Dominican Republic Overview

Dominican Musts!

The Dominican Republic's culture is the heartbeat of any vacation here. Visitors should be sure to experience some (if not all) of the following Dominican cultural highlights:

Merengue: This is the country's national music and dance which combines a mixture of African and European elements. Every disco or club throughout the island plays the merengue. Many merengue festivals are held throughout the year across the island.

Gaming: Many hotels and resorts offer casinos that provide a variety of gaming options.

Baseball: The island has long had a love affair with the sport of baseball and has produced some of the greatest players, including Pedro Martínez, Manny Ramirez, José Reyes, Vladimir Guererro, Sammy Sosa and Ervin Santana, to name just a few. San Pedro de Macoris is considered the baseball capital of the island and games are popular local events across the island. The official baseball season is October through January.

Cigars: Dominican cigars are some of the best in the world and rival the famed Cuban cigars. Visitors can purchase cigars as well as visit factories in Santiago and observe the hand-rolling techniques throughout the island.

Gastronomy: Dominicans enjoy an array of enticing traditional dishes feature rice, fish and other seafoods, meats and vegetables (including plantains, beans and avacados), often flavored with light spices or coconut. Rum cake is one of many delightful desserts.

Rum and Beer: Like other islands where sugar plantations played an important role in the past, the Dominican Republic boasts its own fine rums, such as Barceló, Bermúdez and Brugal. Rum factory tours are available. Of course, if rum is not a visitor's choice beverage, there is nothing better than escaping the hot sun with a cold Presidente cerveza, the national beer of the island.