Date of publication 12/06/2018
Tourism in the Caribbean Off The Beaten Path in the Dominican Republic
Explore the gems of the insider's Dominican Republic
Beyond its beaches and landscapes, there is an unknown Dominican Republic that offers cultural and natural wonders to visitors—places not so far from consolidated destinations like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata—where a complete vacation can be had by all. In addition, they´re all very close to Iberostar´s resorts on the island, making them a tempting option to take advantage of the combination of beach and quality rest mixed with exciting, unexpected activities. So let's dive right in.
THE NORTHERN SHORE
On the less-traversed Northern Shore lies the city of Puerto Plata, a town best known for its proximity to the mountain. So, the best choice is to take a cable car to the peak of Mount Isabel de Torres for a panoramic view of Puerto Plata. The name of the city was inspired by the silver-tipped appearance of this very mountain. Christopher Columbus described it as plata, Spanish for “silver”. The city became known as Puerto de Plata and later Puerto Plata.
Once you get to the top, you can pay a visit to a very lovely botanical garden. For more active travelers who don’t mind taking the scenic route, there are many hiking trails that lead up to the top of the mountain.
Fossil buffs will love the Museo Del Ambar (Amber Museum) - located just 5 km away from Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada -hosts a collection of fossils, plants, and ancient animals encased in amber, a semi-precious gem that is formed when tree sap fossilizes. It’s a little-known fact that over the centuries, amber mining has been big business in the Dominican Republic.
On display are many rare finds, including the most famous, a 17-inch long ancient lizard trapped in amber.
Also on the north coast, about two hours east of Puerto Plata is a beautiful stretch of beach called Playa Grande that is quite easy to get to and just a short jaunt from the main highway. At the rainbow-colored shacks painted in every shade of the color spectrum, you’ll dine like royalty - eating the freshest seafood - local, whole, roasted snapper with salad and plantains and wash it down with their local pilsner Presidente beer and rum-filled piña coladas served out of whole pineapples. Ask and they can even set up a picnic table for you in the sand, just steps from the clear Caribbean water.
CABARETE
Less than an hour’s drive away from the Puerto Plata resorts area is Cabarete, a sleepy hippie town where the winds attract world class kitesurfers and sailors from all over the world. Down-to-earth beachside bars, restaurants and smoothie stands line the sand for those who want to dine by the water.
If you want to take your adventure off the beach and into the jungles, try trekking down the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. Nestled in the Northern Corridor mountain range, even adrenaline junkies would enjoy starting off in the hilltop local neighborhoods and making their way through the Dominican jungle by rappelling or ziplining down the waterfalls and huge rock canyons of Damajagua.
The beaches near this area have soft sand with clear waters and are largely uncrowded. However, it’s not a place to snorkel if you’re not a strong swimmer at the water gets deep quickly. But if you’re a fan of shipwrecks, there is some colorful history just off the coast, where you can discover the Concepción, sunk in 1641 to the northeast of Hispaniola (which is now Dominican Republic). It was one of the most significant Spanish wrecks of all time, with a loss of over 100 tons of silver and gold treasure.
PUNTA CANA
Located on the easternmost region of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is a popular holiday resort famous for their beach resorts, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches with palm trees.
In addition to the irresistible sun and beach, travelers should really take the time to explore the nearby the seemingly endless Higuey’s Sugar Cane Plantations. You can take a guided excursion from your resort and even visit a couple of local families, witnessing firsthand the hard work farmers put into harvesting the stalks by hand, using machetes in the same way it has been done for centuries. It is a fabulous experience to learn about the crops they grow in the area and see oxen pull wooden carts with cane to be loaded onto the old train carriages.
Also in Higuey is the Basilica of Our Lady. One of Latin America's finest examples of modern religious architecture, the modern Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia is a leading pilgrimage center in Latin America with people taking a trek across the country to attend mass there on January 21st.
About an hour’s drive from Iberostar's Punta Cana resorts is Parque Nacional del Este (Eastern National Park), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a habitat for hundreds of species of plants and animals, including 112 species of different birds. The reserve is also home to one of the Caribbean's largest marine parks with wealth of biodiversity and an immense coral reef system. You can find four species of sea turtles as well as manatees, bottlenose dolphins, and numerous species of fish in its tropical waters. The park is the natural habitat for the rare paloma coronita (crowned, or white-headed dove) and the rhinoceros iguana.
Relaxing on some of the sandy remote beaches in Isla Saona is also a popular activity for visitors. In addition to excellent diving and snorkeling, visitors can also visit caves to see examples of pre-Columbian art.
SANTO DOMINGO
If you’re going to visit the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo, the oldest city in Caribbean, you need to visit Zona Colonial, its historical heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with cobblestone streets, stunning Spanish Colonial architecture, and excellent restaurants. The most significant site here is the First Cathedral of America, the oldest existing cathedral in the Americas. Other places to visit include the Museum of the Royal Houses and the early 16th century Alcazar De Colón, built by the son of Christopher Columbus. Visitors will find the Palace of Fine Arts, Museum of Modern Art, and the National Palace in El Plaza de la Cultura.
The National Botanical Gardens and the Malecón, a picturesque seaside promenade are also worth visiting. Walking along the Calle de las Damas is retracing the steps of the first Spanish conquistadors, who used this city as a base for the conquest of Latin America. Today it is a hubbub of activity - dotted with shops, restaurants and cafes, many housed in colonial-era buildings. It is also a genuine friendly neighborhood, where families sit outside their homes enjoying the cool of the evening.
Take a trip back in time to the ruins of the Hospital of St. Nicholas of Bari, the first hospital in the New World, constructed in 1503-1508 by order of Nicolás de Ovando, a Spanish soldier, knight, and Governor of the Indies.
As for unique dining experiences in Santo Domingo, a really cool hidden gem is El Mesón de la Cava, a renowned restaurant tucked in a cave once occupied by buccaneers. Originally used in 1965 as a storage cave by soldiers of the Organization of American States (OAS), an organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., it later became a restaurant. Tucked into a natural limestone cave created by waves over billions of years, this restaurant is considered one of the best in the area. In addition to descending a 40-foot spiral staircase to get to the lobby, which is filled with stalactites and stalagmites, the restaurant also displays some valuable historical artifacts from the Taino Indians and the buccaneers who hid in the caves.
PATRICIA SERRANO CHUNGSATHAPORN
Photography by Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, Getty Images and Cordon Press
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