5 Awesome Reasons to Visit the Dominican Republic
Gorgeous weather, pristine beaches, white sand stretching as far as the eye can see, fruit-infused cocktails…that might be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of the Dominican Republic. And you wouldn’t be wrong: The Dominican Republic is truly an island paradise to a vacationer or tourist.
But beyond the beaches, the Dominican Republic offers so much more to travelers from anywhere in the world. Here are five reasons a Dominican vacation will make your year.
Beaches
Let’s get started with the obvious. The Dominican Republic is home to some of the most idyllic beaches on Earth. If you’re looking to spend time on the beach, the Dominican Republic might literally be the best place you can go.
Not only are the beaches beautiful, but you can find different beaches depending on what you’re looking to experience. If you want to share the beach with a throng of fellow sun worshipers, the Playa Boca Chica is 20 miles outside of Santo Domingo and is one of the most popular beaches in the country.
If surfing’s your thing, Playa Bahoruco is a three mile stretch of some of the best waves in the Dominican Republic.
Or maybe you want to get away from the crowds and don’t mind a trek. In that case you might want to visit Eagle Bay beach. Eagle Bay is accessible by boat or 4-wheel drive and boasts a secluded, breathtaking natural splendor and very few tourists.
Waterfalls and Hiking
The rocky interior of the Dominican Republic yields an amazing array of hiking trails of various intensity levels and views of the many breathtaking waterfalls throughout the island. The more adventurous travelers can even experience the thrill of leaping off the top of a waterfall down into the sparkling waters at the base.
One attraction in particular is the renowned 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, a series of waterfall visitors may navigate by wading, swimming, hiking and climbing. Climb to the top, then slide all the way to the bottom!
Santo Domingo
The Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo is rich with culture, history, and mouthwatering cuisine. Tourists can walk the cobblestone streets of the historic Spanish center and experience the tradition and history of Santo Domingo’s origin as a colonial Spanish province. Ciudad Colonial, a historic neighborhood, is the oldest permanent European Settlement in the New World, and is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The area surrounding Santo Domingo is home to a number of magnificent national parks, putting the untouched natural beauty of the Dominican Republic on display.
Puerto Plata and Punta Cana
Two destinations offering an unforgettable tourist experience are Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.
Puerto Plata is a province on the north coast of the Dominican Republic known for its beaches, diving, luxury resorts, and immaculate golf courses for those who enjoy the sport. Puerto Plata is also located near Paradise Island, a charming private islet in the middle of the sea.
Punta Cana, located at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, offers many of the same attractions as Puerto Plata. The coral reefs here are breathtaking and the city includes casinos and other night life activities. You might even have the chance to swim with dolphins!
Scuba Diving at the Coral Reefs
One of the rarest pleasures that the Dominican Republic offers is the chance to scuba dive and snorkel within coral reefs. Imagine exploring the wonders of one of the most biologically amazing living structures in the world, swimming through a warm ocean and marveling at the spectacle of the complex coral reef ecosystem.
The Dominican Republic offers visitors the chance to view aquatic life of all varieties, whether it be snorkeling and scuba diving close to shore, or going on whale viewing expeditions by boat.
These five reasons barely scratch the surface of what the Dominican Republic has to offer a visitor, but it ought to be enough to convince you that a vacation to the Dominican Republic should be in your future.
Heather Lomax is a contributing writer and media specialist for Allied Solution Group. She regularly produces content for a variety of vacationing blogs.