Dominican Republic Travel Guide
The Dominican Republic is part of the Caribbean and it occupies two third of the Caribbean Hispaniola Island. It is renowned for its white sandy beaches and breathtaking natural sceneries. The Dominican Republic was explored by Columbus and the island became a landing point for future Spanish conquests. Now after so many years, the island still provides visitors with historical places and beautiful island views.
Climate
Visiting any Caribbean island you would expect the climate to be tropical; and same is the case with Dominican Republic where the climate is moderate with seasonal rainfall. Due to its location, the island is pummeled with hurricanes around the year which can cause some flooding. The country is surrounded by rugged plains and grassy mountains which add to the beauty of the islands. Some of the well known cities in the island are the Santo Domingo which is the capital city along with higuey; Puerto Pala, Punta Cana and Juan Dolio. The capital Santo Domingo is pretty famous among travelers and its beaches are filled with holiday makers all around the year.
Getting Here
You can get here by plane and land in Santo Domingo at the La Isabela airport which receives flights from other Caribbean islands. Mostly, you would need to take charter flights from other Caribbean islands in order to get to the Dominican Republic. For most of the visitors, entry visa is free but you need to buy a tourist card upon arrival which will detail your stay information. Once in the capital, you can hire taxis or rent cars which will take you to your nearby hotels. The currency in use here is the Dominican Pesos, which you can change at the airport. There are various car rentals available for tourists, with Hertz, Avis etc. providing quality services. Fuel here is expensive and can add to your overall rental cost. You can also reach the country on boats and cruises which run from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands to the capital Santo Domingo. Other options include buses or trucks that you can hire; these can take you around the island with ease, although you must take care of your luggage during any long term movement.
People & Accommodation
Most of the people here are friendly and speak Spanish; as it is a tourist destination you would find quite a few English speaking people. The locals are quite helpful and would be willing to help if you are polite with them. Some of the folks also speak French, as some Haitians also reside here. Accommodation is not such a big problem if you have booked your rooms and hotel previously.
Food & Shopping
Food here is similar to other Caribbean islands with spices and fruits making up the major flavors. Seafood is also readily available and many dishes are made up of fishes and other sea creatures. Shopping is also fun in Santo Domingo as there are various malls where you can buy local handicrafts. You can buy lots of cheap presents here which are mostly made of local materials. Some shops also sell branded stuff, but they are very expensive
Precautions
Lastly, you should be aware that malaria is a problem in the Dominican Republic and you must always take precautions against this and other diseases. Try to cover yourself with full sleeve clothing during the night to safeguard against any mosquito attack.
