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Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Vacations

Santo Domingo mixes old world charm and modern Latin flair with verve so that its medieval buildings blend seamlessly with the nightlife and shopping of a modern city. Add in some beaches and this hidden gem will not stay hidden for long.
Santo Domingo is not a top destination for beautiful beaches but there are some enjoyable ones to be found:

Playa Boca Chica is about 30km from the city center. Clear, shallow blue water await you and you will also find a natural coral reef.

Playa Juan Dolio, a narrow white-sand beach which is a bit farther east, and where there are many new resorts.

Playa Guayacanes is nestled between Juan Dolio and Boca Chica, and is a local favorite for boogie-boarding.
Our Opnion
Welcome to the first city of the New World. Recognized by UNESCO, this first city has the first stone cathedral, monastery, hospital, university, street and palace of the Americas. This colonial jewel is perfectly incorporated into the sophistication of its new modern developments.

Nearby beaches, excellent gastronomy, an exciting nightlife, and several attractive shopping areas are all the perfect compliment to make Santo Domingo a delightful destination for travellers.

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Activities & Sports
Resorts and beaches provide every water sports like deep-sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and powerboats.

Golf enthusiasts will love Santo Domingo's four golf courses: the 3 first clubs all being 18-hole courses: the Las Lagunas Country Club, the Guavaberry Golf & Country Club, the Los Marlins Golf Course, and the 9-hole terrain at the San Andres Caribe Golf Club.

Other activities offered at various locations include horseback riding, tennis, and polo, bicycling, bowling, and parasailing. Adventurers will enjoy treks, hikes, white water rafting and exploring caves.

Several spectator sports are offered. Horse Racing is enjoyed at the Hipodromo V Centenario. From October to January you can catch a baseball game, the national sport, at the Liga de Beisbol stadium. Motocross and car races take place at the Las Americas Autodrome.
 
Dining & Nightlife
Santo Domingo offers plays, concerts or other shows in the National Theater or in the smaller theaters of the city.

About 20 casinos, a host of discotheques playing the islands trademark Merengue rhythms and quaint bars with live music are here for you pleasure. The most popular place it the Guacara Taina, a discotheque dug out of a Tainos cave.

An authentic experience to help you capture the Dominican spirit would be visiting a Gallera, the typical cylindrical pit where cockfights are held.
 
The enticing restaurants offer rich gastronomies of varied ethnic influences, including Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, English and countless more. Thousands of emigrants have come here and have contributed the best of their cuisine.

If you want to discover an authentic Dominican meal, several restaurants offer the best of Creole homemade foods, sometimes accompanied by lively bands. The Restaurante El Conuco may serve a dish called La Bandera consisting of beef simmered with rice, kidney beans, and fried bananas. The Reina de Espana might prepare seafood-stuffed artichokes or other specialties like paella and cochinillo.

Cafes are sprouting everywhere. The locals gather in them to have a late night bite, coffee or drinks. A favourite is Cafe Atlantico. 
 
Shopping
The capital's shops offer the best of the local arts, crafts, richly-flavored Dominican cigars, rum, and coffee. Those in search of paintings or sculptures should make their way to the art galleries in the district of Atarazana.

The handicrafts shops and boutiques are concentrated around the Plaza de la Catedral and in Calle del Conde. The Mercado Modelo sells amber and larimar, black coral and mother of pearl jewellery as well as carpets and clothes.
 
Language: Spanish; English widely spoken in tourist areas, although a Spanish/English dictionary can be helpful.
Currency: Dominican peso. The Canadian dollar is easily exchanged into Pesos, so no need for US funds.
Climate: Sub-tropical with some rain in May/June and November/December.
Electricity: Same as Canada and the U.S.
 
Documents
Canadians entering the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes must purchase a tourist card, at a cost of $10 US, which is valid for 30 days. It is strongly recommended that all Canadians be in possession of a valid Canadian passport while abroad. However, for direct air travel to the Dominican Republic, Canadian tourists are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a drivers licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Canadian tourists must also be in possession of a return airline ticket.
 
All other nationalities please consult a vacation specialist or the Dominican consulate at 1-888-494-5050.
 
Note: Some hotels require credit card imprint upon check-in for any incidental charges. Hotel check-in is typically between 3pm and 4pm. If your flight arrives early, it is a good idea to pack essential items in your carry-on luggage (i.e. bathing suit, suntan lotion, medications, etc.), so you do not miss any valuable vacation time.
 
There is a 16% sales tax in the Dominican Republic.
Be Live Experience Hamaca Beach
Be Live Experience Hamaca Beach
3.4 - 2231 Reviews

- Close to the historic and colonial capital Santo Domingo, Be Live Experience Hamaca resort is your gateway to beach fun and sun for couples and families. Relax in comfort in your spacious and vibrantly coloured guest room and then explore… more

Be Live Experience Hamaca Garden
Be Live Experience Hamaca Garden

- A jewel in the Caribbean! Be Live Experience Hamaca Garden rests serenely on the Bay of Boca Chica and enjoys the sheltered privacy of a white sand beach protected by a natural coral reef. Enjoy the many land and water sports… more

BelleVue Dominican Bay
BelleVue Dominican Bay

- Set between the sea and the city, BelleVue Dominican Bay offers a great mix of both. Relax by the pool or enjoy a variety of daily and nightly activities. Location: A 3 minute walk to Boca Chica Beach, 90 minutes… more

Coral Costa Caribe
Coral Costa Caribe
4.1 - 4671 Reviews

- The very popular beachfront Costa Caribe Coral resort offers a variety of restaurants, day & evening activities, plus three rounds of golf per week included. Location: On the beach in Juan Dolio, 75 minutes from La Romana airport. more

Emotions By Hodelpa
Emotions By Hodelpa
4.2 - 4690 Reviews

- Boasting a privileged location in one of the most peaceful beach areas of Juan Dolio, Emotions By Hodelpa in Santo Domingo offers elegant rooms, delicious cuisine and facilities for families, all within close proximity of Los Marlins Golf Course and… more

Whala Boca Chica
Whala Boca Chica
3.5 - 2225 Reviews

- With its beautiful beach and calm reef-protected waters, the Whala! is a great choice for families. Scuba divers also flock here for the professional programs, inclusive dive packages, and proximity to dive sites. Other pluses include the private pier for… more

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