The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s second largest island and occupies the eastern half of Hispaniola just two hours south of Miami. For this reason it is probably the most visited of all, luring North Americans especially, with the promise of sun-kissed, white powder beaches, cystal-clear waters and lilting palms. Lazy, indulgent days await, but a look at the map above suggests that there might a lot more on offer than sun, sand and ...sea! A natural hinterland full of diverse eco adventures Away from its sultry beaches the country is incredibly diverse with highlands, tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps, cultivated savannahs, vast desert expanses and everything in between. Those in search of adventures will not be short-changed whether scaling a 3000m mountain, absailing off the edge of waterfalls, hitting dirt tracks on a mountain bike or perhaps heading into the big blue to catch marlin or view breaching humpback whales in the bay of Samaná. Culture and history The latino pulse beats strongly in the Dominican Republic. In answer to Cuba’s Salsa, the locals sway to the sophisticated and intoxicating rhythms of merengue and bachata - how else can you possibly make it through the sweltering nights! This passion even translates into religious fervour in the many Fiestas Patronales held to celebrate local patron saints in celebrations that can last for days and nights on end. These celebrations honour traditions that hark back to the very early days of Spanish occupation when Christopher Columbus established the first colony, La Isabela, along with the first New World city of Santo Domingo. A visit to the colonial centre of the capital will reward you with some of the best early Spanish colonial architecture in the Americas. The Southeast The potential to explore is there, but for many the first call will be the coast, and whilst the intrepid will step off the beaten track in search of truly deserted beaches, many will be lured to the long stretches of pristine coastline around Bávaro, Punta Cana and La Romana in the southeast of the country, and where we have selected some choice recommendations for a luxury lie-down... SANTO DOMINGO Punta Cana La Romana Puerto Plata Q Q Cabo Samanà Bahia de Samanà The Silver Coast Q: Direct Flights from UK to Punta Cana (BA)
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