Dominican Republic Holidays

East Coast, Dom Rep

Overview

The Dominican Republic occupies the Eastern two-thirds of the island of La Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti, and is the second largest country in the Caribbean. It is bordered on the North by the Atlantic Ocean and on the South by the warm, blue Caribbean Sea. Attracting over 3 million visitors a year, the Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. It has plenty to offer, with something for every holiday budget.

Culture

The spirit and charm of the Dominican Republic is captured in it's music, food and national pastimes. Known for it's professional baseball, handcrafted cigars and annual music festivals, the culture of the Dominican Republic is never boring. The carnival in February is famed for being the largest, noisiest and colourful in the Caribbean region. In the Dominican Republic, culture really means adventure.

Cuisine

Dominicans enjoy an array of foods as colourful as the landscape, but simple in taste. Inspiration for Dominican cuisine stems from native Antillean and hearty Creole recipes and is prepared similar to the dishes of Central and South America, with rice, sea foods, meats and vegetables. Light spice and coconut add depth and warm the soul. The foundation of the native diet, "La Bandera Dominicana", consists of rice, beans, meat, vegetables and fried plantains.

Beaches

The Dominican Republic's beaches are widely celebrated as being among the world's best, and for good reason. Here, more than 1,000 miles of sugar-coloured sand is gently lapped by warm waters so clear and blue, you have to see to believe. Some areas are populated with resorts featuring a full array of water sports, food vendors and activities, while others take visitors to another world of pristine tranquility with peaceful, uninhabited beaches.

Climate

The Dominican Republic enjoys typically warm Caribbean temperatures year round. Generally, January and February are the coolest months, with August and September being the hottest. The Winter season (November to April) brings cooler temperatures and more rainfall, with the summer months (May through October) being hotter and dryer. Rainstorms are regular in any tropical climate, but usually don't last very long - and bring a welcome coolness during a hot sunny day.

Facts

Flight Time - Approx 9 ¼ Hours

Passport & Visa - Tourist card on arrival

Currency - Dominican Peso

TIme Zone - GMT - 4 hours

Language - Spanish