The Dominican Republic is a world famous destination that attracts more and more tourists every year, thanks to its sandy beaches and mild climate. This beautiful country is not only popular among tourists, but also among those, who are looking for a place to settle down. This country loves foreigners so much that in shops, there can find signs in English, French, Italian and Spanish. Dominicans are known for being very friendly towards tourists.
The country itself is the perfect destination for all lovers of natural beauty. Hundreds of kilometers long beaches, lush forests with beautiful waterfalls and lakes, unusual plants and animals…the Dominican Republic has it all. If you are spending a week in the Dominican Republic, you are most certainly going to enjoy every moment spent there.
The main tourist destination in the Dominican Republic is of course Punta Cana, located on the Costa Bavaro. Because of its beautiful and long sandy beaches, it is the ideal place for enjoying the warm weather and drinking cocktails under tropical trees. In addition to that, in Punta Cana, there are also numerous restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos and various evening shows that guarantee an unforgettable experience.
205 km further, we can find the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo. This city was completely rebuilt in 1930, due to the hurricane, which largely destroyed it, however, the Dominicans still managed to preserve. There many buildings from the Spanish colonial era.
Another must see destination is Catalina, one of the most beautiful islands in the whole Caribbean. The island has over 100 different species of birds, dolphins and various species of fish, which are a delight for everyone, who decides to go diving there.
After visiting Catalina, you should definitely visit Saona, an island that is located inside the National Park of the East. It is an almost uninhabited island, except for a few fishermen’s villages.
It is not difficult to travel from one place in the country to another. There are several private transportation companies that offer comfortable, modern buses. The price of a ride on a distance up to 225 km at Metro Buses and Caribe Tours is less than ten dollars. You can also use the OMSA buses, which drive from 7.00 a.m. to 9 p.m. along the main streets of Santo Domingo and Santiago. The price of a ride is between RD $ 5 and RD $ 10, depending on whether the buses have or do not have air conditioning.
Several car rental companies, such as National, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Hertz and Dollar also offer their services in the Dominican Republic. To visit the destinations and the tourist attractions on the north coast or on the Samaná half-island, it is best to rent a vehicle. This also applies when you want to visit all the beaches in Punta Cana and La Romana.
Other options for transportation are small buses, called “Guaguas” that drive through the main streets and avenues, where they stop at the request of passengers. The price for longer distances never exceeds RD $ 25.
But tourists do not only visit the Dominican Republic for relaxation or sightseeing. The Dominican Republic has also the reputation for being a gourmet destination. The food there is tasty and versatile and, therefore, many different types of restaurants can be found all over the country. There are refined and luxurious restaurants with gourmet menus, and also restaurants with Creole cuisine, the local touch and a casual atmosphere. You can find Oriental, Mexican, Mediterranean and Italian restaurants, as well as many pizzerias and snack bars.
The Dominican Republic has so much to offer – white beaches, turquoise waters, palm trees, rivers and spectacular waterfalls, forests, amazing islands like Catalina and Saona etc. The natural beauty of this astonishing country seems endless. During your week there, this extraordinary island will give you an experience of a lifetime for sure.
