Showing posts with label Dominican Republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dominican Republic. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2012

The Real Treasures Of The Caribbeans...




Can you imagine that recently to the shores of the Caribbean landed filibusters were hiding their treasures? Would be great to find the pirate treasure! But what island enwombs these treasures? Martinique, Guadeloupe, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, and still very attractive for many, many names, disturbing the mind and do not give to sleep at night. And we know little about them. With the exception of Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Antigua, Barbados, all the other Caribbean islands remain unexplored, and for several reasons:

The islands are expensive and not specifically unwind, as interested in preserving its beauty and virginity, focusing primarily on the quality of tourists, rather than their quantity.

Those who manage to solve this issue, discover the real treasures of the Caribbean: an exotic vacation on the beautiful fairy-tale island.

A few facts about the Caribbean islands:

1. Caribbean Islands are located between the North and South America, where lies a blue Caribbean Sea or as it used to be called Filibusterian.

2. The Caribbean island got their name owing to big and combative Carib Indian tribe that once lived on their picturesque shores, and later was almost completely destroyed by the colonialists. To date, only about three thousand of the remaining Caribbean Indians live in the north of the island of Dominica.

3. Caribbean Indians were given the names of the islands by their distinctive features: "The Land of Flowers" for Martinique, the "Island of beautiful waters" for Guadeloupe, "fertile ground" for Saint Kitts, "High her body" for Dominica, etc.

The Spanish, British, French and other travelers, invaders, mainly used the names of the saints: St. Vincent, St. Kitts, St. Martin, etc.

All of the Caribbean is actually very different: from the landscape, nature, and ending with people inhabiting them. On each island under the influence of cultures of the colonizers (English, French, Spanish etc), imported slaves from Africa and local residents - created its own indescribable explosive mixture.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dominican Republic Will Continue The Restoration Of Sandy Beaches




Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic has decided to continue the restoration of sandy beaches. It is assumed that one of the main beaches in the country Caleta, will be extended to 550 meters. The project will cost around 1.2 million dollars.

In addition to the Caleta beach will be improved and other beaches: Carenero, Los Cacaos, Costa Verde-Juan Bolaños, Najayo, Palenque, San Rafael and El Quemaíto.

Restoring the beaches affected by the damaging effects of natural hazards and man, implies their complete cleaning, remove dirt and extension of beach areas.

Dominican Republic belongs to two-thirds of the island of Haiti, that is 48,500 sq km and 1575 km of coastline, a third of whom are beaches. 360-kilometer border that separates the Dominican Republic and Haiti, is bounded on the north Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea to the south. Mona Channel, suggestive fear at all seafarers due to strong currents and ferocious winds that separates the island from Puerto Rico to the east.

Dominican Republic is a country with well-developed tourism infrastructure, the basis chosen for the "all inclusive" - most of the local hotels are working on this principle.

Almost the entire coast of the country - one continuous beach. Beaches of the Dominican Republic are among the best in the Caribbean. No matter which resort is no way to select tourist: Playa Bavaro, Playa Dorada or Puerto Plata - anywhere he can find fine white sand, clear warm water and preventive maintenance.

From the natural beauty of the island, according to guidebooks, can not be circumvented Lemon waterfall: a dip in it, according to locals, you will live comfortably until his death. Also recommend a boat trip across the lagoon Gris-Gris, an intricate maze of mangroves, lianas and palms in the river delta.

Climbers and just lovers of the mountains rise to the peak of Duarte. Go to the top of the leading routes of varying difficulty, and everyone can choose their way of forces. The main attraction of the country's capital - the city of Santo Domingo - the extraordinary architecture of the city's Cathedral Basilica Higuey, is a kind of skewered each other curved arches.

If there is a sensible guide to visiting the colonial part of Santo Domingo can be great fun. This area is simply breathes history. The first street in the New World, the first church in the New World, the first customs office in the New World.

The history of the island is closely intertwined with the life of the great traveler Christopher Columbus, so there are many landmarks associated with him and his family. Very popular means to brighten up the evening with tourists is to visit the tomb of Columbus.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Dominican Republic Food




Columbus, who discovered this volcanic island on Sunday, November 3, 1493, called it Dominicano. The territory of the Dominican Republic has 1600 km of sea coast - in the north Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea to the south. Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Caribbean. History of the Dominican Republic - is the story of an Indian Island Kiskeya, whose name translates as "mother of all lands". The natives who inhabited the island before the arrival of the Spanish sailors, were descended from tribes that came from the tropical forests of Venezuela and from the banks of the Orinoco River. They called themselves "Taíno". Official language is Spanish. In tourist centers and speak in English, French, German and Italian. And in the hotels of the Dominican Republic you will understood in any language. The historical part of the city of Santo Domingo, recognized by UNESCO cultural heritage.

Many people think that Latin American and Caribbean cuisine doesn't differ from country to country. However, ways of cooking food in the Dominican Republic are really unique. History tells us that the Dominican Republic experienced the influence of both France and Spain. In addition, Aboriginal foods and ways of its preparation also helped create a remarkable and delicious dishes.

Dominican cuisine is simple to prepare and very healthy. Are used only natural ingredients. The main feature of it - the extensive use of legumes, bananas and other vegetables (including exotics) in the original, combined with meat products and fish. This abundance of spices used in cooking, at first glance is huge, but it is not so - all the spices are consumed in the measure, and almost do not spoil the original flavor. For cooking use only a certain kind of bananas "Platano" - Green and quite hard, do not eat them raw. Side dish usually served on rice, red beans, cassava, mashed bananas from the forest with a bow "manga" and various salads.

National dishes that use local people on a daily basis are: a thick soup with meat, rice and vegetables "asopao", stew meat, beans, rice, salad and fried bananas " Bandera", baked in banana leaves, meat and vegetable" bed-en - Ohashi, roast pork "puerko al-Puja" or "puerko-Assado", vegetables and meat ragout "sankocho", pork served with fried bananas, and certainly exotic - whole braised pig carcass in a pit, stewed with vegetables and herb chicken, tripe on-Dominican "monfongo" etc. As a side dish using rice and red beans in all sorts of combinations, cassava, mashed bananas from the forest with a bow "manga" and various salads.

Continuing on the table there are cakes of cassava, "Kasaba" (as usual, and with various fillings) and "tostones" - fried bananas. Fish and seafood, despite their abundance and diversity, almost non-existent in the traditional Dominican cuisine, but recently they have been in larger numbers appear in the menus of cafes and restaurants. The most popular fish, roasted on a spit or a lattice, grilled fish with coconut crumbs, fish in a sauce of coconut milk "Pescado con coco", a variety of seafood, "mariskos" crabs in a sauce "Cangrejo gisado" etc.

And, of course, have the widest distribution of a variety of tropical fruits - bananas, coconuts, pineapples, arable land, guava, mango, green lemon Zest and other exotic fruits. Their use in natural form, in the form of juices and fruit cocktails. Everywhere brew good coffee, especially good grade "Santo Domingo".

Rum is the national alcoholic beverage of the Dominican Republic, which does not manage any festival anywhere in the country. Rum is widely popular among the local population of the Dominican Republic, along with local brands of beer "Quisqueya", "Presidente" and "Bohemia". Rum varying quality and spills can be purchased at any store or tent.

Among the 15 varieties of rum, manufactured in the country, the main positions occupied by "Brugal", "Barselo" and "Bermudes". Produce dark rum (with a classic golden hue) and light (white, often with the addition of lemon, which gives the drink a delicious taste).

Rum drink alone or added to cocktails. For example, "Piña Colada" (Rum, often 3 species, coconut milk and pineapple juice, ice), Daiquiri (rum, lemon juice, ice chips) and, of course, the famous and the most popular "Free Cuba" (rum Coca-Cola and ice).

Interest of local alcoholic beverage "pru" (a product of fermentation of juice plants of the same name). Coffee is brewed everywhere.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Dominican Republic Luxurious Resorts...

The Dominican Republic is a land of contrasts – the physical kind, like the highest peak and the lowest point in the Caribbean, and the more metaphorical kind, like that between the urban street life of Santo Domingo and the rural villages only a short drive away. Santo Domingo, or ‘La Capital’ as it’s typically called, is to Dominicans what New York is to Americans, a collage of cultures; or what Havana is to Cubans, a vibrant beating heart that fuels the entire country. It’s also a living museum, offering the sight of New World firsts scattered around the charming cobblestone streets of the Zona Colonial.

The second-largest country in the Caribbean and one of the most affordable, the Dominican Republic also offers diverse culture and a unique Latin flavor.

Must-see sights
# Beaches: Located on the easternmost coast, Punta Cana offers a 20-mile stretch of pristine white sand.
# Sports fans: Watch pro baseball players practice in the off-season from October to January.
# Visit the historic district of Santo Domingo, where shops and cafйs line cobblestone streets lit by gas lamps.

The Dominican Republic is home to the largest all-inclusive resort industry in the world. This type of resort typically includes your accommodations, meals, beverages, and activities all in one price.


The past 10 years have been kind to the tourism industry here. The island was once was a well-kept secret, known only to surfers and travelers trying to get by on the cheap. But that time is over - now there are thousands of resorts and hotels in the Dominican Republic. Every major city on the country has plenty of each – the eastern beach of Punta Cana is the latest to delve headlong into the burgeoning tourist industry.

Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Punta Cana, Playa Dorada and Cabarate are the main areas to stay on the island, each one offering something different to the traveler. Santa Domingo is the sprawling capital, alive with restaurants and bars and historical monuments. For many it may be a bit too much, especially those looking for a more relaxing vacation, but the activity in the city is as infectious as it is hectic. Bound into many itineraries as merely a day trip, Santo Domingo misses out on a lot of the tourists – which is too bad because you'll find a number of the quirkiest and hippest hotels in the Dominican Republic in the capital city. Casinos and voluminous bars give you something to do at night when you stay at the Sofitel Nicolas Ovando or the pink-tinged Renaissance Jaragua Hotel and Casino.

The Dominican Republic resorts here are not at the same high standard as many of the other areas, but decent values and beautiful beaches abound for those who explore Boca Chica.

Punta Cana is the new hot place to be for all inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. Coco palms sway as pale tourists attempt surfing lessons. Untouched beaches are all along the coast. Here you'll find the highest grade of luxury available in Dominican Republic resorts – there are 25,000 rooms for rent around Punta Cana. The fact that they are almost invariably sold out months ahead of time should tell you everything you need to know about this scenic area of the island.

Playa Dorada is back on the northern coast of the country, and where a handful of the very first Dominican Republic resorts were built. The beautiful Gran Ventana Beach Resort is here, and a fine deal. But the definition of luxury is found here in the boutique hotel called Casa Colonial Beach and Spa. Stucco walls, fine cuisine and a rooftop deck to enjoy your rum punch distinguish this all-suite treasure as the pinnacle of hotels in the Dominican Republic.

The final, and for many, most likable spot on the island is the city of Cabarete. Along with nearby Sosua, this is the place to stay if you want to play on the beach all day and in the clubs all night. Somewhat overlooked for years as merely a surfer hangout, there are still a number of independently owned, quality hotels and inns for those who venture to the north. Fewer and far between are the all inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic from which the country derives its fame, and that alone is a selling point for many.