THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Since the Dominican Republic is a small area—almost 49,000 square kilometers (or slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire)—a lot of ground can be covered in a short amount of time. Traveling from the Caribbean Sea on the southern coast to the Atlantic Ocean on the northern coast takes about four hours by car. In three weeks a majority of the locations outlined in this guide could be explored. Your approach is completely up to you.

If a beach vacation with just you, your book, and a swimsuit screams paradise, then perhaps the all-inclusive resort vacation is for you. This is the easiest vacation since all you have to do is look for the best deal and enjoy the ambience. You won’t even need to carry cash at an all-inclusive resort. These complexes are tailor-made for those who want to escape from their daily grind and just relax without having to worry about any logistics. The southeast and Costa Ámbar regions are the best for this type of vacation. Most people spend about a week at an all-inclusive, while some spend only a few days.

Independent travelers will most likely prefer to stay clear of the all-inclusive resort and explore the region of El Cibao. A week and a half can be filled with exploration and adventure sporting here while making sure to give your body a day’s rest in between daring pursuits. Freedom wanderers with less time available might enjoy La Península de Samaná. This arm of land extending off the northeastern edge of the country offers a lot in a condensed area. Plenty of action can be packed into a short trip (a few days), but to get the real languid feel that the peninsula is famous for, plan on spending a week.

All main roads lead to Santo Domingo. It is the perfect spot for home base for a city-lover or those who want to do lots of excursions. If you make Santo Domingo your base you could easily travel the entire countryside and come back to “civilization” in between jaunts.

When you have decided what the goal of your vacation is—relaxation or adventure, city shopping or historical tour—planning will be a little bit easier. How much time do you have? Five days would be a perfect amount of time for an all-inclusive in Punta Cana, but not enough time to add a weekend in the city into your stay. Perhaps the most difficult thing about planning your trip to the Dominican Republic is trying to fit everything into a short amount of time. You may have to commit yourself to one region or two activities depending on time limitations.

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WHEN TO GO

Most of the Dominican Republic enjoys balmy weather with average temperatures of 28–31°C (82–88°F) throughout the year. Of course, that doesn’t take into account the humidity, which can make it feel as hot as the sun’s surface. The exception to this climate is in the central mountains, especially in Jarabacoa, where temperatures can sink to near freezing at night.

The heaviest tourist season is December–February, so everything will generally be more crowded and more expensive during these months. In La Península de Samaná the tourist season starts in December and tapers off in March when the humpback whales are mating and giving birth in the waters of the Bahía de Samaná. Another great reason to visit during this time is the opportunity to take part in the pre-Lenten festival Carnaval, which is celebrated every weekend in February throughout the entire country and is one of the oldest traditional festivals the country.

Another popular time to visit is during Semana Santa (Holy Week), which is celebrated the week before Easter Sunday. Dominicans usually take their vacations during this time as well, making it difficult to book last-minute hotel rooms along the coasts and in the mountains. Take heed, though; Semana Santa is traditionally a pretty wild vacation time (like spring break), so many beaches are closed to swimming and other water activities because of the high incidence of drunken accidents. However, Semana Santa is an especially great time to go to Santo Domingo; the city becomes a different animal entirely because a vast majority of the locals have left town for vacation. If you want to experience the city without all the hectic ferocity that it normally has, Semana Santa is perfect timing.

While it may be tempting to take advantage of cheap airfare in the summer months (and indeed many do during July and August), the tradeoffs are mosquitoes, hurricanes (in August and September), and extreme humidity. But the pluses are shorter lines and less-crowded resorts. The rainy season runs from May to October and sometimes through December in the northern half of the country. November, while a gamble rain-wise, would be a good time to visit, right before the tourist onslaught arrives.

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WHAT TO TAKE

The Dominican climate is mostly warm, so lightweight options like linen trousers, skirts, and shirts are a good choice. Pieces of clothing that can be layered are suitable since it can get chilly at night. There is always the chance of rain, particularly in the mountains and on the Península de Samaná, so a lightweight rain jacket is a good thing to have.

If you’re going to the coastal regions during the cooler months (December–February) you may need to bring a sweater or blazer and even jeans because ocean breezes can pick up at night. In the interior (especially the Cordillera Central) temperatures can dip to almost freezing at night, so warm clothing is highly recommended. Don’t count on mountain hideaways having heat. Although some do, electricity can be rather iffy, so bring warm pajamas.

The diversity of the landscape and wide range of activities mean several types of footwear are a good idea: sandals for the beaches, sneakers or boots for walking and hiking, and dress shoes for nighttime entertainment. Consider taking water shoes for wallowing in the surf if you are nervous about cutting your feet or stepping on an unsuspecting sea critter.

Dominicans always look their best when socializing, especially in the cities. Jeans and T-shirts are too casual for evening wear. In fact, many discos and restaurants have strict dress codes. At night men can don slacks and a nice shirt, but many women really pull out all the stops with high heels, skirts, dresses, or nice pants and a blouse. Sightseeing during the day calls for light clothing but not shorts or tank tops and never beach wear. While tank tops are fine for walking around outside, definitely take a shirt to slip on before you enter establishments. Many historical sites and churches have strict rules about what is appropriate attire. For instance, going into the cathedral in the Ciudad Colonial wearing short shorts, flip-flops, and a midriff tank top is considered very disrespectful. Dominicans take pride in their appearance and will expect the same from you. Sloppiness is seen as a lack of manners.