What to see in the Dominican Republic besides the immense and pristine beaches? Priceless historical and cultural heritage.
Beaches, relaxation, beach days with crystal clear water and huge expanses of sand. All fair, all true. But, what to see in the Dominican Republic if you don’t want to spend a simple beach vacation?
There are a number of other attractions that make the island a complete, fascinating, and in some ways unexpectedly unique destination.
Streams, waterfalls, rivers, mountains, an invaluable historical and cultural heritage, local traditions, a Carnival all to experience, Baseball, the national sport with a compelling and always spectacular championship. And, also, inland towns absolutely worth visiting and learning about, nature reserves, typical island dances and traditional dishes.
In short, as the slogan used by the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, David Collado, puts it: “República Dominicana lo tiene todo” which, translated into Italian, means, “It has everything” and everything for everyone.
What to see in the Dominican Republic? Nature and adventure
The Dominican Republic, as mentioned, offers much more than just the renowned beaches. As far as wilderness adventures go, you can’t help but start with a place like Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean, 3,080 meters high, which is located in the Cordillera Central.
Caribe Travels, for those who wish, organizes a hike to the top of Pico Duarte, with a stop once you reach 2,200 meters, where you light a fire, eat, relax and then sleep the night away. A truly impressive and unrepeatable experience. We then continue along the entire Cordillera Central , which you can cross on foot, by ATVs or Fourwheels, strolling through the small mountain roads in the midst of the most unspoiled nature.
Unique emotions in contact with nature, in short, as well as those that can be experienced with the famous 27 waterfalls of Damajagua that are located in the province of Puerto Plata. 27 pools between which you can jump, slide and dive, moving from one to the other and perhaps stopping for a buffet lunch. The water is clearly cold, but for many it is not a problem.
These experiences become truly unique with Caribe Journeys because, if the client wants, you can have a local guide accompany you H24 and make you feel at home. If, on the other hand, you want to move around on your own, we prepare and recommend an itinerary that gives you all the useful information so that you can move around independently. All excursions, at any rate, are accompanied by the Dominican staff of Caribe Travels or its collaborators.
Cultural, historical experiences and traditions
Continuing in the vein of “La Republica Dominicana lo tiene todo, “ here is how one can immerse oneself in the culture, history, and tradition of a country that shows incredible vitality in this regard. An important historical and cultural heritage, starting with the capital city of Santo Domingo, which is a mix of modernity and tradition, thanks mainly to its colonial part rich in history and monuments.
Santo Domingo’s colonial zone is the historic heart of the city and of the entire Western Hemisphere. It is home to the first colonial buildings in the Americas, such as the“Catedral Primera de las Américas,” the oldest in the Americas, and Calle Las Damas, the oldest street in the New World. This cultural heritage makes the Dominican Republic a place of great historical importance, especially for those who are passionate about colonial culture. Also in the Capital, then, we find the Altar of the Homeland, where the remains of the island’s founders-Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella-lie. Recall that the Dominican Republic was declared independent from Haiti on February 27, 1844 at the end of the Dominican War of Independence.
Another wonder of Santo Domingo are “Los Tres Ojos,” literally “The Three Eyes,” a 50-meter outdoor limestone cave. It extends in the middle of Santo Domingo’s frenzy. Centuries ago some underground caves gave way and filled with water, resulting in the natural spectacle that presents itself to visitors today. Formed by three humid caves, precisely the tres ojos, with dark-water ponds, connected by corridors filled with stalactites.
The lakes are continuously fed by an underground river, which carries with it many minerals, bacteria and different animal species. If you believe local folklore, touching the water brings good luck. Once inside, a long flight of steps leads down a narrow tunnel in the rock; upon reaching the bottom, a concrete path crosses the caves. At the third ojo you can rent a small boat with which to visit the fourth. A beautiful open-air lake awaits you, full of fish and birds sifting through the water in search of their next meal. And, if you feel like you’ve seen these caves somewhere, make no mistake: Jurassic Park III and Tarzan were filmed here.
Other cities: Jarabacoa
In a place best known for its beaches, another big surprise is Jarabacoa. A small town located in the heart of the Dominican Republic, it is 700 meters above sea level. It is considered in a sense “the resort of the well-to-do” in Santo Domingo. This is because it offers a milder climate than the capital, where it is hot all year round. In fact, in the evening, the temperature makes it possible to wear a light sweater or sweatshirt.
Jarabacoa is full of accommodations, restaurants, and offers opportunities for many outdoor sports activities, such as paragliding, canyoning, and ATV trails through the mountains. The landscape of the Cordillera Central, with its green hills, crystal clear waterfalls and coffee plantations, makes it a perfect destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation. Lush vegetation, with mahogany, orchids, and palm trees, and numerous waterfalls cascading from jagged rocks provide spectacular natural scenery. In addition to adventurous activities, such as paragliding, you can relax with massages in outdoor spas, perfect for banishing stress in this mountain setting.
Other cities: Santiago de los Caballeros
The second largest and most important city on the island, however, is Santiago de los Caballeros.
It has always had strong commercial influence and spirit and is now the wealthiest city in the Dominican Republic.
Most of the businesses are located here, in what is considered as “The Milan” of the island.
Santiago is known as the “Cuna de la Restauración” (Cradle of Restoration), having been the center of many historic battles for the country’s independence.
Here you can visit the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración, a symbol of the city and the Dominican struggle for freedom. The city has a rich cultural tradition, with Spanish influences clearly visible in its architecture. It is the heart of Dominican culture and art, with numerous museums, such as the Centro León, which hosts exhibitions of contemporary art and Dominican history. Santiago is the center of the Dominican Republic’s tobacco industry.
Baseball is the national sport of the Dominican Republic, and Santiago is home to one of the country’s most famous teams, the Águilas Cibaeñas. Attending a game at the Estadio Cibao stadium is an exciting experience to understand the importance of the sport in the local culture. Despite being a vibrant city, Santiago is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes. You can explore nearby coffee plantations or hike in the nearby mountains, immersing yourself in nature.
Santiago is also famous for its local cuisine, which reflects Dominican culinary traditions. Typical dishes such as sancocho (a stew of meat and vegetables) or mofongo (made with plantain) are just some of the delicacies you can try at local restaurants in the area. The city has a vibrant nightlife, with numerous clubs where you can listen and dance to the rhythms of merengue and bachata, the country’s most popular musical genres.
Santiago is also home to one of the Dominican Republic’s most important Carnivals, with colorful and traditional celebrations that reflect the local culture and begin on the first Sunday in February and end on the last day of the same month.
Excursions and nature reserves
The island is also rich in natural places, reserves where you can immerse yourself in nature and have unique experiences. This starts with the wonderful Bahia de las Aguilas, which we have already discussed extensively as one of the most striking and relaxing places in the Dominican Republic.
Los Haitises Natural Park-whose name means ‘Land of Mountains’-is located in the municipality of Miches. Formed by a series of hillocks and caves with hieroglyphics, it covers an area of 1,600 square kilometers. It can be reached essentially by boat, leaving from Samana. From January to March, one can witness the spectacle of passing Whales that remain pregnant and breed.
Travel Caribe gives you the opportunity to get to the park by your own means and without missing any details. It is worth getting there by boat because almost all direct excursions into the park cross the bay. Los Haitises is home to one of the few rainforests still in the country (immortalized in the movie Jurassic Park). Surrounding it are also rocky hills, creeks, caves with pictographs of the Taínos, sinkholes and a mangrove tangle, which creates a unique natural environment for manatees, frigates and more than 700 plant species. You can generally explore the park in a variety of ways, including hiking, kayaking, zip-lining and boating.
Finally, this detailed review, we close with the Santo Domingo Botanical Park. One of the capital’s green lungs, it is definitely a place to visit if you want to immerse yourself in an oasis and tranquility even within such a chaotic city. Large garden, with the gem of“the Japanese garden,” elegant foreshortening with birds and bonsai trees. It can be traversed on foot or by electric train. Travel Caribe gives you both options, with the option of being able to choose a local guide who can let you experience everything in detail and to the smallest detail.
