La Hispaniola is home to the lush Dominican Republic with it taking up two thirds of the island while Haiti occupies the rest of the landscape; resulting in it being the second largest country in the Caribbean. To the north lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the South the Caribbean Sea. The Dominican Republic rightly attracts over 3 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean.
Best Time to Visit
The Dominican Republic enjoys fantastic Caribbean temperatures all year long. Generally, January and February are the coolest months, with August and September being the hottest of the weather. The Winter season (November to April) brings cooler temperatures, with the summer months (May through October) being hotter and dryer. Remember that rainstorms are regular in any tropical climate, but normally don’t tend to last very long – and bring a welcome coolness during a hot sunny day.
Cuisine
Dominicans enjoy a vast selection of foods known for simple style. The influences of Dominican cuisine trace back to the native Antillean and hearty Creole recipes which are prepared similarly to the dishes of Central and Southern America, with rice, seafood, meats and vegetables. Light spice and coconut add depth and warm to the soul of the dishes. The foundation of the native diet, “La Bandera Dominicana”, consists of rice, beans, meat, vegetables and fried plantains. Yum!
History and Culture
The magical enticement of The Dominican Republic is best captured by it′s music, cuisine and national pastimes. Known for it’s professional baseball, handcrafted cigars and annual music festivals, the culture of the Dominican Republic never fails to impress. The carnival in February is famed for being the greatest, noisiest and most vibrant in the Caribbean region. In The Dominican Republic, culture really means fun, excitement and adventure.
The Beaches
The Dominican Republic’s beaches are widely celebrated as being among the world’s best beaches, and so they should be! There are more than 1,000 miles of cloud coloured sand gently lapped by the warm Caribbean waters, that are so clear and blue, you have to see it to believe it. You will never be bored with a wide collection of resorts that offer a full array of watersports; or you can take a trip to the tranquil uninhabited beaches where you’re sure to feel at peace.
Things to Do
- Chill out on your chosen part of the 1000 mile stretch of beach
- Visit the unique carnivals
- Enjoy a great range of watersports
