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.

Bahía de Arena, Cabarete

A group of villas and apartments set on the outskirts of Cabarete, within in walking distance of shops and restaurants. There is a central communal area with a pool, a Jacuzzi, a tennis court, and a small shop for essential supplies, as well as a Swiss restaurant.
Bahía de las Aguilas

Few visitors make it to this deserted spot, a sweeping bay surrounded by rocky and prickly terrain. It’s named after eagles, but there’re more gulls, waders, and pelicans on display.
Bambú

A beach bar and a disco, Bambú gets extremely lively after midnight.
Bandera Dominicana

The closest thing to a national dish, the so-called Dominican flag doesn’t exactly copy the colors of the nation’s emblem. But, it does provide a nutritious mix of red beans, rice, shredded beef or chicken, salad and avocado, and fried plantain or boiled yucca. This combination is available everywhere, and is extremely filling.
Baní

Set among flat sugarcane-producing land, Baní is an industrious place, its relative wealth due to nearby coffee plantations, salt mining, and commerce. It is also renowned nationally for its particularly delicious mangoes, in season from May to July. Its most famous son is Máximo Gómez (see The Northwest), who with José Martí was the foremost champion of Cuban independence. His house, now containing a small museum, can be reached on foot from the pleasant Parque Central. Also worth a look is Baní’s local beach, Los Almendros, with rough sand but with restaurants and plenty of atmosphere at weekends.
Baní (Nov 21)

Images of Nuestra Señora de Regla, the town’s adopted saint, are carried through the streets in celebration.
Baní Dunes

The extensive dunes on the Las Salinas peninsula are one of the country’s best-kept secrets. An expanse of sandy hummocks, dotted with sea grape and marine grasses, rolls down to the glittering Caribbean.
Baoruco

The charming fishing village, now the venue for an all-inclusive hotel, is situated close to a wonderful white-sand beach (see Playa Baoruco), behind which steep wooded hillsides tumble down towards the sea.
Bar Le France

A café-style restaurant and bar on the seafront road, it serves excellent shrimp along with drinks, in the open as well as indoors. Open late, until the last customer leaves.
Barahona

The biggest town in the region, the port of Barahona is the gateway to the South-west’s natural attractions. A broad seaside boulevard runs the length of the town, and the narrow streets around the Parque Central have some nice old buildings. The advent of an international airport in the 1990s encouraged some tourist development, including a beach-side resort in the town itself. But few visitors confine themselves to Barahona, preferring to explore the coastline to the south and the two nearby national parks.

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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