Russian tourists, gradually expanding the geography of their favorite vacation spots, a few years ago discovered the Dominican Republic, located literally on the other side of the world. Only 12 hours separate gray, snowy or rainy Moscow from this tourist paradise, washed by the waves of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
History and nature
The state of the Dominican Republic occupies a part of the island of Haiti, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and named at first by him in honor of his distant homeland - Hispaniola. 4 years later, on the island, under the leadership of the brother of the discoverer of the New World, the construction of the city began, which is now called Santo Domingo and is the capital of the Dominican Republic. To this day, the Dominicans have managed to preserve the amazing flavor and architecture of this colonial city, many of whose buildings are included in the list of cultural heritage of all mankind.
The multinational city, which is home to more than 3 million people, welcomes tourists from all over the world. The oldest Christian cathedral and university, opened in 1538, are located here. Tourists have something to see in Santo Domingo - 15 museums, a national aquarium and a zoo, historical urban buildings, fortifications and other attractions.
The coast of the Dominican Republic is one and a half thousand kilometers of sandy beaches, coconut trees and resort towns, and its central part is pristine tropical forests, many of which are part of a national reserve. There are three mountain ranges on the island and the highest peak of the Caribbean water area - Peak Duarte, whose height is 3175 meters. Numerous seething rivers flow down from the mountains, so nature lovers can admire the picturesque waterfalls.
Dominican Republic resorts
Tourists in the Dominican Republic have a huge selection of resort destinations, depending on preferences and budget. The Punta Cana resort, located in the southeastern part of the country, attracts lovers of pretentious rest - there are luxury hotels and major tourist complexes. This place is famous for its fine white sand beaches, as well as for its picturesque coral reefs and magnificent spas. Direct flights from the Russian capital fly to Punta Cana. In a five-star hotel, you can rent a room for 12 days, which will cost 90 thousand rubles, living in a four-star hotel will cost 30 thousand less.
The fashionable resort of La Romana attracts couples looking for an unforgettable honeymoon.
Many tourists who prefer active rest - windsurfers and kiters - are attracted by the Cabarete resort, known all over the world. Here, fans of water sports are guaranteed a steady wind throughout the year. This resort is designed for young people, so housing prices are quite affordable - in one of the many mini-hotels a room for a day will cost $ 30-50.
For those looking for adventure, the Jarabacoa resort, located in the central part of the island, can be advised. You can experience a lot of emotions by taking part in jeep safari or horseback riding, hiking and climbing routes.
When to go?
The average annual temperature in the resorts of the Dominican Republic is + 30 ° C, so it is sunny and warm at any time of the year. But the period from November to April is considered the most favorable - during the day the temperature is kept in the region of + 30 ° C, and in the evening it drops to a comfortable 20-22 ° C, the water near the coast is 25-27 ° C.
In summer, the temperature during the day can reach + 35 ° C, but from mid-May to mid-July the rainy season lasts, and in August the hurricane season begins, which lasts until November. The advantage of the summer season is the small number of tourists and significant discounts.
