Overview Of The Dominican Republic
The Dominican is extraordinarily beautiful, has some of the best pristine white sandy beaches in the Caribbean, and is also, culturally, very fascinating. It occupies the eastern two thirds of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti and, as a result, the country is infused with a wonderful and very vibrant Latin flavor. You will also find a hint of Spanish, French and British influences. The people in the Dominican Republic are reputed to be among the friendliest in the Caribbean - which is really saying a lot.
If you like the outdoors, the Dominican Republic is wonderful. You will be able to enjoy diving, hiking horse riding, golf, incredible surfing, and even whale watching. For families there are zoos, museums and some really interesting colonial sites.
For the party goers, there are lots of night clubs, music, great restaurants, and festivals to choose from. In fact the whole month of February is Carnival season where each city throws its unique celebrations with lots of fun activities and parades.
Santo Domingo, located in the south west, is the capital and also where a quarter of the country’s 9.2 million people live. Santo Domingo is a modern metropolis with the oldest Cathedral and fortress in the New World among other colonial treasures lining the cobbled streets that were laid out more than five centuries ago.
To the east of the Dominican Republic, you will find Punta Cana where the countries major beach resorts are located. Just slightly further south from here is Casa de Campo where we have some really stunning Dominican Republic vacation rentals in beautiful settings.
Exceptional Villas represent some of the most luxurious vacation and holiday rentals in the Dominican Republic. We have many beach front villas to choose from and also many rental properties with resort access. We have many wonderful villa holidays to choose from and I am sure we will be able to match the perfect vacation rental villa in the Dominican Republic for your requirements.
Beaches in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has some of the most spectacular and varied beaches in the Caribbean with something for every taste and interest.
Costa Del Coco
This coastal zone is the setting for many of the country’s most beautiful beaches. It is a picture perfect snow white coconut palm lined coast.
Playa Bayahibe
Playa Bayahibe is considered to be one of the country’s best places to dive. Bayahibe boasts endless white sand beaches notably Playa Dominicus and Playa Bayahibe.
Penninsula De Samaná
Located 110 miles north east of Santo Domingo and jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, this slender peninsula is lined with white sand beaches along its north and east shores.
Cabarete and Playa Sosua
Located on the north coast, Cabarete is renowned for kite boarding whilst nearby Playa Sosua is a great place to base yourself for scuba diving.
Santo Domingo
The heart of Santo Domingo is without out a doubt the Zona Colonial. It is also the historical heart of the city. This once walled enclave of cobbled streets and leafy plazas boasts some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere.
The Calle Las Damas is the oldest street in Santo Domingo. It is also the first cobbled street laid out in the New World. It is lined with beautifully restored historic buildings including the Panteon de La Patria a neo classical Jesuit church completed in 1743.
At the end of the Calle Las Damas, you will find the Plaza Espana. This broad, virtually treeless plaza is the setting for two important museums. The Museo de las Casas Reales and the Museo Alcázar de Colón housing the former home of Christopher Columbus’s son Diego built in 1517. It is the oldest Vice regal residence in >America, and forms part of the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo World Heritage Site.
Also close by is the Parque Colon which was named after Christopher Columbus, whose larger then life statue dominates the square. The park is surrounded by colonial and 19th century buildings.
Another site in Santo Domingo not to be missed is the Cathedral Primada de America. Diego Columbus laid the foundation stone of this Cathedral in 1514. It is the new worlds oldest Cathedral.
Santo Domingo appears in our article on Dominican Republic Facts. Check it out.
Useful Information
- Capital: San Domingo
- Language: Spanish
- Voltage: 220V
- Currency: Dominican Peso but the US dollar is widely accepted
- Population: 10 Million
- Government: Republic, Democracy
Entry Requirements
As of May 1, 2012 citizens of all nationalities will be required to enter Dominican Republic with a Valid Passport.
To travel to the Dominican Republic, many people will need a Visa. Others, however, may be from countries who have signed agreements with the Dominican Republic so that they only need a Tourist Card. This, of course, only applies to visitors who are tourists.
A Tourist Card is a US $10 tax on incoming tourists that can be purchased at the airport when you arrive. The Dominican Law covering visas is Law No. 875.
To obtain more information or see an updated list of requirements for entry into Dominican territory, visit: https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/travel/entry-requirements/
Temperature Guide
Exceptional Villas provide luxury vacation rentals in the Dominican Republic. Book your Dominican Republic Villa with Exceptional Dominican Republic today.
| Month | Temp °C | Temp °F | Rainfall(mm) | Rainfall(in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 | 76 | 63 | 2.4 |
| February | 23 | 73 | 58 | 2.3 |
| March | 23 | 74 | 61 | 2.4 |
| April | 24 | 75 | 66 | 2.6 |
| May | 25 | 77 | 110 | 4.3 |
| June | 26 | 79 | 120 | 4.7 |
| July | 26 | 79 | 104 | 4.1 |
| August | 26 | 79 | 124 | 4.8 |
| September | 26 | 79 | 135 | 5.3 |
| October | 25 | 78 | 152 | 6.0 |
| November | 24 | 76 | 132 | 5.2 |
| December | 24 | 76 | 105 | 4.3 |