Dominican Republic in Photos

The new Fathom cruise line has partnered with a women’s collective that makes chocolate in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. Visitors can roast beans and mold bars. All purchases support the collective. Free with fare.

I have a new hobby of photographing dogs I meet on the street around the world. This one I encountered in the Dominican Republic, just down the road from the obnoxious tourist trap of Cabarete. I think if Bourbon Street and Kho San Road had a baby, it might be the main drag in Cabarete. That place is just THAT annoying. Anyway, if you must head to Cabarete to surf, make sure to ask a local to take you to La Boca for lunch. It’s a short drive but there are no signs and it can be tough to find. There, you will likely encounter a herd of friendly beach dogs ... and the best grilled whole fish on the planet.

It only takes about three minutes of standing on Bavaro Beach to quickly realize that parasailing is a popular Punta Cana activity. While I’ve never had the urge to parasail myself, hundreds of visitors take to the skies daily above the blindingly-white sand beaches. Since I can’t confirm from personal experience, I feel that the best part of Punta Cana parasailing has nothing to do with the thrill of flying; instead, it seems that the ultimate benefit of the lofty position is the view that stretches the length of the coast. Here, from this silent vantage point hundreds of feet in the air, the tropical tableau of Caribbean resort life is stretched out beneath your wiggling bare feet.

Sure, the Dominican Republic has all-inclusive beach resorts and fancy, modern eateries, but outside of the predictable tourist sprawl is the heart of the Dominican culture. At this roadside restaurant in the town of Cabarete, two lunch time patrons discuss tales of normal life in a dimly-lit eatery where few travelers venture. Flanked by colors which jump from the walls, it’s a telling display of Dominican vibrancy. As with every destination in the world, to truly get a sense of authentic culture you must leave the comforts of the modern resort and hang with locals on little-known sidestreets to feel the pulse of resident life.

The beach itself is wide, golden and lined with an array of eateries. But it’s also known around the world as one of the best places to windsurf (June welcomes an international competition here). Even if you aren’t a practitioner of the sport, you can relax on the sand and gaze at the pros as they surf, swirl and jump over the waves. Kiteboarding, windsurfing’s more airborne sister, has also taken off in the area.

Picture-perfect Playa Las Terrenas stretches for kilometers. To the east of town it is dotted with beach bars and restaurants set among the palm trees. These simple joints are perfect for kicking back with a beer or a Cuba libre. But if that sounds too formal and structured, or you just can’t drag yourself away from the sand, keep an eye out for people wandering the beach and selling coconuts. (Note: Dust off your haggle.) They’ll hack the top off for you so you can drink the milk, but if you want to get to the flesh you’ll have to go all Robinson Crusoe and improvise with a rock.

Just look at that grin! That doesn’t just happen for no reason. Ok sure, maybe the pre-dinner rums may have a little to do with it, but mostly that beaming demeanor is thanks to some killer local Dominican Republic cuisine in the form of BBQ chicken, rice & peas, yucca, plantains and salad. Located just off the main road across from Ocean Dream in the heart of Cabarete, Parrilla Luis is a local spot with a lot to love!

A motoconcho is a taxi “motorcycle” (sometimes closer to a moped) in the Dominican Republic. A quick ride across town should cost around 50 pesos or $1.50 US. Motoconchos are definitely a popular and economical way for locals to get around. Just be extra, extra careful should you hire your own.

Luckily, there still are places in the world enough untouched to spend a week like Robinson Crusoe--unplugged, unstructured, by the sea. On the Samana Peninsula of the Dominican Republic, I found a small guest house that had space in the back garden to pitch a tent. Here was the view from my tent! Perched on top of 150' bluff overlooking a pounding sea, the Atlantic Ocean didn’t lull me into sleep every night. The last few days were spent under full moon nights. And when a truly big wave would hit the bluff, compressed air would blow through vents in the stone, sounding like a surfacing humpback whale (which I spotted off the coast--they come to the Samana to calve.) I awoke on my final morning (I’d planned to break camp and catch the “guagua” to town, then a bus back to Santo Domingo) to torrential rains! I dashed around like a madman in a bathing suit, trying to extract all my belongings. It was so over-the-top ludicrous, that I just had to laugh out-loud. All my anxiety about keeping my stuff safe & dry washed away in the rainstorm. Sometimes “losing control” is the best thing that can happen on a travel. It keeps you real.

Flying over the DR is probably one of the most gorgous things ever! I took this picture out the window from the plane.

We had to take an 1 hour long drive from the airport in Puerto Plata to Las Terrenas. We saw some beautiful spots along the way!

I didnt manage to get on the tatami myself, but grabbing a drink and watching these guys train while trying to capture some photos was a sport unto itself. They accept students of all levels, from beginner to black belt, and teach classes in English and Spanish.

My travelmates and I were en route to a holistic health center in Tubagua when this Dominican family zoomed past on a motorbike. I’ve been to several places in the Caribbean, and I know that motorcycle helmets tend to be a faux pas, but I’d never seen someone holding a baby on the back of a motorcycle before - much less without a helmet! This image gives me great insight into what everyday life in the Dominican Republic is really like.

Great place to do some wake boarding until the locals pointed out all the crocodiles that where sitting on the edge of the river! Added to the fear factor. Great views up the river.

The half day dune buggy tour (i booked through viator.com) was the highlight. Though the resort is nice, I was going stir crazy. I HIGHLY recommend doing this! Other things to note: - All-inclusive is pretty much the only option here. If food is a big part of your travel experience Punta Cana will disappoint you - be forewarned.... - AMEN for bug wipes and sunglasses (though not intense in November the sunlight is oddly bright white)! - Be prepared to pay $10 pp entry fee at the airport. Our resort was a 40 min. drive and I assume all the others are the same in that you are locked in. There’s no where else to go walking distance (hence the all-inclusive). - The people are friendly and love to sing but hardly speak English (in fact I was amazed at how many non-english speaking tourists there were also!). Our resort, casino, market etc used american dollars though. And hotel itself was very kid friendly. - The beach sand rivals Destin’s (#1 on my beach list) but riptide was too strong for me to enjoy the ocean. Lastly, when departing, getting to the airport and airport itself is MADDENING. I very strongly recommend you use a taxi instead of bus transport (we reserved 3 hours in advance and still barely made it).

There are many different sides of every country that you visit. You can take the city lovers route and discover all of that, or you can take to the country and get in touch with how people used to live before cities and the many conveniences that we have today. The farm life in the DR is like that of the farm life in many places of the world. There is seldom electricity, the water comes from the rivers and you live off of the land. You get what you give. From my experience this creates an authentic person. Not changed by the outside world and connected completely to nature, if you’re looking to see some true culture you go to the mountains, rivers and deserted places where few people live.

Punta Cana can be a good place for windsurfing. However if you are super serious about windsurfing you need to know that the Mecca of wind sports in Dominican Republic is Cabarete (about 8 hours road trip from Punta Cana). Typically windsurfers here use a 5.5M sail and 100L board. You should be able to rent equipment somewhere but given the fact that it is not the most popular sport here you should try to check with your hotel prior to coming to Punta Cana if you will be able to get any windsurfing equipment and/or lessons nearby. Club Med is one of the places in Punta Cana that does have windsurfs available.

I recently went with my friends in the Dominican Republic ordered the transfer to the site comprador.info there is a link to the transfers (do not remember the link) came a minibus for 6 people for only $ 30 in the Bavaro area. I recommend to all