Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a special place in the heart of the Caribbean, and is part of the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico). Occupying approximately two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, it’s slightly larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined with a population of over 8,000,000.
Geographically diverse, the topography of the island ranges from rain forest to farmland, from mountains to desert. Which means this tropical paradise offers something for everyone: whether you’re looking for mountain adventures, windsurfing in the Bay of Cabarete, jungle exploration or Caribbean snorkeling.
The Dominican Republic is stable politically, with a representative government. It has enjoyed a GNP growth rate amongst the highest in the Western Hemisphere and the US dollar still goes a long way during Dominican travel.
The Dominican Republic is a recognized tourist destination, with magnificent beaches and resorts, vast extensions of white sand and clear, sparkling waters. It also has the claim as the oldest city in the New World, with its quaint cobble streets and stonework houses.
This beautiful island is steeped in history and culture worthwhile exploring: abundant historical sites, museums, colonial architecture, the first hospital, first sugar mill, first Catholic church this side of the world. Visitors will soon discover that the Dominican Republic offers much more than the typical Caribbean attractions of sun, sand and sea.
The geography of the country is greatly diverse, ranging from arid semi-desert plains to verdant valleys of tropical rain forests. This endows the island with a wide variety of vegetation. Most of the tourists to the island come initially attracted by its magnificent golden sand beaches along its 870-mile coast line, but they are soon taken in by its impressive historical legacy. So, the island's northern Atlantic side concentrates the majority of tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, particularly in the 40-mile zone between Puerto Plata and Cabarete. And Santo Domingo on the south features the very first monuments of the American continent: first cathedral, first hospital, first chapel, first university.... and many more.
The Dominican Republic has an important number of sites which include 16 national parks, nine natural monuments and six scientific reserves, for a total of 67 protected areas that include panoramic routes, recreational areas and ecological corridors, all of which are under the direct supervision and control of the Dirección Nacional de Parques (the National Parks Office).
The Dominicans love Americans. Our countries enjoy close ties, with over 1 million Dominicans living in the U.S. You’ll be welcomed with friendly, open arms, which may explain why Dominican Republic travel has overtaken Jamaica as the number one destination for Americans visiting the Caribbean.