DK Travel : Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a country of surprising contrasts and extraordinary variety. From the chilly peak of the Caribbean’s highest mountain to some of the region’s most delightful beaches, the country boasts lush valleys, spectacular waterfalls, and sun-baked deserts. The past and present also blend in a fascinating mix of colonial buildings and modern hotels, sleepy rural villages and lively tourist resorts. The people, too, reflect a kaleidoscope of influences — Spanish, African, indigenous — creating a culture that emphasizes both creativity and fun in the fields of music, sport, and art.

Cacti

The region’s desert conditions are ideal for many different sorts of cactus. The best-loved, though, is called tuna , the prickly pear, which boasts lovely white flowers and bears edible fruit.
Café Cito, Puerto Plata

Just outside the complex of all-inclusive hotels, this bar is popular with ex-pats, and tourists from nearby resorts. There’s a pool table, sports TV screen, live jazz music, and karaoke on weekends.
Café del Sol

A good lunch spot serving pizzas, salads, and ice creams, set in an amazing location by St. Stanislaus Church and overlooking the Río Chavón.
Caimito

A star apple. The round, usually yellow fruit contains a sweet, sticky pulp.
Calabash

A small evergreen tropical tree with a strange nocturnal love life, the calabash’s flowers bloom only at night, when they are pollinated by bats. The fruits that develop in clusters along the trunk and branches have a hard green wooden shell, which since Taino times has been used as a utensil and ornament.
California, Jarabacoa

This small, family-run hotel has simple rooms with fans, all on the ground floor, leading out to a central patio and pool. Breakfast is $5, while other meals of comida criolla can be arranged on request. Local activities can be arranged.
Calle del Sol

The long, straight street of this commercial center cuts through downtown, lined with old-fashioned department stores, banks, and street stalls. You’ll find almost everything including “designer” sunglasses from Haiti.
Calle El Conde

Santo Domingo’s traffic-free central shopping street is the place for merengue or bachata CDs, cigars or cheap T-shirts, and other bargains. The surrounding side streets are also worth exploring for the many gift and souvenir shops.
Calle El Conde

This pedestrian-only shopping strip isn’t the prettiest in town, but it’s always full of life. Escape the heat and bustle outside by slipping into one of the bars or cafés and you’ll meet plenty of visitors.
Canoe

One of many Taino words (canoa ) and inventions still in use today.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal and a beer for one including tax and service.
- under $10
- $10–$20
- $20–$30
- $30–$40
- over $40
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $30
- $30–$50
- $50–$100
- $100–$150
- over $150