Travellers to DR seek authentic local experiences
Dominican Republic visitors want more than just an umbrella, drinks and a tan
Travel patterns are changing in the Dominican Republic.
Authentic local experiences top the lists of many vacationers, and in the DR that translates to culture, adventure, and eco-tourism — a natural fit in this wildly diverse country.
The DR is known for its stretches of white-sand beaches and average annual temperature of 25 C, making it an ideal winter getaway.
“We also have hiking, whale watching, and zip lines over dense forest,” says Ann Layton, who represents the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism in Canada.
Top eco-tourism attractions include the Samaná Peninsula, home to endangered humpback whales. Each year between January and March, 3,000 to 5,000 whales migrate to Samaná Bay — one of the first whale sanctuaries in the world.
“This is truly one of the best places in the world for whale watching, and the operation there is run by an expat Canadian, Kim Beddall, to international standards of protection for wildlife,” says Layton.
Visitors to Playa Rincon on the Samaná Peninsula can also enjoy fresh fish and lobster caught by local fisherman and cooked over small fires, washed down by an ice-cold Presidente cerveza.
Samaná Bay isn’t the only protected area in the DR; the country has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, The Smithsonian, and the United Nations to designate national parks and reserves, helping to protect sensitive ecosystems.
Bahia de las Aguilas, for example, offers 10 kilometres of untouched white sandy beach — and the entire area is protected within the Jaragua National Park. And Los Haitises National Park is home to untouched mangrove forests, Taino cave drawings, and secluded beaches; only a portion of this Dominican wilderness is open to the public.
While it’s known for its beaches, the DR is a mountainous country, featuring dramatic rivers and waterfalls; Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean. The 40-metre-high Salto de Limon waterfall — only accessible by foot or horse — tumbles into a pool of cool water ideal for swimming. And the Damajaqua Cascades near Puerto Plata allow visitors to walk along a system of 27 waterfalls.
The Dominican Republic has been investing in roads and infrastructure to get visitors off the beach and make these areas more accessible. A new four-lane highway between Punta Cana and La Romana, for example, connects the two cities in less than an hour.
“It opens up the entire La Romana area to visitors staying in Punta Cana,” says Layton. “Visitors can now visit the Altos de Chavon artistic centre, part of Casa de Campo or, if they’re lucky, catch a concert in the outdoor amphitheatre there. They can also access some of the best golf in the region at the legendary Teeth of the Dog Golf Course at Casa de Campo.” And La Romana is home to some of the best cigar factories in the country. The Tabacalera de Garcia offers guided tours.
The highway is now being extended all the way to Santo Domingo, which will reduce the drive to just over two hours. This gives visitors in Punta Cana much easier access to the oldest city in North America, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone is home to the awe-inspiring Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, made of goldtinted coral limestone, and the Alcazar de Colon, home of Christopher Columbus’s son. And the tree-lined cobblestone streets and wide plazas make this a city not to be missed, says Layton.
But the most significant trend in the DR, she says, is the arrival of luxury brands opening five-star boutique properties.
In 2015, The Gansevoort Hotel Group, best known for its hip New York properties, opened the Gansevoort Playa Imbert in Puerto Plata. Aman recently opened the Amanera Resort just down the coast at Playa Grande. And other boutique proper- ties such as Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Casas del XVI in Santo Domingo, and Casa Bonita in Barahona are redefining the hotel landscape on an island once known only for its resorts.
Perhaps best of all, the Dominican Republic offers value for money at a time when the Canadian dollar is weak, according to Layton.
“Your vacation dollars go further,” she says, “in a country where a cold beer in a local colmada — or general store — still only costs two dollars Canadian.”