guaguas are the most affordable way to travel around the Dominican Republic.
Top Cities to Visit
With a diverse landscape, there are a lot of different cities that are worth exploring in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo is the capital, but there are plenty of other considerations to add to your list. Here are the top city destinations in the Dominican Republic.
Santo Domingo
With a rush of energy, Santo Domingo will welcome you into the island life and local culture of the Dominican Republic. This urban capital is known for its colonial past, which is best displayed in the Zona Colonial. But while history paves the street, life is in the air. The high energy of Santo Domingo means that there are plenty of parties, festivities, and celebrations all year long. The city is a great place to explore the local cuisine and peruse the local shops.
Santiago
The Dominican Republic’s second largest city is Santiago, which also has its fair share of colonial architecture and history. The city is most popular because of the museum, El Centro de Leon and for the Monument to the Heroes of Restoration. Santiago is also located closely to the Cibao Valley, which makes it a great place to stop before heading off into the jungle.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is the most popular resort area in the Dominican Republic, which is located on the East Coast. With plenty of resorts and water activities, tourists flock to these turquoise waters to explore, have fun, and relax in the sun. Punta Cana is also where the international airport is located, which gives tourists easy access to the island and its various destinations.
La Romana
La Romana is a small town in the Dominican Republic that has become famous because of the Casa de Campo resort. This resort is known for having decorations by Oscar de la Renta, and it boasts the best golf course on the island. The Teeth of the Dog is a world-famous golf course that draws exclusive visitors from all over the globe. The nearby Isla Catalina is also a hotspot for cruises and yachts.
Samaná Peninsula
The Samaná Peninsula has become a favorite spot for nature lovers who want to glimpse the humpback whales give birth. Every year in January and February, this area and the Samaná Bay are thriving with aquatic wildlife. The area is also popular because of the natural beauty and destinations like the Salto El Limon waterfall. A vast majority of the area has also been preserved because of the Parque Nacional Los Haïtises, which is open to visitors all year.
Las Terrenas
For a destination that is a little further off of the beaten track, Las Terrenas provides you with a small series of quieter beaches. The area has a few resorts, but it is not as congested as Punta Cana. However, Las Terrenas is still accessible and located close by to Santiago.
Points of Interest
While towns are tourist attractions in themselves, you may be interested in visiting specific points of interest in a city or area of the Dominican Republic. With lots to see and plenty to explore, here are the Dominican Republic’s top points of interest.
Lake Enriquillo
Lake Enriquillo is the Caribbean’s largest saltwater lake that has become famous for its iguanas and flamingos. The local landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and historically significant. In the center of the lake, Isla Cabritos is home to Taíno rock art from hundreds of years ago. Visitors can take a ferry to the island to see the rock and explore more of the lake.
Pico Duarte
Pico Duarte is the Dominican Republic’s and the Caribbean’s tallest mountain. Visitors can hire a tour guide to hike the mountain or explore the area. San Juan is the largest town close to the mountain, which gives visitors easy access for viewing the famous peak.
Parque Nacional del Este
If you are a nature and animal lover, the Parque Nacional del Este is the place to go. This unique landscape is home to some of the most elusive animals including manatees, dolphins, and various species of turtles. The clear water sits above the white sand and the tropical plants make for a beautiful backdrop. UNESCO has even named this park a world heritage site to solidify its importance.
Get Out and Go
With a close proximity to the United States, the Dominican Republic’s paradise is just a short plane ride away. Whether you live the resort life and lounge on the beach or get out into the jungle, the Dominican Republic guarantees that you will have a grand adventure. As the popularity of the island grows, now is the time to get out and explore everything that the Dominican Republic offers.
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