Dominican Republic sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

The Dominican Republic never ceases to amaze its guests with wonderful nature and excellent entertainment. This beautiful country is seemed to have everything – beautiful parks, awesome museums, historic quarters and pristine beaches.

The capital of the country, Santo Domingo, is also the biggest cultural centre of the country. One notable landmark is located on the central square of the city. This is Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, an original arc building that was constructed over 3 centuries ago. The architectural style of the sanctuary is quite original and is nothing like other churches of the 17th – 18th centuries. El Limon Waterfalls is a popular and very unusual sight. Locals believe that the crystal clean water of the waterfalls has spiritual power and will grant wealth and luck to those who swim in it. Boat rides on Gri Gri Lagoon are also very popular with travellers. During such an excursion, it is possible to see mango groves, palms and lianas, mountains and large valleys.

There are many old buildings that belong to the colonial period in Santo Domingo. The most famous landmarks of that era are the Alcazar de Colon and Columbus Park. Amber Cove, which is located in the northern part of the city, is a wonderful piece of nature. The coastline got this unusual name because of rare black amber that can be found there. Local beaches have quickly become famous among fans of scuba diving. If you are not much into observing underwater life and wonderful reefs, simply take a walk to enjoy beautiful lagoons and lush tropical greenery. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

When it comes to describing beach resorts, it’s simply impossible not to mention Puerto Plata Beach. There are many modern buildings, squares and parkways along the coast. This is one of modern districts of the city, so there are many shopping centres, movie theatres and restaurants there. Samana Bay is one of most famous national parks in the Dominican Republic. This is also the place where it’s possible to see rare birds, walk in wonderful caves and see ancient wall drawings.

Aguas Blancas Waterfall and Juan Dolio Beach are usually mentioned in the list of most important nature sights of the country, and Bahoruco coast is famous for its rich deposits of turquoise. It’s possible to find the blue stones during a simple walk on the beach. Locals use turquoise to make interesting souvenirs and amulets. Finally, the villages of Playa Macao and Punta Kana attract visitors with their large coconut palm groves. The groves are hardly penetrable, but sometimes they are crossed by bays and lagoons.

History and Entertainment

In the Middle Ages, the territory of the Dominican Republic was populated only by Indian tribes of aborigines. The colonial period began in 1452. The discoverer of the new lands was Christopher Columbus. He discovered Haiti and called the new lands Espanola. At the beginning of the 16th century, Spanish colonizers formed the first settlements on the island that then started attracting colonizers from France and Great Britain. Three large countries had been fighting for the right to possess the island for almost 200 years. In 1795, the whole territory of Haiti belonged to France.

However, military conflicts didn’t stop. In 1808, Spain managed to win a part of the island back. Spanish colonizers gained full control of the new lands only in 1861. The colonial period ended four years later. In 1865, the Dominican people expelled all colonizers during the serious uprising, so the new country became an independent republic. In the first half and the middle of the 20th century, the Dominican Republic saw a period of the political and economic uncertainty.

The country has recently taken active measures for developing the tourism sector. For many people, the Dominical Republic is a place for exotic recreation. They come here to relax on picturesque beaches of the Caribbean Sea, admire lush coconut palms and dive.

The Dominican Republic is a large center of agrotourism. Every month, the valley of Constanza holds the agricultural fair called Fresh Market that attracts specialists and curious travelers from all over the world. The best seasonal foods grown by local farmers are presented at the fair. The fair guests can taste the most popular national treats and dishes cooked by historic recipes. The fair hasn’t ever been limited only to food entertainments. There are also a lot of performances of folk and music bands.

During their vacation, sweet teeth have an opportunity to take part in the themed “chocolate tour”. For many years, the Eastern Dominican Republic has been a place for growing cocoa beans. There are historical plants producing cocoa powder. Almost all of them are open for visitors. Tourists can walk along vast plantations and watch the process of producing cocoa.