Located in Caribbean, island of Hispaniola, east of Cuba, the Dominican Republic has a population estimate of 9.5 million people who speak Spanish as their official language. Santo Domingo is the capital city.



Brace yourself with lightweight fabrics since this area has tropical temperatures throughout the year with the coastal region being warmer than central regions. Fortunately, Dominican Republic boasts over 55,000 hotel rooms to offer her visitors and make them comfortable. Get some modern hotels and beautiful beaches in the southeast coast while in the capital, the choice ranges from clean and cheap to plush hotels which amazingly have constant rates throughout the year. Prices for resort hotels are usually higher during the winter season. Guest houses are an economical alternative. Around Puerto Plata are very affordable self catering establishments. For the caravanning counterparts, no official sites exist but could be done under permission within national parks.

Internal flights, cheap and efficient air conditioned buses and coaches, buses, car hires and horse drawn carriages will make movement much more convenient. Don't hesitate to go and try out the native Dominican cooking which combines Spanish influences with local produce. There is plenty of fresh fish and sea food, island grown tomatoes, lettuce, papaya, mangoes, passion fruit and all citrus fruits. Beef is expensive and local favourites are pork and goat meat. Locally produced beer and rums are cheaper than imported alcohol. National specialities include La bandera, chicharrones (crisp pork rind), pastelon (baked vegetable cake) and sopa criolla dominicana (native soup of meat and vegetables). The national drinks include presidente (Dominican beer), rum drinks and native coffee.

Your nightlife could be rocked from a choice varying from Las-Vegas style revue, discos and casinos to a quiet caf? by the sea in Santo Domingo. Hotels offer more traditional shows like folk music and dancing. Concerts and cultural events are often held at the Casa de Francia and Plaza de le Cultura.

In the Dominican Republic, you could swim with dolphins in Manati Park; encounter a more dangerous type of wild life on the Cabritos Island; wander in awe along the miles of the beautiful unspoilt beaches of the Atlantic coast; dive to astonishing variety of sites around the island like Cabrera; go offshore fishing at Boca de Yuma; get wet by white water rafting and tubing on Rio Yague del Norte; do some cascading; conquer the highest mountain in the Caribbean by hiking and climbing Pico Duarte; play golf in the world's best courses or visit the shops and get yourself amber jewellery and decorative pieces, larimar or Dominica tuquiose and rocking chairs could be made. Bargaining is also recommended.

Most visits to the Dominican Republic are trouble free. Crime against tourists is rare but care should be exercised in isolated areas especially at night. Visitors should exercise caution before planning any trips across the county's interior as some roads are susceptible to flash flooding or landslides. The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and there's also increased cases of dengue fever. All in all the Dominican Republic is the place to unwind.