Dominican Republic: The must-see and do things

In November I am traveling in Dominican Republic to discover the wonders of this paradisiacal and contrasting island that has so much to offer.

These 10 days of travel in the Dominican Republic left a lasting impression on me on all levels! There is the southeastern coast and its paradisiacal beaches, Saint Domingue, the capital rich with a remarkable historical heritage, Puerto Plata and its colorful Victorian houses, Cabarete and its famous kite surfing spots, Samana and its exceptional wild landscapes.

But there are also, and above all, the Dominicans… They have left the deepest mark on me! The locals are warm, smiling, very accommodating, and live constantly to the rhythm of bachata and merengue.

From my first day in the Dominican Republic, I was told:

«You know, life here is always a party and you'll realize that throughout your entire journey»

I think that everyone who has been there can confirm that; isn’t that so?

Here is the best video of my trip to the Dominican Republic

For more practical information about the destination, feel free to visit the website of the Dominican Republic Tourism Office. 

Punta Cana: Discover the Ojos Indigenas ecological reserve and cool off in the Hoyo Azul cenote

When we think of Punta Cana, we often tend to associate this region of the Dominican Republic with resorts and large hotels. white sand beaches.

And why not take advantage of a relaxing family, couple or friends getaway to discover the other side of Punta Cana, which is greener and more wild this time?

I recommend you to visit the Ojos Indigenas ecological reserve, 600 hectares of forest that are home to remarkable wildlife and flora (more than 80 species of birds and about 500 varieties of plants), not to mention the numerous lakes with crystal clear waters (12 ponds, 3 of which are suitable for swimming).

Nothing like a refreshing dip after a nice walk in the jungle.
Price: 25$ / person

Don't miss the opportunity to visit cenote Hoyo Azul located in the ecological domain Scape Park right in the heart of Cap Cana. The water is so deep in color that you have only one desire: to take a swim in it. But be careful, the water is still quite cold!

You will also be able to learn a lot about the local wildlife with a guide, and if you want more sensations, you can also take a zip-line ride through the forest.
Price: about 60$ / person – More information here

Relax on the idyllic beaches of Saona Island

If you want to get your eyes filled with all sorts of sights, head over to the island of Saona, Located in the «Parque Nacional del Este» near Bayahibe (by the way, don't miss a stroll through this picturesque fishing village).

The day I went to Bayahibe the weather was mixed but as the day went on the sky cleared and I was able to enjoy the kilometers of fine sandy beaches surrounded by coconut trees. A true paradise. postcard decor…

The island is home to a wide variety of birds, many of which are endemic to the Dominican Republic.

By taking a boat to the island of Saona, you can swim in the The natural swimming pool, a magnificent turquoise lagoon located right on the sea where you can walk.

On the spot, you can go snorkeling to explore the underwater world, or relax on the beach while sipping a fresh coconut. A little piece of paradise that I recommend to everyone!

You can get to Saona Island from Bayahibe on a small private boat, or you can also book a full-day excursion with full pick-up from your hotel.

More information here on the site Colonial Tours, a quality local reception agency that I highly recommend. You can also contact Frederique Agnez, a French-speaking agent at Colonial Tours who can provide you with a wealth of information and assist you in booking activities: prod@colonialtours.com.do

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Saint Domingue: the colonial district and the working-class district

To better understand the history of the Dominican Republic and to immerse yourself in more of the local culture, it is imperative to make a must-see stop at Saint Domingue.

I advise you to stay in the capital for at least two days to discover the historical heart of the city. the colonial quarter but also the more popular neighborhoods outside the tourist circuits on the side of the Market Mercado Modelo, an opportunity to immerse yourself in local life.

I really liked the architecture of the colonial neighborhood with its old buildings. house from the 16th century, Among the first in America! Start your tour from the square Parque Colón, the central point of the colonial district.

At its center there is a statue of Christopher Columbus and around it are the large Cathedral, the pedestrian street (Calle el Conde) and the Calle de las Damas, the oldest street in the city, which was formerly frequented by the first women of the royal court of Spain who came to discover the new world.

But, in addition, make an appointment at the Plaza de España where you can discover the house of Diego Colomb, the son of Christopher Columbus. All around the square there are many bars and restaurants where the atmosphere is great at the end of the day.

If you want to discover the colonial district of Saint Domingue in a more unusual way, I recommend you take a tour of the area. stroll in an old 1950s Buick, The experience is amazing and truly atypical.

The activity costs about 40$ per person, and you can book this activity only through Colonial Tours. After a walk through the historic center, you will head towards the presidential palace and then walk along the waterfront to the rhythm of local music.

But the best way to discover the city center is to wander and get lost in these many ancient alleys. Day or night, the atmosphere there is unique.

There are many small restaurants and typical bars where you can dance the bachata, merengue and salsa. Great first impression of the bar El Sartén, The atmosphere there is friendly and festive!

If you want to go out and stroll around the modern part of town, head to the Malecon, a large boulevard that runs along the coast.

Another good plan: On Sunday evening, head to the ruins of the San Francisco monastery. All the locals also go there to dance to the music of the band Bonye. I wasn’t lucky enough to attend because the weather wasn’t on our side, but it seems it’s a must-see!

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Immerse yourself in the culture and local life in the «colmados»

Without a doubt, one of my greatest highlights in the Dominican Republic, an opportunity to immerse myself even more deeply in local life.

The colmados are varieties grocery stores / general food stores / neighborhood bars These are real places of life where the residents of the neighborhood meet to do some shopping, discuss current events, watch baseball games on television, play chess or dominoes, but also to dance the bachata and the merengue.

You can find them on every street corner throughout the country, and the atmosphere is always lively!

Taste the specialties: the local cuisine, Mamajuana, cigars and rum

The discovery of a country inevitably involves tasting its local specialties. In the Dominican Republic you can enjoy many varied dishes based on meats (goat, beef, pork, chicken) or Seafood products (fish, crabs, shrimp, lobsters) accompanied by rice, beans, yucca and fried plantain bananas (tostones).

I recommend you try the country's specialties in the «comedores», small neighborhood restaurants that are very typical. My favorite dish, «The flag» : marinated meat, white rice, red beans, plantain bananas and salad.

For alcohol lovers (to be consumed in moderation), you can’t miss out on this rum, an absolute must-try in the Dominican Republic! It is drunk neat (rhum vieux) or in a cocktail, but I prefer the first option because it is so tasty and rich in aromas.

There are two schools: RUM Brugal or the Rhum Barcelo You’ll have to make your choice 🙂 But you’ll also find many other rums, some of which are considered the best in the world (ex: the Matusalem Grand Reserva)

Don't miss the opportunity to try the Mamajuana, a kind of rum mixed with plants and spices, which also reportedly has aphrodisiac properties. Anyway, it’s delicious!

You can try some of them all over the country, but I recommend you to taste it in a «colmado», the atmosphere there is more authentic 😉

Finally, I recommend that you visit a cigars factory. You will also be able to discover the methods of making the famous Dominican cigars rolled by hand, some of which are considered among the best in the world (Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, etc…).

I also learned that it takes about two years to make a cigar!

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Attending a baseball practice or game, the national sport of the country

Since more than 100 years, Baseball is the national sport of the country and all Dominicans are really passionate about it, both young and old alike! On several occasions along the roadside I had the opportunity to see children practicing on the fields and I went to meet them to learn a little more about this passion.

They do things baseball4 to 5 times a week and have as your ultimate dream to be selected in a major American team like the Yankees. If you want to attend a match, come to La Romana or in Santiago during the sports season, from October to January.

Otherwise, there’s nothing like watching a match on TV in a colmado while sipping a glass of mamajuana with the residents of the neighborhood!

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Discover the organic cocoa plantations in San Francisco de Macoris

I learned that the Dominican Republic was one of the The world's largest exporters of organic cocoa And many chocolatiers come to visit the country’s plantations and purchase quality cocoa.

I visited the «El Sandero del Cacao» plantation, one of the most renowned in the country, located towards the north of the island, between Saint Domingue and Puerto Plata. There, we learned all the stages of the production of organic chocolate, from the plantation to the final product.

A must-try if you’re passing through the region, and what’s more, the chocolate is delicious! 🙂

More information here 

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Puerto Plata: admire the colorful Victorian houses and get a bird's-eye view

Change of scenery and atmosphere, I left Saint Domingue and the South Coast to join the magnificent city of Puerto Plata located on the northern coast in the Amber Coast region.

When Christopher Columbus arrived for the first time in 1493, the brightness of the late afternoon brought silver reflections along the coast, hence the name «Puerto Plata» in Spanish for "Silver Port". This charming town is known for its beautiful colorful houses Victorian style (also called Gingerbread), it’s really beautiful!

Don't miss the chance to wander through all the alleys of the old town from the starting point. Place of Independence and its central kiosk. As always, the locals are warm and welcoming, and you can still feel a greater sense of authenticity compared to the southern coast of the island.

To enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Puerto Plata, take a walk to the top of the hill. Mont Isabel de Torres at an altitude of 800 meters using the only cable car from the Caribbean!

The view is truly spectacular and leaves you speechless… At the top you will find a Redeemer Christ (as in Rio de Janeiro), a botanical garden and a restaurant.
The price of the round-trip ride on the cable cars is about 7€

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Getting started with kite surfing in Cabarete

Surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers, come and visit one of the most emblematic spots in the world, in Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic between Puerto Plata and the Samana Peninsula.

You will be able to enjoy this beautiful wild coast bordered by coconut trees to get your fill of sensations or to get started, like me, in the practice of kite surfing. Well, I still have a lot to learn! The atmosphere there is very friendly and authentic; there are many activities and parties in the bars and near some of the hotels.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the small fishing village (Cabarete) and admire the sunrise early in the morning; it’s truly magical! I really recommend Cabarete and the North Coast overall if you’re looking for more wild and authentic places to rest and enjoy the local way of life.

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Rio San Juan: Re-embarking in the boat the Laguna Gri-Gri

If you are passing through Rio San Juan, une petite ville de pêcheurs peu touristique, je vous conseille de remonter la Laguna Gri-Gri en barque, le cadre naturel est remarquable.

On y voit de nombreuses espèces d’oiseaux mais aussi les fameux Gri-Gri ces arbres endémiques à la République Dominicaine qui poussent dans la mangrove.

Une fois arrivé à l’embouchure de la rivière on longe la côte sauvage à la découverte de plages et de grottes cachées accessibles en bateau. A votre retour à Rio San Juan, profitez-en aussi pour vous balader dans cette ville calme, populaire, authentique et à taille humaine, vous tomberez à coup sûr sous son charme 🙂

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Profiter de l’art de vivre à Las Terrenas

Ah Las Terrenas… Un véritable petit coin de paradis où je m’y verrais bien vivre ! La côte sauvage est belle, les ruelles de la ville sont colorées, l’ambiance y est très agréables, bref on est en totale immersion dans la vie et l’ambiance dominicaine.

J’ai d’ailleurs appris qu’il y a beaucoup de français qui se sont expatriés dans cette belle région pour profiter de cet art de vivre si agréable et ouvrir des commerces (bars, location de quads, scooters, etc…)

Si vous voulez sortir le soir à Las Terreras, je vous conseille de vous rendre dans le « Pueblo de los Pescadores » au bar El Mosquito, vous allez adorer l’ambiance festive. Dans la rue principale qui longe la plage il y a de nombreux bars colorés et je ne peux que vous conseiller d’aller siroter un mojito au coucher du soleil, l’ambiance est agréable et la vue est magnifique 🙂 Qu’est-ce que ça me manque…

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Learning to dance the bachata and merengue

Pour ceux qui dansent déjà la salsa, la bachata et le merengue vous allez vraiment vous régaler et vivre des moments inoubliables, mais quant aux autres, comme moi, ça risque d’être plus difficile !

La danse et la musique font parti prenante de la culture dominicaine. Tout le pays vit au rythme de la musique locale et on apprend à danser dès le plus jeune âge. On trouve de nombreuses écoles de danse et on peut mettre en pratique ce que l’on a appris le soir dans les bars et discothèques.

Pour ma part ce fut catastrophique… Je me suis fait une raison, je ne sais vraiment pas danser ! Un soir à Las Terrenas je me suis motivé à aller sur la piste de danse et, après avoir beaucoup rigolé, ma partenaire m’a prise sous son aile et m’a enseigné les bases !

J’en garde un super souvenir et j’espère que mon niveau aura évolué d’ici mon prochain voyage en République Dominicaine. Car oui je n’ai qu’une envie, y retourner pour revivre tous ces moments magiques et en prendre à nouveau plein les yeux !

Samana : s’émerveiller au parc national Los Haitises

Voici mon coup de coeur du séjour ! La péninsule de Samana est une véritable merveille à tous les niveaux… Les plages sauvages sont sublimes (j’ai adoré Playa Coson), on s’y sent au calme, le cadre naturel est exceptionnel, on y trouve de véritables trésors comme le parc national Los Hantises, classé au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO.

Comme quoi la République Dominicaine ne se résume pas qu’à des kilomètres de magnifiques plages de sable blanc bordées de cocotiers.

Ce parc naturel unique en son genre ressemble beaucoup à la baie d’Halong au Vietnam et abrite ici une soixante d’îlots, des mangroves, des fjords, une forêt tropicale luxuriante et surtout une faune remarquable.

J’ai eu la chance de voir des bancs de dauphins, des frégates, des aigrettes, des pélicans, c’est vraiment grandiose… On peut également visiter des grottes parfaitement préservées où habitaient les indiens Tainos au XVIème siècle. Pas étonnant que Lonely planet classe le parc national Los Haitises comme l’un des 10 spots incontournables au monde à découvrir en 2018…

Vous pouvez vous y rendre en bateau à la journée et faire également un arrêt sur l’île de Cayo Levantado, connu pour ses plages de rêve. Tarifs : environ 135$ / adulte et 70$ / enfant. More information here

La péninsule de Samana est également connu pour l’observation des baleines à bosses mais uniquement entre mi-janvier et fin mars. Si vous avez la chance de voyager à cette période vous pourrez en apercevoir à Punta Balandra, sur la route qui relie Samaná City à Las Galeras.

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Riding a horse to Limón waterfall

La cascade El Limón est située en plein coeur de la péninsule de Samana. On peut y accéder à pied mais cette fois-ci j’y suis allé à cheval 🙂 La balade est superbe, on traverse la forêt, on lève les yeux, on profite du silence, bref on se sent en totale déconnexion et en harmonie avec la nature.

Après 40 minutes de randonnée à cheval on a parcouru les 10 dernières minutes de descente à pied pour arriver enfin face à cette grande cascade de plus de 40 mètres.

C’est tellement beau ! Et on se sent tout petit… Par chance,l’activité a eu lieu en milieu de matinée et il n’y avait presque personnes à la cascade, le bonheur !
Comptez environ 50$ / adulte et 25$ / enfant

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Cascade El Limon 💦 Wow ! Le genre de décor spectaculaire que je ne m’attendais pas à découvrir en République Dominicaine, et pourtant il y en a tellement ! #GoDomRep #MyDR #ileauxtresors #repdom #republicadominicana #waterfall @godomrep #TMHinRepDom

Une publication partagée par French Travel Bloggers 🌎✈️ (@travelmehappy) le 29 Nov. 2017 à 12h06 PST

L’importance de choisir une bonne assurance voyage 

Choisir une assurance voyage Heymondo avant de partir en République dominicaine constitue une décision stratégique pour assurer une expérience de voyage sans tracas. Heymondo offre une couverture complète qui va au-delà des simples soins médicaux, incluant également des avantages tels que la couverture des annulations de voyage, des retards, et des pertes de bagages. En optant pour Heymondo, les voyageurs bénéficient d’une assistance médicale 24/7, garantissant un accès rapide à des soins de qualité en cas de besoin. La République dominicaine, avec ses magnifiques plages et sa diversité culturelle, peut présenter des défis inattendus, et Heymondo se positionne comme un partenaire fiable pour faire face à toute éventualité. La plateforme conviviale d’Heymondo facilite la gestion des démarches administratives, offrant ainsi une solution pratique pour anticiper et surmonter les imprévus. En choisissant Heymondo, les voyageurs partent avec l’assurance d’une protection complète, permettant ainsi de se concentrer pleinement sur l’exploration et la découverte de la République dominicaine en toute sérénité.

En bonus, le VLOG spécial République Dominicaine

Sponsored article produced in collaboration with the tourism office of the Dominican Republic. The content of this article only reflects my opinion; I maintain complete freedom in my statements, and my recommendations are always objective.