Dominican Republic: Everything it has to offer
The Dominican Republic has it all - everything that does not include snow at least... It is one of the most visited countries in the Caribbean, known for its beautiful beaches and its warm & cozy weather. And believe it or not... it has a lot more to offer than you might think! Keep reading to find out everything the Dominican Republic offers.
Top things you need to know from the Dominican Republic
- Dominican Culture: a mix of the old & the new
- Typical Food: a different flavor per region
- Locals: as warm as their weather
- Top attractions: a mix of everything
Dominican Culture: a mix of the old & the new
The Dominican culture is a mixture of three different culture: Taino, African & European. This mix is visible everywhere, from the landscape to the food to the music.
The Dominican music will make even the most uncoordinated person what to dance. Dominicans dance spontaneously, pretty much anywhere, even more in a "colmado" (a small gorcery store/bar where they play music), where you are most welcome to join them dancing. The two principal music genres are merengue and bachata, which includes instruments influenced by its history, like the "guira".
When traveling to the Dominican Republic, its's a must to learn how to dance merengue & bachata, so start practicing your hip movements!
Typical Food: a different flavor per region
The Dominican gastronomy is an adventure... literally. Not only some foods are from different provinces, which means that a little road trip is needed, but there are dishes that are made depending on the weather & the season. But first let's talk about the typical dishes in the whole country:
- The typical breakfast:* which includes mangú (mashed plantain), salami and fried cheese
- The Dominican flag: the most typical dish, whihc includes rice, beans, and meat
- Sancocho: a stew made of different types of meat and usually served with rice. This dish is made when the weather is rainy and cold (for Dominican standards…)
- Sweet Beans: a dish that is only made during the Semana Santa (Holy Week/Spring Break)
- Samana: in this province, locals cook a lot with coconut, using coconut oil or coconut milk. Two of their main dishes are "Pescado con Coco", which is fish cooked with coconut oil, and "Pan de Coco" (Coconut Bread). You can find merchants walking around the beaches selling "Pan de Coco". Now a days, as there are a lot of European immigrant in this regions, you can find restaurants that serve an infusion of local food with European dishes.
- San Pedro de Macoris: this province counts with a mix of English and African traditions, which is visible in their food. For example, "yaniqueque", an adaption from Johnny's Cake, brought in the 18th century and adapted to Dominican's likes. This dish is a deep-fried dought mostly found in Boca Chica.
- Puerto Plata: this province offers a variety of dishes as it's in between the sea and the land. You can find delicious fishes & sea food, as well as delicious recipes with meat. But Puerto Plata has a dessert that you must try when visiting the region, this dessert is "majarete", which in simple words it's a corn pudding.
- Santiago: this province is known for their dishes containing a mix of Taino, Spanish & African cultures. One of their main dishes is "los Guanimos", which contains corn, sauce & meat, but its very recognisable as it's wrapped with corn leaves. Another famous dish is "la Yaroa", which is a type of fast food. "La Yaroa" is made with minced meat, chicken, sauce & cheese.
Dominicans: as warm as their weather
Dominicans are known for being warm & welcoming, as they are friendly and very kind, they will make your trip even more memorable. Not only you will have a great time with the locals, but you can learn a lot from them during your trip. They embrace life with passion, energy, and love. They greet any human being as if they were their friend. They will make your trip feel like home.
The best part about Dominicans is that they are all about sharing their culture. They will teach you how to dance, show you the best parts of the country, and even teach you a bit about their history.
Getting to know the locals will be a decision you will not regret!
Top attractions: a mix of everything
The Dominican Republic its mostly known by its beaches, but that's not even half of what it offers. From hiking to water sports to staying up in the mountain. And the best attractions are its seasonal activities, like whale watching in Samana or visiting the cherry blossom trees in Ocoa.
Here are some activities you have to try in the Dominican Republic:
- *Beach-hoping: Go from beach to beach, starting in Las Terrenas and finishing in Bahia de las Aguilas
- Water sports: Like waterskiing, surfing and kitesurfing, for this Samana and Cabarete are the best places to go to
- Climbing the Pico Duarte: It is the highest mountain in the Caribbean. This is a whole weekend activity, it's recommended to book a tour guide which will help you hike the 3,098 meters above sea level.
- Staying in a villa in Jarabacoa: Enjoy the beautiful view from up the mountain & a chilly weather
- Visitig the capital: Santo Domingo is a mix of the old & new cultures. Part of the old culture is the Colonial Zone, where you can find the first church built in the Americas
- Doing eco-tourism: Plan a guilt-free trip by helping the environment while having the best time of your life
- Hiking along multiple rivers in different regions: Go on a hike in Rio Partido which will be one of the most beautiful hikes you will ever do.
Now that you know a little bit more of the Dominican Republic, would you like to go and experience it by yourself? Trust me... you will not regret it!
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Beatriz
Hello there! I'm Beatriz and I'm a content writer for BudgetAir.com. I love to travel, learn about new cultures, and read! Fun fact about me is that I'm very passionate about Greek Mythology.