Top 10 Secrets of the Magical Dominican Republic

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MAY 31, 2015 SERENA

Top 10 Secrets of the Magical Dominican Republic How well do you know one of the Caribbeanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular destinations? Here are 10

fascinating facts about the magical Dominican Republic! 1 The land of endless summer. Feel free to visit any time of year. The country is blessed with warm and generally sunny weather all year round. In fact, there’s very little seasonal temperature variation. It’s cooler in the mountains of course, but how does an average temp of from 66 to 93 degrees F sound? 2 Baseball is a religion. If you’re just as fanatic about the game as the Dominicans are, consider visiting during baseball season (mid-October to late-January). Rest assured there’s a baseball stadium wherever your destination is, or one that’s less than an hour’s drive away. 3 The beaches go on forever. With a coastline of 1633 km (1014.7 miles) – and 800 miles of beaches – you won’t be lacking for sun and sand. Among the very best: Punta Cana (lavish all-inclusive resorts), Puerto Plata (great watersports), Sosua (spectacular U-shaped bay), Samana (whale watching), Las Terrenas (scenic landscapes). 4 The merengue fever is easy to catch. You can hear the beat down streets and through windows. And you may soon find yourself swinging to the rhythm. It can’t be helped, so simply do as the Dominicans do. Feel free to dance with the locals. Better yet, be there when the Festival del Merengue happens towards late July/early August. 5 Rum is the national drink. Considered the best quality rum in the world, Dominican rum has earned the EU’s prestigious Denomination of Protected Origin (D.O.P) label (similar to Champagne, France’s champagne and Parma, Italy’s parmesan cheese). Go on a rum tour. Mix yourself a Cuba Libre (rum with coke and twist of fresh lime). Or take a bottle back home as a gift. 6 The capital is the oldest city in the New World. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Santo Domingo hosts the New World’s first university, castle, cathedral and monastery. On the other hand, it’s also home to a vibrant nightlife, cosmopolitan restaurants and art galleries, Merengue shows, and a passionate baseball culture. 7 A tropical country with a European Alps. The Cordillera Central mountain range (the highest in the Caribbean) has the altitude, scenic vistas, and cool temperature that has earned it the nickname “Dominican Alps.” Check out the Jarabacoa region for hiking, riverrafting, horseback-riding activities. See the picturesque waterfall (15 minutes from downtown Jarabacoa) where the opening scene of Jurassic Park was filmed.

8 Everyone (tourists included) lives on Dominican Republic time. Leave the rat race and fast pace back home. Do as the Dominicans do, and live with a slower, more relaxed and easygoing tempo. There’s no need to rush anywhere. You’re there to recharge your batteries and have fun in the sun. 9 Go sightseeing – by air. You can take taxis, rent a car, or ride the subways. But why not live it up? For example, see Punta Cana and its 31 miles of spectacular beaches via quick and comfortable helicopter tours! Soar through the air and get a bird’s eye view of paradise – the palm trees, azure waters, and white sand. Choose from several helicopter companies that connect various cities and tourist destinations. 10 Jurassic Park isn’t really located here, but the famous amber stone is. Okay, the plot has some holes (i.e. The movie shows a mosquito caught inside amber in the Dominican Republic, though the region has not produced fossils that old). But amber – a fossil resin formed when tree sap dries up and hardens – is indeed the country’s national gem, in high demand from both collectors and scientists. Visit the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata for its unique collection of genuine Dominican amber. Pick up some amber jewelry (the most authentically Dominican souvenir) from the museum shop or other reputable stores. Visit our Dominican Republic villas.

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