Blogs from Dominican Republic, Central America Caribbean - page 5

The taxi is a three-wheeler: two, back-to-back, metal bench seats over the rear axle, welded to the front half of a motorbike. On this we, and our baggage, travel to Las Galeras; slowly, noisily and belching black smoke on every hill. We are glad when the hour long trip to the north coast is over. Las Galeras is a small fishing village - the fish seller comes to the door every morning while we have breakfast. Fish or octopus today? It has to be fish! The octopus looks like tripe with a pink skin. And, anyway, we don't know how to cook octopus. Breakfast comes with a fresh coconut full of juice, and lots of fruit and coffee. We are staying in our own little cottage overlooking the beach. In the evening, we cook the fish ... read more

18thDec Dominican Republic – La Romana Didn’t have a cruise tour organised, just decided to catch a shuttle bus into town and maybe, if we’d done an organised tour, gone to the ‘tourist spot’ we may have had a better experience at La Romana. As it is…we do not want to come back here. We were taken into ‘town’ where a central market area was organised and was covered with stalls. However, we were so hassled by the stall owners, that we felt overwhelmed and rushed to get through to the other side. We crossed the road and looked at the church and while we were crossing back, was advised by a policeman on a motorbike passing by that John take off his gold necklace as it was likely to be pulled from his neck by ... read more

First time in Dominican Republic. For an animal lover like me, that's not the best spot, as many animals you found on the continent, (monkeys, anteaters, sloths, macaws, squirrels,etc..), are absent. But there are some beautiful places and people nonetheless. Stayed in Sosua. Sea was really rough: Visited the classics in Puerto Plata: cable car to Isabel de Torres mountain, (great !!), , Brugal Rhum factory, (good - the rhum and the prices...), amber museum, (a bit worn out), and the San Felipe Fortress, (okay if you never visited one in latin america before). Went to visit a friend in the mountains in the interior, (San Jose de Las Matas), real beautiful surroundings and less chaotic than coastal cities. AN inviting place! Visited the Cabarete caves, (small but tour is interesting and well led). See video ... read more

When my family and I moved to Jarabacoa, I knew that lots of natural experiences awaited me. There is plenty to do: mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, paragliding, and many visits to waterfalls. Staying at Villa Celeste Estate in Jarabacoa was the beginning of us knowing that Dominican Republic is more then just Beach and Sun. Several months later, and after a little research, I met Katherine. A French-Canadian who decided over 25 years ago to hang her hat here in Jarabacoa and call it home. Katherine convinced me that I needed to head to Manabao, about a 25-mile drive up and further into the mountains for the best hike I would ever experience. She promised that this short hike would leave me breathless (pun-intended), which included hiking down through an uncharted path leading ... read more

AFFORDABLE LUXURY Peirgiorgio Palace Hotel Our second day in Santa Domingo started with the Weston Suites’ very fine breakfast. It was probably the most complete free breakfast I have had since I started traveling. It had a buffet that changed daily. You could order eggs the way you like them. There was a very diverse fresh fruit tray, breads, and some days there were pancakes or French toast. There were cereals and yogurt, juice and hot beverages, and it was all you can eat. The breakfast room was on one of the top floors so there was a great view as well. When we were full we went to the bus station and caught the bus to Sosua, Puerto Plata. It was a three and a half hour ride. The bus was comfortable and the price ... read more