Get wrapped up in Culture- Dominican Republic
- cherryblossomtravels
- Mar 29, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 31, 2019
For this month’s “Destination of the Month” we chose Dominican Republic! In May of last year I had the opportunity to do study abroad to this wonderful island and let me tell you guys it was GORGEOUS! Now typically when you think DR we all think Punta Cuna however there is a lot more to see than a handful of resorts. While the plane ride is under 4 hours (From Atlanta) you are still leaving the country and will need a valid passport. Don’t have one or need to renew? Check our Tips and Tricks page to learn more.
Once you have your passport squared away you will need:
Plane Tickets
A typical round trip ticket into Santo Domingo will run you around $500 depending on time of year, how far in advance you are planning, and a variety of other factors. Do note that even though you are flying out of the country since it’s not a long flight they do not provide meals and you still have to pay to check your bag (at least this was the case with Delta). To get the most bang for my buck Kayak and Priceline are my favorite sites to snag a deal.
We flew in and out of Santo Domingo and then due to the size of the group we chartered a bus to Monte Cristi and Jarabocoa, however you could easily rent a car. The roads were pretty good and the traffic wasn’t too crazy.
As I mentioned we landed in SANTO DOMINGO, this is the capital of Dominican Republic and one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean. The city has much to offer include beaches, shopping and tons of historic sites. The Zona Colonial (the historic district of Santo Domingo) is covered in old world charm from its cobblestone roads to its old stone buildings. These structures are some of the first to be built in the New World, it’s like St Augustine, FL but BETTER. There are tons of little restaurants, shops, and museums to explore. The nice part about this area is that everything is relatively close so you can simply wonder around and explore things like the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. This is the oldest cathedral in the Americas it dates back to 1512.
The Alcazar De Colon was the first palace of the New World when it was first erected in 15th century. It was home to Diego Columbus (son of Christopher Columbus) and his wife Maria (Niece of King Ferdinand) when completed it was 55 room residence with 72 doors and windows that hosted meetings with great conquistadors such as Cortes and Balboa. After being called back to Spain the palace was kept by family until it eventually fell into ruin. In 1955 it underwent a massive restoration and is now a 22 room museum decorated in furnishings of centuries past. It was closing by the time we got there however it’s still pretty impressive from the outside.
Often times we forget how at one time North, South and all the places in between were lumped under one blanket of the Americas. Of course there were people and civilizations here before the explores and conquerors but if you think in a lot of ways we started off the same and through many events the U.S rose to be a power house while others fell. . I can only image the decisions that took place there that directly impacted the America we know today. I can only image the decisions that took place there that directly impacted the America we know today.
Since I was traveling with my school all of our meals and accommodations were pre arranged so breaking down the costs and food is a little tricky. I can tell you that it's about 50 Dominican pesos per $1 and I bottle of water was around 20 pesos. Upon and arriving and departing we stay at Hostal Bella Epoca, it was simple but clean and had a good view.
The one food item that we continually found ourselves gravitating towards was Bon ice cream you can find these shops throughout the country and they are sooo good. It is a perfect way to cool off when your not on the beach.
Next stop was
Monte Cristi
About a 4 hour drive from Santo Domingo is El Morro Beach in Monte Cristi, this is arguably one of the best kept secrets in the Dominican Republic. The views were insane. It was the perfect blend of beach, mountains, and warmth. The water was cool but not freezing. There are several trails up the mountains so you can take in the views from multiple angles. I would recommend bringing both flip flops and walking shoes. The hike is steep at parts and rocky, and you will struggle if simple beach footwear but the hike is well worth it! It makes you feel like …
I chose to hike then hit the beach. Upon arriving on the beach I never wanted to leave!
Full disclosure I haven’t done a lot of beach traveling and this was my first time in the Caribbean but I am very picky about water clarity, quality of the sand, and roughness of the waves. I feel like if I’m going to the beach to relax I don’t want to be assaulted by the water. That being said these waves were ripe for body surfing which isn’t really my thing BUT the views were so amazing I could have stayed on this beach forever. Not to mention we were almost the only people there!! MIND BLOWN
Another cool thing you can do is rent a boat and visit the mangroves and various little islands along the coast.
While in Monti Cristi you will notice a lot of salt ponds. Did you know a large portion of the salt we eat every day is imported from Dominican Republic? Be sure to pull off and check them out some even offer tours.
Last but certainly not least was...
Jarabocoa
Located about two hours from Santo Domingo tucked away in the mountains surrounded by rivers and lustrous green trees. This was the only resort we stayed in and the most touristy destination on this list However The Jarabocoa River Club and Resort did not disappoint. There is a river that runs down the middle of the resort that you can go tubing down. There are also options to go rafting and paragliding. The property boosts multiple swimming pools, a restaurant, and great coffee. I am a nature enthusiasts so the sheer amount of greenery spoke to me on spiritual level. Since it’s in the mountains it a great spot to escape the heat and get back to nature.
Oh and did I mention that there are also some great waterfalls??
I loved everything about his trip and cannot wait to go back with my family.
A few things to keep in mind when traveling to Dominican Republic:
Do check the CDC website for recommended vaccinations (I got typhoid and a 14 supply of malaria pills, while I have had malaria before it’s not worth ruining your vacation)
Only drink bottled or filter water (the locals are pretty good about this most don’t drink water straight from the tap)
Bring lots of bug spray and sunscreen (it’s all about prevention)
Treat your clothes with insect repellent beforehand. Sawyer makes a great insect repellent for clothes that is odorless and lasts 6 weeks or through 6 washes (It’s worth it)
Download Google translate to your phone just in case you don’t have good reception you still have access to it
Traveling outside the country can be a little scary especially if this is your first time but you quickly realize that at the end of the day we are all humans and even if we don’t speak the same language we have more in common than you think. Emotions and common gestures will take you far. Be open to the experience, understand there are going to be things that are different and you may not understand and that’s ok. Branching out of your comfort zone builds your cultural sensitivity and makes you appreciate so many things we take for granted.
So if you’re on the fence about traveling abroad we encourage you to take the leap, branch out and let us know how you liked it!
Comments