Port Diver guide

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TOPSIDE ATTRACTIONS FROM THE GENTLE TO EXTREMEPLUS

thingsyouMUSTdointheDominican

Republic10

Guide to

DominicanRepublic

We visitsites off thenorthern,eastern andsoutherncoasts ST GEORGE

– dive the biggestwreck in the DR

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1Dive the St George, a wreck that exceeds 80metres long and is considered the largest sunkenboat in the Dominican Republic. Located off the

East Coast, this is best suited for advanced divers, asdepths range from 24m-36m.

2Explore Santo Domingo, the capital of the DominicanRepublic. If you want history, it is all here – all westernhistory eventually traces back through the meeting of

two distinctly different cultures way back in 1492 with thearrival of Columbus.The Ciudad Colonial was even recognisedby UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992.

3Chill out on Bahia de laAquilas, which isconsistently voted the Dominican Republic’s topbeach, boasting over 8km of bone-white sand

lapped by warm turquoise waters.

4Marvel at the LimonWaterfall (close to Las Terrenas inSamana), which is one of the country’s most-amazingsights.The waterfall cascades its waters 50 metres off a

sheer cliff to an inviting natural pool.A 45-minute hike or a20-minute horseride will have you admiring this cascade.

The Dominican Republic is a rising star in the Caribbean holidayscene, with resorts and hotels to suit each and every budget,fantastic beaches, crystal-clear warm waters, lush swathes of forestand a climate to die for. So it is a bit bizarre that the nation is notreally known as a diving destination.Ask about the Dominican Republic in diving circles and you willgenerally be met by stony silence. The odd person with a

predilection for cave diving might know about the extensive cave systems whichriddle the country, but otherwise this really is one of the undiscovered gems of theCaribbean.However, the locals know what they have, and there are a multitude of dive centresjust waiting to take you out to explore the nation’s walls and reefs. There are evenseveral artificial reefs, including the 81-metre St George – that is a decent-sized wreckin anyone’s book.The Dominican Republic is definitely known for encounters with one of the largestcreatures on the planet – whales. Each year, humpback whales migrate past thecountry, and it is possible to join liveaboard trips that let you snorkel with thesesocial leviathons.When you aren’t diving, there is plenty to keep you occupied, from the gentle(museums, chilling on the beach, whale-watching) to theextreme (kiteboarding, mountain biking, canyoning), plusplenty in-between.The Dominican Republic is a great destination for diversand non-divers alike, so whether you want a relaxingbreak, a romantic holiday, a fast-and-frenetic club trip or afun-filled family vacation, this beautiful Caribbean nation issure to deliver.

THINGSYOUMUSTDO...

From the editor

GUIDE TODOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Photographs by: Dominican Republic Tourist Board, www.aggressor.com and Martyn Farr

TOPTEN

Mark Evans,Editor, Sport Diver

LimonWaterfall is anawe-inspiring sight

The view fromPico Duarte

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5Visit the Larimar Mines and see the miners upclose and personal as they search for theprecious stone, which is only found in these

specific mines and no where else on the planet.Youcan even buy some to bring home as a souvenir.

6Go canyoning in the Damajaqua Cascades (27Waterfalls). It takes an hour-long hike just to get to thestart of the adventure, but coming down is much

quicker, wetter and a lot more fun!

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7Gowhale-watching from Samana. Every year,more than 50,000 people visit the area to watchthe humpback whales during their mating season

between 15 January and 15March.These giganticmammals come during the winter from the NorthAtlantic in order to enjoy the warmwaters and givebirth, and they put on a spectacular show for thewatching public.

8Visit Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest peak at 3,087metres. It can be reached by several trails that rangefrom three to seven days, and those who make it to the

top will be rewarded with a spectacular view.

9Explore Lago Enriquillo; at 39 metres belowe sea level,this huge saltwater lake is home to crocodiles. Only acountry as diverse as the Dominican Republic could lay

claim to the highest and lowest points in the Caribbean!

10Try kiteboarding in Cabarete Bay, the ‘kiteboarding capital of the world’.There are a host ofprofessional schools just waiting to get you started if you have never given it a go. Let’s be honest,if you are going to try this extreme sport, this is the place to do it!

A chilled-out evening in theColonial Zone of Santo Domingo

Cabarete Bay is the ‘kiteboardingcapital of the world’

Canyoning is great fun

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DOMINICANREPUBLIC

Introduction to the

The Dominican Republic is thesecond largest nation in theCaribbean. It shares the island ofHispaniola, situated betweenPuerto Rico and Cuba, with Haiti.

The Dominican Republic occupies the easterntwo-thirds of the island and Haiti occupies thewestern portion. To the north is the AtlanticOcean and to the south is the Caribbean Sea.The Dominican Republic enjoys a privilegedtropical, maritime climate. The main annualtemperature ranges from a cool 17 degrees Cto a warm 33 degrees C, primarily inlow-lying areas and along the coast. Althoughknown as a tropical island, temperatures insome mountainous regions can dip below the

freezing mark in the winter months.The Dominican Republic is geographically

diverse for its size, having extensive beachesof white sand, evergreen forests in thehighlands, fertile valleys with exuberant

vegetation, and even desert zones with duneformations. Its mineral resources includenickel, bauxite, gold and silver.The Dominican Republic is crossed by fourparallel mountain ranges running northwestto southeast, with fertile valleys in between.The largest is the Cordillera Central,extending from northwest of Santo Domingointo Haiti. The Cordillera Central’s sister peaksof Pico Duarte, and the slightly smaller LaPelona, dwarf all the others in the region. Themountain range is also home to theCaribbean’s highest savannah forest at 2,286metres in Valle Nuevo National Park. Alongthe north coast is the Cordillera Septentrional.South of the Cordillera Central are the Sierrade Neiba and the Sierra de Bahoruco ranges.Between the Sierra de Neiba and the Sierra deBahoruco is Lago Enriquillo, the largestnatural, salt water lake in the country, withthe lowest elevation in the Caribbean islands.The country is divided into 31 provinces anda district, in which the capital is located.Other important cities are Santiago, San Pedrode Macorís, Puerto Plata and Barahona.

The DR boastsmany wrecks

The DR isrenowned for its

reef diving

The Dominican Republic is home to thehighest point in the Caribbean - Pico Duarte,the 3,087-metre peak of the Cordillera Central,one of four mountain ranges crossing thecountry. It is so high it is often covered in frostduring the winter months.


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The currency in the Dominican Republic is theDominican Peso (£1 = RD$60.51). However, mostof the hotels and restaurants in the tourist areaswill accept major credit cards and US dollars.

CurrencyDominican Republic divingSurrounded by the Atlantic Ocean andCaribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic is adiver’s paradise, with nearly 1,000 miles ofdramatic coastline. Beneath the surface of theazure, blue seas surrounding the country,divers are within easy reach of magnificentreef structures, amazing shipwrecks,uninhabited islands, mysterious tunnels andcaves, and abundant marine life. Diving andsnorkelling opportunities are never-ending, asmost of the resorts offer courses and tours,making it easy for visitors to engage in thisunderwater one-on-one with Mother Nature.It's no wonder that the Dominican Republic isknown as one of the best places to dive in theCaribbean region. With crystal-clear warmwaters (average water temperature is 25-29degrees C) and vibrantly coloured marine life,you will never run out of things to discover.Diving off the north coast along the Atlanticcurrents is particularly interesting, as you cansee many unique bays and reefs. Anotherunique area is the Samaná Peninsula. Here,you can dive near high cliffs and coastalpreserves. Divers also enjoy heading down theeast coast near the Mona Passage for an

astounding underwater experience that leadsyou to the southwest coast.If you want to explore this fascinatingunderwater world, the Dominican Republichas many trips and tours that will provide youwith an unforgettable view of the waterssurrounding this beautiful nation. ��

Sunset in theDominican Republic


There is the chance youmight encounter whales

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Snorkellers venture closeto a huge humpback whale

NORTH COAST -ADRENALINERUSH

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Aspectacular region filled withcolourful coral, exciting divesand rich marine fauna. Siteslike Pared del Aeropuerto (TheAirport) offer memorable dives

with spectacular reef walls and incredibleamounts of tropical fish, while the‘kiteboarding capital of the world’, Cabarete,isn’t just widely-known for great watersportconditions, as it also boasts thrilling caveadventures for experienced divers.Beginning divers will also find a plethora ofsites along the DR’s North Coast, as areas likeSosúa offer shallow waters and sandybottoms, particularly in the Puerto Plataprovince and the site El Canal. People love tosnorkel here because of its spectacularcolours and wide variety of fish.From January through March, Samaná isknown for whale sightings, however thisarea also offers unmatched caves, tunnelsand reef abysses for divers throughout theyear, specifically at Las Galeras, there is theCabo Cabrón, a challenging area that goesdown to more than 36m. Here, there arelarge coral landscapes, like Las Tres Puertas(The Three Doors) and La Piedra (The Stone),which are formations jutting out from thesea.At Las Terrenas you will find Las TresBallenas (The Three Whales), named afterthree stones that are covered in beautifulcoral. Divers should also check out ElFrontón, with its beautiful and abundantmarine life that is great for snorkelling.For those not looking to go very deep, theNagua area has Bahoba del Pinal, filled withmarine life and caverns such as Eels and theCueva de Lily, or Lily's Cave.Montecristi, a province to the north west,has a variety of coral reefs, including manyin the vicinity of Punta Rucia. Here you willbe able to enjoy the reef of Cayo Arena andthe remains of 20 boats, including one of theSpanish fleet that sunk in 1563.The best months for diving on the NorthCoast are June to September, when the wateris calm and visibility is at its very best.

Regional attractionsCaves:• El Dudu, located just east of Cabrera - thissite is one of the most popular in the DR,which includes a freshwater lagoon,

numerous tunnels and depths exceeding90m.• Pozo de los Caballos, which can be reachedby going through two wide tunnels afterdiving El Dudu, and boasts a maximumdepth of 15m.• Cueva de Lily, derived from the samesystem as El Dudu and Pozo de los Caballeros- this site is considered a dry cave and ishome to a colony of bats.• Cueva de Arbol, located less than a mileaway from El Dudu - this cave rests alongsidean impressive sinkhole and averages depthsof 7m.• El Pantano, a 15-minute walk past Cuevade Arbol you’ll find this site, literallytranslated as Swamp Cave, that featuresmaximum depths of 18m.

Reefs:• Las Tres Ballenas, located in Las Terrenas -this reef is made up of three beautiful stonescovered in coral and is home to grouper.• Tibisi, located near Las Galeras - this sitetouts a sand bottom, with a depth of over40m and amazing visibility up to 30 metres.• Mano de Oro, as one of Rio San Juan’smost-popular reefs, the area featuresgorgeous ocean life and high visibility.• Seven Colinas, located in Rio San Juan nearMano de Oro - this area offers an array ofmarine life and beautiful waters.• Pared del Aeropuerto, located alongside thecoast of Sosúa - this site is known for itsswim-through passages and astounding reefwall.• Cabo Cabrón, found in Samaná - this siteoffers wall diving and the ever-popular TheTower, a pinnacle that rises from 43m to just1.5m below the surface.

Shipwrecks:• Zingara, 36m below the water’s surface -this wreck site is frequented by a two-metremoray eel that has a reputation for surprisingcurious divers.• El Barquito - this small cargo ship is foundnear Sosúa and is the habitat for a wide arrayof ocean life.• Las Galeras - this 1960s container ship islocated in the beach town of Las Galeras onthe north side of the Samaná Peninsula andis inhabited by a colony of big green morayeels.


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There are caves andcaverns for all levels ofdiver certification

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EASTCOAST -TRUEADVENTURE

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As one of the DR’s most-visited destinations dueto the renowned tourist areas of Bávaro andPunta Cana, the East Coast is well-known for itslong beaches, which contain over 80 miles ofcoral reef. Divers also revel in the area’sfreshwater caves and cooler water temperatures,which make for a very refreshing andexhilarating experience. With a wealth of marinelife (barracudas, morays and mackerel), the EastCoast boasts the 81-metre St George, the biggest

sunken ship in the DR, and astounding caves.Both Catalina Island and Saona Island (NationalPark of the East) are diving hot spots, as theyoffer high visibility and fantastic places to seeelkhorn corals, coloured sponges, fan corals andeven dolphin sightings. Recently, explorersdiscovered the wreck of the Captain Kidd at4.5m, with more than 20 cannons. In addition,sites off the coasts of La Romana and Bayahibefeature exuberant marine life both for divingand snorkelling – perfect for visitors of allexperience levels.

Regional attractionsCavesPadre Nuestro, just 15 minutes from Bayahibe -this freshwater cave includes massive tunnels,limestone stalagmites and stalactites.La Jeringa, located in the National Park of theEast - this relatively new site features anaverage depth of 14m and is an archaeologist’sfavourite for finding ancient fossils.El Toro, with impressive stalactites andstalagmites hanging from the cave’s tunnelsand house-size boulders at every turn - this siteoffers an unforgettable dive at 18m below thewater’s surface.

WrecksCaptain Kidd, resting in less than 4.5m ofseawater - this newly discovered wreckage isjust 21 metres off of the coast of CatalinaIsland and features 24 preserved antiquecannons.St George, nestled between the area’s twomajor islands - this wreck exceeds 80 metreslong and is considered the largest sunken boatin the DR. Best suited for advanced divers, thissite is slightly tilted with depths ranging from24m-36m.Astron, just off the coast of Punta Cana - thisship wreck can be found 15m under thewater’s surface, split in two pieces.

ReefsThe Aquarium, along Catalina Island’s shoreyou’ll find 10m of coral reef filled withtoadfish, seahorses and lionfish.The Wall, located off the coast of CatalinaIsland - this coral reef site is considered one ofthe most-impressive dives, with black coral,magnificent marine life and transparentwaters that offers depth and visibility of up to25m.The Pool, known as the world’s largestswimming pool - this shallow reef boasts clearwaters and beautiful marine life, located justnorth of Saona Island.Catalinita, here you will find small lobster,enormous fan corals, many small caves and achance to encounter blacktip sharks and catsharks – all at just 18m. ��

Crystal-clear watersand fringing reefs

The shipwrecks arehome to many fishand crustaceans

Sergeant majors

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The South Coast is blessedwith some stunning beaches

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SOUTH COAST -SHEEREXHILARATION

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Turquoise blue water, excellentvisibility and very little swellmakes this one of the best divingareas in the Caribbean. Thesewaters boast illuminating coral,

technicoloured fish and an underwaternational park, in addition to eerie caverns andtunnels. Home to La Caleta, the underwaternational park, and numerous dive sites nearBoca Chica, the South Coast of the DR is adiver’s dream, as it offers clear waters andarray of ocean life – well suited for bothbeginner and experienced divers.La Caleta National Park, one of the country’spremier dive areas located just off the coast ofSanto Domingo, features several noteworthyshipwrecks and a large reef system. The parkbegins at the Cave of the Swallows andextends to Caucedo Point, with an irregulartopography with three well-defined terraces toexplore.Very soon, the first underwater museum aboutthe country will be added to the La CaletaPark. The underwater museum will featuresubmerged sculptures with one sectionreflecting native Dominican themes and theother reflecting religious Dominican themes.On the coasts of the provinces of Peravia, Azuaand Barahona you will find even moreexcitement. In Pedernales, the diving is simplyspectacular and can be accessed from thebeaches of Cabo Rojo (Red Cape) and Bahia delas Aguilas (Bay of Eagles). These areas are fullof intense colours and lots of marine life. CaboFalso (False Cape), another good option, is onlyrecommended for expert divers because of thestrong underwater currents.Also in the area is Los Frailes, where you cango underwater to see a formation of whiterocks shooting up from out of the sea. Aroundthese rocks, you will be able to see manydifferent types of fish. Another extraordinaryarea surrounds the islands of Beata and AltoVelo, but again is only recommended toexperienced divers because of its strongcurrents.In short, underwater life along the South Coastin the Dominican Republic will give you aunique peek into an underwater world thatyou can't find anywhere else.

Regional attractionsCaves:Cueva Taina, located just off the coast of SantoDomingo - this site is perfect for experienceddivers looking for crystal-clear, warm waters,breathtaking rock formations, stalactites,stalagmites and a stunning halocline at 15m.El Tildo, this cave site, located near SantoDomingo, features a pronounced halocline,stalactites and three different entrances.Jardines Orientales, found in Santo Domingo,this cave is recommended for expert divers asit boasts difficult access and dark, dangerousturns.

WrecksHickory, located in La Caleta National Park,this 40-metre transport freighter lies at 18mbelow the water’s surface in the middle of anicely composed coral reef. It was sunk in1984 as an artificial reef.Limón, 18m below lies a 35-metre tug boatthat’s considered the area’s mostwell-preserved wreck, also located in La CaletaNational Park.Capitan Alsina, angled on the reef at 40m, thisship is one of the deepest of all La CaletaNational Park’s wrecks.Don Quico, resting in a sandy area about 60mbelow La Caleta National Park water’s edge,this site is recommended for deep range ortechnical divers. This ship is incrediblyimpressive, as it sits completely intact at thebottom of the sea and has safe access on all

sides.El Catuán, located off the coast of Boca Chica,is also incredibly intact with easy access on allsides. At 18m deep, this wreck combinesmystery, green morays, lionfish andcrystal-clear waters – excellent conditions forphotographers.

ReefsSeven Coconut Shrubs, named for the sevencoconut trees on the coast facing this area -this illustrious reef lies near Santo Domingo.At 15m visitors will find healthy coral life andprawns at every turn.Dominican Bahamas, located near SantoDomingo - this reef gets its nickname from thewildlife that is so similar to the Bahamas, likesea turtles and barracuda. It ranges fromdepths of 18-36m.El Tiringo, found just off the coast of SantoDomingo - this site features a naturalenvironment for breeding stingray andAmerican eagle ray.El Hoyo, located just 200 metres west of DonQuico - this site looks like a DominicanRepublic version of the Grand Canyon,reaching a massive 67m deep. A diverse rangeof marine life is found here in different typesand sizes, including sea bass, snapper andmany more.El Aquario, ideal for beginners - this area ishome to an amazing amount of fish speciesthat are very comfortable around divers, as thesite offers clear, shallow waters.

The Dominican Republiccoastline is picture-perfect

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Aswell as scuba diving andsnorkelling, there are a multitude ofother attractions and activities tokeep visitors occupied. If you wantto get your adrenaline pumping,

then a canyoning trip is sure to get your heartracing. One of the most-popular trips takes in theDamajaqua Cascades (27 Waterfalls), a series ofwaterfalls about 45 minutes from Cabarete or 25minutes from Puerto Plata. In order to enjoy thecanyoning adventure, you hike up the mountainfor about an hour until you reach the falls andwork your way back down the river by jumpingand sliding through pools of water - this can bechallenging so you shouldn't have any fear ofjumping from three to six metre falls.Cabarete is a small, vibrant beach town knownfor its beachfront bars and restaurants. It is alsothe Dominican Republic’s mecca for watersports,where you’ll find a host of professional schoolswho teach surfing, kitesurf and windsurf.Santo Domingo is far more than just the capitalof the Dominican Republic. It is where the NewWorld started. For over five centuries, it hasboasted its title as the ‘First City in the Americas’.All of western history eventually traces backthrough the meeting of two distinctly different

cultures here one day in 1492.History buffs will not be disappointed. That'sbecause Santo Domingo has an impressivedisplay of historic monuments that documentthe earth-shattering event that happened over500 years ago. It stands as a testament to boththe Spanish, Taíno, and African influences thatstill shape the Dominican Republic today.The historical significance of this incredible cityhas not gone unnoticed. In 1992, the CiudadColonial (Spanish for ‘Colonial City’) wasrecognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.Ciudad Colonial is part of the original SantoDomingo, and the origin of the district dates backto the 1500s. The district is located in the westcorner of the Ozama River, which bisects the city.The district today covers less than 5 squarekilometres and contains many museums andother historic buildings documenting theCaribbean's earliest history.In 2009, Santo Domingo even received thedistinction of being named the American Capitalof Culture for 2010 by the International Bureauof Capitals of Culture.The Alcazar de Colon in Santo Domingo wasbuilt by Christopher Columbus' son between1510 and 1514. This restored building was one of

the first structures built in the oldest remainingEuropean city in the Americas, and is the oldestViceregal residence in America. The buildinghouses the Museo Alcázar de Diego Colón, whosecollection exhibits the Caribbean'smost-important ensemble of European latemedieval and Renaissance works of art, whichwere acquired in the 1950s. The tapestrycollection (spanning from the 15th to 17thcenturies) is particularly important and unique inthe Caribbean, and includes pieces produced bythe Flemish Van Den Hecke family fromcartouches created by Charles Le Brun. TheAlcázar is the most visited museum in SantoDomingo. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, thefirst cathedral in the Americas, is known for itsdramatic architecture.

Horseback ridingthrough theDominican Republic

Other things to do in the

DOMINICANREPUBLIC


The interior of the Alcazar deColon

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South CentralPlaya Juan Dolio is a small beach townwith kilometres of shoreline.Playa Guayacanes is a tiny fishing townwith quaint beaches and restaurants. -PlayaBoca Chica is the ‘city beach’ known for itscalm waters and fried fish.Santo Domingo is the cultural capital of theDominican Republic; home to the firsthospital, monastery, paved road, stonehome, university and church of the newworld. Parque Nacional los Haitises is a realtrek into the wilderness. The ParqueNacional los Haitises is home to mangroveforests, trails, marine life and secludedbeaches. ��

South WestLago Enriquillo is a saltwater lake home tocrocodiles and friendly iguanas.Larimar Mines offers an up-close experienceto see miners searching for the preciousstone only found in these specific minesand nowhere else on earth.Playa San Rafael has radiant waters and asmall natural swimming hole with musicand fresh seafood.Hoyo de Pelempito is the DominicanRepublic’s version of the Grand Canyon.Bahia de la Aguilas is hands down theDominican Republic’s top beach - 8km ofbone-white sand and turquoise waters withno-one around. ��

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HOTSPOTS

The DamajaquaCascades are astunning sight

East and South EastIsla Saona is the number-one touristexcursion in the Dominican Republic - abeautiful island with quintessential tropicalbeaches and palm trees.Cueva de la Maravillas is a beautiful cavesystem, well-maintained for visitors, withTaino drawings.Playa Blanca in Punta Cana is a stunningwhite sand public beach popular withkiteboarders and anyone looking to relax. Playa Esmeralda is the East Coast’smost-secluded and virgin tropical beach. Cueva Fun Fun is an immense cave systemwith underground rivers. ��

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White-water raftingdown the Yaque delSur river

Other things to do in the

DOMINICANREPUBLIC


Laguna de Oviedo (Lake Oviedo) is asmall saltwater lake with more than 40islets, and each of these is refuge forbirds such as gulls, pelicans and pinkflamingos. The Cayo de las Iguanas, in

the middle of the lake, is the place to see twotypes of iguana, the rhinoceros iguana and thericord iguana. Although large and impressive,these iguanas are completely harmless.Travelling northeast from Laguna de Oviedo, theocean-side highway towards the town ofBarahona offers the most photo-inspiringseascapes of the Dominican Republic. Along thishighway, visitors can stop at the popular beachesof San Rafael and Los Patos. Both beaches boastradiant blue waters, as well as natural swimmingpools of fresh, cool water with vendors sellingseafood and cold beers. Above San Rafael is theCachote Cloud Forest, where a short 20km driveup the mountain will drop the temperature about12 degrees C and have visitors in the middle of acommunity forest reserve - excellent forbirdwatching, horseback riding and hiking.The Malecon, in the captial city of SantoDomingo, is a waterfront boulevard (GeorgeWashington Avenue) that is home to several hugehotel/casino complexes and dozens of small

restaurants, clubs and cafes. Go there to peoplewatch, take a romantic carriage ride or just have afew beers. It is the site of many festivals andconcerts throughout the year. Parallel to theMalecon you will find Avenida Independencia, atree-lined street full of shops, bed and breakfastsand affordable restaurants with a nice mix oflocals and tourists.Santa Bárbara de Samaná, or simply Samaná, is acity and municipality in northeastern DominicanRepublic, capital of the Samaná Province. It islocated on the northern coast of Samaná Bay Thecity is an important tourism destination and isthe main centre for whale-watching tours. Morethan 50,000 people visit Samaná each year towatch the humpback whales during their matingseason between 15 January and 15 March. Thesemammals come during the winter from theNorth Atlantic in order to enjoy the warm watersand give birth. There have been times when upto 300 whales have been counted in the area.If you want to take things a little easier, there areseveral ranches around the Dominican Republicwhere you can go on a gentle horse ride aroundthe stunning countryside.The Dominican Republic is home to the largesthandmade cigar factory in the world, the

Tabacalera de Garcia, based in La Romana. Thisfactory produces some of the world’s finest cigars- Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, DonDiego, Santa Damiana, VegaFina and Onyx,among others – and employs more than 4,000people.East of Tabacalera de Garcia is Altos de Chavon, avibrant cultural community of shops, art galleries,studios and restaurants; all of which was designedto resemble a 15th century southern Italianvillage.

If you want to see somespectacular views, then a tripin the cable car up the Isabel deTorres hill overlooking Puerto Plata is amust. Or for something even more exciting, howabout a helicopter tour to get an aerial view?

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North and North WestCabarete is the watersport capital of theDominican Republic for surfing,kiteboarding and windsurfing, Cabaretealso has a great nightlife scene andkilometres of shoreline.Puerto Plata is a charming city with oldcolonial homes, a famous amber museum,the Brugal Rum Factory and a chairlift tothe Mount Isabel de Torres.27 Charcos de Damajagua is a greatadventure where visitors plunge into thepools of 27 different waterfalls.Ocean World is a world-class marine parkwith dolphins, nurse sharks, stingrays,tigers and sea lions; one of the topattractions throughout the country.Playa Punta Rucia is the gem of the NorthCoast, this beach is secluded and stunning.Visitors can also take a boat excursion tothe popular Cayo Arena, a small reef islandin the middle of the ocean with excellentsnorkelling and coral diving. ��

North EastCayo Levantado is the original BacardiIsland. Cayo Levantado was used for therum company’s famous commercials of thequintessential Caribbean beach.Playa Rincon is one of the DominicanRepublic’s top three beaches; awe inspiringand well worth the trip.Salto del Limon is an immensely beautifulcascading waterfall, which requires a45-minute hike on foot. Visitors can alsochoose to arrive on horseback.Las Terrenas is the Dominican Republic’sliveliest small beach town. Las Terrenas issurrounded by beautiful beaches and hasplenty of options for dining and nightlife.Reserva Cientifica Loma Quita Espuela isthe largest rainforest in the DominicanRepublic. Visitors can tour the rainforestand see the cultivation of cacao and theprotected forest’s natural beauty. ��

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HOT SPOTS

The cable car ride upthe Isabel de Torreshill offersspectacular views

CentralJarabacoa offers white-water rafting alongthe Yaque del Sur River and intensemountain biking excursions.Jimenoa waterfall requires a 30-minute trekdown the mountain. Jimenoa cascades 75metres from an underground water tunneland creates a natural swimming pool withcool water.Pico Duarte is the Caribbean’s highest peakat 3,087 metres, and it is a challenging hikethat can be done via various routes thatrange from three to seven days. Constanza is a gorgeous mountain town atan altitude of 1,300 metres. Located in afertile valley, Constanza is a great town toenjoy fresh produce or sit back by afireplace at night.Valle Nuevo is also known as the ‘Mother ofthe Waters’, and is a national park wheremore than 400 rivers are born. Home tocold temperatures (sometimes reachingfreezing in winter months) and the highestwaterfall in the Caribbean, Aguas Blancas,cascading 150 metres. ��

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EAST COASTCASA DANIEL SWISS DIVING SCHOOLCasa Daniel, BayahibeTel: (001) 809 833 0050Web: www.casa-daniel.com

DRESSEL DIVERS CLUBBayahibe - Iberostar Hacienda, PADI GoldPalm Resort & National Geographic DiveCenter. Punta Cana/Bavaro - IberostarBavaro Resort, PADI Gold Palm Resort &National Geographic Dive CenterWeb: www.Dresseldivers.com

BLUE ZONE SPORT / TRAVEL PROMARINEPunta Cana - Hotel Catalonia BavaroBeach GolfTel: (001) 809 412 000

MARIANA CARIBBEAN SPORTS DIVINGWORLD SAPunta Cana - Barcelo PremiumPunta CanaTel: (001) 809 476 7777Web: www.mariana-net.com

NEPTUNO BAVAROPunta Cana - Hotel IFA Villas BavaroTel: (001) 809 221 8555Web: www.neptunobavaro.com

PELICANO WATERSPORTPunta Cana - Hotel LTI Punta CanaTel: (001) 809 476 2326Web: www.pelicanosport.com

PUNTA CANA DIVE CENTERPunta Cana - Punta Cana Beach Resort,PADI Gold Palm ResortTel: (001) 809 959 2262

PUNTA CANA SCUBA DIVINGPunta Cana - Club MedTel: (001) 809 299 3182

SCUBACARIBEBayahibe - Casa del Mar, PADI Gold PalmResort. National Geographic Dive CenterPunta Cana - Melia Tropical, Natura Park,Sunscape Resort, Bahia Principe, BavaroBeach Resort and Paradisus Hotel, allPADI Gold Palm Resorts. All Riu Hotels.Web: www.scubacaribe.com

SCUBAFUN S.A.BayahibeWeb: www.scubafun.info

VIVA DIVINGBayahibe - Club Dominicus, PADI GoldPalm ResortTel: (001) 809 686 5658Web: www.vivadiving.com

SEA PRO, SAPunta CanaWeb: www.seaprodivers.com

NORTH EAST COASTSTELLINA DIVINGLas TerrenasTel: (001) 809 868 4415Web: www.StellinaDiving.com

PIRATES COVE DIVE CENTERSamanaTel: (001) 809 526 1970Web: www.piratescovedivecenter.com

NORTH COASTAQUA CENTERSosuaTel: (001) 809 801 5000Web: www.Aqua-center.com

DOLPHIN DIVE CENTERCabarete/Sosua, PADI 5 Star IDCTel: (001) 809 571 0842Web: www.dolphindivecenter.com

DRESSEL DIVERS CLUBPuerto Plata - Iberostar Costa Dorada,PADI Gold Palm Resort & NationalGeographic Dive CenterWeb: www.dresseldivers.com

FAT CATSosuaTel: (001) 809 586 1392Web: www.fatcat-diving.com

FIRST CLASS DIVERSConfresi - Sun Village Resort andHacienda, PADI Gold Palm ResortsTel: (001) 809 970 7622Web: www.first-class-divers.com

HIPPOCAMPO DIVE CENTRESosuaTel: (001) 809 915 9135Web: www.hippocampo.com

IGUANA MAMACabareteTel: (001) 809 571 0908Web: www.iguanamama.com

NORTHERN COAST AQUASPORTS, SASosua, Puerto PlataTel: (001) 809 571 1028Web: www.northerncoastdiving.com

SCUBACARIBEPuerto Plata - Riu HotelTel: (001) 809 320 1016Web: www.scubacaribe.com

SEA PRO, SAPuerto Plata - Playa Dorada HotelTel: (001) 809 320 2607Web: www.seaprodivers.com

SOUTH CENTRAL COASTGOLDEN ARROW TECHNICAL DIVINGCENTERSanto DomingoTel: (001) 809 566 7780Web: www.CaveDiving.com.do

NEPTUNO DIVE CENTERJuan Dolio – Barcelo Capella, PADI5 Star IDCTel: (001) 809 526 2005Web: www.Neptunodive.com

SEA PRO, SABoca Chica - Hotel HamacaTel: (001) 809 523 4611Web: www.seaprodivers.com

TREASURE DIVERSBoca Chica - Don Juan Beach ResortTel: (001) 809 523 5320Web: www.treasure-divers.eu

GUS DIVE CENTERTel: (001) 809 566 0818Web: www.gusdivecenter.com

DIVE CENTRESGUIDE TODOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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Documents

Port Diver guide