Dominican entertainment. Sights of the Dominican Republic Dominican Republic entertainment and attractions

It is the most visited country in the Caribbean and for good reason. Here you will find a variety of activities that tourists who come here enjoy, from surfers to animal lovers, cyclists to cultural enthusiasts and much more. However, unlike other Caribbean countries, the Dominican Republic is large enough to be fully explored in just one trip, so Good THERE have provided a condensed list of some of the best attractions the Dominican Republic has to offer.

1 Whale watching

Samana is home to humpback whales, with approximately 2,000 humpback whales visiting each year between December and March to breed in the warm waters offshore. Research shows that all populations of Atlantic humpback whales come to breed in the waters near the Dominican Republic. Humpback whales can weigh up to 40 tons and perform a variety of acrobatic feats during mating, such as jumping out of the water, and some male whales sing “songs” to attract females to mate.

Samana, Dominican Republic

2 Visit the Zona Colonial

Zone Colonial(Zona Colonial) is a small town located in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. This area is home to many important historical buildings, such as the cathedral, monastery, university, customs house and hospital in the "New World". In addition to historical sites, Zona Colonial has a variety of restaurants and is also known for its clubs and vibrant nightlife.

Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

3 Stay in Costa del Coco

Costa del Coco is known in the Dominican Republic as a retreat resort. La Costa del Coco is located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic and features a long coastline of white sand and palm trees, home to an extensive complex of all-inclusive resorts.

4 Go Partying in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the most visited city in the Caribbean, as well as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. Here you will find some of the largest and most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, as well as the highest concentration of all-inclusive resorts. The city is a combination of old world colonial charm combined with modern Latin architecture. Santo Domingo is known for having a very vibrant nightlife with a huge number of clubs and lounges to choose from.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

5 Explore the Dominican Alps

Dominican Alps are located 80 km from the capital city of Santo Domingo. This mountain range forms a kind of “spine” of the island. The central part of the Alps is a paradise for nature lovers, with protected national parks, rivers and valleys. Here you will find the best views the Dominican Republic has to offer. In the mountains you can take a break from the intense heat that accompanies you in the rest of the country. The cooler climate encourages the growth of fruits such as strawberries, which are difficult to find in other parts of the country. The highest mountain, Peak Duarte, green meadows and pine forests grow here, these are rare species in the Caribbean.

Peak Duarte, Dominican Republic

6 Visit Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is a beautiful area filled with pristine beaches and stunning mountain scenery. In this place you will find the best water activities in the country. Cabarete, one of the cities in this region, is known as the capital of windsurfing, the beaches in this part of the country have waves that attract surfers from all over the world. Puerto Plata is also well known for its vibrant nightlife and very rich culture, and is a great place to learn about some of the country's traditions.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

7 Head to Los Haitis National Park

Haiti translates to "mountain land" and is one of the few remaining rainforests in the Dominican Republic. The park has a huge number of mangroves covering an area of ​​1600 km². Los Haitis Famous for its large number of caves, as well as a variety of wildlife, such as the endangered hawk, the Spanish-speaking woodpecker, the Spanish emerald, pelicans, frigate birds, herons and many other majestic birds.

The park's jungle was used in the making of the film Jurassic Park.

The hills in the park can reach 40 meters and offer stunning views, this is information for those who want to try their hand at rock climbing.

Los Haitis National Park, Dominican Republic

8 Attractions on Lake Enriquillo

Lake Enriquillo is the largest lake in the Caribbean, it is home to a diverse array of wildlife such as saltwater crocodiles, pink flamingos and lizards, but the list is of course not limited to these animals. This is a great place to visit if you are interested in wildlife. We highly recommend that those interested in visiting this place be sure to contact a trusted travel agency, as this is a fairly remote place located almost on the border with Haiti and you still end up in dangerous wildlife.

Lake Enriquillo, Dominican Republic

9 Go to Saona Island

Saona is a tropical island located southeast of the Dominican Republic. Saona Island is a great place for a day trip. Around 300 people live here, making it a great place for a quiet and relaxing holiday. You can stroll peacefully along the shore, relax in the shallow waters or sunbathe on the white sand. This is considered one of the most beautiful island excursions that the Dominican Republic offers. Boats depart from Bayahibe every morning, and round trip travel (including hotel pick-up) can range from $50 to $80.

Saona Island, Dominican Republic

10 Swim in the cascades of Damajagua Falls

Damajagua Falls(or 27 waterfalls) are one of the biggest attractions for nature lovers in the Dominican Republic. Every year, more than 50,000 people visit these waterfalls, take photos and swim in the natural pools formed below. A total of 27 waterfalls are found in the northern hills of the mountain range, which are created by Mother Nature from solid limestone.

Damajagua Falls, Dominican Republic

Olga Stepanova

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Located in the eastern part of the well-known island of Haiti, the Dominican Republic is considered a country of contrasts - both metaphorically (a mixture of rural and urban life) and geographically. This fantastically beautiful republic is famous for its luxurious resorts, reed plantations, inexpensive hotels and tourist recreation for every taste. What is the best season for a holiday in the Dominican Republic, what is worth seeing, and what are the prices?

The best holiday season in the Dominican Republic - weather, holidays of the Dominican Republic

Given the subtropical humid climate and the presence of soft breezes and trade winds, the heat in the republic is easily tolerated even by children. The rainy season lasts from May to early autumn - at this time showers are frequent but short (mostly in the evening). Rain is also possible in November-December. All other days are dry and sunny. The best time for a vacation in the Dominican Republic is from early December to April. Take weather factors into account if you want to attend one of the Dominican holidays.

The most famous holidays of the republic:

• Dominican Carnival. It is held in honor of Independence Day on February 27th. Colorful processions, masquerade, performances, funny fashion shows and music await you throughout February.
• Carnival Cimarron ("runaway slave"). It is held on Holy Thursday of Easter week in cities such as Elias Piña, Cabral and San Juan de Maguana. The colorful carnival ends on Sunday with the burning of effigies in the cemetery (as a sign of the victory of life over death) and devil masks.
• Merengue Festival. No less noisy and vibrant than the carnivals of the republic (merengue is the national dance), with fiery dances and Spanish music. The festival lasts 2 weeks, from the end of July, on the Santo Domingo embankment.
• Festival in Puerto Plata in early October. Local artisans and craftsmen take part in it. At this event you can watch the process of creating souvenirs, communicate with the craftsmen and buy something original for yourself.
• Latin Music Festival. Spanish artists, music lovers and tourists flock to the Santo Domingo Stadium in June. The festival lasts 3 days.
• All Saints' Day. It is held in the Dominican Republic on November 1 and represents “mystical” entertainment celebrations - noisy parties, monster costumes, etc.

Beach holidays in the Dominican Republic - the best beaches and resorts for a holiday in the Dominican Republic

Probably, anywhere in the Dominican Republic you can find adventures and impressions for the rest of your life.

But For quality service, people usually go to the following parts of the republic:

• Punta Cana (east of the republic). Here tourists will find thousands of coconut palms, pearly white beach sand, entertainment for every taste, age and budget, parks and wildlife views. A local attraction is Manatee Park. There you can swim with dolphins, get a close look at crocodiles and iguanas, and see a parrot show. Tourists can enjoy many bars, shops and restaurants, the best hotels, horseback riding and swimming pools, windsurfing and diving, and golf. Coral reefs provide strong protection from sea predators - divers need not be afraid of anything.
• Juan Dolio. Most of all, the resort is famous for its lagoon, reliably protected by reefs from sharks and other sea monsters, a snow-white beach and a turquoise-emerald sea. Entertainment includes bars with tropical cocktails, diving and windsurfing, billiards with bowling, horses, restaurants with the most exquisite cuisine in the world. Be sure to visit San Pedro de Macoris, the center of the republic with pristine architecture in various styles, and the village of Altos de Chavon, home to Dominican artists. Don't forget about the Three Eyes Cave.
• Puerto Plata. Or, as this resort is called, the shore of Ambergris (or black amber, of which there is quite a lot here). The Amber Coast attracts vacationers with its white sands, fantastic landscapes and clear water. There is a Botanical Garden with hundreds of exotic plants, the famous Long Beach, the "remains" of Columbus's house, the Temple of the Americas and the Taino Indian Museum. In local restaurants you can eat ginger cakes and Creole crab, and in local hotels you can relax on an all-inclusive basis.
• La Romana. This resort is known for its snow-white soft beaches - truly magical (no one wants to leave such a beach). There is an artists' village (medieval style) and an amphitheater, there are valleys with sugar cane plantations and orange trees.
• Bayahibe. The resort is located next to La Romana. A picturesque fishing village, where you can easily take a boat and go to the island of Saona - there a nature reserve awaits tourists (dolphins, old sea turtles, over 100 species of exotic birds, as well as pelicans and flying fish), many strange plants, grottoes with caves, where Columbus's sailors lived.
• Boca Chica. Here for tourists there is the finest and whitest sand in the republic, a clear and quiet sea, a bay protected by reefs from the wind and predators, amazingly clear water, shallow depths off the coast. Entertainment options include banana boat rides, windsurfing and sailing, water skiing, boat trips, sports competitions, etc.
• Uvero Alto. The beaches here stretch for 50 km, the coral reefs are the longest in the republic, the landscapes are the most beautiful, with wild areas. As well as numerous palm trees, high service, diving and windsurfing, archery and horseback riding, cooking and painting lessons, swimming with dolphins and restaurants, jeep safaris.
• Jarabacoa. This resort is surrounded by mountain rivers and forests. This is where you can see the famous Dominican waterfalls, Duarte Peak and the Armando Bermudez Nature Reserve. Entertainment options include natural attractions, eco-tourism, horseback riding and safaris, mountaineering, and trekking.

Entertainment on vacation in the Dominican Republic - attractions of the Dominican Republic

The most popular attractions of the republic are:

• Del Este National Park. Unique nature, luxurious beaches, Catalita Island and Las Calderas Bay, mangroves and seabirds.
• Los Haitises National Park. Here for tourists there are picturesque landscapes with river channels, pelicans and herons, caves with rock paintings, the famous underground river, “shark mouth”, etc. By the way, this is where “Jurassic Park” was filmed.
• Tres Ojos Cave.
• Lighthouse Faro Colon. A structure with a sarcophagus in the center - it houses the remains of Columbus (according to his will). There you can also look into the Dominican History Museum.
• Osama Fortress. Year of construction: 1502-1507. In the courtyard of the building is the Torre del Omenaje tower. It was once used to lock up rebel Indians and, later, prisoners of the republic.
• Fort Concepion from the 17th century.
• Cathedral of Santo Domingo - the oldest cathedral, built in the 16th century from coral limestone.
• Three Eyes Park. Here you should definitely see caves with stalactites, an aquarium and grottoes (at their bottom there are 3 sulfide dark blue lakes), and a zoo.
• National Botanical Garden.
• Amber Museum in Puerto Plata.
• Summit of Monte Isabel de Toros (2621 m) , from the platform of which a fantastic panorama opens. They get to the top by cable car.
• 3 parks on the Pedernales Peninsula: Yaragua (more than 130 species of birds), Sierra de Baoruca (orchids) and Isla Cabritos (many animals). Groupers, manatees and baleen sharks can be seen in the bay.
• Banco de la Plata Marine Reserve. Here you can (throughout February and a couple more weeks in March) watch humpback whales.

Prices for holidays in the Dominican Republic

The currency of the republic (exchanged in banks and hotels) is the Dominican peso. 1 dollar is equal to 45 pesos. Credit cards are used throughout the republic.

Approximate prices in the Dominican Republic:

For transport:

• Buses - from 5 to 100 pesos.
• Minibus taxi – no more than 150 pesos.
• Metro – 20 pesos.

Prices for excursions:

• Swim with dolphins in the sea - about 6,000 rubles.
• Matani Park - about 1200 rub.
• Laguna Oviedo Park - about 50 rub.
• Excursion to Santa Domingo - about 800 rub.

Prices in local cafes and restaurants:

• Seafood dinner for two – about 2000 rub.
• Lobster - about 700-1300 rub.
• Beer – about 100 rub.
• Fish - about 150-400 rub.
• Alcohol in the bar - about 100 rubles.
• Lunch at a restaurant for two + a bottle of wine – about 2500-2700 rubles.
• Pizza – about 450 rub.
• Cocktail – about 250 rub.
• Lobster – about 500 rub.

And:

• Hotel room – 2000-3000 rub.
• Sunbed on the beach – 50-150 rubles/day.

Of course, the Dominican Republic cannot boast of huge amusement parks, skyscrapers, many stylish restaurants and a huge number of large shopping centers, although all the necessary tourist infrastructure is available in the country’s resort areas. But, in contrast to rapidly developing countries in the Western style, the Dominican Republic has managed to preserve its pristine nature, its traditions, religiosity and history. The nature of this country is unlikely to leave anyone indifferent: hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches, picturesque lagoons protected by coral reefs, majestic mountains, beautiful waterfalls, mountain rivers and many other natural attractions. Based on its natural resources, the Dominican Republic offers many interesting eco-excursions, where tourists will completely merge with nature. They will be interested in visiting agricultural plantations where exotic for us sugar cane, coffee, cocoa and a large assortment of tropical fruits are grown. Numerous national parks in the country offer hiking excursions to waterfalls, lakes and tropical forests, exciting rafting along mountain rivers, mountain biking and horseback riding.

The most beautiful beaches are in the province of Puerto Plata, in Bavaro. The most striking natural attractions of the Dominican Republic: the Three Eyes caves (with lakes of an unrealistically blue color), the salt lake Enriquillo, where two-meter African crocodiles live, Duarte Peak - the highest point in the country, Samana Island, the uninhabited Catalina Island and much more that is a must-see look.

The hallmark of the country are: Dominican cigars, high-tasting rum, local amber and the blue-eyed larimar stone, which can only be found in the Dominican Republic. Curious tourists, along with the excursion, will be able to visit a cigar and rum factory and the amber museum.

In terms of the number of attractions, the Dominican Republic ranks higher than many countries. The name of the great traveler Christopher Columbus is associated with it, so in Santo Domingo (in its old part) you can see many architectural monuments associated with him, his family and other significant personalities of the New World era. On a sightseeing tour of Santo Domingo you can see palaces, houses, monuments of the colonial era, and also visit the tomb of Columbus. A stunning sight to see during a night tour of the capital is the powerful column of light at the Columbus Lighthouse, formed by multi-colored floodlights, shooting a powerful stream into the night sky. And at the top of a colored luminous pillar, three hundred meters high, a bright white cross appears.

As a maritime power, the Dominican Republic offers a huge amount of entertainment related to the water element, including scuba diving and excellent sea fishing. The best place for diving is Boca Chica. On the beaches of the resorts of Cabarete and Sosua, nature itself has worked to create excellent conditions for windsurfing. They are among the top ten places in the world for windsurfing. Every year they host numerous international competitions, including the Windsurfing World Cup. If you like active recreation, you can play golf and tennis. The Dominican Republic has excellent golf courses and tennis courts with modern surfaces.

If you love active nightlife, then Santo Domingo is the best place for you to live. There are many discos, civilized restaurants, bars and cafes offering different cuisines of the world. The National Aquarium, located deep underground, houses a unique disco and folklore center. You can hang out there until the morning to the sounds of incendiary meringue.

Sea adventures and entertainment

The Dominican Republic is known primarily for its beach holidays and sea activities. Chic and magnificent sandy beaches with tropical palm trees literally surround the Dominican Republic, and among the water activities we can highlight the following:

There are a huge variety of excursions offered here. They are available from almost every company, as well as many local companies that have the appropriate licenses. You can familiarize yourself with the excursions and special materials prepared on our website.

Other things to do in the Dominican Republic

In addition to seaside recreation and exploring the Dominican, tourists will find other, no less interesting activities. Each resort has a lot of cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, where life moves around the clock.

Fans of active recreation will be able to find a trip to the mountains, jeep safari, horseback riding, jungle travel, rafting, helicopter flights, etc.

Less emotional activities include golf, since there are many golf courses here, and they are at every resort. The most prestigious ones, naturally, are located at the resort.

And if your stay in the country coincides with a local festival, of which there are also many throughout the year, then you will become closely acquainted with the Dominican culture and entertainment of the local residents.

January 27, 2014

The Dominican winter has arrived. At night the temperature drops to 19 degrees! Only a blanket saves... But this is high season in the Dominican Republic! Our regular clients from America, Canada, Germany, Italy, who come here every year, have gathered in Juan Dolio. Each of them invited them to visit, therefore, in addition to the traditional celebration of all New Year holidays, evening gatherings in international companies were also added. (During this month we saved a lot on food, because almost every evening we had dinner in different places :-))

Several Russian couples came to Juan Dolio, but after a few days of stay they decided to go to Punta Cana, citing the fact that they were bored in Juan Dolio, there was not enough fun, discos, drive...

Guys, this is precisely why we love Juan Dolio! For his calmness and lack of “rubbish life”. Who needs "movement" - this is, please, in Boca Chico, Sosua, Bavaro. There will be discos, drinking until you drop, available girls (and boys :-), illegal substances. There will be Russian-speaking compatriots there who will happily “help” you “hang out.” But sometimes a tourist has to pay dearly for the opportunity to “have fun”...

They ask us: how do you live there, in this “retirement paradise” Juan Dolio?

We answer: we live well and have fun!

Whenever possible, we travel, discover the hidden corners of the Dominican Republic, go to theaters and concerts, bowling and the zoo. Knowing more than one foreign language, we do not need to suffer from the lack of “native Russian speech.” We are surrounded by many acquaintances from other countries and communicating with them does not give us any difficulties. But we also have Russian friends! And, imagine, sometimes we even have barbecues and kebabs! And sitting in the company of nice and decent people is so great! And you don’t need any discos or doping to lift your spirits.

The lack of a barbecue is not a problem.

The meat is marinated, the vegetables are chopped.

A little time passes - the kebab is ready.

Now let’s try and evaluate the skill of a professional.

And you can open a bottle of cold beer and slowly eat aromatic meat, have interesting conversations, enjoy communication with friends, peace, sea, sun. And time flies by unnoticed, and the sun begins to set.

You need to get closer to the shore to capture the never-boring Caribbean sunset for the hundredth time.

The sun hides very quickly, 140 seconds pass from it touching the water until it completely disappears.

The sun has set and it is becoming noticeably cooler. Which means you need to move on to a warmer drink!

And when complete darkness sets in, and the noble drink exerts its beneficial effect, the desire comes to pour out your soul to a dog that has wandered into the smell of barbecue.

Would you like me to tell you a story, Bug?

Listen: nine years ago, when you were not yet in the world, a couple in love flew from the cold city of St. Petersburg in Russia to the sunny Dominican Republic...

And the night seems endless, and peace descends. The sound of the sea, the stars overhead, good friends nearby. Can any noisy discos, sitting in stuffy restaurants, trips to fashion stores replace this?

June 24, 2013

I have already written about various types of entertainment in the Dominican Republic. Life here is not only about the beach, palm trees, and sea. There are places that tourists will never see, and there are entertainments that are only available to those who live here permanently. We have already visited the Botanical Garden, the Zoo, the National Aquarium, the theater, and a symphony orchestra performance. And last week, friends invited us to take a break from work and go bowling. To our shame, we had an idea about this fun only from films, but we ourselves had never played this very bowling alley before. Our friends reassured us and said that we could learn quickly and there was nothing complicated about it. Well, let's try a new entertainment, we said and went to the capital, to the bowling center on Lincoln.

To begin with, the guys decided to celebrate their anniversary with a gala dinner and ordered cordon bleu. The food turned out to be very tasty and after a hearty lunch it was not so easy to switch to ball rolling.

We moved to the track, the guys explained the conditions and rules, showed how to choose the right ball for themselves and how to hold it while throwing. My fingers got into number 11, my wife stopped at number 8. The game began.

Surprisingly, we turned out to be capable students and even managed to hit the pins on the first throws! A couple of times there was even a strike (when all the pins are knocked down with one hit).

Time flew by, we got so carried away that an hour of the game flashed by like an instant. The guys offered to play for another hour. We already felt like professionals and even stopped asking what the numbers on the scoreboard meant.

The second hour is over. By this time, all the paths were already occupied by the Dominicans, and the hall was filled with screams and cheers. Tired and happy, we lay on the sofas on the path and went home.

By the way, entering the toilet allows you to remember that you are in a bowling center.

The day was wonderful, we are grateful to our friends for showing us another type of entertainment in the Dominican Republic.