The Dominican Republic

Recently named “Caribbean’s Number One Destination”

The Dominican Republic is a colourful tapestry of Spanish, French, Haitian, and African influences woven by a rich and storied history. Christopher Columbus described this lush land as “a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys”. This statement is still as true today as it was in 1492. In addition to the comforts of sun, sea, and sand, the Dominican Republic offers an exciting and unique cultural experience that will captivate your senses.

This is a destination like no other - a sensual feast of dazzling landscapes, exotic cuisine, and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment options. The pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, intriguing relics from centuries past, premium cigars, and even world-class baseball await you. The Dominican Republic is a surprising place that will delight even the most experienced traveller.

The Dominican Republic was also named “Caribbean’s Number One Destination” in 2006, a title given by the World Tourism Organization and one that was owned by Puerto Rico for the previous forty years.

Things to do

Year-round sports, effervescent nightlife, distinctive souvenir shopping, magnificent national parks, and world class gambling make for a jam-packed vacation to do list. But when you see the spectacular beaches, you might just want to pull up a chair and relax.

Outdoor activities like golf, snorkelling, windsurfing, kite boarding, and boating are a thrilling way to experience the natural beauty of land and sea. With over two-dozen national parks, other quieter options for communion with nature like hiking and bird watching are also available. Indoor activities offer you the chance to strike it rich, dance the night away, or shop for curious mementos like carnival masks, amber, and a strange, liquid cure-all called Mamajuana.

Beaches

The Dominican Republic’s beaches are widely celebrated as being among the world’s best, and for good reason. Here, more than 1,000 miles of sugar-coloured sand is gently lapped by warm waters so clear and blue one has to see to believe. Depending on location, the beaches offer a gentle lullaby for an ocean side nap or enough wind to keep a technicolour kite board adrift.

Super fine white sand sprinkled with coconut palm trees line the east coast while golden sand defines the beaches of the north coast. Adding a third colour to the palette are the grey sand playas of Barahona in the west. Some of these areas are populated with resorts featuring a full array of water sports, food vendors, people watching and other activities. While others take visitors to another world of pristine tranquillity with peaceful, uninhabited beaches. Here, the only intrusions are a towering coconut palm and the swaying breeze.

Golf

A favourite golfing destination for former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush, the Dominican Republic has become one of the hottest spots to tee-off in the Caribbean, if not the world. Here golfers will find 19 courses with oceanfront fairways and swaying coconut palms. They’ll also find courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo.

The next few years are especially important for DR golf as five new courses are scheduled to open throughout 2008 and 2009. Visitors to the Dominican Republic needn’t worry about packing golf clubs or even knowing how to golf, for that matter. Each course offers affordable club rentals and internationally recognized golf pros for lessons. Regardless of handicap, the courses of the Dominican Republic promise a challenging and unique experience.

Facts & Figures

Capital: Santo Domingo
Climate: Maritime semitropical, with an average yearly temperature of 80 F
Government type: Representative Democracy
Population: approx 9 million
Religion Official: Roman Catholic (95%)

Tourism: In 2006, tourist arrivals increased by 16 percent with 4.4 million guests choosing the Dominican Republic as their top vacation spot. In addition, the number of visitors to the DR from the U.S. remains steady, with more than one million for the second consecutive year.