The world-famous Fodors Travel guidebook says that the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer visitors and presents its readers with a selection of must-visit places when visiting the country, such as: visiting Santo Domingo’s Colonial City; whale watching in the northeast province of Samana; strolling through the world-class beaches in Punta Cana’ rafting in the rivers of the mountain town of Jarabacoa; playing in one of the country’s world-class golf courses; scuba diving in the waters off Saona Island, on the country’s eastern region; practicing water sports in the north coast town of Cabarete; enjoying a tasty Dominican stew; hopping on a bus in Santo Domingo and drinking an ice cold beer in a “colmadon,” or local grocery story.
According to the travel guide, the following are must stops for the tourist visiting Santo Domingo:
Stroll through the Colonial Zone in a Carriage. Touring the Zone in a horse-drawn carriage is a not to be missed experience by visitors to the country’s capital city. It is a wonderful opportunity to visit the first neighborhood established in the Americas, back in the sixteenth century.
Whale watching in the Northeast Province of Samana. Annual tours are organized between January to March, the time when the gentle giants visit the north coast in their annual pilgrimage through these waters.
Visiting the Beaches in Punta Cana. The Punta Cana region offers visitors with 35 miles of perfect white-sand beaches. Punta Cana is considered to be one of the Caribbean’s most important tourism destinations, because of its pristine beaches and luxury resorts.
Rafting in Jarabacoa. Those looking for an adrenaline rush during their vacation will find white-water rafting in the mountain town of Jarabacoa to be quite a challenge. The tour will take the visitors through beautiful waterfalls and breathtaking mountain landscapes.
Playing Golf in World-Class Courses. The Dominican Republic was recently voted as the best golf island in the Caribbean. Many golf courses offer magnificent sea views. All have been designed by world-renowned experts such as Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye and Robert Trent Jones.
Scuba Diving in Saona Island. A just minute from La Romana-Bayahibe is Saona Island, a true paradise for diving enthusiasts. Its crystal clear waters and great variety of species makes it the perfect spot for scuba divers.
Renting a Seaside Villa. This option is an excellent choice for family reunions or weddings.
Water Sports. The north coast town of Cabarete provides the perfect location for wind and kitesurfing.
Living the Local Culture. Visitors to the Dominican Republic should enjoy a tasty dish of Dominican-style stew, made with various meats and vegetables. Another must is riding in a local public bus, and drinking an ice-cold beer in a local grocery store, known as “colmadones.”
