It may be easy for a destination like the Dominican Republic to get
typecast. After all, what is one of the most visited spots in the
Caribbean offers exactly what the area is famous for -- balmy weather,
lush beaches, a bevy of water sports and spectacular golf. But to limit
a visit to the Dominican Republic to resorts, cocktails and sun worship
would mean missing out on a comprehensive and eclectic travel
experience, where history, culture and a wonderful array of attractions
make travel here memorable. Here are a few examples:
Go Native, Leave the Beach
Leaving your fellow beachgoers behind might take some motivation, but it
can offer you a chance to go native. The Tainos settled in the
Dominican Republic in the seventh century and developed its original
culture; these are the people Christopher Columbus encountered when he
arrived in 1492. Their lifestyle was simple enough: They hunted, fished
and farmed; they lived in vine huts and slept on hammocks; they carved
wood to pay homage to their gods; they passed the time with dance and
song. The Taino influence is alive today in the names of many towns
and the cuisine, and several museums throughout the Dominican Republic –
such as the Museum of Taino Art in Puerto Plata and the Museum of
Dominican Man in Santo Domingo – offer a glimpse into this important
past.
See Colonial, Skip the Sand
The history of colonial expansion in this part of the Caribbean is not
without controversy. But from an experiential aspect, leaving the beach
for the city streets of Santo Domingo, this nation's capital, is a step
back in time. The sector known as the Colonial City, replete with
cobblestone streets, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1990 and is a
study in juxtapositions: modern buildings next to 15th century houses
and new cars next to horse-drawn carriages. It's considered the oldest
city in the New World and boasts its very first street, its first
hospital and its first university; the Cathedral de Santa Maria la
Menor, the oldest church in the Americas, features a golden façade made
of coral limestone. And if you want your Christopher Columbus fix,
Santo Domingo is home to the Alcazar de Colon, a palace holding Columbus
family artifacts, the Ozama Fort, where he was once imprisoned, and the
Faro a Colon lighthouse, which houses the explorer's remains.
Get High, Get Low
The Dominican Republic is home to both the highest and lowest elevations
in the Caribbean; both can make for fascinating visits, especially for
the experienced adventurer. At more than 10,000 feet, the Pico Duarte
peak is part of a mountain range that cuts across the Dominican Republic
from east to west. Guided tours are most prevalent when the weather is
best – January through March – and five trails will get you there; the
shortest, La Cienega, runs about 15 miles from the city of Santiago and
reaches Duarte's zenith in about two days. If getting low is more your
style, consider Lago Enriquillo, the Caribbean's largest lake and lowest
elevation. Plan ahead for this trek; located 12 miles from the Haitian
border, it's intermittently attended by park personnel. But getting
here will reward you with a plethora of reptilian life and a rustic
wooden pier that jets more than 60 feet across the lake.
Smell the Flowers, Not the Sunscreen
Trade the scent of suntan lotion for the waft of native flora. The
National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo takes up just one square mile
but is replete with trails that lead you to many of the plants
indigenous to the Dominican Republic, such as orchids, palms and aquatic
flowers. There's also a lovely Japanese garden.
Go Underground, Visit a Cave
Its lush tropical topography affords the Dominican Republic myriad parks
that can range from natural habitats to zoological reserves; many are
home to ancient caves. At Caberete, a resort town near Puerto Plata,
you can ride a horse through El Choco National Park and then swim inside
its many caves. West of La Romana, the Maravillas National Park houses
the "Cave of Miracles," which holds old Taino paintings. Nearby, the
caves at Fun Fun Cave – the largest in the Caribbean – lure adventurers
with their dark corridors and the four-mile underground river that runs
through them. And don't miss Los Tres Ojos, near Santo Domingo, named
for the three lakes nestled inside three caves; bats and turtles abound,
and you'll find a series of stalagmites.
Go for Fine Dining, Skip the Resort Food
Your all-inclusive might tempt you to stay put; there's plenty to fill
your plate. But because many resort towns are at the epicenter of the
country's burgeoning cuisine scene, that other hotel down the beach
might be serving up something worth exploring. Take Punta Cana, where
destination eateries include the Blue Marlin inside the Secrets
Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort; this eatery exudes South Pacific charm and
runs its own fleet of fishing boats to nab the freshest catch of the
day. The quiet, upscale Sivory Resort is home to three distinguished
eateries; Gourmand Restaurant gets marks for quintessential French fare
and an awesome wine list. Captain Cook Restaurant is not in a resort;
it's got a prime setting right on the beach. But this casual eatery is
worth mentioning for the high marks it gets. It draws diners with a
value price point and wows with the Creole-style langostinos.
Skip the Crowds, See the Peninsula
The Saona Peninsula misses out on the crowds that flock, instead, to
spots like Punta Cana and La Romana. So this can be a real haven, with
its towering mangroves, sandy beaches and intense biodiversity. The Los
Haitises National Park is here, with its Taino petroglyphs, lush rain
forest and plethora of parrots. The village of Las Terrenas is home to
many European descendants, and several quality pastry shops. And the
shores of the town of Samana offer prime viewing, especially January
through March, when humpback whales come here by the pod-loads to mate.
No comments:
Post a Comment