Five Reasons to Visit the Dominican Republic
By Manuel Del Villar | January 12, 2022
You’ll be treated as family
Being such a small country, everyone is in one way or another related. As a result we treat each other like family and no matter where you go you will be taught bachata, be invited to eat Sancocho at a family home where you will meet the extended family (primos, primas, and pets included), and most importantly at the end of every meal you will always be offered a cafecito.
Colmaderos: On-Demand Delivery Before it Was Cool
Years before Uber Eats decided to break the status quo and make the dream of having anything delivered at any time a possibility, the colmaderos of the Dominican Republic were delivering rice and beans, sugar, bagged chips, soda, toilet paper, detergent, beer, and anything else you can think of to the homes of every Dominican. No matter which part of the country you visit, you can always count on Colmados, little convenience stores which can vary in size and style, to supply you with everything you might need delivered right at your door for no extra cost. Colmados also serve as hangout spots, so be sure to pass by your closest colmado for a cold presidente with the colmaderos. Pro tip: Make sure to ask for a presidente “Vestida de Novia”.
You Will Learn All About “Pelota” or Baseball
The United States invented the game of baseball, the Dominican Republic perfected it. Even if you’re not into baseball, you cannot visit the DR without experiencing the passion Dominicans have towards this sport. Be it in a game of “vitilla” in the street, in a heated discussion at the colmado about who’s the best new rookie in the MLB, or at the stands of the Estadio Quisqueya on a Águilas del Cibao (boo) vs Tigres del Licey game, baseball is part of our history and culture, one we are very proud of.
Beaches in Every Direction
Take a map of the Dominican Republic, close your eyes and put your fingers anywhere on the map. Open your eyes, no matter where you land I guarantee you are less than 100 miles to the nearest beach, yes, the one you were thinking of when you were plowing snow off your walkway this morning. Whether you prefer the white sand beaches of the East, the pristine turquoise waters of the South or the palm filled beaches of the Northern Amber Coast, just keep walking in any of these directions and you will surely end up in the beach of your dreams.
Landscapes on landscapes
For a relatively small island, about 18,792 square miles, the Dominican Republic features more landscape variety than you would think. Even though the country is known mostly for the beaches of Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic is mostly mountainous. Starting just North of Santo Domingo, and stretching all the way to the border with Haiti (and beyond), the Central Mountain Range or Cordillera Central takes up most of the country's landmass. Within this mountainous reign is the town Jarabacoa, also known as the land of the eternal spring, where you can find mild temperatures of 60-70 degrees year round. Heading south you can find semi arid areas where iguanas like to hang out, where cacti flourish and some of the most beautiful secluded beaches are found. The biggest sand dunes in the Caribbean are not too far from Santo Domingo where Dominican daredevils like to practice sandboarding. Head East and you will not see any mountains for miles, just savannahs filled with sugarcane fields. If you can’t decide between mountains and beaches, just head Northeast to the peninsula of Samana, a place unlike any other in the country that combines the most lush scenery, of rolling hills and picturesque beaches, with some of the finest cuisine the Caribbean has to offer. I could seriously write a whole other blog just about Samana, but maybe next time. No matter what you’re looking for, the Dominican Republic has it all.
