Points
of Interest in the Dominican Republic
A
short walk along Las Damas is reminiscent of the 16th century, populated
by soldiers and damsels, monks and nobles, pirates and slaves. Discover
the first cathedral in America - the Fortress of Columbus, where Columbus’
son Diego Colon reigned as King Virrey, the first tribunals, and to
the location of the first tavern. Today in the old city, you can find
a variety of museums, restaurants, bars and galleries. Modern Santo
Domingo offers excellent shopping, cosmopolitan restaurants, and a
nightlife scene buzzing with the rhythm of the Caribbean. The port
area, where you will find the cruise ship terminal, welcomes you with
neverending traffic. Discoteques, clubs and casinos light up the night
in Santo Domingo.
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Encompassing
an area of nearly two million square metres the botanical garden includes
grand displays of tropical plants, aquatic plants and orchids native
to the island. The Dominican Republic produces more than 300 varieties
of orchids.
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The
national zoo has created a natural habitat for a wide variety of animals
from the tropics and other parts of the world, including elephants,
lions, tigers, zebras and antelope.
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These
mysterious caves lead to three lagoons which are very cold and very
deep. There are stalactites and stalagmites in this spectacular subterranean
world.
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You
can see all species from angels to sharks! The star of the aquarium
is Tamaury, a orphaned manatee rescued off the coast of Barahona.
The national aquarium is located on Avenida de Espana.
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Designed
by J.L. Gleave, English architect, whose design won the international
contest celebrated in 1928. There were 455 plans submitted by architects
of 48 countries. Besides being the resting place of the remains of
Cristopher Columbus, the lighthouse also stores documents and artifacts
of the colonial age. The lighthouse illuminates the night sky with
intense rays which form a cross in the clouds.
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Thirty
kilometers to the east of Santo Domingo lies the seaside town of Boca
Chica, developed during the first part of this century by Gift Juan
Vicini, a rich industrial sugar maker. In those days it was the favorite
destination of the city folk. The old Hotel Hammock would become the
social center of the age. It was the place of seeing and to be seen.
The beach of Boca Chica enjoys slow current, transparent water, a
yacht club and marina, nearby golf course in the San Andres region
and excellent seafood restaurants. The new Boca Chica is more popular
than ever!
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What
once was a small, beach town shaded by coconut palms has quickly become
the Caribbean Riviera. Juan Dolio offers a complete tourist infrastructure
including spectacular hotels and activities of all types.
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This
town had traditionally been a prosperous sugar port until the 1970’s
when the Gulf & Western developed Casa de Campo - one of the most
famous resorts in the world. The nearby Altos de Chavon, overlooking
the Rio Chavon, is a town of artists, strikingly similar to many of
the southern country towns of France and Italy. It includes the impressive
Taína Museum of Archaeology, an ampitheatre where many international
artists have performed, and the School of Design Parsons. Some of
the most spectacular beaches in the country are along the nearby Oriental
Coast. Near Casa de Campo is the region of Bayahíbe, beach of daydreams.
The Coral Canoa, complete tourist complex of Coral Hotels & Resorts,
also enjoys one of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, bordered
by coconut palms which give shade to the pure white sand. The boat
trips across to the islands of Catalina and Saona lead you to beaches
reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe!
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The
beaches along the oriental coast are among the most beautiful than
you will find. Bávaro, with its series of hotels, parks and golf courses,
is minutes from the Punta Cana airport. Manatí Park is a delight and
offers the opportunity of swimming next to the dolphins as part of
its educational program. The Dancing Horses is a spectacular event
orchestrated by the Spanish Equestrian School of Vienna. Enjoy the
skills of these magnificent purebred horses.
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Santiago
is the country’s second most important city after Santo Domingo and
is the main urban center of the fertile agricultural region Cibao,
known for one of the best tobaccos in the world. The cultural center
of Santiago rivals that of the capital city. The Pontificia Catholic
University Mother and Master is one of the best in the country. Santiago
is the cradle of the merengue, the national rhythm that put Dominican
Republic on the map! Santiago has also produced the largest number
of national presidents.
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The
Barahona landscape consists of mountains, streams, waterfalls, exuberant
vegetation and kilometers of beaches. The province is one of the largest
natural habitats and includes Lake Enriquillo, the largest of the
Antilles, with its Island Cabritos. This small island is home to more
than 50 species of fowls including flamingos, and is also a protected
zone for the American Crocodile.
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The
park includes the island Saona. With a mainly tropical and subtropical
forest, the park is well covered with trees native to the area. Here
lives some mammals on the verge of extinction, such as the Western
Antillean Manatee and the Bottlenose dolphin.
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Together
with the national park José del Carmen Ramírez, this area contains
the highest peaks of the Antilles: Duarte Peak at approximately 3,090
meters, the Pelona at 3,070 meters, the Rusilla at 3,035 and the Yaque
Peak at 2,760 meters.
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This
area is rich in trees, mangroves and an extraordinary variety of birds.
There is treasure of interesting caves such as La Arena which contains
native pictographs and even pre-Columbian images.
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Parque
Nacional de Laguna Redonda y Limón
Both
the national park and the city of Limon are located in the northwest
region of the country near Miches. You will encounter abundant fauna.
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Laguna
Rincón o Parque Nacional de Cabral
This
is the largest fresh water lake in the Dominican Republic and has
the largest population of fresh water turtles.
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Parque
Nacional de Isla Cabritos
This
national park is twelve kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide, and
has Lake Enriquillo within it. It’s flora has more than 106 species
includes some magnificent cactus’. The fowls and the reptiles are
abound, as well as the American crocodile. In fact this part has one
of the biggest populations of crocodiles in the world. The park is
also inhabited with 62 species of fowl.
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Jaragua
National Park is the biggest protected area in the country. It includes
Beata Island and Alta Velo Island, in the south east. The geological
formations found here date back 50 million years. Also the biggest
population of flamencos can be is seen here, particularly in Oviedo
Lagoon.
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Puerta
Plata is wedged between its colonial port and the dramatic base of
the Torres de Isabel mountain. Still standing after centuries is the
fortress of San Felipe, erected in 1541 to defend against possible
pirate attacks. Many of the century homes have been carefully restored,
and the charming ach and nook in the park has been replicated by drawings
and paintings Four kilometers from Puerta Plata is Playa Dorada. This
is the location of the areas main tourist hotels beach facilities,
tennis club, and an 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones.
The area also has a commercial center, and excellent restaurants,
all inside an only world of pleasure.
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The
town was founded in 1756, in an era that was vulnerable to the pirates.
In 1820 the immigrant slaves were liberated, and they established
themselves in the area. They continued to preserve their customs and
the rhythmic language of English. This peninsula is spectacular and
is gifted with a number of beautiful small keys. The most famous one
is Cayo Levantado.
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El
Portillo y Las Terrenas
Situated
between Sánchez and Samaná, these tourist towns of the north coast
offer nice beaches and exceptional vegetation.
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