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 hristopher
Columbus crowned this island: the fairest land under heaven. The
Dominican Republic is home to the oldest European settlement in the Western
Hemisphere. It has one of the largest tourism industries in the Caribbean,
boasting a 3,300 mile shore line. Sprawling over two-thirds of the island
of Hispaniola (which it shares with Haiti), the D.R. is a delightful and
almost magical place. Its people are friendly and hospitable by nature.
And the D.R. is the home of merengue, a national obsession. |
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Sun worshipers head to one
of the many beach resort areas - perhaps Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, or La
Romana, on the southeast coast or Punta Cana on the island's eastern tip
or Samaná in the northeast. The region around Puerto Plata is often
called the Amber Coast because it’s the world’s largest source of clear
amber. Insects trapped inside |
amber inspired the Jurassic
Park movie, parts of which were filmed in the Dominican Republic. Barahona
beach is in the southwest. For underwater buffs, there are ancient sunken
galleons and coral reefs. |
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areas with all the attractions and amenities necessary for the perfect
island vacation. Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited city
in this half of the globe, and many visitors find it difficult to tear
themselves away from its historic district, the Colonial Zone. It is gradually
being restored as a World heritage Site. Take a stroll down the Calle de
Las Damas (The Walk of the Ladies), the oldest street in the Americas,
dating to 1502 - named for the wife of Diego Columbus (Christopher’s
son). But this city is not all Spanish history ... twice a year it explodes
to the sounds of merenge when it's Carnival time, complete with parades,
elaborate floats, lots of live music and plenty of dancing in the streets. |
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One of the most beautiful
activities is a visit to the Sanctuary of Humpback Wales in Samana. Each
year, 3 to 5 thousand humpback whales return to Bahia de Samana and adjacent
waters to give birth and mate for the following year. Nature's wonders
abound all over the island in a land ever turning and twisting and towering
into mountains before tumbling into the sea. The highest peak is Pico Duarte
at 10,370 ft. Lush vegetation and waterfalls cover the island, home to
butterflies, birds and orchids. |
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Whether purchasing crafts from
artisans, playing golf, walking the beach, exploring a cave, or hiking
mountain paths - you’ll find the Dominican Republic one of the best kept
secrets of the Caribbean. |
