Dominican Republic Information
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Dominican Republic Overview
As home to the first city founded in the Americas, the Dominican Republic boasts a rich collection of museums, historic sites, traditional food and music. Much of the Dominican culture can be experienced this way, but that’s not all this country has to offer. The Dominican Republic also boasts great golf courses, resorts, water activities, beaches, and of course, the favorite national pasttime, baseball. Dominican history is rich and the culture found in their museums, festivals, art, food and music are welcoming. You’re sure to fall in love with this exciting country.
Other Destinations in Dominican-Republic
Mapping Out the Dominican Republic
La Romana is home to resort delights, like Casa de Campo’s world-renowned Teeth of the Dog golf course. In Puerto Plata, surf’s up where you can find all types of water sports on its Amber Coast. People flock to Punta Cana’s luxurious resorts on pristine beaches for snorkeling and fun in the clear aqua water. But visit Samaná to see majestic humpback whales up close, migrating through the bay. Finally, UNESCO World Heritage site, Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the Americas and is the cultural and political capital of the Dominican Republic. Whatever you want to do, the Dominican Republic’s got you covered.
Whale Watching
Every year, from January to March, thousands of humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of the North Atlantic to Samaná’s warm coast to breed.
In Samaná, excursions depart to catch the frolicking giant creatures in action. Grab the best seat on the boat to watch them splash and spout water and don't forget your camera! You'll want a keepsake of your time with these majestic sea mammals.
Cuddle up close to the one you love to experience the magic of your new friend in the ocean together. The little ones will be equally as mesmerized, so you can take the whole family. It's such a special, once-in-a-lifetime experience, so naturally this is the most popular time to visit the area. Plan ahead to make sure you don't miss out!
Go Par for the Golf Win
With 28 golf courses, the Dominican Republic offers plenty to tee! Most of the courses are along the coast offering striking scenic views of blue and green.
Teeth of the Dog, the No. 1 golf course in the Caribbean (ranked by Golf Magazine) was designed by world-renowned designer Pete Dye, along with the Dye Fore and The Links courses. The three courses are on Casa de Campo’s property in La Romana and offer a superb golf experience for professionals and amateurs alike.
If your Caribbean vacation takes you to the north or south coasts, you'll having plenty of courses to choose from in Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo. And even better, if you venture east to Punta Cana, you'll have a green-spotted coast full of championship courses to strike your fancy.
Merengue: Que es?
1, 2, 3, 4, left, right, left, right. That's merengue, the national dance of the Dominican Republic. Merengue greets you at the airport, travels with you in your taxi, and is probably playing in the lobby as you arrive at your resort! Feel the beat and let the rhythm fill your body. Your feet and hips will know just what to do! And don't worry if you don't catch on quick. You can always watch the locals for clues or sit back and admire more experienced dancers work their magic.
Said to have been invented by African slaves in the Dominican Republic working on sugar plantations, the merengue dance has fully evolved as the focal point of any party. You're sure to see people having a great time dancing merengue in the nightclubs in the resorts. It’s fairly easy and you can try it at different tempos. Don't be afraid to join in on the fun!
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
It's more than just peanuts and cracker jacks out here. Baseball in the Dominican Republic is a source of pride for the whole country. Some of Major League Baseball's most impressive players come from this pro-ball-player breeding ground. And in the winter is your chance to see them shine on their home turf.
Dominican players in the MLB come home in the winter to play in the Dominican Winter League. For the rowdiest rivalry among Dominican teams, catch a Licey vs. Aguilas game. The winning team out of the Dominican's six represents the country in the Caribbean Series against Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela. So if you call yourself a fan, take a seat behind home plate and see how amazing beisbol can be.
Oldest City in the New World
In old Santo Domingo, history aficionados can witness the buildings and streets that were once inhabited by Columbus, Ponce de Leon, and Cortez.
Established in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’ brother, Bartholomew, Santo Domingo de Guzmán is the oldest city in the Americas. With 16th century monuments and buildings, there’s plenty to visit and see in Santo Domingo.
It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, and in 2010 was named the 2010 American Capital of Culture. Because of this, the Cultural Capital Organization allowed the Dominican Republic to come up with the seven treasures of cultural heritage in Santo Domingo. These seven treasures and others are perfect for the history buff and cultural enthusiast.
Dominican Republic Quick Facts
Language
Spanish
Currency
Peso (RD$)
Electricity
Same voltage as North America, but the sockets are two pronged.
Passport/Immigration
All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport when traveling to and from the Dominican Republic.
Drinking Water
Drink only bottled water. Avoid tap water and drinking beverages with ice cubes.
Time Zone
Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -4 hours)
Peak Season
Dec to Feb, July to Aug and Semana Santa (the week before Easter)
Climate
| High* | Low* | Precip.* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81°F | 71°F | 2.6 in. |
| February | 81°F | 71°F | 2.1 in. |
| March | 82°F | 71°F | 2.1 in. |
| April | 83°F | 72°F | 2.7 in. |
| May | 85°F | 73°F | 4.9 in. |
| June | 86°F | 75°F | 4.1 in. |
| July | 86°F | 76°F | 3.1 in. |
| August | 87°F | 76°F | 4.1 in. |
| September | 87°F | 75°F | 4 in. |
| October | 86°F | 74°F | 6 in. |
| November | 84°F | 73°F | 4.6 in. |
| December | 82°F | 72°F | 3.1 in. |
*Historical averages.