I Who doesn't love a good holiday? Nobody right? But a beach holiday? Now this has to be one of the most loved vacations of them all!! White sands, two tone oceans, beach huts, glorious sunshine, no kids and about 4 cocktails! Stop dreaming lol
Sometimes even on a beach holiday we need to get our pink thighs off the sunbed right? If you are planning a holiday and don't know where to go or what to do, why not get yourself over to the Dominican Republic, here is a list of some wicked things to do when the beach is just too hot.
Mountain Trekking
What a great experience, there are a number of private guides and a small number of Tour Operators who will facilitate you on an ascent of the highest peak in the Caribbean “Pico Duarte”; at 3087metres not to be taken lightly. The effort and vistas on the way to the summit will truly leave you breathless. This is a serious trek taking anywhere from one and a half to five days, depending on your starting point and route chosen. You will need to spend at least one night out in one of the trekking cabins or in a tent, so you definitely get the “Indiana Jones” feel on this trip. It is recommended, for your own safety, that you do to this trek with a recognised Mountain Guide or Tour operator who can carry out the correct registration with the authorities and organise the necessary provisions for such a serious undertaking.
Whale watching in the Dominican Republic
This is a fabulous excursion; Samaná Bay is the best place to go to experience one of nature’s greatest wildlife shows. Depending on your location on the island, most tours have an early departure time to ensure you have plenty of time at Samaná Bay to have the best chance of seeing these amazing creatures. The best time to go Whale watching is between January to March, during these times upwards of 10,000 Humpback whales from the North Atlantic community return to the waters around the Dominican Republic to mate and breed. This is an opportunity not to be missed, to see these gentle giants in their natural surroundings is an awe inspiring experience and one that will remain with you for many years to come. The experience is further enhanced by the expert marine guides who explain all there is to know about these magnificent creature.
Samana Peninsula
Samaná Peninsula was once an isolated island, until the late 19th century when sediment filled the narrow channel separating the mainland from the island forming the incredibly beautiful Peninsula we see today. There are a number of high mountain gorges in the middle of the Peninsula which offer stupendous vistas of waterfalls and rich tropical forests. It is an incredibly gorgeous destination with lush green mountains full of coconut trees and fabulous breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. The Peninsula is best explored by foot. This area has many hidden gems, protected coves, fabulous hidden beaches and secluded undeveloped bays. It is just a wonderful location, there are a small number of all-inclusive resorts or picturesque low-key accommodations, both offering total tranquility and relaxation.
Barahona
The town of Barahona is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty with fabulous coastline, beautiful lakes, stupendous mountains and unusual and interesting foliage. The secretive beaches are amongst the prettiest you will see anywhere in the Dominican Republic .The area is home to no less than three national parks, covering the greatest protected area in the country. Within these parks you will find the largest breeding population of flamingos and in excess of 60 different species of bird. You will also see the largest salt lake in this part of the Caribbean, lying some 45 metres below sea level and containing the “American Crocodile”. Located in the South West of the island, and some 40 km south of Barahona, are the Larimar mines which contain the semi precious stones known as “Larimar”; a stone that is totally unique to the Dominican Republic.
Scuba diving & Snorkeling
The coast off the Dominican Republic offers fabulous sites for diving or snorkeling in the many reefs found here. There is a spectacular array of diverse sea life which is a delight for experienced as well as the novice diver or snorkler. There are many exciting dive sites, with underwater caves and an abundance of shipwrecks, some of them many hundreds of years old. There are a number of superb diving sites located only 10 minutes from the International Airport, offering a variety of challenges from shallow dives amongst the reefs to deep water dives off the edge of the reef. With such a quality of diverse dive sites you will be very unlucky not to find an area that fulfills all your diving and snorkeling requirements.
Monster Truck or Jeep Safaris
There are a variety of tours in different parts of the island offering a tremendous choice of terrain consisting of secluded beaches, mountain areas, rivers and lush tropical forest areas. These organized events provide quick and easy access to many parts of the interior that would otherwise be off limits. You also get the opportunity to travel through small farming communities where you can see the typical Dominican way of life.
Puerto Plata
This natural port was first discovered in the early 1490’s by the great explorer “Christopher Columbus” and by 1540 the first New World fort was constructed. In the 1970’s tourism came to the area and, although it never became a major tourist destination in its own right, many visitors from the surrounding popular resorts came to visit the historic fort of “Fuerto de San Felipe” as well as the late 1800’s Victorian houses in the older part of town. There is a delightful 2 km long boardwalk with the characteristic Dominican restaurants, where you can enjoy a leisurely walk and fine meal whilst at the same time enjoying the breath taking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Port. One of the popular attractions here is the “Amber Museum” containing many fine examples of insects, flowers, leaves and fossils trapped in the ancient amber resin. “Mount Isabel de Torres”, located just outside of town, has a cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain, giving the tourist easy access to wonderful views of the surrounding area and city. Once on top you will also be rewarded with a stupendous botanical garden and the awe-inspiring “Christ the Redeemer “statue.
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Fishing in the Dominican Republic
Fishing has been the lifeline of many of the small coastal towns for years before tourism became fashionable and this tradition still continues to this day. There are many excursions for the tourist who is interested in fishing in the deep seas, but it’s also possible to fish from the shore like many Dominicans still practice or from small boats with just a line and a little fish bait. Fishing is suitable all year round, but summer is the best time to try. There is an incredible choice of fish to be caught like Sailfish, Wahoo, barracuda, Porpoise and Marlin. The north coast is best for Dorado, Tuna and King mackerel. The East Coast resorts of Bavaro and Punta Cana are also excellent locations to try fishing.
What a great experience, there are a number of private guides and a small number of Tour Operators who will facilitate you on an ascent of the highest peak in the Caribbean “Pico Duarte”; at 3087metres not to be taken lightly. The effort and vistas on the way to the summit will truly leave you breathless. This is a serious trek taking anywhere from one and a half to five days, depending on your starting point and route chosen. You will need to spend at least one night out in one of the trekking cabins or in a tent, so you definitely get the “Indiana Jones” feel on this trip. It is recommended, for your own safety, that you do to this trek with a recognised Mountain Guide or Tour operator who can carry out the correct registration with the authorities and organise the necessary provisions for such a serious undertaking.
Whale watching in the Dominican Republic
This is a fabulous excursion; Samaná Bay is the best place to go to experience one of nature’s greatest wildlife shows. Depending on your location on the island, most tours have an early departure time to ensure you have plenty of time at Samaná Bay to have the best chance of seeing these amazing creatures. The best time to go Whale watching is between January to March, during these times upwards of 10,000 Humpback whales from the North Atlantic community return to the waters around the Dominican Republic to mate and breed. This is an opportunity not to be missed, to see these gentle giants in their natural surroundings is an awe inspiring experience and one that will remain with you for many years to come. The experience is further enhanced by the expert marine guides who explain all there is to know about these magnificent creature.
Samana Peninsula
Samaná Peninsula was once an isolated island, until the late 19th century when sediment filled the narrow channel separating the mainland from the island forming the incredibly beautiful Peninsula we see today. There are a number of high mountain gorges in the middle of the Peninsula which offer stupendous vistas of waterfalls and rich tropical forests. It is an incredibly gorgeous destination with lush green mountains full of coconut trees and fabulous breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. The Peninsula is best explored by foot. This area has many hidden gems, protected coves, fabulous hidden beaches and secluded undeveloped bays. It is just a wonderful location, there are a small number of all-inclusive resorts or picturesque low-key accommodations, both offering total tranquility and relaxation.
Barahona
The town of Barahona is surrounded by outstanding natural beauty with fabulous coastline, beautiful lakes, stupendous mountains and unusual and interesting foliage. The secretive beaches are amongst the prettiest you will see anywhere in the Dominican Republic .The area is home to no less than three national parks, covering the greatest protected area in the country. Within these parks you will find the largest breeding population of flamingos and in excess of 60 different species of bird. You will also see the largest salt lake in this part of the Caribbean, lying some 45 metres below sea level and containing the “American Crocodile”. Located in the South West of the island, and some 40 km south of Barahona, are the Larimar mines which contain the semi precious stones known as “Larimar”; a stone that is totally unique to the Dominican Republic.
Scuba diving & Snorkeling
The coast off the Dominican Republic offers fabulous sites for diving or snorkeling in the many reefs found here. There is a spectacular array of diverse sea life which is a delight for experienced as well as the novice diver or snorkler. There are many exciting dive sites, with underwater caves and an abundance of shipwrecks, some of them many hundreds of years old. There are a number of superb diving sites located only 10 minutes from the International Airport, offering a variety of challenges from shallow dives amongst the reefs to deep water dives off the edge of the reef. With such a quality of diverse dive sites you will be very unlucky not to find an area that fulfills all your diving and snorkeling requirements.
Monster Truck or Jeep Safaris
There are a variety of tours in different parts of the island offering a tremendous choice of terrain consisting of secluded beaches, mountain areas, rivers and lush tropical forest areas. These organized events provide quick and easy access to many parts of the interior that would otherwise be off limits. You also get the opportunity to travel through small farming communities where you can see the typical Dominican way of life.
Puerto Plata
This natural port was first discovered in the early 1490’s by the great explorer “Christopher Columbus” and by 1540 the first New World fort was constructed. In the 1970’s tourism came to the area and, although it never became a major tourist destination in its own right, many visitors from the surrounding popular resorts came to visit the historic fort of “Fuerto de San Felipe” as well as the late 1800’s Victorian houses in the older part of town. There is a delightful 2 km long boardwalk with the characteristic Dominican restaurants, where you can enjoy a leisurely walk and fine meal whilst at the same time enjoying the breath taking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and Port. One of the popular attractions here is the “Amber Museum” containing many fine examples of insects, flowers, leaves and fossils trapped in the ancient amber resin. “Mount Isabel de Torres”, located just outside of town, has a cable car that takes you to the top of the mountain, giving the tourist easy access to wonderful views of the surrounding area and city. Once on top you will also be rewarded with a stupendous botanical garden and the awe-inspiring “Christ the Redeemer “statue.
.
Fishing in the Dominican Republic
Fishing has been the lifeline of many of the small coastal towns for years before tourism became fashionable and this tradition still continues to this day. There are many excursions for the tourist who is interested in fishing in the deep seas, but it’s also possible to fish from the shore like many Dominicans still practice or from small boats with just a line and a little fish bait. Fishing is suitable all year round, but summer is the best time to try. There is an incredible choice of fish to be caught like Sailfish, Wahoo, barracuda, Porpoise and Marlin. The north coast is best for Dorado, Tuna and King mackerel. The East Coast resorts of Bavaro and Punta Cana are also excellent locations to try fishing.