Dominican Republic holidays

2:31pm Friday 25th June 2010 in Holiday information

A Beautiful Island Paradise

When Christopher Columbus first discovered this island in 1492, he described it as a 'beautiful island paradise' and that is exactly what you will still see today. Dominican Republic holidays offer a wonderful mix of traditional villages that doze in the afternoon sun, secluded beaches with crystal clear waters and vibrant towns that know how to party. Dazzling white sands lined with palm trees stretching towards the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean create a paradise that must be seen to be believed. You can see the obvious beauty of this island at first glance, however when you receive the friendly welcome from the Dominican people you will also see the inner beauty.

Dominican Republic holidays give you four main regions to choose from, Samana on its own eastern peninsula, Punta Cana and La Romana to the south east, the islands capital of Santo Domingo on the south coast and Puerto Plata to the north.

Puerto Plata is the perfect example for showing Dominican life as it really is. Most of the all inclusive resorts are found just outside of town, a place that will transport you back in time with its quaint harbour side cafes, Victorian style houses and old fashioned cobbled streets.

Samana sits on its own little peninsula to the east of the island and can only be described as 'paradise'. Listen to the cascading waterfalls creating a drum beat for the chirpy parrots and noisy yet harmless cicada insects, or relax on the pristine white sands as the crystal clear waters dance gently to the sound of the palm trees swaying on the breeze.

Punta Cana and Romana take you to the south of the island and the part that the locals call the most beautiful. That's a very bold statement considering how beautiful the whole island is, however one glimpse at this region and you'll probably agree with them. Bayahibe has a cluster of fishermen's cottages and is the perfect place to unwind and watch them bring in their early morning catch. A little further along the coast, you'll come across Bavaro, once a small fishing village, now a bustling resort full of shops, bars and restaurants.

The island's capital Santo Domingo is home to medieval churches, cobbled streets, sun drenched terraces and fascinating museums. If you head just a little bit inland you can wander through a stunning mountain terrain interspersed with sugar sweet villages, stopping off at aromatic coffee plantations.

Dominican Republic holidays are available all year round due to the excellent temperatures here although travelling to the north of the island is advisable between June and September and the south between November and April to avoid the rainy seasons.