A Travel Guide to the Dominican Republic to Experience the Culture

While researching what to do in the Dominican Republic I had a tough time finding things that actually interested me and felt meaningful. I created this shorter guide to actually show off the parts of this country beyond Punta Cana and how to navigate this Caribbean nation as a traveler/backpacker. There are plenty of beaches not overrun by resorts and as my Uber driver said the first day of my trip (in Spanish): "You won't experience the Dominican Republic at the beaches but in the streets and clubs". This is a historic and proud country that deserves more of a chance than many people give it. So for those of you trying to experience the Dominican Republic, this guide is for you.

General Info
The Dominican Republic is on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean and shares a rather contentious land border with Haiti in the west. THe Dominican Republic was the oldest site of European colonization by the Europeans and as a result the country is Spanish-speaking and society reflects the history if Spanish mixed with native and African slave populations that have all had a place in the history of the country and most have blended together over generations. Dominican music which is something they are rightfully proud of includes bachata, salsa, merengue and the club-favorite dembow. As a Latin American country nightlife is abundant anywhere and the spirit of choice is mamajuana which is a mixture of rum, red wine and spices including but not limited to honey and tree bark. I think for conversing with locals it is best to know the following: the country had a dictator (Trujillo) in the 50s and early 60s and his legacy still has a large influence in the country with classism and colorism playing a role in society. Usually avoiding these topics as well as Dominican-Haitian relations would be important for travelers if you want to avoid potentially uncomfortable situations unless you know where your host/guide/new friend stands on these issues. Food includes Latin staples like empanadas, rice and beans but Dominicans tend to be most proud of sancocho which is a soup without much of a set recipe that everyone makes differently. A mix of African, European and American cuisine has birthed creole food in the Caribbean and many Caribbean foods have been pioneered by Dominicans like plantains, .

What to See?
The Zona Colonial is Santo Domingo's historical district and it is the longest inhabited European city in the Americas and is a good base to station out of for traveling around the country. Santo Domingo is an energetic city and it is evident that the capital of the Dominican Republic is the cultural heavyweight of the country but it is also the largest city in all of the Caribbean. There are beaches all around the country that would be world-class. Cities along the Samaná peninsula in the northeast are some of the best in the country. Las Galeras is a good beach destination but closer to Santo Domingo there are cities such as La Romana with great beaches and Boca Chica which is a crowded but very local beach that many Dominicanos escape to on Sundays. Santiago de los Cabelleros is the second largest city with interesting urban art and Puerto Plata is the third largest with an interesting colonial and post-colonial history. Finally the Dominican highlands is centered in Jarabacoa and has good hiking opportunities but this is a region I was unable to make it to.

Itinerary
Day 1-3: Santo Domingo
Usually I like to take the day off when I land in a new country or at least plan for flight delays but after the first day there is plenty to see and do in Santo Domingo for a few days. Santo Domingo is the oldest European city in the Americas (South, Central, North, Carribbean) and as a result has plenty of history and with being the largest population center in the Caribbean it is very energetic.

Day 4: Jarabacoa
Leaving the capital of Santo Domingo is super easy as it is connected to every part of the country. CaribeTours is a very easy-to-use and decently priced company to get around the DR. While I never actually visited Jarabacoa due to time constraints, I feel like any itinerary in the country would recommend it. This city is located in the Dominican highlands and it is best known for its ecotourism opportunities including the waterfall Salto de Jimenoa Uno, horseback trips, rafting and coffee farm experiences. With at least two extra days minimum it is possible to hike the tallest peak in the Caribbean called Pico Duarte (mules and guides are mandatory) staring from La Ciénaga. It is chilly in the highlands especially in the winter.
Day 5: Puerto Plata
This city in the northern Dominican Republic is the country's third largest and one of the oldest. The architecture here is Victorian rather than Spanish colonial and it is a destination for cruise ships. There is a fort in town that is worth checking out as well as many beach-town activities such as parasailing and beach lounging. Nearby the town is Isabel Torres National Park which has a cable car and hike to the peak of a mountain with a Christ statue on top that is reminiscent of Rio.

Day 6: Puerto Plata to Las Galeras
Las Galeras is at the end of the Samaná Peninsula and most likely to get there you will have to transfer buses at the town of Samaná. Las Terranas is a good beach town as well but I chose Las Galeras because it is less accessible and as a result has an old-school underdeveloped Caribbean atmosphere. All along the peninsula there are the same ecotourism opportunities I mentioned above for the other Dominican cities.
Day 7: Las Galeras
As for the actual town of Las Galeras, it is at the end of the Samaná peninsula and it has a fairly isolated feeling. My recommendation is to visit Playa Fronton which is accessible by a roughly 7 mile hike (one way) from the town itself. The beach itself is a nice sandy and palm-lined area even with a full service bar/restaurant made that is a practical off-the grid shack that was pretty unique to see. The setting is what makes this place unique as it is at the base of a cliff face that adds to the isolationist setting. Playa Madama and Playa Rincon are beaches that are also nearby Las Galeras and more accessible. Another way of visiting is by arranging a piragua/small boat trip there that can be arranged at Las Galeras beach but with waves this would be impossible.

Day 8: Las Galeras to Santo Domingo
This day is to complete the loop to Santo Domingo because of the time it takes to return from Las Galeras because that is most likely where you will depart from but there are also international flights from Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.
Day 9: Depart Santo Domingo

Other Ideas:
Anywhere on the Samaná peninsula would be good to visit like Las Terranas but I chose Las Galeras over it because of its Robinson Crusoe atmosphere and location. Also La Romana is a good beach area and I heard good things from other travelers about it and the town of Boca Chica is a local beach area if not a bit crowded and it is near Santo Domingo. Jaragua National Park is really off the beaten path and an interesting desert landscape in an otherwise verdant country. Los Haitises National Park is also a popular trip with interesting rocky coast scenery. Finally Santiago de los Caballeros is the second largest city and has an interesting urban setting with murals, cafes and clubs.

Accommodation
Accommodation is very much adjustable to what you're willing to pay. I found it more expensive than say, Central America (aside from Costa Rica) but cheaper than most Caribbean destinations. Luxury exists at all locations but so does mid-level and backpacking budget spots. Santo Domingo had surprisingly few backpacker accommodations but they do exist which can probably be extended to all of the country.

Safety
I certainly never felt any sense of danger in the country so I would say in terms of Latin America, the Dominican Republic seemed to have a better grip on safety than most. Eastern Santo Domingo is said to have a crime problem but there is an abundance of tourist police in sights in these areas and they are instructed to stop people from wandering around solo. They even would force me to call an Uber rather than walking in the area which I personally felt conflicted about. I even walked around with a guide in the neighborhood of Santo Domingo which is one of the poorest called Gualey and I didn't even feel like I had to watch over my shoulder.

Transportation
Caribe Tours is an excellent choice of busses for getting anywhere in the country but there are also other options. Asotrapusa was my bus company of choice for the Samaná peninsula but since the DR is not that large, there are options for private drivers and Uber is relatively cheap and accessible especially in Santo Domingo. The major airports are in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and to some extent Puerto Plata.

Currency
There is the Dominican peso which was roughly equivalent to .018$ when I visited but the US Dollar is also widely accepted.