GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti to the west. It is known for its beaches, resorts and golfing. Its terrain comprises rainforest, savannah and highlands, including Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain. The capital city, Santo Domingo, has Spanish landmarks like the Gothic Catedral Primada de America dating back 5 centuries in its Zona Colonial district.

Dominican Republic Flag

COUNTRY FACTS

POPULATION

8,862,000

RELIGION

Roman Catholic

CAPITAL

Santo Domingo (1,865,000)

LIFE EXPECTANCY

69

GDP PER CAPITA

U.S. $6,300

AREA

48,442 square kilometers (18,704 square miles)

LANGUAGE

Spanish

LITERACY PERCENT

85

FABIO'S REVIEW

Green-Living
Green-Visiting

Coming soon!

LOCATIONS EXPERIENCED

Dominican-Republic-Bavaro-Other-Bavaro-pictures-21193 COVER

BAVARO

Bávaro is an area of beach resorts in Punta Cana, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean on the Dominican Republic's east coast. Palm trees back a wide beach, and a long coral reef creates calm waters. Golf resorts dot the inland area, while vendors at Plaza Bávaro sell handicrafts. Shops at the nearby Palma Real Shopping Village also showcase regional arts and crafts.

Dominican rep-Bayahibe-Sendero-Padre-Nuestro-Cueva-de-Chicho-II-Swimming-in-underground-cave-1084 COVER

BAYAHIBE

Bayahíbe is a town in the Dominican Republic, located about 10 miles (16 km) east of La Romana on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. Founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and his family, who came from Puerto Rico, it is one of the best location for scuba diving in the Dominican Republic. There are three shipwrecks in the area: the Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco.

Dominican-Republic-Boca-Chica-Beach-(Playa-Publica-Boca-Chica)-1811 COVER

BOCA CHICA

Boca Chica is a small beach town near Santo Domingo city. It is known for its beach, with its white sand and sheltered waters. In the shallow bay, the mangrove-covered islet La Matica is an habitat for birds. Coral reefs and submerged shipwrecks feature at La Caleta Underwater Park, west of town. Calle Duarte, the main street, is pedestrian-only in the evenings and has lively nightlife.

Dominican-Republic-Bonao-Plaza-de-la-Cultura-de-Bonao-(Museo-Candido-Bido)-9025 COVER

BONAO

Bonao is the capital of Monseñor Nouel province. It is located in the center of the country, northwest of the national capital Santo Domingo.

Dominican-Republic-Cabarete-Cabarete-main-beach-2522 COVER

CABARETE

Cabarete is a resort town on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. The bay is protected by a coral reef. The calm waters, combined with breezy conditions on beaches like Kite beach, make it a center for water sports (in particular, Encuentro Beach is known for its surf breaks). Restaurants and bars cluster along Calle Principal, the town’s main street, running along the waterfront.

Dominican-Republic-Higuey-Cathedral-de-Altagracia-2388 COVER

HIGUEY

Higüey, also known as Salvaleón de Higüey, is the capital city of the eastern La Altagracia Province, and the eighth largest city in Dominican Republic. The Yuma River flows through the urban areas.

Dominican-Republic-Isla-Saona-Isla-Saona-4902 COVER

ISLA SAONA

Saona Island lies off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is part of the "East National Park", and is known for its mangroves, coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches like Palmilla Beach. The island’s shallow waters are home to many starfishes. Mano Juan is a laid-back fishing village near Flamingo Lagoon, with colorful shacks and a turtle sanctuary. To the west, the Cave of Cotubanamá has pre-Columbian rock art.

Dominican-Republic-La-Romana-3689 COVER

LA ROMANA

La Romana is a city on the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coast and a gateway to nearby resort areas. Overlooking the Chavón River, Altos de Chavón is a re-created 16th-century Mediterranean village with artists' workshops. An obelisk painted with colorful images of local life stands in the city center. South of the city is Catalina Island, with sandy beaches, coral reefs and the wrecked ship of pirate William Kidd.

Dominican-Republic-La-Vega-Catedral-de-La-Vega-8248 COVER

LA VEGA

La Vega, or Concepción de La Vega, is the fourth largest city and municipality of the Dominican Republic This city is known as the heart of the Dominican Republic for its geographical position and its large agricultural production methods.

Dominican-Republic-Puerto-Plata-El-Faro-(Puerto-Plata-Harbor-LightHouse)-5199 COVER

PUERTO PLATA

San Felipe de Puerto Plata is the capital of the Puerto Plata province, on the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic north coast. The city is best known for its beaches. Playa Dorada’s lengthy beachfront is backed by resorts and an 18-hole golf course. The city’s old colonial-era center is dominated by the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress that now houses historical and military artifacts.

Dominican-Republic-Punta-Cana-8468 COVER

PUNTA CANA

Punta Cana, the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is a region known for its 32km stretch of beaches and clear waters. The Bávaro area and Punta Cana combine to form what is known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive resorts. It is popular for zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Dominican-Republic-San-Francisco-de-Macoris-2218 COVER

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS

San Francisco de Macorís is located in the northeast of the island, in the Cibao region. It is the capital of the Duarte Province, and the sixth most populated city in the country.

Dominican-Republic-San-Pedro-De-Macoris-Sculpture-park-11573 COVER

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS

San Pedro de Macorís, located in the south-eastern part of the Dominican Republic, is the fifth most populated city in the country.

Dominican-Republic-San-Rafael-de-Yuma-Boca-de-Yuma-5163 COVER

SAN RAFAEL DE YUMA

San Rafael del Yuma is a municipality of approximately 100,000 people, located in the La Altagracia province of the Dominican Republic.

Dominican-Republic-Santiago-de-los-Caballeros-Il-Monumento-6760 COVER

SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS

Santiago de los Treinta Cabelleros or simply Santiago is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, and the fourth-largest city in the Caribbean.

Dominican-Republic-Santo-Domingo-El-Faro-11278 COVER

SANTO DOMINGO

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. Its walled, cobblestoned historic core, the Zona Colonial, has buildings that date to the 1500s, including the cathedral, which was the first built in the New World. On the cafe-lined Plaza de España is the Alcázar de Colón palace, now one of the city’s main museums, displaying notable medieval and Renaissance art.

Dominican-Republic-Sosua-Monkey-Jungle-Monkey-Feeding-10387 COVER

SOSUA

Sosúa is a town in the Puerto Plata Province, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It is known for its beaches, in a sheltered cove with an offshore coral reef, colorful fishes and tropical plants. The beach separates the neighborhoods of El Batey, the main tourist hub, and laid-back Los Charamicos. The Jewish Museum tells the story of the 1940s settlers who fled from the Nazi threat in Europe.

BAVARO

Dominican-Republic-Bavaro-Other-Bavaro-pictures-21193 COVER

Bávaro is an area of beach resorts in Punta Cana, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean on the Dominican Republic's east coast. Palm trees back a wide beach, and a long coral reef creates calm waters. Golf resorts dot the inland area, while vendors at Plaza Bávaro sell handicrafts. Shops at the nearby Palma Real Shopping Village also showcase regional arts and crafts.

BAYAHIBE

Dominican rep-Bayahibe-Sendero-Padre-Nuestro-Cueva-de-Chicho-II-Swimming-in-underground-cave-1084 COVER

Bayahíbe is a town in the Dominican Republic, located about 10 miles (16 km) east of La Romana on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. Founded as a fishing village in 1874 by Juan Brito and his family, who came from Puerto Rico, it is one of the best location for scuba diving in the Dominican Republic. There are three shipwrecks in the area: the Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco.

BOCA CHICA

Dominican-Republic-Boca-Chica-Beach-(Playa-Publica-Boca-Chica)-1811 COVER

Boca Chica is a small beach town near Santo Domingo city. It is known for its beach, with its white sand and sheltered waters. In the shallow bay, the mangrove-covered islet La Matica is an habitat for birds. Coral reefs and submerged shipwrecks feature at La Caleta Underwater Park, west of town. Calle Duarte, the main street, is pedestrian-only in the evenings and has lively nightlife.

BONAO

Dominican-Republic-Bonao-Plaza-de-la-Cultura-de-Bonao-(Museo-Candido-Bido)-9025 COVER

Bonao is the capital of Monseñor Nouel province. It is located in the center of the country, northwest of the national capital Santo Domingo.

CABARETE

Dominican-Republic-Cabarete-Cabarete-main-beach-2522 COVER

Cabarete is a resort town on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. The bay is protected by a coral reef. The calm waters, combined with breezy conditions on beaches like Kite beach, make it a center for water sports (in particular, Encuentro Beach is known for its surf breaks). Restaurants and bars cluster along Calle Principal, the town’s main street, running along the waterfront.

HIGUEY

Dominican-Republic-Higuey-Cathedral-de-Altagracia-2388 COVER

Higüey, also known as Salvaleón de Higüey, is the capital city of the eastern La Altagracia Province, and the eighth largest city in Dominican Republic. The Yuma River flows through the urban areas.

ISLA SAONA

Dominican-Republic-Isla-Saona-Isla-Saona-4902 COVER

Saona Island lies off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. It is part of the "East National Park", and is known for its mangroves, coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches like Palmilla Beach. The island’s shallow waters are home to many starfishes. Mano Juan is a laid-back fishing village near Flamingo Lagoon, with colorful shacks and a turtle sanctuary. To the west, the Cave of Cotubanamá has pre-Columbian rock art.

LA ROMANA

Dominican-Republic-La-Romana-3689 COVER

La Romana is a city on the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coast and a gateway to nearby resort areas. Overlooking the Chavón River, Altos de Chavón is a re-created 16th-century Mediterranean village with artists' workshops. An obelisk painted with colorful images of local life stands in the city center. South of the city is Catalina Island, with sandy beaches, coral reefs and the wrecked ship of pirate William Kidd.

LA VEGA

Dominican-Republic-La-Vega-Catedral-de-La-Vega-8248 COVER

La Vega, or Concepción de La Vega, is the fourth largest city and municipality of the Dominican Republic This city is known as the heart of the Dominican Republic for its geographical position and its large agricultural production methods.

PUERTO PLATA

Dominican-Republic-Puerto-Plata-El-Faro-(Puerto-Plata-Harbor-LightHouse)-5199 COVER

San Felipe de Puerto Plata is the capital of the Puerto Plata province, on the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic north coast. The city is best known for its beaches. Playa Dorada’s lengthy beachfront is backed by resorts and an 18-hole golf course. The city’s old colonial-era center is dominated by the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress that now houses historical and military artifacts.

PUNTA CANA

Dominican-Republic-Punta-Cana-8468 COVER

Punta Cana, the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, is a region known for its 32km stretch of beaches and clear waters. The Bávaro area and Punta Cana combine to form what is known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive resorts. It is popular for zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS

Dominican-Republic-San-Francisco-de-Macoris-2218 COVER

San Francisco de Macorís is located in the northeast of the island, in the Cibao region. It is the capital of the Duarte Province, and the sixth most populated city in the country.

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS

Dominican-Republic-San-Pedro-De-Macoris-Sculpture-park-11573 COVER

San Pedro de Macorís, located in the south-eastern part of the Dominican Republic, is the fifth most populated city in the country.

SAN RAFAEL DE YUMA

Dominican-Republic-San-Rafael-de-Yuma-Boca-de-Yuma-5163 COVER

San Rafael del Yuma is a municipality of approximately 100,000 people, located in the La Altagracia province of the Dominican Republic.

SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS

Dominican-Republic-Santiago-de-los-Caballeros-Il-Monumento-6760 COVER

Santiago de los Treinta Cabelleros or simply Santiago is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, and the fourth-largest city in the Caribbean.

SANTO DOMINGO

Dominican-Republic-Santo-Domingo-El-Faro-11278 COVER

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and one of the Caribbean's oldest cities. Its walled, cobblestoned historic core, the Zona Colonial, has buildings that date to the 1500s, including the cathedral, which was the first built in the New World. On the cafe-lined Plaza de España is the Alcázar de Colón palace, now one of the city’s main museums, displaying notable medieval and Renaissance art.

SOSUA

Dominican-Republic-Sosua-Monkey-Jungle-Monkey-Feeding-10387 COVER

Sosúa is a town in the Puerto Plata Province, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It is known for its beaches, in a sheltered cove with an offshore coral reef, colorful fishes and tropical plants. The beach separates the neighborhoods of El Batey, the main tourist hub, and laid-back Los Charamicos. The Jewish Museum tells the story of the 1940s settlers who fled from the Nazi threat in Europe.

MAP

dominican-location

VIDEOS

RESOURCES

This section is currently under construction.

SHARE THIS PAGE

0 0 vote
Article Rating
Spread the love
{}
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments