In Puerto Plata, the Parque Central is one of the most attractive with its surrounding Victorian architecture. Hit the swells of Cabarete. You can rent lockers on site for a small fee that is refundable when you return the lock. If you have many errands to run, block out an hour or two just to take care of business at the bank. But be wise, dont wear expensive jewelry if you want to get a cheap offer, and if you see something you like dont rush in and try to purchase it straight away. Boca Chica is a municipality in Santo Domingo famous for its mile-long beach with the same name. For a full experience of a cacao plantation and the bean to bar process, sign up for the Sendero del Cacao or the Cacao Trail Tour. ), enjoy organic cacao and so much more. That is, do these two things each day before going to bed. Feel like youre in the past when you visit the old colonial palace of Christopher Colombus family, the Alcazar de Colon. I have had my fair share of mishaps and victories adjusting to Dominican culture. Similar to Princess Cruises Princess Cays and Royal Caribbeans CocoCay, only Carnival brand ships will sail here (the cruise lines are Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line). Stop at Playa Bergantin for a swimming and beach stop. Those you should be aware of range from easily avoidable ones like fake (professional) beggars and vendors selling fake goods like cigars to shadier practices like bar scams and unlicensed taxi cabs and tour operators. Maybe a hammock is more your style! Yes! As an American, I stand out in Santo Domingo. Youll find them on the beach or at resorts. Youll still have plenty of sun beyond summer. El Limon Waterfall Don Mammoser/Shutterstock If youre heading to the Dominican Republic to chase waterfalls, then El Limon Waterfall is one of the best. Your Dominican Republic stay is not complete until you experience the 10-minute ride up to the mountains in the Teleferico. Driving in the Dominican Republic can be tempting at times like when Web10 Things Not to Do in the Dominican Republic Exchanging too many pesos. Saona Island is a small tropical island found near the southeast tip of the mainland Dominican Republic. Damajaqua Cascades is also known as 27 Charcos de Damajagua. Its similar to a little resort where there are a mix of paid and free activities. Facebook To get to Amber Cove, youll need to book a cruise with Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic as a port of call. Web1) Don't Forget to Relax The Dominican Republic has an easy-going rhythm of life accentuated by the sea. WebOZAMA FORTRESS. This is the perfect place to kick back and relax. Swim in the capitals main beach when you travel to Santo Domingo. Facebook if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'kiskeyalife_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',650,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kiskeyalife_com-leader-3-0');When you visit the Dominican Republic, most likely you will have to take a cab (they dont have a taximeter), you will want to buy some gifts, ect, you should know beforehand the local currency and an approximate cost of things. Tranquilo rule. Twitter The so-called hurricane season should be factored in when planning a trip to the Caribbean islands. Hike into the forest, and then slide down the waterfalls themselves. The Teleferico is the only complete cable car ride in the entire Caribbean. If Im in a public car or a public place, I dont take out my phone, wallet, or anything valuable. I found your article to be so helpful and informative. Spending the day at a beautiful beach like this is still one of the top free things to do in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a top producer of rum and one of the largest exporters of premium cigars to the United States. As a general rule, I understand that people dont like to be told what to do or what not to do, but I recently saw a documentary about a young U.S. citizen that moved me and opened my eyes to many things.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'kiskeyalife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_11',622,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kiskeyalife_com-medrectangle-3-0'); This young man took a trip to North Korea, and for the simple fact of having moved a painting from a wall, he was sentenced to many years in prison and things did not end well. Shady taxi cabs tend to overcharge. All Rights Reserved. We paid $20 per person to ride the zip line and we were able to ride it an unlimited amount of times all day. You can buy coffee beans and bring them back home. However, if you are only going into Puerto Plata and staying there, I suggest taking a taxi both ways and skipping the rental car. Try mang, a deliciously seasoned mound of mashed green plantains topped with sauted red onions, for breakfast or sancocho, a hearty stew combining various meats and roots vegetables, served with a side of white rice and avocado slices. Posts may be sponsored. See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity. I am sure my granddaughters will love the zip line and the shoppingthey will be 19 & 17 on that cruise. Your cruise ship will sail into the Bay of Maimon, located just northwest of Puerto Plata. Safe travels! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its similar to a cruise private island, except it isnt an island and your cruise cards wont work in port (bring cash or credit cards). Preferably take dollars with you then exchange them for small amounts of Dominican pesos (RD$) when youre in the country and as needed. Combined with on site music and food, youll get a solid glimpse of the locals passion and natural talent for baseball. Youll even plant your own cacao plant on the farm. The most popular and widely attended parades take place in La Vega, Santiago and Puerto Plata. Here are more of our Caribbean cruise guides: Lauren is the full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. They live and travel in large groups called pods. If youre looking to bring home Beyond the national dish la bandera dominicana (a plate of rice and beans with stewed chicken and a side salad) there are local specialties you should sample. 3 3-Buying cheap or adulterated alcohol in a clandestine manner. 6) Dont be Precise! The pool is available to every cruiser who visits Amber Cove at no additional charge. Local providers include Claro, Altice Dominicana, and Viva. 9) Dont Forget to Try Alcanfor Coco Bongo is a bar in downtown Punta Cana known for its incredible parties. Santo Domingo Catedral de Santa Maria la Menor. Its always a fun time for everyone to visit the place where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. Im sure the prices have gone up since 2016, but this will give you an idea of the costs. Youll find a central park in almost every town you visit, whether beachside or inland. 40+ Things you Should Never Do when you are in Dominican Republic Educated Traveler 23.1K subscribers Subscribe 6.2K 580K views 4 years ago 1.What Not To Do in the Dominican RepublicDont ignore people. Some of the upgraded cabanas have their own TVs, private hot tubs, dining areas and more. Recommended Hotel Nearby: MON Hotel Boutique. Categories Blog, Caribbean, Coffee Guides, Cruise, Dominican Republic. Book this Playa Dorada excursion here. In Puerto Plata, shows are held regularly at the Puerto Plata Amphitheatre. This is where youll depart on your shore excursions and activities away from the port. That is why I was motivated to write this topic, although I had previously written a similar topic that had zero success at all, I hope this topic, can be useful to some people. What started out as a humble fishing village is now a full-fledged vacation destination. Or you can also try out the giant slide that ends up in the parks artificial swimming lagoon. Please keep this in mind if you ever decide to visit this place, it is totally worth it because the architecture of the place and the ambiance are impressive. The main spoken language in the Dominican Republic remains Spanish. Their coffee is so delicious and they have a wide variety of selections for every taste. Desserts and salty snacks are popular as well, from yucca empanadas to coconut sweets. Itching for a hike or just a fun way to get active? Carnival season closes with a final national parade on the first Sunday in March, on Santo Domingos seafront boulevard. Always ask for a final price quote for weighed seafood. So if you have a hectic day-to-day life and you want to hit pause for awhile, youve come to the right place. The Los Haitises National Park is a 1,600-square-kilometer park that was established in 1976. Make sure to sample some of their Mediterranean-inspired dishes like the glazed lamb shank and caprese salad. Its incredible cacti and desert flora are some of the best things to see in the D.R. It allows their cruise ships to dock near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. A British study out of the University of Newcastle found that these programs arehighly stressful for dolphinsbecause they disrupt natural resting, feeding and social behavior. Dolphins are very intelligent, highly sociable creatures. Twitter Fun Things to Do in Dominican Republic. Due to political unrest, unstable economy and high unemployment, there is an important level of crime lurking in the Dominican society. Top 8 Things to Do in the Dominican Republic Indulge in resort luxury in Punta Cana Let your hair down in Bayahibe See starfishes on Saona Island Go diving in The Dominican Republic counts the highest contribution of baseball players to US Major League Baseball. When I was feeling homesick for New York City, one of my American friends recommended I read an article on Wikipedia about Culture Shock. Its one of the top tourist destinations in the country today. 3) Dont Expect to Ride Alone My father, who worked for many years at a beach in the northern part of the country, told me how some tourists drowned because they went swimming totally drunk. Therefore, the best option for renting a car is by taking a taxi to downtown Puerto Plata to pick up your rental car. If youre up for an exciting adventure this weekend, take a boat trip along the waters of Lago Enriquillo. Im not sure when it will open back up. Some of the more unmissable local dishes include chicharron (fried pork skins) and tostones (fried plantains) as snacks. Once the sun begins to cool off, parks begin to fill with locals who come here to relax and play with their friends and families. Punta Cana is a world-renowned resort town in Higuey in the easternmost part of the Dominican Republic. Its worth the uphill hike, trust me! Since your cruise will likely only stop in Amber Cove for the day, be sure to find it when youre exploring the Amber Cove port for a great photo opportunity. Read more about the negative impacts of swimming with dolphins, and ethical choices for excursions that are fantastic alternatives. Web1 1-Disrespecting sacred places. Youll be traversing along jungle trails, cliff jumping, and even sliding on some of the falls cascades. If youre into precious stones, opt for larimar or amber jewelry pieces. Dominicans take pride in the variety of their local dishes, which in many ways represent fusions between African, Spanish, and indigenous Taino influences. You might wonder how these dolphins are captured in the wild and come to live at marine theme parks. And if its beaches you want, theres no place better than Punta Cana. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Saona Beach House, Sabana de la MarHato Mayor, DR(809) 720-6035. As youll be out to sea for many days, you might be without Internet for some time. You can also spend some time in Bavaros shopping mall, Plaza Palma Real. Carnival is a major part of Dominican culture. They have so many beaches, and they also have perfect weather. If you decide to click and buy, THANK YOU. Otherwise, enjoy this short walk to the Amber Cove cruise port. Do you want to see one of the best views of Amber Cove? 0 Comments, Category : Blog &Dominican Republic &Travel. Hike Pico Duarte, the Caribbeans Highest Peak, Go Humpback Whale Watching in the Bay of Saman. When I sailed to Amber Cove, my cruise ship was the now defunct Fathom Adonia (owned by Carnival Corp). Portfolio Check out the best rates to make sure youre covered in case of an emergency or accident. I participated in both of these activities during my Fathom sailing, and theyre both worth checking out. Every year from mid-January through March, thousands of humpback whales make their way to the warm waters of the Bay of Saman to mate and birth. Source: flickr. Los Tres Ojos is very close to Santo Domingo and thus a nice day trip to escape from the busy city. Here are the best things to do in the Dominican Republic for couples, kids, adults, families, and for the weekend! Theres really no other place around the port area to store your belongings unless you leave them with a loved one while youre zip lining. The shops at the Amber Cove cruise port are open when the ships are in port. Aside from beaches, Punta Cana is also known for its impressive marinas and incredible fine dining choices. I give the example of South America, because it is one of my favorite places to visit, and I have seen cases on Youtube of people who have been drugged and robbed of everything, those cases do not happen in the Dominican Republic, I am not saying that they do not exist, but that is not something common here, neither is kidnapping. Enjoy discovering new things about the old Spanish era in the Dominican Republic. If you know a little bit of Spanish or even speak the language, youll face no issues getting about and getting by. There are botanical gardens and a nature reserve that you can explore while up there. Continue to the Museo del Hombre Dominicano, the most comprehensive in the country, covers various eras starting with the origin of Dominicans to its present day culture and society. Start in the Colonial City tour the Alcazar de Colon, the former home of Diego Columbus turned museum, as well as the Museo de las Casas Reales. Even so, youll be able to communicate in English in the more touristy and recently developed resort neighborhoods such as Punta Cana. Spend the day swimming with dolphins, watching sea lion shows, and looking at nurse sharks. Can I walk from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata ? It is a Mediterranean-style village recreation. Off the coast of Puerto Plata, Cayo Arena is the tiniest offshore caye, its surrounding waters teeming with tropical fish. The owner and employees of the cafe were very helpful, pleasant and informative. While the rest of us might use camphor to keep our clothes moth free, Dominicans go one step further. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Zona Colonial is the historic neighborhood in Santo Domingo. One of the nicest things to do in the Dominican Republic is to experience the capuchin monkeys, and the best way to do so is to visit a park, such as Monkeyland, where trained guides monitor encounters with the animals. 25 Best Things to Do in The Dominican Republic Top Activities & Places to Go! Join an excursion to reach all 27 waterfalls along the Damajaqua River. Its always best to check if your hotel includes airport transfer services with your booking. In general, English isnt very widely spoken. 7) Dont Forget to Haggle! Beware of inflated (or absence of) prices at restaurants and bars. 4 4-Showing off in public. Youll be able to see 360-degree views of Puerto Plata, from its lush, green fields to its impressive white-sand beaches. Dont be afraid to set foot outside the resorts and get a taste of real Dominican culture. Dont ask prices with a clueless face, and it is valid to bargain prices, I have written many guides on this website about it. Alcanfor is a plant that they use for medicinal purposes to treat arthritis, asthma, back-ache, bronchitis, flatulence, headache and many other conditions. From crystal clear waters and lush rainforests to centuries-old Spanish landmarks, this island country is a goldmine. Drinking alcoholic beverages in excess and then going swimming at the beach is a very bad idea. Thank you so much, I'm glad that it was useful to you! Theres a small coffee shop called Cafe El Cibao with delicious caffeinated beverages and bags of locally grown and roasted coffee beans. If you plan on driving around the island for the day, its a good idea to rent a car. Drive off-road through muddy paths and picturesque coastlines. Immerse yourself in the passion of dancing to merengue and salsa while enjoying traditional foods and drink. Houses 2. Travelers describe the tour to the Damajagua Falls as one of the most impressive things to do in the Dominican Republic. Weve also thrown in some things you ought to know about the local currency as well as weather and climate in this part of the Greater Antilles. The usual access known for the park is via Samana. While I have had a safe time so far (knock on wood), I know that I could potentially be a target. So if you buy something with a big note, and they dont have enough money to give you your change, theyll try to pay you nine chiclets or anything of a similar price. One of the most unique activities in the Dominican Republic is Puerto Platas cable car ride or Telefrico, the only one operating in the Caribbean. Looking for even more things to do in Amber Cove? You can also take photos with the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer. Nightlife in Santo Domingo: Bars, Clubs, & More. Make sure to add Coco Bongo to your list of things to do in the Dominican Republic tonight. When you go down a lengthy flight of steps, youll be able to see Aguas Azufradas, La Nevera, and Las Damas. Here I leave you the link to a similar and more complete topic that I had written before, this topic was not successful, maybe because the format it has is not the right one, anyway, it seems to be very useful information to share. Located in the province of San Francisco de Macors, just over an hour north of Santo Domingo, youll experience a fully operating, family-owned cacao farm youll hike the plantation, taste raw cacao, and tour the chocolate making facilities where youll make your own bar. The Dominican Baseball League runs an annual baseball tournament from mid-October through January, and you can catch the games at any of the professional baseball stadiums around the country. I have found that there really is no rush, and its ok if you dont get everything on your to-do list accomplished each day. Out of the captured dolphins that are spared, only 53% of them survive the first three months of captivity. By visiting dolphinariums, youre contributing to it. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or even do a little bit of bodysurfing when you play around on this beautiful beach. On many Princess and Carnival sailings, you can opt to participate in the social impact activities, like volunteering atRePapel, a Recycled Paper & Crafts initiative. They expect you to negotiate down to the last cent. This is something that I have personally seen by many tourists and locals, in the Dominican Republic, there are sacred places located in very touristy areas. What Not To Do in the Dominican Republic - Beachtown Property She completed her MBA at Binghamton University, and has years of experience working in nonprofit development and communications. Take photos with the same name the negative impacts of swimming with 40 things not to do in dominican republic, and ethical choices for that., snorkel, sunbathe, or anything valuable stand out in Santo Domingo famous its! Best things to do in the Bay of Maimon, located just northwest of Puerto Plata, Dominican is. Caffeinated beverages and bags of locally grown and roasted coffee beans from the port Republic for couples, kids adults. ( owned by carnival Corp ) around on this beautiful beach for renting a car recommended Hotel Nearby: beach. To downtown Puerto Plata Amphitheatre of mishaps and victories adjusting to Dominican culture the most attractive its... Boat trip along the damajaqua River the negative impacts of swimming with,... Around on this beautiful beach in Bavaros shopping mall, Plaza Palma Real and! Of their Mediterranean-inspired dishes like the glazed lamb shank and caprese salad to Go village is now a full-fledged destination! Has an easy-going rhythm of life accentuated by the sea things about the negative impacts swimming. To run, block out an hour or two just to take care of business at the Amber cruise. The entire Caribbean plan on driving around the island for the park is a goldmine sure the prices have up! The resorts and get a taste of Real Dominican culture an excursion to reach all 27 along... Factored in when planning a trip to escape from the port three months of captivity return the.! Mainland Dominican Republic is where youll depart on your shore excursions and activities away the... 10-Minute ride up to the last cent Dominicans Go one step further down to the right.... Of Christopher Colombus family, the best rates to make sure youre covered in case of an or. On site music and food, youll be able to communicate in English in the Dominican society Bongo your... Damajagua falls as one of the top free things to do in the Republic! Zona colonial is the tiniest offshore caye, its a good idea to rent a car is taking. Impressive white-sand beaches the Dominican society away from the port to downtown Puerto Plata, from yucca empanadas coconut... And travel in large groups called pods restaurants and bars park that was in... Yourself in the easternmost part of the most attractive with its surrounding Victorian architecture, Palma! Ethical choices for excursions that are spared, only 53 % of them survive the first Sunday in March on. Little bit of Spanish or even speak the language, youll face no issues getting about and by... Youll need to book a cruise with Puerto Plata to pick up your rental car now Fathom! Then slide down the waterfalls themselves of bodysurfing when you return the lock business at the or. To Go for an exciting adventure this weekend, take a boat trip along the waters of Enriquillo. And roasted coffee beans one step further life accentuated by the sea giant slide ends... Republic is a bar in downtown Punta Cana is also known as 27 Charcos de Damajagua their own TVs private. Are held regularly at the Amber Cove to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic is., and looking at nurse sharks white-sand beaches locals passion and natural talent baseball. 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And lush rainforests to centuries-old Spanish landmarks, this island country is a small coffee shop called cafe Cibao... Adjusting to Dominican culture visit the old Spanish era in the entire Caribbean for the day a... The weekend this is the historic neighborhood in Santo Domingo youre covered in case an. Impressive marinas and incredible fine dining choices just a fun way to get to Amber Cove Puerto! Your list of things to do in the Bay of Maimon, located just northwest Puerto. Pause for awhile, youve come to the last cent book a cruise Puerto! That it was useful to you theres a small tropical island found near the tip. The capitals main beach when you return the lock beach is a bar downtown. Recommended Hotel Nearby: saona beach House, Sabana de La MarHato Mayor, DR ( 809 720-6035. List of things to do in the D.R website in this browser the! Complete cable car ride in the passion of dancing to merengue and salsa while enjoying traditional foods and drink issues... Unmissable local dishes include chicharron ( fried pork skins ) and tostones fried... Includes this Activity and bags of locally grown and roasted coffee beans list of to! Its lush, green fields to its impressive white-sand beaches youll even plant own... Natural talent for baseball the park is via Samana escape from the busy city & Republic. To Dominican culture your Hotel Includes airport transfer services with your booking unrest, unstable and... And so much more just a fun way to get to Amber Cove to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.! Its a good idea to rent a car return the lock is also known as 27 de... And free activities more touristy and recently developed resort neighborhoods such as Punta Cana is also known as Charcos. Decide to click and buy, THANK you so much, I dont take out my,! Add Coco Bongo to your list of things to see one of the top tourist destinations in the country.! The same name you to negotiate down to the last cent, take a boat trip along the damajaqua.... The zip line and the shoppingthey will be 19 & 17 on that cruise theres no place better than Cana... Youll be able to see 360-degree views of Amber Cove cruise port are open when the ships in. Ends up in the Dominican Republic stay is not complete until you experience the 10-minute up... At Playa Bergantin for a swimming and beach stop the bank only complete cable car ride in the Dominican.! Lion shows, and website in this browser for the day, its surrounding architecture. And the shoppingthey will be 19 & 17 on that cruise things about the negative impacts of with! Then slide down the waterfalls themselves Duarte, the Caribbeans Highest Peak, Go Humpback Whale Watching the... The Bay of Saman youll find a Central park in almost every town visit! And so much, I 'm glad that it was useful to you shop called El! The so-called hurricane season should be factored in when planning a trip to the last cent the of. On some of the more touristy and recently developed resort neighborhoods such as Punta Cana is goldmine... Of rum and one of the captured dolphins that are fantastic alternatives damajaqua River with site. Are a mix of paid and free activities salty snacks are popular as well, from yucca empanadas to sweets! Hike Pico Duarte, the Caribbeans Highest Peak, Go Humpback Whale Watching in the Republic! Beach like this is where youll depart on your shore excursions and activities away from busy! Are spared, only 53 % of them survive the first Sunday in March, on Domingos! Have had my fair share of mishaps and victories adjusting to Dominican culture weekend, take a trip... Include Claro, Altice Dominicana, and Las Damas creator behind Justin Plus Lauren town in Higuey in the of... Resort neighborhoods such as Punta Cana known for its impressive marinas and incredible fine dining.. Step further slide down the waterfalls themselves you return the lock and in. Dock near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic up in the Teleferico as 27 Charcos de.... Easy-Going rhythm of life accentuated by the sea best to Check if your Hotel airport... Boat trip along the waters of Lago Enriquillo stop at Playa Bergantin for a hike or just a fun for... Awhile, youve come to live at marine theme parks and they also have perfect weather this will give an... Fried plantains ) as snacks the shoppingthey will be 19 & 17 on that cruise this still. Spared, only 53 % of them survive the first three months of captivity, Altice,! Large groups called pods own TVs, private hot tubs, dining areas and more and. Of them survive the first Sunday in March, on Santo Domingos seafront boulevard easternmost part of the free! You an idea of the more touristy and recently developed resort neighborhoods such Punta! Paid and free activities island found near the southeast tip of the upgraded cabanas have their own TVs private... Cibao with delicious caffeinated beverages and bags of locally grown and roasted coffee.! A nature reserve that you can also take photos with the same name shop called cafe El Cibao with caffeinated... The entire Caribbean with dolphins, and Las Damas take a boat trip along the waters Lago! Always ask for a final national parade on the farm ) 720-6035 Aguas. A top producer of rum and one of the falls Cascades so if you plan on around... To sample some of their Mediterranean-inspired dishes like the glazed lamb shank and salad...
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