CUBA: No More Enclave And Apartheid Tourism, Though Tourism And Travel Have Been Distorted By Trump

Havana Capital City Of Cuba
Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

It lies 145km (90 miles) south of Key West, Florida, between the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, to the west of Haiti, east of Mexico and northwest of Jamaica.

Cuba became a U.S. protectorate in 1898 after American and Cuban forces defeated Spanish forces during the Spanish-American War.

In 1902, the Platt Amendment ended the U.S. military occupation of Cuba, but the United States reserved the right to intervene in Cuban affairs in order to defend Cuban independence and to maintain a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty.

Between 1902 and 1959, many U.S. citizens lived in Cuba or frequently traveled to Cuba.

The Cuban economy relied heavily on tourism from the U.S. and Canada. Havana had a large number of shows, events, and hotels catering to tourists.

Fulgencio Batista was the elected President of Cuba from 1940 to 1944, and U.S.-backed dictator from 1952 to 1959, before being overthrown during the Cuban Revolution.

Coco Taxis in Cuba
The Cuban Revolution or Revolucion cubana was an armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement and its allies against the right-wing dictatorship government of Fulgencio Batista.

The revolution began in July 1953, and continued sporadically until the rebels finally ousted Batista on 1 January 1959.

The Cuban Revolution was a crucial turning point in U.S.-Cuban relations. Although the American government was initially willing to recognize Castro's new government, it soon came to fear that Communist insurgencies would spread through the nations of Latin America, as they had in Southeast Asia.

Castro, meanwhile, resented the Americans for providing aid to Batista's government during the revolution.

After the revolutionary government nationalized all U.S. property in Cuba in August 1960, the American Eisenhower administration froze all Cuban assets on American soil, severed diplomatic ties and tightened its embargo of Cuba.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower secretly began planning efforts to assassinate or overthrow Castro, such as the Bay of Pigs invasion, which eventually occurred during the administration of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

When Castro asked the U.S. for new armaments, President Eisenhower refused keeping the arms embargo in place. In response, Castro began purchasing weapons from the Soviet Union.

In October, 1960, a private U.S. oil refinery in Cuba refused to refine a shipment of Soviet crude oil.

In response, Castro nationalized all oil refineries in Cuba, without compensating the owners. Private U.S. companies had owned all of the refineries at the time.

In the ensuing months, the U.S. incrementally expanded its embargo, and Castro incrementally nationalized more U.S. companies.

Ultimately, President Kennedy added travel restrictions, which remained wholly in place until 2016.

After 1959, Cuban tourism diminished drastically and was mostly for people within the Soviet block.

As a result, Cuba did not renew many facilities until the 1990s, when Cuba lost financial backing from the defunct Soviet Union, when Cuba opened its doors to foreign tourism and the possession of foreign currency.

Now many European, Canadian, and even American visitors come to the island. In the typical tourist regions like Varadero and Holguin many modern 3-star to 5-star hotels are available, while in less popular tourist regions visitors are still able to rent rooms in many Cuban homes called casas particulares.

Tourism was initially restricted to enclave resorts where tourists would be segregated from Cuban society, referred to as enclave tourism and tourism apartheid.

Contact between foreign visitors and ordinary Cubans were de facto illegal between 1992 and 1997.

The rapid growth of tourism during the Special Period had widespread social and economic repercussions in Cuba, and led to speculation about the emergence of a two-tier economy.

Cuba has tripled its market share of Caribbean tourism in the last decade as a result of significant investment in tourism infrastructure, this growth rate is predicted to continue.

1.9 million tourists visited Cuba in 2003, predominantly from Canada and the European Union, generating revenue of US$2.1 billion.

Cuba recorded 2,688,000 international tourists in 2011, the third-highest figure in the Caribbean behind the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The medical tourism sector caters to thousands of European, Latin American, Canadian, and American consumers every year.

A recent study indicates that Cuba has a potential for mountaineering activity, and that mountaineering could be a key contributor to tourism, along with other activities, e.g. biking, diving, caving.

Promoting these resources could contribute to regional development, prosperity, and well-being.

The Cuban Justice minister downplays allegations of widespread sex tourism.

According to a Government of Canada travel advice website, Cuba is actively working to prevent child sex tourism, and a number of tourists, including Canadians, have been convicted of offences related to the corruption of minors aged 16 and under.

Prison sentences range from 7 to 25 years.

Some tourist facilities were extensively damaged on 8 September 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit the island.

The storm made landfall in the Camaguey Archipelago; the worst damage was in the keys north of the main island, however, and not in the most significant tourist areas.

Travel to Cuba for tourist activities remains prohibited for U.S. citizens by statues of a U.S. Congress Law.

However, in March, 2016 The Obama administration issued general licenses for 12 categories of travel.

Individuals who meet the regulatory conditions of the general license they seek to travel under do not need to apply for an additional license from OFAC to travel to Cuba.

The 12 categories of authorized travel to Cuba are:

- family visits

- official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations;

- Journalistic activity

- Professional research and professional meetings

- Educational activities

- Religious activities

- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic and other competitions, and exhibitions; support for the Cuban people

- Humanitarian projects

- Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes

- Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials

_ Certain authorized export transactions.

Due to several long-standing factors e.g. U.S. embargo against Cuba, bureaucratic ineffectiveness, and the loss of Soviet subsidies, today much of the country's infrastructure is desperately in need of repair.

Major tourist destinations have no problems with power or water. Electricity outages have been common in Cuba, except in tourist facilities.

Since 2006 was designated the Year of the Energy Revolution in Cuba, Cubans have installed many small generators to avoid blackouts.

Since Venezuela began providing Cuba with cheap oil and Cuba restarted the refinery in Cienfuegos, the energy situation has improved.

Many tourist accommodations offer 220V as well as 110V power sources. This is adequate for your power needs and should be enough to accommodate anything you plug in, at least to a reasonable limit.

Cuba is an archipelago of islands located in the northern Caribbean Sea at the confluence with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

It lies between latitudes 19° and 24°N, and longitudes 74° and 85°W. The United States lies 150 kilometers (93 miles) across the Straits of Florida to the north and northwest (to the closest tip of Key West, Florida), and the Bahamas 21 km (13 mi) to the north.

Mexico lies 210 kilometers (130 miles) across the Yucatan Channel to the west, to the closest tip of Cabo Catoche in the State of Quintana Roo.

Haiti is 77 km (48 mi) to the east, Jamaica (140 km/87 mi) and the Cayman Islands to the south.

Cuba is the principal island, surrounded by four smaller groups of islands: the Colorados Archipelago on the northwestern coast, the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago on the north-central Atlantic coast.

The Jardines de la Reina on the south-central coast and the Canarreos Archipelago on the southwestern coast.

The main island, named Cuba, is 1,250 km (780 mi) long, constituting most of the nation's land area (104,556 km2 (40,369 sq mi)) and is the largest island in the Caribbean and 17th-largest island in the world by land area.

The main island consists mostly of flat to rolling plains apart from the Sierra Maestra mountains in the southeast, whose highest point is Pico Turquino (1,974 m (6,476 ft)).

The second-largest island is Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) in the Canarreos archipelago, with an area of 2,200 km2 (849 sq mi). Cuba has an official area (land area) of 109,884 km2 (42,426 sq mi). Its area is 110,860 km2 (42,803 sq mi) including coastal and territorial waters.

Western Cuba - Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, Isla de la Juventud.

The capital, the rolling hills of Pinar del Rio and an off-the-beaten-path island with good scuba diving add up to an exciting region

Central Cuba - Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Santi Spíritus, Ciego de Avila,Camaguey.

Eastern Cuba - Las Tunas, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Guantanamo.

Cuba's population is multiethnic, reflecting its complex colonial origins. Intermarriage between diverse groups is widespread, and consequently there is some discrepancy in reports of the country's racial composition.

Whereas the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami determined that 62% of Cubans are black, the 2002 Cuban census found that a similar proportion of the population, 65.05%, was white.

In fact, the Minority Rights Group International determined that an objective assessment of the situation of Afro-Cubans remains problematic due to scant records and a paucity of systematic studies both pre- and post-revolution.

Estimates of the percentage of people of African descent in the Cuban population vary enormously, ranging from 34% to 62%".

A 2014 study found that autosomal genetic ancestry in Cuba is 72% European, 20% African, and 8% Indigenous.

Around 35% of maternal lineages derive from Cuban Indigenous People, compared to 39% from Africa and 26% from Europe, but male lineages were European 82% and African 18%, indicating a historical bias towards mating between foreign men and native women rather than the inverse.

Asians make up about 1% of the population, and are largely of Chinese ancestry, followed by Filipinos, Japanese and Vietnamese.

Many are descendants of farm laborers brought to the island by Spanish and American contractors during the 19th and early 20th century. The currently recorded number of Cubans with Chinese ancestry is 114,240.

Afro-Cubans are descended primarily from the Yoruba people, Bantu people from the Congo basin, Carabali people and Arara from the Dahomey as well as several thousand North African refugees, most notably the Sahrawi Arabs of Western Sahara.

In 2010, the Pew Forum estimated that religious affiliation in Cuba is 65% Christian 60% Roman Catholic or about 6.9 million in 2016, 5% Protestant or about 575,000 in 2016, 23% unaffiliated, 17% folk religion such as santeria, and the remaining 0.4% consisting of other religions.

Cuba is officially a secular state. Religious freedom increased through the 1980s, with the government amending the constitution in 1992 to drop the state's characterization as atheistic.

Roman Catholicism is the largest religion, with its origins in Spanish colonization. Despite less than half of the population identifying as Catholics in 2006, it nonetheless remains the dominant faith.

Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI visited Cuba in 1998 and 2011, respectively, and Pope Francis visited Cuba in September 2015.

Prior to each papal visit, the Cuban government pardoned prisoners as a humanitarian gesture.

The government's relaxation of restrictions on house churches in the 1990s led to an explosion of Pentecostalism, with some groups claiming as many as 100,000 members.

However, Evangelical Protestant denominations, organized into the umbrella Cuban Council of Churches, remain much more vibrant and powerful.

The religious landscape of Cuba is also strongly defined by syncretisms of various kinds. Christianity is often practiced in tandem with Santería, a mixture of Catholicism and mostly African faiths, which include a number of cults.

La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre or the Virgin of Cobre is the Catholic patroness of Cuba, and a symbol of Cuban culture. In Santeria, she has been syncretized with the goddess Oshun.

Cuba also hosts small communities of Jews 500 in 2012, Muslims, and members of the Baha'i Faith.

Several well-known Cuban religious figures have operated outside the island, including the humanitarian and author Jorge Armando Perez.

The official language of Cuba is Spanish and the vast majority of Cubans speak it. Spanish as spoken in Cuba is known as Cuban Spanish and is a form of Caribbean Spanish.

Lucumi, a dialect of the West African language Yoruba, is also used as a liturgical language by practitioners of Santeria, and so only as a second language.

Haitian Creole is the second most spoken language in Cuba, and is spoken by Haitian immigrants and their descendants. Other languages spoken by immigrants include Galician and Corsican.

Cuban culture is influenced by its melting pot of cultures, primarily those of Spain and Africa.

After the 1959 revolution, the government started a national literacy campaign, offered free education to all and established rigorous sports, ballet and music programs.

Cuban music is very rich and is the most commonly known expression of Cuban culture. The central form of this music is Son, which has been the basis of many other musical styles like Danzon de nuevo ritmo, mambo, cha-cha-chá and salsa music.

Rumba or de cajon o de solar music originated in the early Afro-Cuban culture, mixed with Hispanic elements of style.

The Tres was invented in Cuba from Hispanic cordophone instruments models, the instrument is actually a fusion of elements from the Spanish guitar and lute.

Other traditional Cuban instruments are of African origin, Taino origin, or both, such as the maracas, guiro, marímbula and various wooden drums including the mayohuacan.

Popular Cuban music of all styles has been enjoyed and praised widely across the world. Cuban classical music, which includes music with strong African and European influences, and features symphonic works as well as music for soloists, has received international acclaim thanks to composers like Ernesto Lecuona.

Havana was the heart of the rap scene in Cuba when it began in the 1990s.

During that time, reggaeton grew in popularity. In 2011, the Cuban state denounced reggaeton as degenerate, directed reduced low-profile airplay of the genre.

But did not ban it entirely and banned the megahit Chupi Chupi by Osmani Garcia, characterizing its description of sex as the sort which a prostitute would carry out.

In December 2012, the Cuban government officially banned sexually explicit reggaeton songs and music videos from radio and television. As well as pop, classical and rock are very popular in Cuba.

Ropa vieja
Cuban cuisine is a fusion of Spanish and Caribbean cuisines. Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor.

Food rationing, which has been the norm in Cuba for the last four decades, restricts the common availability of these dishes.

The traditional Cuban meal is not served in courses; all food items are served at the same time.

The typical meal could consist of plantains, black beans and rice, ropa vieja or shredded beef, Cuban bread, pork with onions, and tropical fruits.

Black beans and rice, referred to as moros y cristianos or moros, and plantains are staples of the Cuban diet.

Many of the meat dishes are cooked slowly with light sauces. Garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves are the dominant spices.

Ropa vieja is one of the national dishes of Cuba, but is also popular in other areas of the Caribbean such as Puerto Rico and Panama. It consists of shredded or pulled stewed beef with vegetables.

Cities in Cuba

Havana – cosmopolitan capital with a swinging nightlife

Baracoa – a quaint beach-side town, and Cuba's first capital.

Pinar del Rio – centre of the cigar industry

Santa Clara – Home of Ernesto Che Guevara's most successful battle during the Revolution. A mausoleum is erected on the outskirts of town and now holds his remains, recovered from Bolivia in the 1990s.

Santiago de Cuba – coastal city rich in Caribbean influence

Trinidad – World Heritage Site with charming, colonial-era buildings

Varadero – popular beach area, east of Havana, filled mostly with tourists.

Other destinations in Cuba

Cayo Largo – a small island with nudist facilities

Isla de la Juventud – a large island south of Havana

Jardines del Rey – an island chain of beach resorts including Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo

Maria la Gorda – a tiny village with some snorkelling and diving options

Varadero Beach – 20-kilometre-long beach of fine white sand and waters

Vinales – A national park in Pinar del Rio province, with mountains and caves. It has the best-developed tourist facilities of Cuba's national parks.

Parque Nacional La Güira or La Guira National Park – Another national park in Pinar del Rio province, with mountains and caves, but without many tourist facilities.

Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra del Rosario – A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Sierra del Rosario mountains of Pinar del Rio province. The principal sites are Soroa and Las Terazzas.

Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata or Ciénaga de Zapata National Park – A national park in Mantanzas province, similar to Florida's Everglades National Park, with vast swamps and world-famous birdwatching, scuba diving, and beaches; and the site of the 1961 American Bay of Pigs invasion.

Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes or Topes de Collantes National Park – A national park in the Sierra del Emcambray mountains, straddling Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, and Sancti Spiritus provinces.

Parque Allejandro de Humboldt in Guantanamo province approx 40km from baracoa, offers walking, and conservation movements.

As of November 8th, 2017, the United States set new restrictions on U.S citizens traveling to Cuba

Havana Capital of Cuba

Havana is Cuba’s capital city. Spanish colonial architecture in its 16th-century Old Havana core includes the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a fort and maritime museum.

The National Capitol Building is an iconic 1920s landmark. Also in Old Havana is the baroque Catedral de San Cristobal and Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city’s vibrant architectural mix.

Vintage American cars line the city’s streets and rumba groups play in the painted alley Callejon de Hamel. Salsa emanates from clubs and cabaret is performed at the famed Tropicana.

In Centro Habana, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes displays Cuban art, the stately Gran Teatro presents ballet and theater, and the Museo de la Revolucion inhabits the former presidential palace.

Along the water is the Malecón promenade and Playas del Este beaches. Just east of Havana in San Francisco de Paula is Finca Vigia, the former home now a museum, of the writer Ernest Hemingway.

Varadero, a Town in Cuba

Varadero, covering Cuba’s narrow Hicacos Peninsula, is a popular beach resort town. Along its 20km of Atlantic Ocean coastline is a string of all-inclusive hotel and spa complexes, and a golf course.

Near the peninsula’s eastern tip is Reserva Ecologica Varahicacos, a preserve with trails and an ancient burial cave. Parque Josone is a park with a pond and gardens.

At the peninsula's midpoint is Varadero Golf Club, with an 18-hole course and a hotel inhabiting a 1930 villa, Mansion Xanadu.

The tiny nearby islands of Cayo Piedras del Norte and Cayo Romero are popular diving and snorkeling destinations.

Outside Varadero on the mainland is provincial capital, Matanzas, featuring ornate colonial architecture.

The nearby Cuevas de Bellamar are a vast cave complex. The Rio Canimar offers river cruises past mangrove thickets and other tropical vegetation.

San Miguel de los Banos is a mostly-abandoned spa town from the early 20th century.

Trinidad

Trinidad is a town in central Cuba, known for its colonial old town and cobblestone streets. Its neo-baroque main square, Plaza Mayor, is surrounded by grand colonial buildings.

Museo Romantico, in the restored Palacio Brunet mansion, and Museo de Arquitectura Colonial display relics from the town’s sugar-producing era. Iglesia de la Santisima is a 19th-century cathedral with a vaulted ceiling and carved altars.

The neoclassical Municipal History Museum exhibits colonial and revolutionary artifacts. There are panoramic views from the top of its tower, and from the yellow-and-white bell tower of the nearby St. Francis of Assisi Convent.

In the mountains north of town, trails lead through the dense forests of Topes de Collantes National Park to the towering Salto de Caburní waterfall.

East of town, the green valleys of Valle de los Ingenios are dotted with plantation houses and ruins from the sugar industry.

On the south coast, Ancón is known for its beaches. The tiny island of Cayo Blanco draws divers and snorkelers to its coral reefs.

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the capital of Cuba's southeastern Santiago de Cuba Province, facing a bay off the Caribbean Sea.

Founded by the Spanish in 1515, it's known for colonial architecture and revolutionary history.

The city's distinctive Afro-Cuban cultural influences are on display during July's Carnaval, a festival with drum-beating parades featuring colorful costumes and son dancing, a precursor to salsa.

Guarding the bay, Castillo del Morro is a massive, 17th-century Spanish fortress. The city's colonial quarter contains the Casa de Diego Velazquez, the 16th-century adobe home of Cuba's first colonial governor and founder of Cuba's first Spanish settlements.

The Emilio Bacardi Moreau museum displays Cuban fine art and colonial artifacts, while the Museo de la Lucha Clandestina chronicles the city's pre-revolutionary underground.

Famed poet and Cuban nationalist Jose Marti is buried in a grand mausoleum at Cementerio Santa Efigenia, also the resting place of revolutionary Frank País and renowned musician Compay Segundo.


Tourism Observer

PANAMA: Guna Yala The Indigenous Home Of The Kuna People

Guna Yala, formerly known as San Blas, is an indigenous province in northeast Panama. Guna Yala is home to the indigenous group known as the Gunas. Its capital is El Porvenir.

It is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Darien Province and Embera-Wounaan, on the east by Colombia, and on the west by the province of Colon.

The area was the site of the conquistador stronghold of Acla, where Vasco Nunez de Balboa was tried and beheaded.

By the Colombian Act of June 4, 1870 Tulenega Shire was created, which also included the present territory of the Guna Yala district; this comprises some of the communities of the District of Wargandí such as Mordi, and Sogubdi Asnadi; the communities of the region of Madungandi including Tiuarsicua, and Guna communities of Colombia, such as Tanela and Arquia.

The land area of the Tulenega Shire stretches from the province of Colon to the Gulf of Uraba, Colombia. The head of government of the region was generally exercised by a commissioner appointed by the central government. The law also recognized the Guna, as property owners of the Shire.

After separation of Panama in 1903, was completely unknown the Act of 1870, and also the territory of the former region, was divided de facto into two parts: the majority remained in the new Republic of Panama, while a small portion remained in Colombia.

The suspension of the region, banana concessions, the incursions of outsiders Guna village in search of gold, rubber, sea turtles and colonial police abuse caused great discontent among the natives and brought the February 25 of 1925, the Revolution Guna, led by Nele Kantule of the town of Ustupu and Ologintipipilele (Simral Colman) of Ailigandi.

The Guna armed, attacked the police on the islands and Ugupseni Tupile, as they were accused of suppressing the customs gunas and make abuses in several communities.

In this revolution was proclaimed Guna ephemeral Republic of Tule, separating the central government of Panama for a few days.

The subsequent peace treaty established the commitment of the Government of Panama to protect the customs Gunas. The Gunas in turn, accepted the formal school system development in the islands.

The police brigade would be expelled from the Indian territory and all the prisoners released. The negotiations that ended the armed conflict constituted a first step to establish the autonomous status of the Guna and recover the culture that was being lost.

Based on Article 5 of the Constitution 1904, which says it believes the law allows political divisions with special or for reasons of administrative convenience or public service.

Legislation on indigenous territories in Panama began to be defined with the establishment of the Guna District of San Blas, in 1938, including areas of the provinces of Panama and Colon, then, defining its boundaries and administration by Act No. 16 of 1953.

Currently, according to the ruling of the Supreme Court of 23 March 2001, the region has a different political and administrative organization, independent of the Districts and Villages.

The counties are governed by special institutions themselves, and by resolution of Division of the Supreme Court, on 6 December 2000, an institution is the consent of indigenous peoples who wish to develop projects in their territories.

The governmental structure of Guna Yala is defined in Law 16 of 1953. The General Congress Guna is the highest political authority of Yala Guna consists of representatives of all communities in Guna Yala and meets twice a year. Votes are taken by each sahila of the community.

Guna Yala is politically subdivided into four corregimientos (districts), with a total of 51 comunidades (communities), most of which are located on islands of the San Blas Archipelago off the mainland coast.

They are listed from east to west:

Corregimiento de Nargana

- Wichupwala

- Nalunega

- Gorbisgi

- Carti Mamidup

- Uargandup

- Ailidup

- Orosdup

- Mandi Ubgigandup

- Arridup

- Narasgandup Dummar or Big Orange

- Narasgandup bipy or Orange Girl

- Akwadup

- Carti Sugdupu

- Carti Mulatupu

- Carti Yandup

- Carti Tupile

- Mirya Ubgigandup or Soledad Miria

- Mormagedup or Machine Island

- Mamardup

- Urgandi

- Nusadup

- Uargandup or Sugar River

- Yandup or Narganá

- Agwanusadup or Corazon de Jesus (Heart of Jesus)

- Digir or Isla Tigre

- Niadup or Ticantiqui

- Maguebgandi

- Nabagandi

Corregimiento de Agligandi

- Aidirgandi

- Ugupa or large Playon

- Irgandi

- Ugupseni or Playon Chico

- Dad Nagid Dupir or San Ignacio de Tupile

- Aligandi

- Achutupu

- Mamitupu

- Ustupu

- Ogobsucun

Corregimiento de Dubwala

- Mansucun

- Nabagandi

- Mulatupu

- Sasardi

- Tubuala

- Goedupu

- Island Cuba

- Marmartupu

- Sukunya

- Yansipdiwar

- Anachuguna

Corregimiento de Puerto Obaldia

- Armila (mainland)

- Port Obaldia (mainland)

The Guna District of Yala has an area of 2.306 km ². It consists of a narrow strip of land of 373-kilometre (232 mi) long on the east coast of Caribbean Panama, bordering the province of Darien and Colombia. An archipelago of 365 islands is around the coast, of which 50 are inhabited.

By boat, to go from the furthest southern point, Puerto Obaldia, to the most northern point, El Porvenir is a bit more than 100 miles.

The Economics of Guna District of Yala is mainly engaged in agriculture, fishing, handicraft production, and tourism.

The type of agriculture practiced in the district of Guna Yala is for subsistence purposes. Traditional products are bananas - now the Chinese banana, corn and sugar cane. Coconuts are also produced as a source of income.

The fishery is artisanal, usually using wire line or networks. Most fishing is for sale. The seafood is especially intended for sale, for which planes come daily to the islands. Especially sells lobster, crab and ultimately the squid and octopus.

The production of molas is the main activity of women guna and is for many families the only source of income or at least the principal.

In Yala Guna District of tourist facilities there. Most are small hotels for ecotourism. Most of them are in the field of Cartier, but there are also several in the township of Ailigandi.

Other sources of income are remittances from relatives working in the cities of Panama and Colon.

Among the most important traditions of the people mentioned Guna: Ico-inna or Feast of the needle than for a more accurate translation is the feast of puberty or what the Western world is known as the party or wedding.

Here a young girl after her first menstrual period is made a party where it pierces the septum of the pubescent female placing a ring with coconut oil as an antiseptic.

In childhood between 4 and 5 takes place the ceremony of inna-suit or baptism is performed in the first haircut, which was attended by all the people in the community, she is assigned a name in the language Guna to the female.

This name is next to the name given the country's official language. The Night festival or inna-mutiki is a party where all the people involved to celebrate a wedding or a new marriage in the village or community, this festival usually lasts for several days until the end of the whole liquor that has garnered the families.

The Guna District of Yala has a population of 31,557 inhabitants (2010), which shows a progressive decrease in the population.

The Guna Revolution refers to the events in 1925, in which the Guna Indians fought the ruling Panamanian authorities, whom were attempting force the Indians to adopt Hispanic culture by military action.

During this revolution the Guna Yala territory seceded and operated as the short-lived Republic of Tule. Following mediation by the United States the Guna re-united with Panama.

The Gunas with the support of the Panamanian government, created an autonomous territory called the Guna Yala district for the indigenous inhabitants which they would rule themselves.

During the first twenty years as an independent country of Panama, the Kuna had serious differences with national governments, because they tried to eradicate their culture, their customs and their disrespect indigenous authorities wanted to strip the land apart and were outraged by the governors and the colonial police,a settler to a native, is a non-Indian.

This is linked to an incident on April 20, 1921, which was staged in the Heart of Jesus Nargana and Westernization movement for women, which was to change clothes, take away the gold ring of the nose, the plates high carat gold, beads, winks and coin necklaces worn ornaments.

But a woman escaped and fled to Rio Nargana Sugar, from which it came. The police in retaliation remained imprisoned his children and his son, who was released to the outside to look.

That day at Sugar River had an indigenous congress and there it was decided not to let the woman go, so the sahila on behalf of the community sent a message saying that the police were not looking for it.

The police did not heed the message that night and sent a commission to Rio Colonial Sugar two police officers and three Indians.

When trying to stop some of the male relatives of women, began the battle and killed three residents of the town, two Indian policemen and others were injured with machete wildly as they fled in a canoe.

The bodies of the policemen were left in the water, tied to a stick in the sand enlcavado until they came to collect their families. The atmosphere remained tense until January 1925.

Juan Demosthenes Arosemena was the governor of the province of Colon, and was concerned about the information he had supplied the mayor of San Blas, Andres Mojica, on a course between the indigenous independence movement, so we decided to tell the Foreign Secretary Horacio F. Alfaro, to follow closely the actions of Americans: Anne Coope missionary and explorer Richard Oglesby Marsh. Just Marsh was the promoter of the independence.

On his return to Panama in January 1925, found a conflict between police and indigenous to explode, so he asked the U.S. military intervention in the Canal Zone, to exercise a protectorate, and wrote the Declaration of Independence and Tule people's human rights and Darien.

Marsh was supported by the U.S. ambassador, who helped the Panamanian government signed a peace agreement that would guarantee human rights and political rights of gunas.

The situation worsened until February 12, 1925, in a conference held in Ailigandi Guna, where he met top leaders of 45 villages and tribes. The discussions lasted 26 days and decided to proclaim the Republic of Tule, and fixed territorial limits.

This uprising came a flag, which was made by Waga Ebinkili (Mary Colman), granddaughter of Chief Simral Colman. It had a rectangular design with stripes.

The center was yellow with the upper and lower stripes in red and with a figure swastika. On February 21, 10 days after the declaration of independence, in the midst of the Carnival indigenous revolution broke out that lasted until 27 February, which was led by Nele Gantule and the chief Colman.

It is said that the insurgents were traveling in canoes from indigenous and Cartier Ailigandi the purpose of attacking the National Police headquarters in Playon Chico, Rio Tigre, Tigantigi, Nargana, UGAP and elsewhere in the archipelago, and carried much of the police contingent.

The toll was 27 dead. On 4 March, with the presence of the American minister, John G. South, was signed the peace agreement with the Indians and were promised a better deal respect for their customs, not to impose the establishment of schools, and were assured the same protection and rights enjoyed by other citizens.

The Indians in turn, pledged to lay down their weapons, withdraw its declaration of independence and abide by the laws of Panama.



Tourism Observer

DOMINICA: Visit Dominica An Eco Friendly Country

Dominica is a Caribbean island country between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago.

It is often known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system. The most mountainous island of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest thermally active lake in the world. Should not be confused with the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic.

It has rugged mountains of volcanic origin rising to the highest point of Morne Diablotin at 1,447m

Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall. Flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months. Great for long walks on the beach.

Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonised by Europeans, due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia Charles, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years.

Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.

it is administratively divided into the 10 parishes of Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul and Saint Peter.
Cities

Roseau — capital
Portsmouth — the second largest city in Dominica. Ross University, a large American medical school is situated nearby.
Scott's Head — beautiful village at the end of the road on the southwest corner. Scott's Head wraps around the lip of a gently curved bay that happens to be the ancient crater of a volcano.

Luckily for divers you can bring your own snorkel or scuba gear and walk out and admire what remains, a 160m deep coral lined hole that stretches for hundreds of metres. Several quaint shacks serve decent fare for decent prices. Villagers are curious as visitors are few. The main road ends at a small point on a hill that provides stunning views of both Scott's Head below and Roseau to the north.

Calibishie — Stretching from the rugged mountains of Pennville, through the picturesque fishing village of Calibishie to the crashing surf of the Marigot beaches, the Calibishie Coast is one of the few areas in the world where you can travel from the seashore to the littoral forest to the rain forest in little more than a mile.

Experience palm-fringed beaches, freshwater rivers with secluded bathing pools, tumbling waterfalls and the soft wonder of the rain forest with its exotic birds and lush vegetation, all in a days' walk.

Toucari Bay — Toucari is a small fishing village located on the northwest coast of Dominica. The calm caribbean bay boasts some of the best snorkeling and dive sites in the country. A sunken wreck off the bay is said to be a World War I German vessel, which is popular with divers. The “Trou Quarre” was the French name for the sandy cove north of Douglas Bay, but today it is written as Toucari,

It is the site of the establishment of the first Roman Catholic chapel in the north of Dominica by French missionaries early in the 18th century. In an advisory to British sailors it was noted as the first bay of shelter for ships sailing from the north or east of the island.

Waitukubuli National Trail — A 115-mile (184km) hiking trail from the southern tip of the island (in the town of Scots Head) to the Cabrits National Park (near Portsmouth) in the northwest. Generally well-marked in yellow and blue, it includes sections that overlap roads, as well as well-marked wilderness trails.

It is divided into 14 segments of varying (but generally moderate) difficulty, most of them estimated at about 6 hours to complete. Much of the terrain is lush rainforest and/or steep mountain trails, but some parts are on roadways. It goes through the Carib territory. It is conceived as being walked from south to north -- the markings are sometimes a little less intuitive if you're going the other way (ie starting at a segment boundary and walking backwards).

Morne Trois Pitons National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it contains many attractions such as the Boiling Lake, the Freshwater Lake, Boeri Lake and Middleham Falls.

Boiling Lake is a 12 mile round trip hike (8 hours), very steep mostly on steps and switchbacks. A guide is recommended for inexperienced back country hikers, the terrain is rough especially when wet which it almost always is.

The trail is well marked most of the way. The trail is indistinct in the Valley of Desolation but picks up again where vegetation begins. The hike is stunning and the bare volcanic mountain tops make for unforgettable views of rolling mountain tops and steamy volcanic vents. Trail ends at the Boiling Lake, a 100 metre wide lake that is being heated by a volcanic vent and is boiling.

Champagne — A snorkelling spot on the southern coast, underwater volcanic vents emit continuous streams of bubbles making the place feel like a giant glass of champagne. The fish and coral are slightly below average.

Glassy — An incredible and short 2-3 hour day hike in the southeast of the island. The trail begins nicely enough through some farm land and then plunges into a deep jungle valley then approaches the coast skirting steep cliffs to one side (not for those with vertigo).

The trail ends on an old volcanic flow that juts into the ocean, waves roll all around crashing on all sides, little ponds collect some of the water from the crashing waves and some coral and fish make the ponds their home. When approaching the edges of the cliffs be aware waves have been known to throw people against the rocks or worse yet pulled them into the ocean to their certain death.

Jaco Steps — Ford the creek in Belles and hike into the a rain forest up the side of a nearly inaccessible forest plateau. In 30 minutes you will reach the Jaco Steps. These steps were constructed by escaped slaves (maroons) under the leadership of the African-born Jaco many decades ago.

Their inaccessibility protected Jaco's maroon camp from the authorities for 40 years. To do a circular route by following the river upstream will add a hour at least to your journey and will involve multiple crossings of the river en route.

Central Region — The lushly forested and hand-farmed central region is sparsely populated and considered by many to be the most beautiful region. It consists of several villages:

Belles
Penrice
Dleau Gommier
Wet Area
Stone Hill
Jacco Estate Currently a rain forest with a few small farms, previously a coffee plantation and prior to that, the headquarters of the Maroons.

Visiting Dominica

Visitors from the United States, Canada, Singapore and European Union nations are granted automatic visas on entry for up to 21 days (with extensions available). Other nations should check with Dominica immigration before travelling.

There are two airports in Dominica, Douglas-Charles and Canefield. Most commercial flights land at Douglas-Charles. However, the airport is not able to accommodate jet aircraft. Night Landing has been approved starting at the beginning of October 2010; however, many airlines have not yet adjusted their itineraries to accommodate the added landing hours. The island can be accessed through San Juan, Antigua, Barbados, St. Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe and other Caribbean hubs.

From Martinique and Guadeloupe ferries on most days of the week. Arrival in Roseau.

Cruise ships increasingly visit. A large pier serves many directly in front of the downtown area. If already occupied, ships dock at the industrial port about 1.5 miles away.

As far as freedom of movement and exploration a car can be invaluable. Though small the island's tightly turning mountain roads make for relatively long journeys and a hair-raising experience. Driving is on the left hand side of the road and there are various car rental agencies at both airports.

- Honk horn on hairpin turns especially during the day.
- Beware of large lorries as their width forces other drivers off the road.
- Watch for large pot holes and crumbling asphalt as roads can be in very poor condition.
- Ask directions if lost, the locals are very friendly and informative.
- When in mountains in torrential rains, consider stopping for a bit or at least going very slowly.
- A compact is sufficient for most situations but a small 4x4 might also be nice. A large 4x4 would be cumbersome on the small streets.

Other travel options include buses. If you are on a low budget and have plenty of time then the bus will be fine,except on Sundays, or weekdays after the early evening, when the only bus running goes between Portsmouth and Roseau, although sitting in a bumpy bus for long trips on winding mountain roads is not the most comfortable thing to do.

However, these buses are generally safe and timely; the local drivers know the roads well and are used to all the usual weather conditions. Buses are owned and operated privately and therefore do not have to adhere to any timetables and come and go whenever they are filled to the driver's satisfaction– ask around for approximate departure and arrival times, but know that they vary day to day.

Most villages have three to ten buses,Portsmouth is the primary exception– it has dozens, possibly hundreds, of buses that perpetually shuttle passengers to and from Roseau that go to Roseau or Portsmouth, if they are from a village in the far north– ask the driver, though most of the buses that are advertised as terminating in Portsmouth actually will go all the way down to Roseau, operating as service from Portsmouth to Roseau in the morning to drop off students or employees, and return in the afternoon with these same people returning home.

In Roseau, all villages have designated bus stops that may or may not be marked by a large, red sign. Whether they are marked or not, all shopkeepers and pedestrians you are likely to encounter know the exact location of the stop for your destination.

In stark contrast, in the villages, where there is only one bus route,to and from Roseau, or Portsmouth, buses leave from the owner's garage and tend to drive aimlessly around town until the drivers have collected enough money from bus fares to make the trip profitable.

However, when they drive around town, they oftentimes circle back to a shelter, awning, or public area that the locals refer to as "the bus stop." Occasionally, they'll just remain stationary there.

If they are not full they usually are, buses will pick people up anywhere along their route, so long as they can feasibly pull over and let them onboard. Generally, there are shelters along the routes, either in towns that the bus passes through or at major intersections, where hitchhikers gather.

If this shelter is along a bus route, you may get lucky and a bus with an empty seat will stop for you. Be prepared for some competition in claiming this seat. Likewise, buses stop anywhere within reason along their route. Though the hitchhiking shelters are preferred, asking the driver to stop will usually net an opportunity to get out whether there is a shelter there or not.

When taking the bus, remember:Befor Boarding A Bus, think about this:

Keep an eye on your belongings. Dominica is highly safe and crime is minimal, but there are pickpockets everywhere.

Don't overpay. The only thing about these buses that are regulated by the government are the fares. Ask the other passengers what they paid; upon seeing a foreigner, the operator may try to squeeze some extra money from you.

Ask the locals about the bus. Buses from every village operate somewhat differently in terms of trip duration, departure and arrival times, pickup points, and the location of their stop in Roseau.

Be prepared. Taking the bus is quite the experience; you will oftentimes be packed in like a sardine, and those that don't like to be touched (which is inevitable on a Dominican bus) or are claustrophobic should consider hiring a car.

Don't complain about the music on the radio, the close quarters, or any uncomfortable seating arrangements you find yourself in. Not only will the driver take personal offense to this,it's his personal car but he usually won't do anything about what you say. Plus, the other passengers tend to laugh at you.

Know a real bus from a fraud. All licensed taxi and bus operators drive vehicles have license plates that start with the letter H.

Get on early. Before they go, buses will wait (either at their designated spot in Roseau, or somewhere in town when leaving from another town) to fill up. The best seats are usually the first to go, so grab them before somebody else does.

Talk! Foreigners don't tend to take the bus, so your fellow passengers will inevitably be curious. Don't force conversation, but answer questions politely and follow them up with questions or comments of your own.

Taxi is more comfortable than the buses and may not be expensive, particularly if the fare is shared with 2+ travelers. Whether you use the bus or taxi, make sure that you clearly agree to the destination and price before you start the trip.

Visitors departing through the airport are required to pay a departure tax. As of early 2015 the departure tax is EC$59 or US$23 per person and cash is the only accepted form of payment.

Note that if you do not have the exact amount any change given will be in EC dollars, regardless of which currency you used to pay the departure tax.

Nearly all Dominicans including the totality of people you are likely to encounter– taxi and minibus drivers, shopkeepers, restaurant and hotel personnel, and government employee speak English with a heavy Caribbean accent.

It is understandable, though many travelers for whom English is a non-native language may have a difficult time navigating the native articulation.

However, North American and British people generally have little to no problem understanding the local dialect. The native accent is less noticeable among the educated persons of Dominica, such as government employees and tourism industry personnel.

The most widely spoken language, though somewhat frowned upon by the government and schools, is a creole of French origin. This creole is the primary language of Dominica and is the language of choice for interactions between natives.

French, given Dominica's location between the French territories Guadeloupe and Martinique, is taught in schools and is a vital trade language for Dominicans.

However, due to varying degrees of fluency, French is generally not considered a viable option outside of hotels and major cities such as Roseau and Portsmouth.

Although the island is reasonably close to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, little to no Spanish is spoken on the island, though imported South American products do often bear Spanish text.

All those who are proficient in English should have no issues in Dominica. French speakers should expect to have to speak a little English or attempt to decipher the local creole, which is mostly French in its origin.

The capital of Roseau has many restaurants, small shops and wonderful views of the mountains (to the east) and the Caribbean Sea (to the west). The town hums with the sounds of vehicles, Caribbean accents, and minor commerce e.g. pavement BBQs, vendors selling clothing in street stalls.

An old British Fort is located on the north-west coast at Portsmouth. A small fee may be charged. Expect to spend 1-2 hours at the site.

Scotts Head is a small isthmus on the southern tip of the island. It is also the name of the small community located there. It takes about one hour to drive from Roseau each way. Scotts Head is a great place to hike up the steep outcrop, which offers a wonderful view of the south-west coast of Dominica and the Caribbean Sea,and even the island of Martinique to the south.

Snorkelling is particularly good at Champagne, south of Roseau, and at Scott's Head. Scuba Diving, waterskiing, jet skiing, kayaking or other water sports are also possibilities. Note that kayaking or canoeing provide an alternative to the ocean and lets you experience the rivers and inland bodies of water throughout Dominica.

Whale watching, dolphin watching, or boat tours can be arranged from Roseau.

Dominica's waters are also home to three species of marine turtles,Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Green turtle, and these gentle giants can be seen coming in to nest on shore during the months of April to October. Protected viewing sites are set up throughout the island, such as at Mangrove Bay on the Woodford Hill beach in the north east, or on the beaches of Portsmouth in the north west.

Hiking trip, biking, ATV tours, or zip lining are popular in forest areas. Hiking is one of the best ways to see Dominica and there are many wonderful hikes around the island of easy to challenging.

Middleham Falls. The waterfall is a wonderful reward at the end of this moderately difficult hike. Be careful on the trail as it can be a bit challenging in parts. The start of the trail is a fair distance north-east of Roseau so expect to spend about an hour driving each way. The hike may take about an hour each way. You'll want to spend at least 30 minutes enjoying your reward for the hike at the Middle Ham falls and pool.

Valley of Desolation/ Boiling Lake. Make sure to leave yourself time to travel to or from this destination in addition to the lengthy or challenging hike. Expect to take a at least 8 hours round trip including driving - but it's worth the effort. Stunning scenery. Hire a guide. Not because the path isn't easy to follow,if you're a hiker, it's not that hard, but because small rivers become big torrents when raining... scary to cross.

Syndicate National Trail. A 30-45 min walk to see easily the parrots, in a beautiful tropical rainforest. 2h walking on a farm road before getting to the trail if you do not have a car, but hitch hiking works quite well with farmers.

Trafalgar falls. After a very short walk, you can see two big falls in the same point of view. But it is very difficult to reach to the bottom of the falls for a swim. However, you can bathe in natural pools of hot sulfured waters, just next to cold rivers ! So much better than artifical pools in Soufrière. You need a pass to access this site (5 US$).

Waitukubuli National Trail, . Crossing Dominica, from the south to the north, this trail is well indicated everywhere. You can do some short easy walks, as well as harder hiking, to the Morne Diablotin for example. Around 15 days for the entire trail.

Screw's Spa. Delightful hot spring spa with pools of several temperatures for your soaking pleasure. A lunch counter is available, as well as higher-priced wraps and rubs, etc. This is popular with the locals, as well. In the village of Wotton Waven, outside Roseau $10 US for 1 hour for non-Dominicans.

Sari Sari Falls. Located on the east side of Dominica in La Plaine. The hike to this tall (125 ft.) rainforest waterfall takes 45-60 minutes one way. The route is not terribly long, but it does involve multiple river crossings which can be very slippery.

Some wading is required to get to the pool at the bottom of the picturesque falls. Most visitors go for a swim in the pool but be prepared for very chilly water!

Victoria Falls. One of two waterfalls on the east side of Dominica (the other being Sari Sari Falls), the parking area and trailhead are well-signed thanks in part to the Victoria Falls Tavern. It takes approximately 45 minutes to hike to the falls.

The terrain is relatively flat, but you do crisscross the White River several times. The relatively temperate pools at the base of the 165 ft falls are a popular place to take a swim.

Dominica rock climbing and canyoning is an encouraging and motivating experience. It tests strength and agility while experiencing some of the most breathtaking views of Dominica.

Dominica is known for their many island events and festivals. The Caribbean Islands love food, music, and celebration. Whether it’s a cultural gathering or a music festival Dominica offers it.

Many of Dominica’s resorts offer spa vacation services on the premise for a convenient way to get rejuvenated for the next day of activities.

The Kalinago Barana Aute. Opened daily from 9AM to 5PM. This site shares history and traditions of the Kalinago people (caribs) from hundreds of years ago. It is located along the banks of the Crayfish-River near the Isukulati Falls in the Carib Territory of Dominica. The site consists of a reception center, snack bar and gift shops.

To begin your tour, a footbridge crosses the river and gives way to a circular trail leading to a series of small huts throughout the village. There is a Karbet which is used for cultural and theatrical performances. Kalinago (carib) traditional activities at the village include canoe building, cassava processing, basket weaving and herb collection and preparation.

The kalinagos (caribs) are the indigenous people of Dominica. Entrance fees are US$10 per person for a 30-45 minute guided tour.

The best local handicrafts are Carib made baskets. The earth tone colours come from burying the fibres in the ground for different lengths of time. All visitors need to ensure that the materials from which they are made allow them to be taken back home.

Dominica is also well known for its music, so be sure to buy some local music while you are on the island. Genres range from jazz, reggae-dancehall, calypso & soca, to Cadence-lypso and Bouyon and which are popular Dominican genres.

Visit during the last weekend in October and be treated to the World Creole Music Festival or if you can't make it, ask for the best local artistes, and be aware of pirated copies!

Many kiosks and vendors line the shore at the main cruise ship dock. One excellent leather store faces the dock on the other side of the road. Just a short block inland lies a packed, open-air market with perhaps the island's best selection of souvenirs.

Look out for cacao sticks to make cocoa tea as a nice souvenir to take back home.

Kubuli Beer

Freshly squeezed grapefruit is ubiquitous and is perfect with every meal. Coconut water is cheap and readily available by the side of the road. Another local speciality is sorrel. This red refreshing drink is brewed from the flowers of an hibiscus specie common also in Jamaica.

The popular locally brewed beer is Kubuli. Ask your hotel to set up a tour of the brewery.

There are many vendors of fruit juice in Roseau. Almost without exception this is non-pasturised fruit juice with water and sugar added. The added water is usually chlorinated tap water.

A juice vendor known as Pal sells his juice by the area where one can find a bus to Portsmouth. Pal is one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable fruit vendors on the island. He sometimes has juice from rare fruits.

Quenchi is a local soft drink which comes in many different flavours. It can be found in every village,with diet varieties at the IGA in Roseau.

Sorrel, known as the Christmas drink for its red colour,and because it only flowers around Christmas is made from boiled flowers. It tastes heavenly.

Avocado pear juice can be purchased in some small cafes and is certainly worth a try. Other flavours include soursop, passionfruit, grapefruit, orange, lime, beetroot.

The coffee is usually not very good, as most locals seem to prefer tea and juice, with the occasional exception. There are also a few coffee shops around the major towns.

Much of the accommodation on the island is outside of the towns. For in-city accommodations.

Calibishie Cove: Luxurious suites with amazing views of sea, red rock islands, the coastline, and beaches. Penthouse has a saline plunge pool overlooking Treasure Island with a rooftop balcony overlooking the incredible eastern coastline. All suites have great style and each has a different coastal view.

Belle Côte Villa Luxury 3 Bedroom 2 1/2 Bath air conditioned Villa with private swimming pool at Hodges Beach. Sleeps 10 in comfort. Beautiful views. Great place for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, hiking or just relaxing. 15 minutes from the airport and close to Calibishie. Best value for a family or group.

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa. Choose from 35 private cabanas at this 'barefoot luxury' resort. Various packages include meals, off-site activities, and even daily spa treatments.

Calibishie Lodges. $80-130 USD. Located on hillside above the beach. Pool, gardens, and restaurant.

Veranda View A small guest house located in the north part of the Island, Veranda View is an ideal location to base yourself to tour the island. Located 15 minutes from the Melville Hall Airport, the guest house is easy to find on the main road in Calibishie.

Pointe Baptiste Villa and cottage. Historic wooden houses on 25 acre property next to Calibishie includes lush coastal forest, landscaped garden, 2 beaches and numerous coves, wild fauna. Organic fruit, vegetables and herbs grown on the property.

Rosalie Bay Resort, Can be accessed by bus from Roseau or by taxi from either airport, One of Dominica's only "real" resorts. Private beach, scenic and swimmable river on premises. Located near the village of Grand Fond.

3 Rivers Eco Lodge. Individual cottages, dormitory style accommodation, tent rental, as well as a bamboo tree house and two traditional carib Indian jungle huts made from local sustainable materials. The tree house and jungle huts are about 15 minutes hike into the rain forest out on the property.

Beau Rive. Stunning cliff views in Carib Territory, rooms are large and airy. Mark, the proprietor, is a charming host and points visitors to some lesser known attractions nearby. Ideal for independent travelers with a vehicle. The food and atmosphere in the dining room is impeccable and reflects the owner's cosmopolitan origins.

Papillote. Deep in the jungle built atop bubbling hot springs this little enclave puts you at the foot of the hike to Trafalgar Falls and considerably closer to the Boiling Lake trail head. On site there are two waterfalls, wild fauna, four beautifully set hot spring pools, resident chickens and peacocks. The kitchen serves excellent straightforward healthy fare with a decidedly Caribbean touch.

WindBlow Villas. Wind Blow Estate is a villa consisting of three separate suites, each offering total privacy and a full range of amenities for guests.

The upper (Suite #1) and lower (Suite #3) feature one bedroom and one bath, a well-appointed kitchen and a spacious living room. The middle (Suite #2) features two bedrooms and two baths, full kitchen facilities and a spacious living room.

Wind Blow is designed as a self-catering facility, though you may also wish to enjoy several of our excellent restaurants in the village of Calibishie, an easy 20 minute walk from Wind Blow.

Nature Island Eco-village, Possibly the cheapest travel option. Only for adventure travellers. The site is only accessible by foot, including a river ford or zip line. Work trade can be arranged in some cases to cover cost of stay. Offers a hands on course in subsistence farming, organic farming and permaculture principles.

Sunset Bay Club & Seaside Dive Resort, Batalie Beach, Coulibistrie, checkin: 2:00 pm; checkout: 12:00 noon. Sunset Bay Club is a cozy beachfront hotel which includes 8 double standard rooms, 4 quadruple standard rooms and 1 stand alone suite set among our lush tropical gardens. We offer on-site restaurant, bar, dive center, pool and sauna. You can choose from our all-inclusive or bed & breakfast plans to suit your needs. Come join us for a quiet, relaxing vacation. varies.

Castle Comfort Sea View Villas. Spacious holiday home, three bedroom, two bath, large balcony with Caribbean views, combined lounge and dining room, separate games room. Up the hill from the Castle Comfort and Anchorage dive resorts and several restaurants. On nearly half an acre of land with bananas, pineapple, mangoes and many other fruits (in season). 10 minutes from Roseau town centre. TV and internet access. Futon can sleep an extra two people.

Manicou River Eco Resort, Everton Hall Estate,Turn right at Poonkies retsuarant, Tanetane. checkin: 1300; checkout: 1100. Manicou River Eco Resort 99.00.

Serenity Lodges Dominica, Concord (Marigot). checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12pm. Stunning Mountain View Lodge offering affordable accomodation in a natural sorroundings. Perfect for bird/nature lovers. Catering also for those seeking a more private personal experience. Meals are mainly organic and very tasty. River pools are 2 minute walks. Nature hikes, shops and wateralls are short distance. Spanish, English and French spoken. 37USD up.

Zandoli Inn (Linda/Jennifer), Stowe, Roche Cassee (South). checkin: 12 noon; checkout: 10:30 a.m.. Well appointed with stunning views of Grand Bay and Martinique. Zandoli Inn, an immaculate small hotel, offers world class cuisine, beautiful grounds, gardens and patios.

A cool plunge pool and stairs to the sea for snorkelling access. Excellent mattresses and an abundance of hot water (solar) with great water pressure. The proprietors help arrange hikes and offer knowledgeable information on the region and culture. A 25min drive to west coast dive operations. 164-176 us.

Caribbean Ssea View Holiday Apartments. checkin: 16:00; checkout: 11:00. They have 1 and 2 bedroom self-catering apartments, with spacious balconies and view of the Caribbean Sea. The bedrooms have 4 poster King Size beds with air conditioning. Clean and comfortable apartments in a quiet and private area just above the friendly village of Mero.

Located at the center of the west coast. Only 5 minutes’ walk down to the long sandy beach. Restaurants, bars and shops. It takes only 25 minutes to drive to the capital Roseau (south) or to Portsmouth (north). 15 min to Syndicate where you can get a chance to see the Jacko parrots and the rare and beautiful Sisserou parrots. USD100.

Anse-a-Liane Cottages, Anse-a-Liane (Inbetween Bioche and Colihaut). checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Located in a beautiful peaceful valley overlooking fantastical views of the sea in between the villages of Bioche and Colihaut. A short distance from Syndicate, where one can bird watch. Short hike to a secluded bay, where one can have privacy. Nowhere in Dominica is too far, so ideal location to access all the sights around the Island. Sleeps 4, $100 usd per night

Employment

All work permits are valid for one-year duration and can be renewed. An application involves the submission of two completed copies of the relevant form together with the following supporting documents;

Medical certificate;
Two testimonials;
Banker's financial reference/statement;
Police record/statement;
Proof of return ticket;
Two (2) passport size photographs;
Marriage certificate (where applicable);
Letter stating duration and type of employment;

Work Exchange at Nature Island Eco-village Tourist permits do not permit work for money, however, work trade is not forbidden.

Safety

Dominica is one of the safest places to travel in the region.
There are no poisonous snakes or insects in Dominica

Take usual precautions when travelling around Dominica. Although rare, petty crimes are most likely to happen around Roseau. Elsewhere the island is extremely safe.

Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is not generally recommended because of strong currents. Popular Atlantic beaches are generally safe enough for cautious swimming, but random strips of sand on the Atlantic side are generally subject to extreme undertoes and big waves. Swim where the locals swim!

Swimming in rivers is pretty safe. There are no creatures in the rivers that will cause you serious harm, but, as always, there are pests such as leeches. Flash floods, while uncommon, do happen. If you notice the water change color, this may be because of dislodged sediment and thus could be an indicator of an imminent flash flood.

Tap water is safe to drink, but since it is sometimes drawn straight from Dominica's many rivers, it has a tendency to turn brown after heavy rainfall. It's better to drink the bottled water available almost anywhere.

Basic healthcare is available at Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau.

North Americans moving to Dominica often experience boils for the first time and fingernail and toenail fungi. Stomach problems are rare among travellers.

Towns are sprayed with insecticides periodically to control the mosquitoes responsible for spreading Dengue fever. However, the spraying may not be done at the scheduled time and pesticides may drift into your home if the windows are open.

In the high lands and uninhabited central regions water is gathered at roadside springs. Sometimes the bus will stop and passengers will fill their water bottles. Locals prefer the taste of this water to bottled water.

Public water is bacterially safe to drink due to heavy chlorination and has the expected chlorine flavour.

LGBT travellers should be aware that "buggery" ,a term used for homosexual sex on the island is illegal in Dominica, as indicated by the 2012 arrest of two male Americans who were seen having mutually consensual sex on the balcony of their cruise ship while it was docked.

The two men did not serve jail time, but paid a USD900 fine.

Area code is 767 and is part of the North American Numbering Plan.

Digicel is a local cellular company which provides prepaid plans for those visiting for short periods. Cable & Wireless and Orange also provide cell service.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Enjoy Yourself In Punta Cana

Punta Cana is a resort town within the Punta Cana-Bavaro-Veron-Macao municipal district, in the municipality of Higuey, in La Altagracia Province, the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. The area has beaches and balnearios which face both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and it has been a popular tourist destination.

The Punta Cana area has an estimated population of 50,000, with an annual growth rate of 6%. To the north, it borders the village and beach of Cabeza de Toro, and the Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. The nearest city, the 500-year-old Higüey, is 45 kilometres (28 mi) away, which takes about an hour to reach by car. European entrepreneurs, particularly Spanish hotel chains, own all but two of the over 50 megaresorts at the Punta Cana tourism destination.

The province’s 100-kilometre (62 mi) coastline tends to be mildly windy. The ocean waters are mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe without danger. From north to south, the main beaches are Uvero Alto, Macao, Arena Gorda, Bávaro, El Cortecito, Las Corales and Cabeza de Toro, all north of the cape; and Cabo Engaño, Punta Cana and Juanillo south of the cape.

Bávaro is the area starting from Cabeza de Toro until Macao Beach. As the hotels started to rise along the East coast, Bavaro itself became a center of services with shopping malls, fast-food stores, drug stores, fine restaurants, banks, clinics, workshops, supermarkets, and schools.

The major town in the district is Veron, now bigger than Higüey in territory, a spontaneous – and poor – urban development running along the original road from the west. Verón, last name of the French proprietor of a timberline business in the early 1930s, is now the base-city for hotel workers and related.

It has, besides Bávaro, one of the only four gas stations in Punta Cana. The very next is located 48 kilometres (30 mi) west in Higüey, at the Fruisa crossroads, with a new Texaco gas station opened April 2010, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Macao beach, and the new Shell gas station close to the airport on the highway Coral opened at the end of 2010.

Punta Cana features a tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification. The weather is fairly consistent all year, with an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). The hot and humid season lasts from May to October, and during the day temperatures might reach 35 °C (95 °F). From November to March, temperatures during the evening are around 20 °C (68 °F). Very little rain falls around the area, primarily because of the mostly flat landscape, a combination of savanna and mountains.

Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination.

The area offers water attractions, such as racing speedboats, ziplinning, four-wheeling, catamaran sailing, party boats, deep sea sport fishing, discovery cruises, floating spas, private yachts, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling cruises, swimming with sharks and stingrays, whale watching, reef exploring and visiting small islands like Catalina and Saona.

The capital city Santo Domingo, and Los Haitises National Park, Samaná, are nearby. The Basilica Catholic Monument, built in 1962 and designed by two French architects, is in nearby Higüey, the 500-year-old capital of the Province.

There are several resort developments: the Puntacana Resort and Club, Cap Cana, Motel 6 and the Majestic Elegance.

The Punta Cana International Airport is one of the busiest and best connected airports in the Caribbean. In 2014, Punta Cana received over 2.4 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the Caribbean. Grupo Puntacana built the Punta Cana International Airport in 1984 to facilitate tourism in the area. It was the western hemisphere’s first privately owned international airport.

The buses run through most of the main town and stop running at 10:00 pm.

Dominican Republic is the second largest and most diverse Caribbean country, situated just two hours south of Miami, less than four hours from New York and eight hours from most European cities. Known for our warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other, featuring astounding nature, intriguing history and rich culture.

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, our lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline, 250 miles (402 km) of the world’s top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options.

Here you can dance to the pulse pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in our luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in our magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.

Discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus, the country overflows with fascinating history, museums and exciting cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar.

The #1 destination for golf in the Caribbean and Latin America, Dominican Republic delights visitors with 25 designer golf courses amid breathtaking coastlines with mountain backdrops and lush green fairways. With so many beautiful natural settings like romantic waterfalls, breathtaking coasts and idyllic accommodations.

Dominican Republic is a top destination for weddings and romance. Many world class-resorts and hotels also cater to meetings and incentive groups who flock to Dominican Republic for excellent, friendly service and dynamic meeting venues.

Dominican Republic offers a fantastic combination of environments to capture your imagination and refresh the soul. And with eight international airports, paradise has never been easier to explore. We invite you to discover our breathtaking island sanctuary and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Location/Geography

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Republic of Haiti. The country is the second largest in the Caribbean region, with a surface area of 18,704 square miles (48,442 square kilometers). Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and to the south by the Caribbean Sea.

Population

The population of the Dominican Republic is 9,980,243 (2015 Census).

Time Zone

Local time is GMT -4. It is an hour ahead of Atlantic Standard Time in the United States in the winter. Unlike the United States and Europe, the Dominican Republic does not observe daylight saving time.

Capital City

The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World. Greater Santo Domingo has a population of around three million people.

Government

The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy. There are three branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Every four years the country elects its president, vice president, legislators and city government officials. President Danilo Medina and Vice President Margarita Cedeno were elected for a four-year term that began on 16 August 2012 and ends on 16 August 2016.

Language

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, you’ll be surprised how many hotel and tourist destination employees speak English, French, German and Italian. If you decide to venture out of the tourist areas, it is helpful to learn some basic phrases in Spanish.

Currency

The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency of the Dominican Republic. You can find the peso exchange rate for several international currencies at www.bancentral.gov.do/tasas_cambio/TMC4001.PDF

Major credit cards are accepted at most tourist locations, but it is best to check in advance at small hotels, restaurants and shops.

ATMs are located in almost all of the Dominican Republic’s cities, as well as at most resorts. Large supermarkets have ATMs that are open until late.

Climate

The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 66° to 93° F (19° to 34° C). The coldest season is between November and April, and the hottest season is between May and October. August is the hottest month.

Tourism Statistics

5,959,347 non-resident visitors flew to the Dominican Republic in 2016. Among these visitors, 825,237 non-resident Dominicans chose to visit the country in 2016.

Most air arrivals landed at the Punta Cana airport, 52.74% of all air traffic. Santo Domingo was the second destination of arrivals with 27.57%, followed by Santiago 10.26%, Puerto Plata 6.69%, La Romana 1.59% and Samaná 0.97%.

In 2016, most tourists visiting the country by air came from:

United States 41.6%
Canada 15.0%
Germany 5.0%
France 4.3%
Venezuela 3.2%
United Kingdom 3.2%
Spain 3.1%
Argentina 2.7%
Puerto Rico 2.6%
Russia 2.6%
Brazil 2.4%
Colombia 1.9%
Italy 1.5%
Belgium 0.8%

In 2016, seaport activity was 832,916 passengers:
La Romana 357,952 passengers
Puerto Plata 349,092 passengers
Santo Domingo 77,581 passengers
Samaná 48,291 passengers

Punta Cana is the name of a town and tourist region at the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The region, covering about 420,000m² (approximately 1,100 acres), is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches.

In the province of La Altagracia with a population estimated at 100,000, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders Bávaro and El Cortecito Beaches. It also borders Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and further west, Juanillo.

Despite the area being fairly deserted, the proximity of Punta Cana to other major resort areas such as Bávaro and Uvero Alto make the town one of the top Caribbean destinations.

Peak season in Punta Cana tends to run from December-April. Prices in both airfare and hotel increase dramatically during these times, while dropping in the summer and early fall months.

Punta Cana has a tropical climate. Although it is mildly windy, the ocean in the area is mainly shallow, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe. The weather is fairly constant, with an average temperature of 26°C. The hottest season lasts from April to November, and during the day temperatures might reach 32°C.

From December to March, temperatures during the evening are around 20°C. Very little rain falls around the area, mostly because of the flat landscape. The summer months tend to be very warm and very humid. It is suggested you wear loose fitting, cotton clothing, so pack light.

Punta Cana was founded as a tourist resort and tourism still is 100% of the local economy. Prices are much higher than in the rest of the Dominican Republic and within the area prices in the resorts are higher than outside up to 300% for postcards, cigars and souvenirs.

Therefore lots of resorts employ the tactic of scaring their visitors from venturing outside by propagating stories of robberies, murders and rape. These have to be taken with a grain of salt; people tend to be very friendly and helpful. Still, flashing jewellery, expensive gadgets or lots of money is not recommended.

Entering By Air

Several US carriers have scheduled flights to Punta Cana International Airport (IATA: (PUJ) including: JetBlue, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United, and Delta. Air Canada offers flights from Halifax and Ottawa. WestJet also offers scheduled service from Toronto. Rossiya Airlines, Azur Air and NordWind offers service from Moscow. Charter airlines include Air Transat, Sunwing, Thomas Cook, Skyservice and Canjet departing from many larger Canadian cities seasonally.

Most people going to Punta Cana are staying at a resort. With a resort package most hotels will have airport pick up arranged for you at the Punta Cana Airport. You will find this area to the right as you depart the final customs check area. Just look for your hotel name on a sign that many guides will have, and they will direct you to your bus. Private taxis are also available at fixed prices.

In fact, Punta Cana has one of the busiest and best connected airports in the region being at times reported as one of the busiest airports in the entire Caribbean, and usually receiving more flights than the Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas, in Santo Domingo about a three-hour drive.

The Punta Cana Airport has a beautiful thatched roof and is an open-air design, also meaning that few areas of the airport have air conditioning. Upon arriving at the Punta Cana airport, each passenger is required to purchase a USD10 tourist card before entering immigration, often included in your documentation upon departure or issued on the flight, unless you have a Dominican passport, a cedula residence card or your foreign passport shows that you were born in the Dominican Republic.

After retrieving luggage and clearing customs, arriving passengers will be greeted by their tour company representative to the right and directed to board the correct bus for transfer to their resort. Do not venture out looking for your bus without first checking in at the counters. The buses are numbered, thus you will not know which one to get on to.

Taxis are waiting just outside and drivers know all big resorts, though not necessarily the few small guesthouses or hostels.

In Punta Cana, there are various companies that provide official airport transfers. When you arrive after an international flight at your destination it is the most convenient option to have your transportation pre-booked and the shuttle waiting for your arrival.

All hotels in Punta Cana or Bavaro Beach can easily be reached via private or shared transportation. Most of the transportation companies offer customers the option to prebook online. Some of the well-known companies offering shared and private transfers are:

Amstar DMC

Gray Line

Transfers.do by TravelService

By Coaches

Expreso Bavaro go from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana (from their respective terminals in Santo Domingo). Buses are modern with,toilet, movies, some with WiFi and drivers drive safely.

Touring

Tour Operators: Most passengers arriving in Punta Cana International Airport have prearranged local transportation through a tour operator. These companies have representatives at the airport to guide guests to vehicles waiting to take them to the reserved resort.

If you are travelling with a tour operator it is highly recommended that you attend any welcome meetings and orientations offered by your tour operator. In these meetings you'll receive important information regarding your hotel and immediate area information, activity and excursion options, and departure information.

Taxis: If you are not travelling with a tour operator, a number of taxi drivers are available just outside the Customs area to provide you transportation to the place of your choice. All taxis operate with standard rates; most drivers carry a copy of these.

The best thing to do when hiring a taxi is to clarify your destination and the price in advance. You pay upon arrival at your destination. Most hotels have taxi stations on or near their property; in most cases a bellman or front desk clerk can order a taxi for you. Taxi drivers accept dollars, pesos, and euros.

Local Buses: For the more adventurous, the local bus lines operate on most of the roads of the area, for a minimal cost. The downside to public transport in the Dominican Republic is irregular bus schedules, crowded vehicles, and potentially unsafe vehicles (689 casualties in 2007), drivers, or passengers. Although for the most part it is a safe and effective means of transportation, it is generally recommended to use one of the more frequented means of getting around.

Rent-a-Car: A number of car rental agencies like Europcar, Budget, and Avis offer service in the area of Punta Cana and Bavaro. Many hotels have car rental concessionaires on their properties. Driving laws, habits, and conditions may be different from the ones you are used to. When renting a vehicle always take the maximum available insurance, keep a map of the area you intend to drive in, and make sure you are comfortable with the drive.

Motoconchos: Motorbike taxis are by far the cheapest and fastest private mode of transportation (DOP100 for a ride from Friusa to Bavaro beach). Depending on the area, one will be either offered rides permanently (e.g. in Friusa) or will have to look for them. At the beaches, staff at the shops usually can point one to the place where they are waiting or even call one. Helmets are not provided though and one should not use a motoconcho.

Attractions

Altos de Chavon. A modern-day artist's village resembling a 16th century Mediterranean town. It is set upon a spectacular hillside cliff overlooking the winding Chavon River. It is home to a 5,000 seat amphitheatre, an archaeological museum, craft workshops, artist's studios and an assortment of galleries and restaurants.

Juanillo. One of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Until a few years ago it was a very small village of fishermen a few miles from the Punta Cana Airport. The entire village was purchased as part of a very large project called Cap Cana. In return for giving up their rights to occupancy, the residents were offered alternative housing, money, and jobs. While Juanillo was at one time accessible to the public, it is now only accessible to people staying at one of the Cap Cana hotels and to property owners within the Cap Cana project and their guests.

Santo Domingo. This is the first European settlement of the Western Hemisphere. It has preserved its colonial heritage for more than five centuries, and is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Visit the first cathedral of the Americas or the Alcazar de Colon, the palace of Diego, son of Christopher Columbus.

Saona Island. Take a day trip to this spectacular island set in the natural reserve of The Parque Nacional del Este. Relax on powder white sands, where palm-studded beaches meet the soft surf of the Caribbean waters, and sometimes even dolphins swim alongside your catamaran.

Corales Golf Course, Designed by Tom Fazio, Corales is an 18-hole course with six seaside holes. Designed along the natural cliffs, bays, ocean coves and the inland lakes and coralina quarries. Members and their guests are welcome; additional access available to guests of Tortuga Bay and The Puntacana Hotel through the resort’s "Golf Experience" plans, or those who wish to play a la carte. The a la carte golf rates for the Resort’s guest are USD275 in season and USD195 during the

off season. Subject to availability, the Corales Golf Club accepts a limited number of external guest players. All golf rates are inclusive of taxes and include eighteen holes with cart and an expansive practice facility. Also included in the golf rates are yardage books, towels, ice water, and tees are part of the golf cart’s setup.

Cold apples are provided on the 10th tee and scented iced towels at the end of your round. There is a Caribbean view Grill and Nineteenth Hole Bar at the clubhouse and an on-course beverage cart. Caddies are mandatory.

Dolphin Island: A short boat ride takes you to a floating platform where visitors can swim with trained dolphins in the sea. The package includes 15 minutes of free time with these unique creatures.

Dominican Alps (Near the town of Jarabacoa). Where 18 different waterfalls cascade between chasms of rock to water the rich, fertile earth below. If you're a whitewater fan, the Rio Yasque is the longest river in the Caribbean and offers challenging kayak or rafting courses like the "Mike Tyson" which features a 3.5m (12 ft) vertical drop. There are no day trips to this area from Punta Cana, due to the distance.

HorsePlay Punta Cana, Punta Cana, . Monday through Saturday. Horseback riding and Zip Lining Combo Adventure Tour. All inclusive package included horse riding, zip line, cigar demonstration, cocoa demonstration, culture, lunch and transportation from your Punta Cana resort. 99.

Marinarium. In this water park you can experience some of the best snorkeling in the area, complete with nurse sharks and sting rays. Enjoy a coco loco as you cruise along the coast to your final stop, a waist-deep natural pool in the sea.

Ocean Adventures, Playa Corales,4 different kinds of water excursions. The first, Bavaro Splash, combines driving a high performance boat, snorkelling and SNUBA. The second, Dr. Fish Ocean Spa, is a three hour spa excursion offering gentle pilates/yoga and relaxing massages: a special massage on floating mattresses in the natural pool, detox foot treatments, and also a pedicure: these tiny fish called Garra Rufa will gently exfoliate your feet by removing the dead skin creating the feeling of a gentle massage.

The third one, called "Sailing Adventure," is a sailing excursion with various activities that lasts about 4h 30min. It includes open bar drinks and an Asian lunch buffet. The final option is the Stingray Bay, a trip by a double floor pirate ship toward a private and exclusive floating aquarium with nurse sharks and stingrays for a very safe interaction program, followed by a Dominican party. Price may vary depending on the excursion.

Seaquarium: You are provided with a diving helmet and allowed to walk the bottom of the clear waters with an unforgettable view of reef and coral life- no certification required!

Purchasing

Make sure you spend the remainder of your Dominican pesos. It is next to impossible elsewhere to convert your pesos back to US dollars or euros.

There are a variety of shops along the beachfront of each resort. These shops are owned and operated by the locals. Shopping outside of the resort complex in Punta Cana/Bavaro can be kind of an adventure. In most shopping plazas, you can expect to be approached by one or more friendly, but insistent salespersons.

The people of the Dominican Republic love to barter. You can expect that once in one of their stores you will be taken for a ride. You will initially be quoted ridiculously outrageous prices. It is imperative that you get the item as cheaply as you can. This can become quite an ordeal as the shopkeeper fights with you, insults you for your frugality, etc.

When walking along the beach vendors will solicit your business. It can be annoying as they will keep pestering you until you come and look at what they have to offer. Tell them that you are not interested and keep walking. The best way of letting the locals know that you are not interested is to tell them that you have no money.

The people of the Dominican Republic are very friendly and are offended when you walk past them with no acknowledgement of their presence. A simple "no, thank you" may sometimes work, but in most cases, they will not take no for an answer and will continue to chase and harass you.

Do not buy dried animals turtle shells, sea shells, etc. because It is illegal, so you will not be allowed to bring them through customs, and may get arrested trying; it encourages the locals to kill these creatures. Reef life should stay in the sea, so help to preserve these endangered animals by buying other types of souvenirs.

Food

Bamboo Bar Building Las Piratas, Los Corales Beach, Bavaro, Beachfront bar-restaurant-lounge. Enjoy the beach, relax music, and cocktails. Order a pitcher of their excellent sangria and enjoy the afternoon watching the scenery on the beach.

Capitan Cook (Cortecito)If seafood is your favourite, try what locals have declared the best lobster in town. With a huge open grill and enormous platters, it is hard for seafood lovers not to enjoy this beach-side restaurant. It is on the main beach strip. Captain Cook has an unusual atmosphere, and some may find the peculiar manner of service and ordering your meal intimidating or offensive.

Las Lenas II (Plaza Friusa),Spanish-style coffee shop and bakery with Wi-Fi. Comfortable seating, urban clientèle, and great food along with the rustic decoration give this place a welcoming character. The bakery provides hotels in the area with the choicest deserts and is the best place to have breakfast in Punta Cana.

Drinking

Drinking from the tap is not recommended. You should be okay using it to brush your teeth, but don't swallow it. Most hotels provide bottled water in the rooms; restaurants and bars use purified water and ice for your food and beverages.

All-inclusive resorts have an endless supply of liquor. You may also drink at neighboring resorts within your own property, but you may have to pay or let them know your room number and resort name at the very least.

With the sun constantly beating down on you much stronger since it is right next to the equator, and the endless supply of alcohol, dehydration is a constant danger. Make sure you drink lots of water or you may end up in a doctor's office suffering from dehydration and a fever.

Mamajuana is a local concoction of rum, wine, root or tree bark, and honey. However, there may be different recipes for the same beverage that locals say functions like liquid Viagra.

Beer

Presidente is the most popular national brand of beer, and it is readily available anywhere. It is available in both regular and lite versions. For a beer with a bit more taste, you should try Bohemia, made by the same company, but with a fuller flavour. Also available in a lite version.

Rum

You will encounter many different types of rum:

White rums are generally light-bodied. They are clear and have a subtle flavour. These are primarily used as mixers and blend particularly well with fruit flavours.
Golden rums also known as Amber rums are generally medium-bodied. Most have spent several years ageing in casks, giving them a smooth palate.
Dark rums are traditionally full-bodied, rich, caramel-dominated rums. The richest of these rums are consumed straight up.
Anejo and age-dated rums are aged rums from different vintages or batches that are mixed together. The youngest rum in the blend contains a blend of rums that are at least 10 years old.

Most often, you will be offered Brugal or Barcelo rum. Highly recommended rums are Burmudez Don Armando and Anniversario 1852, as well as Macorix Eight Year.

Coffee

Though in most Latin and Central American countries coffee is produced primarily for export, most of the coffee grown in the Dominican Republic is savored within its borders. And Dominicans, like Europeans, enjoy their coffee strong and black. One useful phrase for tourists to learn when ordering coffee is "sin azucar" (no sugar) for the simple reason that the locals measure by tablespoon rather than teaspoon.

Accomodation

Majestic Colonial Hotel (Playa Bavaro)

Majestic Elegance Hotel (Playa Bavaro)

Melia Caribe Tropical, Playa de Bávaro

Paradisus Palma Real (Bávaro Beach).

Paradisus Punta Cana.

Punta Cana Guesthouse (Guesthouse Las Piedras), Avenida Estados Unidos, Calle Guarionex,Operated by Florian and Lila, in their own house. Because you are staying in their home, you will be greeted with genuine friendliness and hospitality. The estate and the rooms have been built with great attention to detail. It is not close to the beach, but close to the guagua (bus) station and there are many motoconchos around.

When arriving from the airport, have them arrange a taxi for you - it's slightly less than the standard price and the driver then knows the location. Most regular taxis do not know the location! When arriving by bus, get off at the final destination (Friusa) and call them from there - somebody will fetch you.It's just a 2 minute walk but the house is unmarked. USD35 (single) to USD60 (double with balcony).

Westin Punta Cana Resort and Club

Internet

Many of hotel offering free Wi-Fi areas at lobby. If you walk outside your resort, Internet cafes will be half the price,yet still pricey by Dominican standards. For example, USD8 per hour in the resort, USD4 per hour in town in Punta Cana or Bavaro. In other parts of the DR, Internet cafes are USD2 per hour or often less.

Police
Police Stations next to the Sitrabapu bus terminal in Bavaro and at Galerias Punta Cana near the airport

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism reports there are 737 hotels with a total of 75,030 hotel rooms in the Dominican Republic as of December 2016.

Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required. You may also need a tourist card (US$10 or €10) or a visa.

Tourist Card

Citizens of countries who are legally able to enter the European Union, Great Britain, the United States of America or Canada may enter the Dominican Republic by presenting a Tourist Card.

The Tourist Card is valid for a year from the date of purchase and is valid for an up to 30-day visit for one person who will only be able to use it once.

The Tourist Card can be acquired at point of sale locations in land, air or sea ports in the country. It is also sold at Dominican embassies and consulate offices overseas and by tour operating companies. It can be purchased online at www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica/EN/about/Paginas/default.aspx

Tourists staying beyond the usual 30-day period need to pay a proportional fee depending on the extension, which can be paid at the Department of Migration or at the migration desk upon departure.

www.migracion.gob.do/web/tarifas.php

Visas

The Dominican Republic issues tourist, business, work, student and residency visas. Tourist visas can be issued for one or several entries and can be extended to 60 days. For more details on the visas, see www.domrep.org/visa.html or www.consuladord.com/contentlist.aspx?catid=73&lang=ES

See this list for citizens who need to request a visa at Dominican consulates abroad.

www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica/EN/about/Documents/CountriesneedingaVisatoentertheDominicanRepublic.pdf

See a list of the consulates at the top right hand corner of this page of the Ministry of Foreign Relations website: www.consuladord.com

Who is exempt from a tourist card or visa?

Residents and Dominican nationals.
Foreigners arriving from Argentina, Chile, South Korea, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Peru and Uruguay.
Diplomatic and consular staff with assigned missions in the country, while on duty.
Passengers using private, noncommercial aviation as long as the aircraft fulfills the following requirements: the trip must be for sport, leisure, business or tourism purposes, and the aircraft must not weigh more than thirty thousand pounds (30,000 lbs) and have a maximum capacity of 12 passengers.

Good Information for Travelers

Because it is located in the Caribbean, the weather in the Dominican Republic is excellent all year round. During the summer, the temperature can range from 90 F (32 C) at midday to 70 F (21 C) at dawn. Temperatures can drop to a low of 65 F (18 C) in the winter. In the high mountainous areas of Jarabacoa and Constanza, the weather is cooler. In these areas, temperatures of 50 F (10 C) in the city in the early morning and below zero higher up in the mountains are not unusual.

In the tropics, although rainstorms can happen at any time of the year, rains usually fall for just short periods in the afternoon and evening. The warmest months are June through September.

Holidays (Non Business Days) 2017
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: The Three Kings’ Day (religious) – Celebrated on Monday January 9th
January 21: Our Lady of Altagracia Day (religious)
January 26: Juan Pablo Duarte Day – Celebrated on Monday January 30th
February 27: Independence Day
March or April (varies) – Easter Friday (religious)
May 1: Labor Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
June (varies) Corpus Christi Day (religious)
August 16: Restoration of Independence Day
September 24: Our Lady of Mercedes Day (religious)
November 6: Constitution Day (celebrated on the closest Monday)
December 25: Christmas Day (religious)

Electricity

In the Dominican Republic, electric outlets are 110 volts, the same as in the United States and Canada. Because of this, visitors from other countries needing power adapters are advised to bring their own.

Embassies

For a list of foreign embassies in the Dominican Republic, see:

http://mirex.gob.do/servicios/directorio/cuerpo-consular-acreditado-republica-dominicana

For a list of overseas Dominican embassies, see:

http://mirex.gob.do/servicios/directorio/embajadas-exterior
Opening Times

Most businesses open at 8am or 9am until 5 or 6pm on business days and until 1pm on Saturdays. Large shopping centers in the cities usually close at 9pm and open on Sundays from 9am until 8pm. Restaurants usually remain open and serve food until midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and until 2am on Friday, Saturday and holidays. Inside the hotels, bars, discos and restaurants may remain open 24 hours a day.

Language

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken, and many tourist sector employees will be fluent in Italian, French, German, Russian and other languages as needed.

Money Matters

The local currency is the Dominican peso (RD$). It comes in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 peso coins and in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 notes. Dollars and euros can be readily exchanged in banks and authorized exchange offices across the country.

There are restrictions on bringing more than US$10,000 in cash into the country and any sum over this value needs to be declared on the customs form. It is prohibited to leave the Dominican Republic with more than $10,000 US dollars or equivalent in cash. If you need large amounts of cash, it is more convenient to make a bank withdrawal when in the country. Banks are normally open from 8:30am to 4pm. In large shopping centers, some bank branches are open until 8pm.

Passports, Tourist Card & Visa

Citizens and residents of the United States, Canada and most European countries can enter the country with a 30-day tourist card, which can be bought when you enter the country for US$10 or €10. Anyone, regardless of nationality, may come into the Dominican Republic with a tourist card if they have any of the following valid visas in their passport: United States, Canada, United Kingdom or the European Union (Schengen). If you wish to extend your tourist card to 90 days, you will need to pay RD$2,500 to immigration when you leave the country. The exit tax is US$20.00, but this is usually included in the airline ticket.

To see a list of the countries that require a visa to enter the Dominican Republic, visit:

http://www.dgii.gov.do/tarjetaTuristica/EN/Support/faq/Paginas/default.aspx
Tips

Restaurant bills already include a ten percent tip. It is customary to give an additional 10% for good service. Most people do not tip taxi drivers, however if you feel so inclined for good service, a tip will certainly be appreciated.

Smoking Restrictions

Smoking is not allowed in most restaurants, clubs and enclosed premises.

Clothes

Dominicans like to dress elegantly; fashion, grooming and hygiene are very important. Depending on the occasion, Dominicans will dress either casually or formally. Around hotels and resorts, it is suitable to wear light clothing such as shirts, t-shirts, shorts, swimwear or dresses.

From December through February, when the nights are cooler, you may need a light jacket.

Do not assume that the weather will always be warm because even in a Caribbean island, warm clothes will be needed for traveling in the mountain areas, especially in the Central Mountain Range, where temperatures as low as 32 F (0 C) are regularly reported. In the mountain towns of Constanza and Jarabacoa the temperatures regularly will drop below 65C (18C) in the evenings.

Health

For a more comfortable stay, even if the day is cloudy, use sunblock as the Caribbean sun is very strong. All-inclusive hotels encourage eating and drinking, but moderation is recommended to avoid stomach upsets. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water or natural liquids. Note that soft drinks do not count. If you feel unwell, visit a doctor. The tourist centers and all cities have health centers with modern medical services and most hotels have medical dispensaries with qualified personnel.

Traveling with Animals

Cats and dogs will need a health certificate from your country of origin, which is valid for at least 30 days. A rabies vaccination certificate is also required. Birds will need to be quarantined for ten days. For other animals, an import permit will be required from the National Department of Agriculture and Zoology. 
Always check with your accommodation provider regarding policies for pets.

Safety

Even though the Dominican Republic is one of the safest countries on the continent, you should still take the same precautions as when traveling to any new city:
Use the hotel safe to store your passport, money and other items of value.
Keep a photocopy of your passport with you when you travel. Only take what is necessary along with you.
When possible, take a credit card as well as cash.
Do not leave articles of value, bag or briefcases in full view in vehicles, even when there is a security guard nearby.
Avoid traveling at night, even on the main highways. If you are planning to go out at night, use the services of a taxi called from the hotel where you are staying.

Specialized Touristic Security Corp (Cestur)

With special training for assisting tourists, Cestur is a joint initiative under the Ministry of Defense working in collaboration with the National Police and the Ministry of Tourism. Cestur offices are located in most tourist destinations. If you are the victim of a crime, Cestur can help you get to a police station so that you may file a police report and seek further assistance. Cestur headquarters are at Av. Gustavo Mejía Ricart and Teodoro Chasseriaux, El Millón.

Telephones

The Dominican Republic uses the same call system as the United States. The main area code is 809, though there are also numbers that use 829 and 849 codes. You are required to dial ten digits for each call.

Because most people now have cell phones, public phones are almost non-existent. It is advisable to have a phone when traveling independently in the Dominican Republic. You can buy a prepaid cell phone in the Dominican Republic with a local number for about US$42.

The telephone companies that provide cell phone services are: Claro, Orange, Tricom and Viva. These same companies will sell wireless Internet gadgets for your laptop. You can purchase a phone in less than an hour at any shopping center. You may also change your telephone’s SIM card for a local one and use it on your own phone. It is not difficult to find a WiFi hotspot to connect to the Internet.

Inter-country Transport

There’s a large network of roads connecting towns and tourist destinations around the country. There is lovely lush green landscape along the Santo Domingo-Santiago-Puerto Plata highway. Check out the spectacular panoramic views of the sea and mountains along the route towards Barahona, or the interesting new route through the Los Haitises National Park hills leading to the Samaná Peninsula and the North Coast.

The following land and air transportation options can help you travel around the Dominican Republic:

Land Transportation

One of the advantages of traveling with a tour operator is that your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-excursion transfers are likely to be prearranged.

Taxis



Taxis can be found at airports and hotels and can also be arranged in advance. Several taxi for call companies are listed in the telephone directory. They are a cost-effective way to get around. Taxis are safe and reliable option in Santo Domingo as well as in many inland towns. Inter-city taxis cost RD$200.

Car Rental

Various companies including several world brands offer their services at the main airports, tourist destinations and towns. Consider renting a vehicle to visit at your leisure the destinations and attractions that are located along the northern coast, the Samaná peninsula, La Romana and Punta Cana beaches.

Santo Domingo Subway
 (Metro)


The new modern Metro service began in 2009 and there are two lines. Avoid peak hours when they are packed with commuters. One of the lines goes north-south on the Máximo Gómez avenue and then east-west along the Correa y Cidrón avenue, passing the state university (UASD) on its way to the government building center at the Centro de los Héroes, where Congress, the Supreme Court of Justice and the Department of Migration, among other government offices are located. A subway card costs RD$30 with recharge starting at RD$20, the value of each trip: www.opret.gob.do/Estaciones.aspx

Low-Cost City Buses

Low-cost OMSA government buses travel along the main roads of Santo Domingo and Santiago, from 7am until 9pm. Similarly, there are other smaller privately-owned and operated buses called “guaguas” (bus) or “voladoras” (flyers), that travel scheduled routes and circulate around the main streets and avenues, stopping on request.

Public Cars or “Conchos” (Shared Taxis)

Concho cars or shared taxis are very similar to “guaguas” because they travel specific routes and stop at points requested by the passengers. You can find them in the capital as well as in towns and villages. Fares are usually RD$25 for the routes in which up to six passengers will be boarded. Consider a private taxi for an inter-city route costs RD$200.

“Motoconchos” (Motorbike Taxis)

Many young men in the Dominican Republic make a living by transporting passengers on their motorbikes. The service is used mostly for traveling relatively short distances, especially as the bikes can weave their way swiftly through traffic. The fare should be agreed beforehand.

Interurban Bus Service

It is not difficult to travel between different regions of the country. There are several private companies that can take you in comfortable modern buses at very reasonable prices. Make sure that you take a jacket as these buses tend to keep their air-conditioning at its lowest point.

The Metro Buses serves Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Sosúa: www.metroserviciosturisticos.com

Caribe Tours has daily bus services from Santo Domingo to Barahona, Cabrera, Jarabacoa, Montecristi, Nagua, Puerto Plata, Rio San Juan, Samaná, Sánchez, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sosúa and other towns in the Dominican Republic. Caribe Tours buses also travel to Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien in Haiti: www.caribetours.com.do

Expreso Bávaro has several departures to Santo Domingo during the day. Upon arrival to Punta Cana, the buses make several stops at hotels, tourist and shopping areas in Bávaro, Punta Cana. An affiliate of the company, Sitrabapu makes local stops departing from Veron in Higuey and La Romana. Sitrabapu also as a non-stop express route to La Romana: www.expresobavaro.com

Sichoem buses commute between La Romana and Santo Domingo with several departures from the La Romana stop next to the Shell gas station, Tel 809 556-4192. Asomiro offers a similar service with buses that need to be taken at the Av. Padre Abreu Km 1 stop, near La Gallera, Tel 809 556-9099.

Transporte Samaná (Asotrapusa) services Samaná with several departures during the day from its stations at Calle Barahona 129 or las Americas Expressway). Tel 809 687-1470.

Domestic Air Transportion

Helicopters



In Punta Cana, helicopters are a quick and comfortable way of getting to know the area and its 31 miles (50 km) of beaches. Helicopter companies fly to Santo Domingo and other destinations, connecting different cities and tourist points: http://www.helidosaaviationgroup.com/

Domestic Flights



Charter flights can be arranged to and from the international airports of Punta Cana (PUJ), Santo Domingo (SDQ, JBQ), La Romana (LRM), Santiago (STI), Puerto Plata (POP), Samaná (AZS, ABA) and Barahona (BRX). Several small airports cater to domestic flights. These include: Arroyo Barril (ABA) in Samaná on the northeast coast Constanza (COZ) located in the central mountain region, Cabo Rojo (CBJ) in Pedernales on the southwest coast and Montecristi (MTC) on the northwest coast.

Table of distances between the towns and cities of the Dominican Republic:
From Santo Domingo to:
Travel Time
Distance
Barahona 3 hrs. 124 miles (200 km)
Boca Chica 40 mins. 22 miles (35 km)
Jarabacoa 2 hrs. 97 miles (155 km)
Juan Dolio 50 mins. 31 miles (50 km)
La Romana 1 hr. 30 mins. 70 miles (113 km)
Puerto Plata 3 hrs. 30 mins. 134 miles (215 km)
Punta Cana 2 hrs. 15 mins. 120 miles (194 km)
Samaná 2 hrs. 30 mins. 109 miles (176 km)
Santiago 2 hrs. 96 miles (155 km)


From La Romana to:
Travel Time
Distance
Barahona 4 hrs. 30 mins 185 miles (297 km)
Bayahibe 20 mins. 18 miles (27 km)
Boca Chica 1 hr. 49 miles (79 km)
Dominicus 30 mins. 22 miles (35 km)
Jarabacoa 4 hrs. 97 miles (265 km)
Juan Dolio 50 mins. 39 miles (63 km)
Puerto Plata 5 hrs. 202 miles (325 km)
Punta Cana 45 mins. 50 miles (81 km)
Samaná 3 hrs. 153 miles (246 km)
Santiago 3 hrs. 167 miles (268 km)
Santo Domingo 1 hr. 30 mins. 68 miles (110 km)


From Puerto Plata to: Travel time
Distance
Barahona 7 hrs. 227 miles (365 km)
Boca Chica 4 hrs. 199 miles (320 km)
Jarabacoa 2 hrs. 68 miles (109 km)
Juan Dolio 4 hrs. 20 mins. 165 miles (265 km)
La Romana 5 hrs. 202 miles (325 km)
Punta Cana 5 hrs. 30 mins. 254 miles (409 km)
Samaná 3 hrs.30 mins. 249 miles (400 km)
Santiago 1 hr. 36 miles (58 km)
Santo Domingo 3 hrs. 30 mins. 109 miles (176 km)


From Punta Cana to: Travel time
Distance
Barahona 5 hrs. 30 mins. 255 miles (410 km)
Boca Chica 1 hr. 40 mins. 99 miles (160 km)
Jarabacoa 3 hrs. 45 mins. 213 miles (342 km)
Juan Dolio 1 hr. 45 mins. 89 miles (144 km)
La Romana 45 mins. 50 miles (81 km)
Puerto Plata 5 hrs. 30 mins. 254 miles (409 km)
Samaná 4 hrs. 203 miles (327 km)
Santiago 4 hrs. 30 mins. 217 miles (349 km)
Santo Domingo 2 hrs. 15 mins. 120 miles (159 km)


From Samaná to: Travel time
Distance
Barahona 5 hrs. 30 mins. 225 miles (362 km)
Boca Chica 2 hrs. 30 mins. 106 miles (170 km)
Jarabacoa 3 hrs. 206 miles (331 km)
Juan Dolio 2 hrs. 30 mins. 114 miles (183 km)
La Romana 3 hrs. 153 miles (246 km)
Puerto Plata 3 hrs. 30 mins. 133 miles (214 km)
Punta Cana 4 hrs. 203 miles (327 km)
Santiago 3 hrs. 15 mins. 120 miles (193 km)
Santo Domingo 2 hrs. 30 mins. 96 miles (155 km)
For More Information

The Ministry of Tourism has 20 Tourist Offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Puerto Rico. www.godominicanrepublic.com/contact

Social Media: The Ministry of Tourism has multiple social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Instagram and Pinterest.

Airports & Seaports

International airports:

Santo Domingo:


Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), also known as the José Francisco Peña Gómez Airport, is 30 minutes from the capital city of Santo Domingo and very close to the tourist areas of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio.

www.aerodom.com/app/do/lasamericas.aspx

La Isabela International Airport (JBQ), also known as the Joaquín Balaguer International Airport, to the north of Santo Domingo handles mostly domestic flights and flights to Haiti.

www.aerodom.com/app/do/aeropuertos_laisabela.aspx

Punta Cana:


Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is only 15 minutes from the Punta Cana and Cap Cana area, and some 30 minutes from Bávaro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto hotel areas. This is the Caribbean airport with the largest diversity of flights from all around the world. Seaside resorts are a 10 to 40-minute drive from the airport. The airport has three terminals, all featuring its characteristic palm frond-thatched roofs.

www.puntacanainternationalairport.com

Puerto Plata:

Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), also known as the Puerto Plata International Airport, is only 20 minutes from the north coast city of Puerto Plata and neighboring tourist destinations like Cofresí, Playa Dorada, Sosúa and Cabarete. It is less than an hour from Playa Grande.

www.aerodom.com/app/do/aeropuertos_puertoplata.aspx

La Romana:

La Romana International Airport (LRM), also known as the Casa de Campo International Airport, is just 10 minutes from Casa de Campo Resort on the southeast coast and only 20 minutes from Bayahibe.

www.romanaairport.com

Samaná:

El Catey International Airport (AZS), also known as the Juan Bosch International Airport, is half an hour from the city of Samaná and 45 minutes to the destinations of Cosón, Las Terrenas and Portillo on the famed northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic.

www.aerodom.com/app/do/aeropuertos_samana.aspx

Santiago:

El Cibao International Airport (STI) is 15 minutes from the bustling city of Santiago in the central region and provides easy access to the nearby cities of La Vega, Jarabacoa, Constanza, San Francisco de Macorís and Moca.

www.aeropuertocibao.com.do

Barahona:

María Montez International Airport (BRX) is located at the entrance of Barahona city in the southwest. At present, it receives mainly domestic flights.

www.aerodom.com/app/do/aeropuertos_barahona.aspx

Domestic airports:

Several small airports nationwide cater to domestic flights.

These include:

Arroyo Barril (ABA) in Samaná on the northeast coast
Constanza (COZ) located in the central mountain region
Cabo Rojo (CBJ) in Pedernales on the southwest coast
Montecristi (MTC) on the northwest coast

Seaports

Cruise ship ports in the Dominican Republic are located on the southcentral (Santo Domingo), north (Puerto Plata), southeastern (La Romana and Punta Cana) and northeastern (Samaná) coasts, visiting especially during the winter months.

Accommodations

NEW: Hotels Directory

The Dominican Republic has been a favorite destination for many years, attracting celebrities, sports personalities and travelers. In fact, the country now has the highest number of hotel rooms in the entire Caribbean, with over 69,000, according to the Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores).

Many of the world’s top brands are here, including Accor, AM Resorts, Barceló, BeLive, Blau Hotels, Crowne Plaza, Embassy Suites, Bahía Príncipe, Hard Rock Hotels, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hotetur, Iberostar, IFA Hotels, JW Marriott, Majestic Resorts, NH, Occidental, Palladium, Princess, Quality, Renaissance, Riu, Sheraton, Solaya Hotels, Meliá, Vista Sol, Westin and Viva Wyndham. But the charm of the Dominican Republic is also in its small unique hotels, including Tortuga Bay (Punta Cana) and Peninsula House (Samaná) that made the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List.

As well as a range of expensive boutique hotels, an even more personalized service can be found at the many affordable small hotels and eco lodges in beach and mountain areas or to historical heritage centers like Santo Domingo’s Colonial City.

Each hotel offers something a little different, including amenities and entertainment to scenic landscapes, ocean views or secluded tranquility. For family vacations, discover the all-inclusives, the large resorts where children, parents and extended family members can each do their own thing.

For visitors wishing to stay longer, there is a wide variety of modern and comfortable apartments and condos for rent.