Official Name: Dominican Republic Capital: Santo Domingo Flag: Population: 9,650,054 Language: Spanish Currency: Dominican peso (DOP) Government Website: www.domrep.org Chamber of Commerce: www.cfi.gov.do Emergency Info:

About The Dominican Republic

The Baseball or “Beisbol” capital of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, is as well known for its spectacular beaches and vibrant night life as it is for its love of the game. Located in the island of Hispaniola, it shares the western one third of the stunning island with beautiful Haiti. Besides its prime beaches the island is speckled with spectacular waterfalls, rivers, and salt water lakes. Whether it’s dancing till dawn to the sounds of the meringue, spending a day hiking through the islands lush rainforest or dramatic desert plains, or simply lounging on one of the many post card perfect beaches, the Dominican Republic has it all.

The islands capital, Santo Domingo, with its old colonial feel is among the most touristy areas on Dominican Republic. The popular walking tour is a good way for visitors to explore the beautiful city which holds some remarkable structures which date all the way back to the 16th century. A special point of interest in the city is the Columbus Alcázar, the first American Cathedral ever built. Besides its rich history, Santo Domingo is a hot spot for a good night out. The nightlife in Santo Domingo is the best on the island with the sounds of Caribbean rhythm drifting out of the city’s clubs and into the streets.

Puerto Plata, also called the Amber coast, is a gorgeous city with some equally gorgeous beaches that are great for snorkeling. Luperon Beach is particularly stunning, and conducive to snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing. Many of the centuries old homes have been beautifully restored, respecting the sentiment of the old world structures with only a twist of new world. There’s a vast range of hotels in Puerto Plata to satisfy any budget, in fact the Dominican Republic has one of the largest ranges of hotel accommodations, from the very low to the very high and everything in between.

The town of Cabarete attracts a young hip crowd with its enormous bay filled with water sports, and nightlife to match. This upscale town has some hopping bars and discos that pack full during the travel season. Popular sports in the bay are windsurfing and the newer trend “kiteboarding.”

The Dominican Republic is among the world’s top source of Amber, and a visit to the Museo Mundo de Ambar, shows off an impressive assortment of the islands leading export, Amber. Museum signs explain the mining process and uses of Amber. Most popular is an interactive setup where you can look through samples that have different kinds of insects stuck in them.

Dominican Republic Map