Lovely beaches, colonial cities and exuberant vegetation are some of the attractions featured by the Dominican Republic. Here you will find extensive information about Dominican Republic hotels; we have something for every budget. Whatever your destination in this island is, we can help you. Whether you are looking for beach hotels in the Dominican Republic, hotels in Santo Domingo, hotels in Punta Cana or hotels in Puerto Plata, we have something for you. If you want a little history and a taste of its ancient culture, why not explore colonial hotels in the Dominican Republic? We are certain that the natural beauty of the island and the charm of its people will make this an unforgettable vacation for you.
Set in the middle of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has something to offer to every type of visitor. Its lovely white sand beaches are a big contrast to the serene beauty of its majestic peaks. Here, colonial cities and antique buildings coexist peacefully with the rush of modern living.
History, water sports, mountains, jungles, luxurious hotels and resorts, as well as state of the art golf courses and a peculiar mélange of cultures are some of the things that make the Dominican Republic such a special place to visit.
Geography
The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean, east of Jamaica and west of Puerto Rico; it comprises two thirds of the island Hispaniola, the other third is Haiti. It is the second largest country in the Greater Antilles after Cuba. It has a total extension of 48, 442 km2, and has 245 km north to south and 365 km east to west.
The weather of the Dominican Republic is mainly tropical and the rainfall is abundant, particularly between May and November. The mean temperature stays between 25° C (77° F) and 30° C (86° F) all year round. Daylight hours vary between 11 and 13 depending on the season.
Its most important rivers are Yaque del Norte, Yaque del Sur and Yuna. There is also a mountain range and its highest peak is Pico Duarte (3,175 m). The lowest point of the Dominican Republic is Lake Enriquillo (30 m below sea level).
The lush vegetation and the existence of numerous caves in the highlands make the Dominican Republic a perfect place for mountain-climbing and cave-exploring lovers. The zone of Jarabacoa, particularly, is perfect for rafting, rappelling, mountain biking, hiking and paragliding. Pico Duarte, in the Cordillera Central is also the highest peak of the Antilles and thus a must for hikers in the Caribbean. Other places to practice adventure tourism are: Hato Mayor del Rey, Samana, Higuey, San Pedro de Macoris, Barahona, La Descubierta and San Cristobal.
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic; it’s an amazing mix of the complexities of modernity with the charm of old times and the flavor of the Caribbean. It was the first European-built city in the New World, and a big part of its cultural legacy is preserved within Ciudad Colonial. A visit to the Cathedral, the Alcazar, the Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales), the sundial and the light house of Columbus (Faro a Colón) is definitely in order while in Santo Domingo.
Other interesting places in Santo Domingo are the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of History and Geography, the Natural History Museum and the Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of the Dominican Man). The zoo, the aquarium and the botanical gardens are also a must.
The biggest attraction of the Dominican Republic is its assortment of beaches; endless extensions of soft sand bathed in clear, warm water. These offer a great opportunity to practice all sorts of water sports. One of the most important tourist developments is located in the East Coast of the country; among the places worth visiting while in this part of the island are: Punta Cana, a white sand and crystal water beach; it is a tropical paradise framed in 420,000 m2 of lush tropical vegetation and magnificent gardens. Other places you don’t want to miss are the islands of Catalina and Salona, the village of Bayahibe, the city of La Romana, as well as the beaches of La Romana, Juan Dolio and Boca Chica.
Puerto Plata is a province that has witnessed a tourist boom. Here you can find the beaches of Cabarete, Sosúa, Cofresí, Cabo Isabela, Cambiaso y Playa Dorada. Cabarete is ideal for windsurfing and features all the amenities of modernity: restaurants, shops, malls and service industries are all tourist oriented.
Colonial and pre-Hispanic buildings in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo has been declared by UNESCO a cultural heritage of humanity and has been recognized as the cradle of European Civilization in America. Its quaint pebbled streets and the centuries old impressive colonial facades have become cozy cafes and bars as well as small hotels and well known restaurants.
The province of San Cristobal features the ruins of the first sugar mills in America, which date back to the 16th century. The amazing cave complex of Cavernas del Pomier is also found in this province. These caves are a rare opportunity to appreciate cave paintings from before the arrival of Columbus. However, the largest concentration of pre Hispanic art and vestiges is found in the frontier region. There we can find cave paintings in the province of Elías Piña, the ceremonial center and more rock and cave paintings can be found in Dajabón, and the pre-Hispanic museum of the Socias family is in Montecristi.
When the Spaniards arrived, in 1492, the island of Hispaniola, as they called it was inhabited by a native tribe called the tainos. They were politically organized into chieftains, or caciques. Soon after the conquest they had disappeared.
Hispaniola was the first European colony in America and in its capital city, Santo Domingo, the first social and cultural institutions of the colony were built. Such is the case of the first churches, the first cathedral, the first university, the first hospital, the first monuments and the first fortresses.
Until the end of the 16th century, the island thrived, mostly thanks to its richness in natural minerals and sugar cane plantations. With the 17th century Hispaniola suffered a crisis, mostly due to the closing of its mines. It is then that France took hold of the western third of the island.
In 1865 they achieved their independence, going once again through a series of political uprisings, dictatorships and civil wars until 1996, when democratic elections were held and a stable government came to power.
New Passport Requirements
As part of U.S. Department of State's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all travelers will be required to present a valid passport or other accepted document(s) to enter or re-enter the U.S. (visitors and U.S. residents) as early as January 8, 2007, from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• January 8, 2007: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document (MMDs).
• January 1, 2008: All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.
Click here to get complete details on New Requirements for Travelers including a list of "other accepted documents" from U.S Department of State.
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