Travel quotes

Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. Benjamin Disraeli

In America there are two classes of travel - first class, and with children. Robert Benchley

Travelers never think that they are the foreigners. Mason Cooley

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." Daniel J. Boorstin

There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. Orson Welles

America > Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic : When and where to go ?

Click on a city for complete climate and weather tables

Town

Jan

Feb

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Santo Domingo

Dominican Republic : Maps and Facts

The climate is typically tropical: Hot weather but with predominant humidity. The temperatures are between 20° and 30° C throughout the year with the lowest temperatures in January and February, and the highest temperatures in August.

The rainy season is very marked, with heavy rainfall; it lasts from October to May in the north and from May to October in the south causing floods. Hurricanes can occur between June and September.

The best time to visit the country is the dry season from June to September in the north and from November to April in the south.

What to do in Dominican Republic

Lagoons and coconut trees, sun and music, people’s smiles and exotic animals, the Dominican Republic has many treasures to offer visitors.

Santo Domingo, the capital, is the first city built on American soil. This can clearly be seen in the Zona Colonial with its cobbled streets, church (the oldest of the New World), and the San Nicolas de Bari Hospital. Also visit the Museo de las Casas Reales which is very interesting.

Do not miss the two national parks in the Cordillera Central where you can hike below the peaks that reach to over 3,000 meters, or dare raging rivers when canyoning.

The spa resort of Cabarete is a place well-known for enjoying windsurfing, but also for the opportunity to relax pleasurably on its beautiful beach.

To witness the breeding season of the humpback whales, go to Bahia de Samana in January and February: You will not forget the sight of these giant animals!

Dominican Republic : The basics

International flights serve Santo Domingo’s airport.

No visa is required for the majority of European citizens.

The currency in circulation is the Dominican peso.

The budget required is reasonable: A room costs less than €50 and an average meal around €10. Unfortunately, accommodation with an average rate is not easy to find.

Regarding health, it is advisable to use an anti-malaria treatment before you leave. Other precautions to take are as normal: Protect yourself from mosquitoes and the sun, do not drink tap water and do not eat some coral reef fish that can be toxic. Keep your normal vaccinations up to date and add those for typhoid and hepatitis A and B.

To travel within the country, buses are the preferred means of transportation: They are cheap, fairly comfortable and they go almost everywhere. You can also find them in the city, as well as taxis... without meters! The moto-taxis are frequent and cheap, but somewhat unsafe.

If you want to purchase some souvenirs, the Santo Domingo market has many local handicrafts: Native paintings, dolls, amber jewellery, cigars and rum.

Towns in Dominican Republic

• Santo Domingo

Capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo has just under three million inhabitants.

Served today by two international airports, the city was founded in the 15th century and is thus the oldest site of European American population: Unesco moreover colonial buildings classified world heritage of mankind.

You can admire them from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the house of Christopher Columbus, the Ozama Fortress, the Cathedral Santa Maria La Menor or the Embassy of France located in the house of Hernan Cortes. You stroll with pleasure in the old town center and will find very beautiful houses, churches, monasteries, or stroll through the shopping district of New Town.

Do not miss the many museums of the city, including the Museum of Dominican Man, Museum of Modern Art or the National Museum of Natural History. Other sites worth visiting: the National Aquarium with its tunnel Plexiglas Faro a Colon, a tribute to Christopher Columbus, or the Botanical Garden you can visit by train.

You will find luxurious hotels or other simply charming in the old city and the metro will be easier.