The Dominican Republic

"The most beautiful land human eyes ever beheld" Christopher Columbus 1492

In recent years, the Dominican Republic has rapidly become the most popular holiday destination in the Caribbean. With all-inclusive resorts sprinkled along endless white sand, palm-fringed beaches, you will be spoiled by the beauty and will feel transported from the stress and the hustle bustle of your everyday life left behind at home. The Dominican Republic offers lots of sun, a luxurious stay and attentive service provided by the friendliest people with the biggest smiles!

Dreaming in your hammock ...
It is wonderful to relax on the beach and dream in a hammock, however, if your visit only consists of sun and beach time, you are missing out on a lot that the Dominican Republic has to offer. You might want to explore the desert land, forests, hidden lagoons, mysterious valleys, enchanting caves, majestic mountains, refreshing waterfalls and much more for a memorable, more active holiday.

» Saona History

The records of inhabitants of the Dominican Republic go back to the age of the Taino Indians, as they left signs of their presence at different points on the Island. They lived in small, well organized family groups dotted over the Island. The Taino Indians lived from fishery, hunting and small scale farming. The population ceased to exist after the occupation by the Spanish due to slavery (and mass suicide) and the non resistance to the Western diseases like the flue....
Taino Indians In 1492 Columbus discovered the Dominican Republic and called it Hispaniola. The fleet consisted of three ships: La Nina, El Pinta and la Santa Maria. Santo Domingo became the centre of the new administration. All ships sailing out to the New World had to report in Santo Domingo to get their assignments and -on the way back- to pay their 'concession fees'. These fees were normally paid in gold, silver or other valuables that were brought back from the 'New World'. The valuables were stored in Santo Domingo and once in a while the Spanish king ordered the transport to Spain....
1492: Columbus' arrival Hurricanes are common, especially around Saona, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. Mano Juan was largely distroyed in 1998 by hurricane Georges. Hispaniola has the largest number of shipwrecks of the Caribbean. In the Archives of the Indies (Sevilla, Spain) there are records found of more than 730 ships that have disappeared during the time of the Spanish occupation. Only 30 of them are found. It is believed that tremendous treasures are barried under the coral reefs... Hurricanes In 1502 Francisco de Bobadilla, the second governor in Santo Domingo, sailed off to Spain with 30 ships, lead by the flagship 'El Dorado', holding an immense treasure of the fees collected in the previous years. However the fleet never arrived in Spain and disappeared without leaving a trace. Soon after the disappearance stories emerged of the wrecking of the fleet near Canto de la Playa during a fierce hurricane. From that time the 'hunt for the treasure' was on... Pirates occupied the Island Saona and raided the ships that journeyed between the continents. The pirates also dealt with slaves coming from West Africa. Hispaniola (especially Haiti) has a large population that decent from these slaves. The pirates tried to find the treasures of the Bobadilla, but apperently never succeeded in finding it.... Pirates & treasure hunters The Taino Indians named Saona 'COTUBANAMA'. Christopher Columbus at first thought that the Island was part of the main Island Hispaniola, but during his second visit, Michele da Cuneo, a friend of Columbus, pointed out that the island was separated from the main land by a narrow channel (the channel of Catuano). In honor of the friendship and the discovery Columbus gave the island to Cuneo. Cuneo named the island 'BEAUTIFUL SAVONESA', since he came from the Italian city of SAVONA. Over the years the name was transformed to SAONA. Before 1944 the island was uninhabited. In 1944 the dictator Trujillo recruited 12 families to colonize the island. The United States had occupied the near Island "La Mona"; located in "The Channel of La Mona" between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Trujillo didn't want Saona to follow the same fate and claimed the territory by the colonisation. The village Mano Juan has currently 300 inhabitants.

© SeavisTours Museum on Saona

A visit to the Dominican Republic will mean hundreds of miles of pearl white or golden honey beaches and warm turquoise seas. You can dive, snorkel, surf, sail and do many other watersports. The vast coastal area and the evergreen mountainous interior offer plenty of opportunities for active and adventurous holidays. You can climb a mountain, go rafting, mountain biking, parasailing, ziplining or hiking in the jungle - either independently or under supervision of a guide or instructor. If you prefer, you may choose to go touring with a buggy, motorcycle or ATV, and you'll want to look into taking a boat to Isla Saona to see both the island and the beautiful area around it! Most anything is possible ...

Which holiday region for you?

Sunbathers and rest-seekers usually opt for Punta Cana and Bavaro on the east coast. More adventurous travelers and those looking for a party often opt for the north coast, with communities like Sosua, the surf paradise Cabarete, Puerto Plata and Luperon. The beautiful Samana Peninsula in the northeast is waiting for you to discover its special charm. The south is less busy, but Bayahibe is 'hot'! Its location at the National Park del Este on the Caribbean Sea makes it an up and coming top destination. Bayahibe is also a departure point for excursions to the dream islands of Saona, Catalina and Catalinita.

Geography and Culture...

The Dominican Republic is the 2nd largest country in the Caribbean (after Cuba), in population (10 million people) and area 48,442 sq km (18,704 sq mi). As a point of reference to Europe, the United States and Canada, the size of the Dominican Republic is very similar to that of the Netherlands and Mississippi, and is a bit smaller than Nova Scotia. The country boasts 1,288 km (800 miles) of coastline and a mountainous interior. Located in the heart of the Greater Antilles archipelago, it takes up the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, with Haiti making up the western one-third.
Dominican culture has become increasingly based on music--merengue and bachata representing the national dances--and baseball, the national sport. The DR has produced the most players in the American Major League Baseball of any country outside the United States. The very real possibility of making it to the professional "Big League" has young Dominicans playing in makeshift ball diamonds all over the country, with many realizing their dreams of making it to the Major League ball camps in the Dominican Republic and United States.

» The Climate in the Dominican Republic

This is a country with an "endless summer"!

Sun and pleasant temperatures are standard year-round in the Dominican Republic. The island has a tropical climate with a constant temperature (28-32 °C / 80-90 °F) and relatively high humidity, though the ever-present breeze helps to keep it tolerable.

The northern areas of the Dominican Republic and the Samana peninsula tend to get the largest amount of rainfall, mainly between October and April. The southern areas of the Dominican Republic experience the most rainfall between September and November. Of all the Dominican vacation destinations, Bayahibe in the southeast has the least rainfall. Heavy short downpours can occur throughout the country at any time, and may actually be seen as welcome for the break from the hot Caribbean sun for as long as they last!

» Weather

» Info

When traveling to another country numerous questions might come up. What about vaccinations, foreign exchange, where to go if I have trouble? We have collected many answers, solutions and suggestions on the Dominican Republic FAQ page. Visit the pages Getting Around, Health & Safety and Shopping & Souvenirs for specific information on those subjects.

Hurricane Season

The Dominican Republic is located in an area where hurricanes may hit. Hurricane season runs from early June to late November, with most activity in the months August and September.

You can read more about the weather you might expect on the the climate & weather page, while more detailed information is shared on the regional pages for each destination.

A tip: do not worry too much about the weather forecasts showing icons of clouds and thunderstorms! The weather is very specific to the locality of the weather station and if it rains somewhere within the range of the station, a rain icon will be displayed. You will sometimes see thunderstorms predicted or recorded for every day of a two week period. It does NOT mean that it will rain every day for that fortnight. The weather is usually better at the coast anyway, which is where the hotels are.

» Travel offers to the Dominican Republic

Many of the world's major tour operators offer vacations in the Dominican Republic making a decision quick and easy, followed by simple booking with either a travel agent, the tour operator directly, or a secure online agency. You can select from all-inclusive vacations in large and and luxurious four and five star resorts, air and hotel and airport transfer included, or you can buy your flight and hotel separately, or you can opt for a small hotel, apartment or villa, some with breakfast included or providing kitchen facilities where you can take care of your own needs. Apple Vacations has regularly great specials: Apple Vacations - Top Deals Of The Week.

Click here to go to the page with more than 50 Travel offers to the Dominican Republic!