Dominican Republic
The island of Hispaniola is shared by the Dominican Republic and the former French colony,Haiti. Often mistakenly referred to as “just a poor man’s Puerto Rico”, the Dominican Republic has its own distinct cuisine and cultural heritage.
One-third of the Dominican Republic's coastline is devoted to beaches, the best of which are in Puerto Plata and La Romana .
The white-sand beaches, stunning mountain ranges, waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal and no where is that more apparent than on the Samana peninsula. Whether you're looking to party, relax or explore, or enjoy an all-inclusive resort holiday such as at Punta Cana , the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer.
The Dominican Republic is geographically very diverse boasting a virgin alpine wilderness,tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps, cultivated savannas, vast desert expanses and everything in between providing stunning opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure.
It also lays claim to some of the more intriguing culture and history in the area, dating back to its early cave-dwelling groups. The Taínos recorded much of their activities in the form of rock art. There is a wealth of sights and history just waiting to be discovered. Natural wonders such as Los Tres Ojos de Agua (The 3 eyes of water), a cave complex with 2 turquoise lagoons on 3 different levels fed by an underwater river, the Amber Coast, and views from Mount Isabel de Torres. As well as historical sights such as San Cristóbal, Fort San Felipe and the colonial architecture at Puerto Plata.
The Dominican monetary unit is the peso, indicated by the symbol RD$. ATMs are available on the island with Banco Popular, Banco Progreso, Banco de Reservas, Banco León and Scotiabank accepting most foreign debit cards. Visa and MasterCard are accepted widely (Amex a little less so), especially in areas frequented by tourists. Some businesses add a surcharge for credit card purchases (typically 16%).
The people of the Dominican Republic are among the friendliest in the Caribbean. The weather is nearly perfect year-round. Safety is still a concern but it shouldn't dissuade you.
