Dominican Republic — the Jewel of the Caribbean Region. The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is during the winter and early spring, when it's cold in Latvia but here, the weather is warm, with a pleasant temperature around 25°C. The island boasts almost 1,609 km of coastline, 402 km of which are beaches. No visa is required for visiting the Dominican Republic; however, a straw hat, sunscreen, and stylish swimsuits are a must! Fun fact: the films Jurassic Park, the first Pirates of the Caribbean, and King Kong were filmed here.

WHAT TO SEE

Los Haitises National Park

A true paradise for ecotourism lovers on the Samana Peninsula, covering over 200 square kilometers. In terms of exoticism, this park surpasses any other reserve in the Dominican Republic: mangrove swamps with evergreen trees growing out of the water, bamboo groves, and tropical rainforest, where scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed. There are also caves with ancient rock art by the Taíno tribe, the island’s first inhabitants (including the famous “Devil’s Mouth” with stalactites and stalagmites). The best way to explore the reserve is by boat or kayak tours, where you can observe hawks, pelicans, and other exotic birds.

Turquoise Cenotes

Cenotes, natural pools in the tropical rainforests, are striking with their bright turquoise waters. The most beautiful ones can be found in the nature parks “Ojos Indígenas” and “Hoyo Azul.”

La Hacienda Adventure Park

This park near Punta Cana combines natural beauty with the atmosphere of traditional Dominican life. Here, you can go horseback riding through the jungle, take buggy rides in the mountains, help locals harvest sugarcane, ride a zipline over treetops, or swing on a Tarzan-style swing. You can also try mamajuana (a blend of medicinal herbs, honey, spices, ground tree bark, rum, and red wine), buy jewelry with larimar, a blue stone also called “Dominican turquoise,” or amulets with shark teeth.

Coral Reefs and Sunken Ships

The Dominican Republic is a true paradise for snorkeling and diving. The underwater world here is vibrant with coral reefs and tropical fish, and the coast is home to some of the world’s largest sea turtles. There are even sunken pirate ships to explore.

Whale Watching

From December to March, thousands of humpback whales from the North Atlantic migrate to the warm waters of Samana Bay off the Dominican coast to find a mate and raise their young. Boat tours offer the opportunity to witness whale jumps and hear their “songs.”

Mountain Swings

Located near Punta Cana, Redonda Mountain may not be the tallest, but it is one of the island’s favorite places to visit. The swings at the mountain’s peak provide unforgettable views. You can hike up or take a safari vehicle, which includes a ride through rice fields and a visit to Limón Beach.

WHAT TO TASTE

Sancocho – a hearty soup prepared like “Irish stew,” so each restaurant has its own variation. The only required ingredient is young corn, but it can also include pork sausage, small fish, garlic, onion, various peppers, and more.

Pescado con coco – fish marinated in cilantro, parsley, lime juice, and garlic, then stewed in a coconut milk sauce with spices.

Pastelón de plátanos – a pie made with local green bananas and seasoned ground meat with onions. It may sound unusual, but it’s delicious.

Fresh fish and seafood, grilled or fried in coconut oil.

Coffee, cocoa, and chocolate, considered among the world’s best.