Something Old, Something New:
The Dominican Republic - Dominican Republic Travel Information by
Frank Johnson
 When visiting the Dominican Republic, the ideal
destination for most is the eastern coast of Punta Cana and the
surrounding turquoise and white island communities. Spend your days
lavishly lounging in a resort designed by Oscar de la Renta near Tortuga
Bay or take part in some killer windsurfing and kiteboarding on the
breezy waters of Cabarete.
Aside
from its Major League Baseball fame, the Dominican Republic is an
intriguing retreat of colonial history amid progressive development and
tranquil white beaches fringing mountainous wilderness. World renowned
resorts dot the Punta Cana coastline of the Dominican Republic while the
nation claims the oldest city in the New World, Santo Domingo, along its
southern shore. For such a small nation, it is fairly easy to book cheap
and convenient airfare to the Dominican Republic through any of the four
international airports; however, most travelers will find airfare to the
Dominican Republic through the capital of Santo Domingo or the resort
region of Punta Cana.
Geographically,
the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with the
independent nation of Haiti. While two very independent nations today,
the history of the island is far less clear cut. The first European
settlement of the New World was established on Hispaniola after
Christopher Columbus landed in today’s Dominican Republic.
Santo Domingo is the landing site of Columbus as well as the original
colonial center ruled by Columbus’ brother Diego. The Museo
Alcázar de Colón is a fantastically restored museum within Diego’s
original home. The French were granted the western third of the island
now known as Haiti.
Dominican
history dates back earlier than most of the Caribbean islands, possibly
to 2600 BCE. Since then several waves of Antillean people have come and
gone until the Spanish conquest in 1492. Indigenous culture can still be
observed in the very remote central mountain ranges of the island, but
the populations are sparse. Santo Domingo and the second largest city of
Santiago offer several museums, festivals and art exhibits dedicated to the
history of the island as a whole.
From
Dancing to Diving in the Dominican Republic
For a
less cultural journey to the Caribbean, the ideal destination for most is
the eastern coast of Punta Cana and the surrounding turquoise and white
island communities. Spend your days lavishly lounging in a resort
designed by Oscar de la Renta near Tortuga Bay or take part in some
killer windsurfing and kiteboarding on the breezy waters of Cabarete.
Family friendly all-inclusive getaways are sprinkled among vacation
rentals in the outlying areas for the more independent, outgoing types
(or those who prefer a secluded beach experience).
There
are also several options for nightlife. Funky bars serve tropical drinks
with a twist and decked out discos play an eclectic mix of beats and
rhythms. The exotic dance known as Meringue also originated in the
Dominican Republic and many hotels and clubs offer on the spot lessons
for beginners through advanced.
The
Dominican Republic lies just west of Puerto Rico and east of Jamaica.
Although the other Caribbean island nations may be more than a boat ride
away, they are readily accessible by air. Get to the tropical Caribbean
this season.
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