Dominican Republic in a Nutshell

Introduction

I first put this togethor for a friend of mine who was planning a trip to the DR some-time back in 2000 or so.
It has been my great delight to hear of all the folks - family, friends, aquaintances, radio prize winners - traveling to the Dominican Republic on vacation.
Which is also to say, the internet probably doesn't *need* another posting, but what the heck.
I should admit, I haven't been back to the DR since 2006, so in addition to being very subjective and geared towards the initial audience, it may be a bit out-of-date.

Travelers should do fine even with only basic - or even no Spanish.
Most people in any kind of touristy-type place will speak functional if
not fluent english. Basically, unless your in the hills somewhere, you
should be fine.

There are many kinds of experiences available in the Dominican
Republic. Probably the most renowned is Club Med, resort-type vacation.
There's also the shoestring type vacation. Additionally there are plenty
of historical places - mostly in the capital. The country-side is
beautiful, but this might be hard to do without some local help.

Club Med

There are tonnes of hotels which can provide just about all
you need for a good time: clubs or trips to local clubs, dance lessons,
private beach/pools. Group type activities (volleyball, water aerobics,
snorkelling) - many of which are lead by folks who would fair
exceptionally well as aerobics instructors. Many, if not nearly all
hotels include food and drinks in the cost (all inclusive).

Some cities/places I can recall:

Puerto Plata

Beach-to-beach resorts.

Samana

Not as many hotels, but definitely high quality ones.

Altos De Chavon

The most famous in the country, also the most expensive. It is located near (on?) a beautiful mountain-top art studio. I believe it used to be a fortress, that overlooks a great valley (altos = heights/cliffs). You can spend the better part of a day wandering around this place, and maybe more if you like art.

La Romana/Higuey

On the South/East coast has some places as well Punta Cana has alot of places as well and offers direct flights.

Really, just about any part of the coast has some nice hotel-age. They
are nice and cushy, and w/foreign money, can even be cheap. They are
definitely the way to go if you just want to sit and relax in the sun, and
don't want to have to do much planning.

Local Experience

I like the big hotels for a short spell, but don't think I'd like
to spend whole vacations there because it is too easy to stay within the
confines of the comfortable hotel walls and never see the country itself.
It all depends on your vacationing style/motivation.

There are smaller hotels, and even "mom & pop" type places (cabins) where
you can stay for dirt cheap. As far as utilities/conveniences, these are closer to the 3rd world level of
living, and you will likely have to fend for yourself for food. The
benefits are that you'll probably have more peace and quiet, as the common
areas in the larger hotels can sometimes be a bit noisy.

Other Beaches

Las Saonas (South East)

A small island off the coast, *beautiful* nearly untouched beaches. You get there by speedboat, I believe from Bayahibe, maybe eaven from La Romana.

Boca Chica (South)

Once a very beautiful beach, the public parts are now over-crowded and somewhat polluted. There are hotels with private beaches, some will provide day passes (9am-5pm) to the beach, food, drinks, and non-motorized amenities (paddle boats, kayaks, etc).

Palenque (South West)

Black Sands Beaches here. Not as developed hotel-wise.

Somewhere1 (South West)

There's at least one rock beach in the south - yes rocks. Basically a beach of pebbles, mostly round. It's very trippy to see all the rocks. It's also not very developed (last I heard).

Districto Nacional

The Colonial District in Santo Domingo has many forts, museums,
shops, and other sites from the Columbus days. Some free, some not.
In/Near the colonial district exists:

The Flea Market

An indoor flea market. Lots of gifty-items here. You *should* negotioate here - or they will feel bad :-) **

El Conde

Shopping district, some restaurants. It's gone down somewhat, watch your wallet/purse.

Plaza a' Colon

Basically a big "Go Chris C. you rock". There's a nice restaurant across the way that has been there forever and has awesome food, smoothies, and coffee.

Misc. in Santo Domingo

El Malecon

The boardwalk, along the coast, lots of restaurants. Great for a stroll.

Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico)

Beautiful. Huge. I dig the Japanese garden.

The Three Eyes (Los Tres Ojos)

Underground caverns with maybe 5 lakes with blue water (originally only 3 were known). Boat tours available.

The Columbus Light (Faro a Colon)

A mini-museum, basically a hyuuge light that gets turned on periodically. Illuminates a gigantic cross in the sky that, rumour has it, can be seen from Puerto Rico.

Street Food for sale

Sugar Cane (Cana)

The vendor strip the 'bark' so you can basically gnaw on it, spitting out the fibers after you've sucked the sweetness out of them (yum for me!) I can go through about 2 feet pretty easily at one go.

Sugar Cane Juice (jugo de cana)

As it sounds. Check the ice - if it looks suspect, pass.

Orange Juice (Jugo De Naranja)

Yum! again w/the ice.

Coconut Juice (Jugo de Coco)

I love this stuff. They'll chop open the top so you can drink straight from the coconut, many guys also carry cups which are easier to drink from. They can also chop it open for you so you can eat the insides (la masa). Careful, as it can stain clothes. Try not to eat to much at a go unless you are used to a lot of coconut.

Fried Stuff (fritura)

This stuff is so good, but risky for the GI health, esp if you're not used to it. You can get it in some restaurants/specialty stores, and probably should. Things like: Pastelitos, Kippe, jonny cakey

Slushies (Frio Frio, jun jun)

Yummy yes. But don't do it unless you've got an iron stomache, or it's your last day.... Chances are the ice or the syrups were made with tap water.. BTW, Don't drink tap water, buy bottled water.

Sandwiches (Chimichurri, Chimi)

Awesome drunk food, it's usually cooked/reheated when you order it, but I'd stay away if your stomache is sensitive.

Misc. Food/Drinks

Milk Candy (dulce de leche)

I love it

Guava Candy (dulce de guayaba)

My wife loves it

Fruit Juices

Jugo de {Mango, Chinola, Naranja, Pina, Cana, Papaya, Papaya con Leche, ...}

The national meal (La bandera nacional)

Rice & Beans, with pan-seared beef, and a vinagrette salad. This is my favourite meal.

Fried Plaintain (fritos, tostones)

Fried plantain chips - green or ripe. The green ones are french-fry-esque, but not as greasy as fries as well as a bit starchier.

Rice-Beans Cooked togethor (morro)

Good stuff, can be made with coconut.

Fried Fish

Usually. At the beach, yummy. Watch the bones.

Misc Stuff

Cigars

Leon Jimenes No.5 - My 65 y/o uncle has been smoking since he was 12 years old. He's had his share of cubans and he said these were the best he'd ever had in his life.

Rum

Barcelo, Brugal - you decide. Go for the "Añejo", or the upgrade - alcohol is *cheap* and tasty in the DR.

Beer

Presidente - a 'light beer' - as in not guinness, but not a 'lite' beer. I love this stuff. It's the national beer. You can order these by just saying 'give me a [small|large]' ("una pequena", "una grande"). Or even "a cold one" ("una fria")... hmmm... now I want one.

Culture

Being obviously foreign, and a source of revenue, you will likely
be exempt from most of the expectations, but here are some cultural norms:

Clothing

You don't have to dress to the nines, but walking around with ragged/dirty clothing flags you as "hobo" not "grunge". Dominican men didn't usually wear shorts outside of the beach, but I think travelers can probably get away with it. Same for women, but you may solicit some cat calls with shorts. Kids are usually okay w/shorts.

Eyes

Dominican's actually look tend to take each other in, even in passing. I can seem fairly intense if you're not used to it, but it is typically just benign, out of general curiousity. You need only look back to show that you are paying attention, no smiles necessary. I'd actually recommend against the half-smile token of acknowledgement that is prevalent in the US (or at least in the mid-west) - this may be seen as either a sign of weakness or some kind of invitation (say if the dude is some kind of salesman, or w/some malicious intent)

Touching

It is a physical culture, so you may be find yourself closer to people more than at least in the US. Men may try to help you (women) with things like luggage, getting up stairs, off the bus, etc. At the same there are weirdos down there, just like anywhere, so you'd want to be wary of that.

Pick-Pocketing Etc

I know some of you have travelled before, so this may be a bit elementary for you: Take Photocopies of your passports, maybe leaving one with an emergency contact back home. Don't flash your money - Be aware of who's around before pulling out the wallet. Be wary of pickpockets, they come in all forms and all ages. You may want an inside pants wallet deal.

Fun

In the end, it is a very playful culture, full of carribean flare and energy. Tourism is one of the biggest industries, and there are a lot of options for things to do :-)

Well, thats a bit long and rambling, but I hope it helps someone plan their next trip.