Dominican Republic

A visit to the Dominican Republic is never complete without trying the unique tastes of the Dominican cuisine. With a great variety of food reflecting the colourful culture and history of the Dominican Republic, you’ll get to sample some of the most delicious food the Carribeans have to offer and get a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals in the meantime.<ul><li>Start off your mornings with a delicious mangú (green plantains, boiled and mashed) with eggs, fried cheese and fried salami, with sliced avocado on the side, for a traditional Dominican breakfast experience. Opt for a typical Dominican lunch called bandera dominicana – a plateful of rice, red kidney beans, meat stew and tostones or mashed and double-fried green plantains.</li><li>After a colourful lunch, you have plenty of options to choose from for a traditional dinner. Some of the most popular dishes are chicharrón or pork rinds, locrio de pollo or fried rice with chicken, mofongo or a plantain mound with either deep-fried pork or shrimp, or the seven-meat stew sancocho accompanied by avocado. </li><li>Top these hearty meals off with some of the staple Dominican desserts – the grated coconut in cream, sweet beans, sour milk desserts, orange sweets, milk sweets, papaya and pineapple desserts, and guava and cashew paste soaked in soup are some of the most popular sweet options. If you’re looking for something more natural, you’ll have an abundance of tropical fruit juices in the form of milkshakes or batidas.</li><li>Remember to try coconut water straight from the groves and forests, and sample the fresh sugar cane juice from the local fields.</li></ul>

Food & Drinks

The Dominican Republic has some of the most exquisite beaches in the Caribbean, along with a picturesque coastline with powdery white sand and crystal clear waters. The beaches have something for everyone as well, from visits to tranquil and shallow waters with your family to enjoying the ever-awake party life along the coast, the Dominican Republic has you covered.<ul><li>Some of the best beaches are found along the coastline of Punta Cana all the way to Uvero Alto. The soft sand along the beaches, combined with the aquamarine waters, make for great idyllic escapes into the Caribbean. While it tends to get crowded, there’s a good reason for its popularity – the natural scenery is unrivalled and the experience is therapeutic. Public access is protected by law, making it possible for everyone to enjoy the coastline as they wish. </li><li>For something a bit more secluded from the public, you could take the boat to Playa Rincon where you’ll be greeted with the softest white sand beach and vibrant waters for a good 3m stretch. At the western end of the beach lies a small freshwater stream for a quick dip against the backdrop of a lush, green forest. When you’re craving some Dominican cuisine, the seafood restaurants along the coastline serve local dishes as well as renting beach chairs. </li><li>If you’re looking for more activity, music and entertainment during your visit to the beach, you shouldn’t miss Playa Boca Chica. Don’t let the white sandy beach and calm waters trick you – there isn’t much peace to be found here. Instead, you’ll be surrounded by tourists and locals alike looking to enjoy the music and the dancing, and the beach comes alive with street vendors selling anything from local snacks to paintings.</li></ul>

Beaches

The Dominican Republic is an unmatched haven of delicious cuisine, marvellous natural beauties and welcoming people – but this isn’t all when it comes to the unforgettable experiences that await you on a holiday trip to the island. Dominican culture is the perfect blend of Hispanic heritage and African traditions, and this colourful combination leads to unique artistry that spills onto the streets wherever you turn.<ul><li>Music remains one of the most popular and socially significant forms of art in the Dominican Republic. Centuries of culture and history meet in the folk songs and tunes, ranging from sounds with clear African antecedents to rhythms born of Spanish and Middle Eastern traditions. You’ll have endless opportunities to hear these sounds, as it’s typical to expect music and dancing to happen just about anywhere – be it the local convenience store, the club or the car wash. Even the most mundane of places can turn into a fun experience, where even an old colonial monastery can be a place to dance the night away.</li><li>The most popular means of making this one-of-a-kind music is the Dominican merengue, which is considered a national legacy. Originating from the countryside as merengue típico, it was created by using three different traditional instruments to reach a decidedly Dominican sound. Its younger cousin bachata also enjoys a growing popularity, crossing the boundaries and taking Latin America by storm.</li><li>The best way to experience this to the fullest is Festival de Merengue. Started back in 1967, Santo Domingo’s annual Merengue and Carribean Rhythms Festival is a celebration of colours, music, dancing and companionship, embracing the country’s vast history and traditions. While the party itself takes place against the backdrop of the Carribean sea on the city’s malecón, it easily spills onto the neighbouring streets and nearby bars. For two weeks each summer, you’ll get to watch the national dance in person.</li></ul>

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The average flight time from the UK to the Dominican Republic is approximately 9 and a half hours. You can fly from a majority of UK Airports to Punta Cana. The Dominican Republic has a pleasant climate all year round.

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