Discovering the Dominican Republic
The
Dominican Republic shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with Haiti,
covering the eastern two-thirds of this relatively large island located between
Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east. The Dominican Republic has lovely
mountains, protected valleys and gentle coastal plains; great beaches with
serene lagoons; and year-round golf courses. The island is also known for
merengue music, a love of baseball and a flavorful mix of Spanish, African and
native Taino cuisines.
Some
ships call on Puerto Plata on the island’s north shore, where you can browse
through Central Artesanal, an artist’s cooperative, for unique wood carvings,
paintings and jewelry. But, you may be distracted from shopping by the city’s
Victorian architecture, the surrounding mountains or the beautiful beaches.
This area is also known for its rich supply of amber, with some spectacular
pieces on display at the town’s Amber
Museum .
Cruise
ships may call on the capital city of Santo Domingo on the island’s southern
coast. The pier at Don Diego Quay is a short walk from the city’s Old Town
area. There are many wonderful colonial era buildings, including the Alcazar de
Colòn, a World Heritage site that houses an excellent art museum. Originally,
the alcazar was the family home and governor’s mansion of Diego Colòn ,
son of Christopher Columbus. The Fortaleza Ozama is a 16th-century
castle built by the Spanish to guard the entrance to the port, and was so well
constructed that it served as a prison until the 1960s.
Other
ships dock near the village of La Romana, a great place to search for locally
made crafts in the boutiques and shops located around the town.
While
visiting, you’ll be able to pick from a variety of shore excursions, such as
snorkeling or diving, horseback riding, golf, city tours, bird watching or a
relaxing day at the beach.
One
or two port calls in the Dominican Republic are often included on cruises of
the Eastern Caribbean, which also encompasses the British and American Virgin
Islands. Winter is a terrific time to cruise there, and a variety of cruise
lengths and itineraries are available. Talk with your Cruise Holidays personal
cruise expert about all of your options for discovering the Dominican Republic .