9 Things to do in the Dominican Republic
If you are like me, I love the Beaches but I want to experience some of the local attractions. At least one day exploring on vacation, can create many more memories than those at just your resort.
Bird Watching
Are you into bird watching? Then you should visit Laguna de Oviedo, which is the prime bird-watching territory. It’s the largest lagoon in the country, with a salt-water level three times higher than that of the sea. Surrounding the lagoon are thick mangrove swamps and 24 keys strewn over more than six miles. In the same area, you’ll spot royal and blue herons, the great egret, gulls, roseate spoonbills, sandpipers, pelicans, parrots, and beautiful American flamingos.
Photo: Flamingos ar Laguna de Oviedo, Dominican Republic
Scuba Diving
With nine diverse ecological regions, the Dominican Republic is a haven for scuba divers, hikers, spelunkers, birders, and culture hounds. It is best to drop by the Silver Bank between December and April; the famous offshore region is filled with the haunting melody of whale song as humpback whales come to calve. Scuba divers can choose from a wide array of diving sites off each coast. Its warm water and generally excellent visibility make most of the Dominican Republic a year-round destination. What's best about all these is that the dive sites are friendly to beginners, and a lot of the island's resorts offer discovery dives fit for everyone, even those who've never blown bubbles before.
Photo: Scuba diver around wreckage in Dominican Republic
Golf
The Dominican Republic is considered the undisputed leader of golf in the tropics because of its famed and impressive golf courses. Did you know that at least seven of the DR's courses have steadily topped Golfweek Magazine's Top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Mexico? Various courses offer you tee time by the sea.
Horse Riding
Horseback riding is an integral part of the Dominican culture. It's an influence that dates to the Spanish colonial times. You can go horseback riding anywhere in the Dominican Republic. Puerto Plata's hills are challenging to beat, with a lush terrain that passes rivers, cattle, and vast swaths of pure Caribbean scenery. Samana's coconut-filled valleys and cliff-top sea views offer a surreal backdrop. La Romana's Casa de Campo is one of the best equestrian centers in the Caribbean. It gives you options such as cattle ranch trails, as well as expert-led lessons in English or Western-style riding. Whether novice or expert, horseback riding is a fun way to explore the countryside.
Photo: Tourists horse back riding through the Dominican Jungle
Visit Samana Bay
There is a small scenic island just three miles from Samaná Bay, and it's tagged Bacardi Island because of a Bacardi commercial filmed there in the 1970s. This island of Cayo Levantado boasts shiny white-sand and palm-fringed beaches. Boat taxis depart regularly from the Samaná port on Avenida Marina, bringing visitors daily to this small island. There are so many things to do on the island, such as swimming, sunbathing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. You might also enjoy fresh fish on the public side of Cayo Levantado. Spend the night at an on-site luxury hotel situated on the other side of the island.
Cable Car
One thing you should not miss while visiting Puerto Plata is riding the teleférico–the only complete cable car ride you’ll find in the whole Caribbean region, operating continuously since 1975. The exhilarating 10-minute ride takes you up, up and away in one of two cable cars, 2,625 feet above Puerto Plata. Below is a magical scenery, from the sea on your north to the lush, green plains that eventually lead you to the other end of the cable at Mount Isabel de Torres. Make sure to explore the nature reserve and botanical gardens, and enjoy the ride back down by cable car once more before heading out.
Photo: Cable Cars in Puerto Plata
Shop local Painting & Craft Markets
You'll surely appreciate souvenir shopping in the Dominican Republic. Each of the crafts is unique. There are a variety of arts and crafts in all kinds of shops, markets, and street stands. It will be tough to choose, though. One thing is for sure: they all tell the story of Dominican folk tradition. Ready to explore the markets and shop?
Photo: Vacationers browsing art work & paintings at a local craft market
Damajagua Falls
Mother Nature is hiding an awe-inspiring beauty at Puerto Plata, Damajagua Falls. It's a rare gem carved over the centuries. Spend your day exploring the waterfalls and the crystal clear water pools. 27 Charcos de Damajagua waterfall park offers a day of hiking through a thick forest, crossing footbridges and passing numerous floras before eventually reaching a rocky hilltop where you can make your way down by jumping or sliding down a series of waterfalls!
See the Humpbacks
The Dominican Republic serves as one of three breeding grounds of humpback whales in the North Atlantic, located near the Samana Peninsula. Once a year between January and March, some three to five thousand humpback whales return to the Caribbean waters to give birth and mate for the following year. Another breeding ground is situated 90 miles off the North Coast at Silver Banks. The show is magnificent when the 40-ton giant males jump up to the water and fall a few meters ahead.
Photo: Humpback whale in the Dominicans Caribbean Sea
The diverse Caribbean tourist destination of the
Dominican Republic has something in store for everyone. Try its gourmet
delicacies, jump down the waterfalls, discover its pre- and post-colonial
history, watch a baseball game, hike a mountain, or just lounge on some of the
region's sparkling white-sand beaches. Visiting the Dominican Republic is all
about catching the endless deep blue horizon. Families will enjoy various
activities, such as playing in the sand, snorkeling through a string of reefs
and crystal clear waters, or scuba-diving to discover beautiful undersea
gardens.
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