Dominican Republic for tourists: white beaches and muddy streets

I started to learn the Caribbean from the Dominican Republic. Having driven almost half of the island, I can confidently say that this country is rather poor, and its main income is tourism and agricultural activities. Here they grow sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. That is why there are a lot of cigar factories all over the country. We visited one of them during our trip.

To diversify our vacation, we decided to go to the capital of the country - Santo domingo. From Punta Cana (tourist spot) to Santo Domingo is about 200 km, but thanks to good roads you can get there very quickly. Renting a car will not make any problems, even if you didn’t take a driver’s license with you (cost about $ 150 per day). If you take a tour, it will cost about $ 100 per person, but there is still one option that we used - take a taxi (cost $ 240 for a car with a driver). In this case, the driver carries you and shows everything, and you just look around and enjoy the ride. Of course, they promised us that he would speak in English, but he didn’t learn what to do with it. In principle, almost no one here speaks English. Even I know more words in Spanish than they do in English (given the fact that I began to learn Spanish words on the spot).

It's no secret that Christopher Columbus discovered not only America, but also other countries, including the island of Haiti. The eastern part of it is the Dominican Republic. In the center of Santo Domingo stands a monument to Columbus.

In addition, it is interesting to take a walk around the Plaza of Spain, which is located in the old part of the capital. Its most important attraction is the Dom Diego Columba (son of Christopher Columbus).

Near the square is the fortress of Osama. It was built in the 15th century to protect the city from pirates, and then served as a military base and bastion throughout the 4 centuries. After which there was a prison. Inside the fortress walls is the beautiful Torre del Omenache tower, which has thick walls with embrasures, into which criminals used to enter (from its observation deck a stunning view of the old town opens).

Not far from the fortress is the National Pantheon of the Dominican Republic, which today serves as the last resting place of the most honorable citizens of the country.

Walking along the central (pedestrian) street of the old city, you can find there interesting souvenirs or other gizmos. It is located on it a large number of souvenir shops and shops.

Honestly, I felt on the main street, like in an abandoned village. The city is very dirty and neglected. The modern part of the city is different from the old, but only slightly. There is no purity anywhere. Therefore, putting a tick in front of Santo Domingo in the list of “visit all the capitals of the world”, we went to our hotel.

Our next tour was a trip to the island of Saona. It is considered a national park of the Dominican Republic. When we reached the Caribbean Sea in high-speed boats to the park itself, we were fascinated by the beauty we saw there: a snow-white beach with crystal clear water, coconuts lie under your feet, palm trees stand over your umbrellas ... You should definitely see such beauty! After a day on the island, we went back on a catamaran. My family and I really enjoyed this tour.

What I will definitely dissuade you from is tempting fishing. A nightmare!!! This is the worst thing that could happen to me on vacation. It all started great: with a beautiful yacht in a wonderful marina. But as soon as we set sail, the horror began. The Atlantic Ocean cannot be quiet, that was clear, but I never expected such waves (6 points). The captain said that this is the norm. In general, for the first 20 minutes, on the advice of experienced people, I looked at the horizon. Then my arms and back got tired of holding on to everything that was nearby, and I sat down on the sofa in the cabin. After 10 minutes, the horizon “swimmed” for me, and in the next 4,5 hours I was ready to give all the money I had just to return to the shore. It was bad for everyone!!! It seems to me that even the captain, standing on the upper deck, also felt unwell... All 8 people in an hour became as close as even distant relatives cannot be. Of course, there was one bucket for everyone... Everyone looked at each other with sympathy and understanding. Returning back, we noted that during the voyage the captain’s mate even cast fishing rods and tried to fish. It turned out that he even caught a fish. But everyone was so anxious to go ashore that no one could even think about fish. After my dad was asked how he was feeling, he told an anecdote: “A Mercedes collides with a cart, the driver of the car sees a twitching horse and shoots it, then goes up to the grandfather who was driving the cart and asks: “Grandfather, how are you feeling?” ?. The grandfather immediately understood the situation and replied: “Better than before the accident.” So, on land - better than in the Atlantic Ocean!!!

As for our Hotel Alsol luxury villagethen we were very pleased. We were shocked by the size of the rooms. There 2 families can easily fit. The only pity is that when booking, there was no such option to choose one room for more people.

The territory of the hotel is very large and well appointed. During the week we found new paths leading to a particular place. Why are there paths !? We even found huge pools that we had no idea about. Everything is done at the highest level. The staff is very friendly, and the animators will not leave you alone for a second if they see a spark in your eyes. Every day you can take printouts with information that will happen throughout the day. From early morning until late evening, your time will be scheduled (if you want, of course).

With food, too, everything is fine. Each room has a large kitchen, so you can cook yourself. But those who like to relax on vacation, then my friendly advice - take all inclusivewith him is very cool, and in the end it will turn out cheaper than just eating in the same restaurants, because there is no sense to go outside the hotel - there is nothing there. You can have dinner in three different restaurants on site. Every evening they have a different cuisine: Dominican, Mexican, Argentinean, Italian, etc. Everything is very tasty! But do not order tea there !!! It will carry you about 40 minutes, and, at any time - well, they did not work out with tea.

For some, the lack of this hotel was the lack of a large beach. You seem to be able to lie on the beach, but feel like you are near the pool, since it is very small. I was great to relax by the pool, because there was something happening all the time: the tasting of rum, the dancing, the aqua aerobics. As they say, to each his own!

But most importantly, the Dominican Republic is a vacation for newlyweds or for married couples; “out-of-touch” young people have almost nothing to do there. Even the disco on site closes at one in the morning.

Original article published on the site On The Move and reprinted with permission of the author.

If you want to be the author of the column, send your stories to [email protected]

Read also on ForumDaily:

Sun, beach and sky-high prices: Miami through the eyes of a tourist

Niagara Falls: the power of the elements from which to keep an eye

How I fell in love with Las Vegas

Grand Canyon: a breathtaking place

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.