Caribbean Lifestyle
Ahistory buff might know the Domini- can Republic as the modern name of the place where Christopher Colum- bus and crew first made landfall after crossing the Atlantic in 1492. A sports fan might know this Caribbean nation
as the 2013 World Baseball Classic champion
and home to dozens of Major League stars like
Albert Pujols and David Ortiz. But a growing
number of Americans and Europeans are discovering that the Dominican Republic is not only a
great year-round vacation destination, but also
an ideal location to live, work or retire.
The Dominican Republic is a stable, progressive democracy with a thriving free-market economy that’s the largest
of any Caribbean country. Spanish is the official national
language, but many workers in the hospitality industry speak
English. Crime rates are low and so are most basic living
costs like food, transportation and medical care.
The fall and winter months are a great time to visit the
Dominican Republic. Average daily highs range from the
mid-80s to the upper 90s and water sports like swimming
and surfing along its 1,000 miles of coastline are always in
season. Temperatures can be much cooler in the mountainous interior and a growing eco-tourism industry accommodates visitors who want to explore the rich diversity of the
tropical highlands.
THE NORTH COAST
The North Coast region of the Dominican Republic faces
the Atlantic Ocean and is one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. The port city of Puerto Plata is a popular
stop for cruise ships and is home to a number of full-service
resorts. The city features museums and historic sites like the
16th-century San Felipe Fort. Area beaches include several
with big waves that are ideal for surfing, and the nearby
Ocean World Park offers exhibits that include the world’s
largest custom-built dolphin lagoon. Another must-see site
is the Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens, accessed via a
spectacular cable car ride to a mountain peak overlooking
the city. Nightlife includes a welcoming variety of merengue
and salsa music clubs.
Just to the east is the town of Cabarete, an international
destination for windsurfers, kiteboarders and scuba divers.
Even as its popularity as a tourist destination has grown,
Cabarete has retained an intimate, small-town character
where nearly all of the shops and restaurants are within
walking distance. Many eco-tours to the interior originate
in Cabarete and the acclaimed Playa Grande Golf Course,
designed by Robert Trent Jones with 10 oceanfront holes, is
about a 30-minute drive away. Sea Horse Ranch (see sidebar) is located just outside of Cabarete.
Samana is a North Coast town that is especially popular
for honeymooners and couples seeking a romantic retreat in
a beautifully natural setting. The nearby El Limon Waterfall
and the Los Haitises National Park offer splendid day-trip
opportunities. Horseback riding, snorkeling and sailing are
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
An Ultimate
by J G Walker
