What's To Love about the Dominican Republic

When I first traveled to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic (DR) many years ago, we exited the plane outside and walked across the tarmac into the terminal. I loved how open and tropical the airport was. At the time, one of the perks of it being open was that the local cats loved roaming the terminal with the departing travelers.

Since then, I have gone back several different times and visited different resort properties and saw different parts of the DR. I don’t get to visit with the airport cats anymore but fear not ! I’m a beach lover and this is a great destination to add to your list. Below are some things I love about the destination as well as some things you need to know when traveling to the country.

Short transfer
Most travelers to the Dominican Republic will fly into Punta Cana. The airport is the second busiest in the Caribbean which has prompted the addition of a new terminal. With this addition you now enter the terminal directly from the plane. It’s a little sad to lose some of that nostalgia of exiting the plane on the tarmac but progress is needed to meet up with the demand . Once you exit the airport, you can be at many of the family and couple resorts within 30 minutes. This is great for couples and families who are taking shorter trips and want to star their vacation ASAP.

I have contacts in destination that I work with that will call you by name and meet you at the airport to deliver you directly to the resort. There is nothing worse than arriving in destination after a day of travel and scrambling for how to get to your resort. I take all of these worries away for my clients by having this arranged ahead of time.

Great Sandy Beaches
The island boasts of over 1,000 miles of sandy beaches. The beaches in Punta Cana and other small resort towns nearby have soft sandy beaches with beautiful blue water. The Dominican Republic is uniquely situated so that part of the island faces the Atlantic Ocean and the other faces the Caribbean Sea. Resorts positioned more on the Atlantic side will have opportunities for some good waves for those looking to surf. Some of the most popular beaches for all inclusive resorts are:

Bavaro Beach - This palm tree lined beach is the most widely know and has the most all inclusive resorts. It is over 30 miles long! One of my favorite things to do is go take a walk on the beach in the morning and night so this fits the bill perfectly!
Uvero Alto - The sand is a little more bronze in this area. This beach is on the northern side of the island and can vary from calm to some bigger waves that are fun to jump in.
Macao - Declared by UNESCO world heritage as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. This area of the DR is slowing getting more resorts. Some businesses in this area also offer surfing lesson!
Cap Cana - This beach is located on the southern side of the island and faces the Caribbean sea in the gated community of Cap Cana. While the white sandy beach is on the smaller side of just three miles long, it is a beauty!

Abundant All-Inclusive Options

Do you need to have that white sandy beach or a pool that extends for days? There are a ton of resort options for couples and families which is why it is important to work with a travel professional to best match your needs with the best resort. All-inclusives are not all the same so a good TA can help clarify the nuances of each resort. Resort options are many with some featuring water parks, lazy rivers , swim up bars, high end spas, non-motorized sports , food options galore.

Resorts have really improved their filtration systems. However , the DR is a destination where you should drink bottled water unless you know for sure it has been filtered. Resorts are very good about providing bottled water in your room or a water bottle that can be filled at a filtered water station.

The DR is a Spanish speaking country but many citizens learn English from an early age. Proficiency in English at resorts can vary. So dust off your Spanish and use this as an opportunity to connect to step out of your comfort zone.

Connect with History

Walk some of the first paved roads that settlers built and visit one of the oldest churches in the new world. The DR offers you a touch with history. Santo Domingo was founded in 1446 as the capital of the first Spanish colony in the New World. History and culture are rich in this city. If you love history and architecture, you should add this to your list to see.

Golf and Other Great Excursions
Imagine sinking that putt on the 9th hole as you face the crashing ocean waves. The DR has been hailed as one of the best golf destinations in the Caribbean. At least seven of the DR’s courses have consistently topped Golf Week Magazine’s Top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Mexico. The DR has 86 sea-facing holes and 39 ocean-side, offer you tee time by the sea. It’s courses have been designed by the most acclaimed golf course architects, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Greg Norman.

The Caribbean is also great for those loving water sports. The Dominican Republic is no exception to countless excursions from diving, snorkeling, whale watching and zip lining. In fact the Caribbean’s highest peak: Pico Duarte, sits at 10,128 feet.

Opportunities to Serve
The DR is still a country with a high poverty rate. Often when heading to your resort you should expect to see impoverished areas without running water or electricity . If you are looking for an opportunity to serve locally for a half day or day while on your trip, let me know and I can connect you with organizations who arrange this.

There are lots of beautiful resorts on this island and wonderful things to do. When traveling to the Caribbean it is important to be mindful that hurricane season runs June through the end of November. The rainiest month in the DR is October. As in many tropical climates, during hurricane season you’ll find a burst of showers in between periods of sunshine. Which provides a perfect opportunity to get a break from the sun.

Be sure to work with a travel professional who can match up your wants and dreams with the perfect resort and excursions. To get started, click on the button below to submit a travel request today!

Happy Traveling!

Tammy

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What's To Love About the Dominican Republic

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