The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations for Canadians seeking the sun. The Dominican Republic (or the DR to its friends) is the second largest and most diverse of all the Caribbean Islands. Canadians flock there in the winter months to escape the snow – but the DR offers much more than just sun and sand. Known for its warm and hospitable people, the Dominican Republic has a rich menu of astounding nature, intriguing history and rich culture.
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The DR is a lush tropical island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the gentle Caribbean Sea to the south. It has over 1600 kms of coastline and over 400 kms of the most perfect sugar sand beaches. The green, lush interior sweeps up to the towering Pico Duarte, the highest mountain peak in the West Indies at a height of 3,125m. The hypnotic beat of merengue music exemplifies the vibrancy of the culture and this is the land of cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, and jewelry fashioned from amber and the beautiful semi-precious stone called larimar, which is unique to the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic has some of the best beaches in the world and a number of different resorts for you to choose from to enjoy those golden sands.
Punta Cana
For relaxing and “fun in the sun” - Punta Cana has crystal seas, vast stretches of white sands and first class golf. Most travelers come to this region because its beaches are among the most beautiful in the country, if not the entire Caribbean. The big hotel complexes all organize activities. Their prime locations mean that guests can enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing, horseback riding and many other sports, including tennis. Punta Cana is a golfer’s destination, with 11 courses located all along the strip.
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata lies on the more verdant, and rainier, north shore of the island. Instead of the tranquil Caribbean Sea, the beaches of Puerto Plata face the Atlantic Ocean, which means that waters can be more turbulent, especially in the winter months. Puerto Plata has a renewed buzz with revitalized beaches, new resorts, ramped up nightlife and fabulous windsurfing and water sports - the beach towns of Sosua and Cabarete, world famous for windsurfing and kiteboarding, are less than half an hour away. The newly developed Ocean World is a “must see”. Visitors at Ocean World have the opportunity to snorkel in the tropical reef aquarium, walk through a tropical rain forest, swim with dolphins, pet and feed sharks or play with sea lions. The marine park is also home to stingrays, tropical fish, exotic birds, reptiles and even tigers.
La Romana
You can blend the Caribbean with art and culture in La Romana. Altos de Chavón, located to the east of La Romana, is a surprisingly beautiful reconstruction of a late 14th century Italian village. It was built by ambitious entrepreneurs to create a major tourist attraction in the region. This replica is faithful in many ways to the original village, due to its incredible attention to detail. Bayahibe Beach in La Romana is the gateway to Saona Island in the National Park of the East – which is the most visited natural attraction in the country. It is where you will find the rare Bayahibe Rose, a cactus-shrub that in 2011 was named the National Flower.
Santo Domingo
The historic, cosmopolitan capital of Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the Americas. It mixes the stately grandeur of colonial architecture with glamourous casinos and nightclubs. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In a very walkable grid of 16 short streets you will discover jewels of 16th to early 20th century architecture. Visit the magnificent Catedral Santa María de la Encarnacíon, constructed during the 1540s, the Alcazar of Columbus and many other beautiful buildings in the old city. Cobblestone lanes and iron street lamps lead to the many small museums, shops, hotels, restaurants and bars that are tucked away on every street. Marvel at the lushness of the Botanical Gardens and walk over to the Malecón for people waching and the sea views.
Transat Holidays and sister company Nolitours have weekly flights and many excursions to help you discover The Dominican Republic and its culture. They also feature Be Live Hotels throughout The Dominican Republic.
Samana
Bayahibe Beach in La Romana is the gateway to Saona Island in the National Park of the East. Samana is the perfect resort for eco-adventure. Also, usually starting in January and lasting until late March, Samana's humpback whales return every year to these tropical waters and you can take whale watching tours.
Playa Bonita, in the Samana area, has 13km of uninterrupted beach that begins just west of Playa Las Ballenas, and boasts the kind of powdery white sand you might expect to see only in tourist brochures.
From Playa Bonita's entrance, a sand road provides access for four-wheel-drives and motorbikes, past a beachfront populated at most by a few small groups of people until, after 6km, you reach Playa Cosón, a small fishing village with two gourmet beach shacks with tables and chairs on the sand, serving grilled, fresh-caught fish for a few pesos.
And Samana town has one of the most colourful public markets in the Dominican Republic.
Fly to the Dominican Republic with Air Transat – offering flights in the winter season from Toronto and Montreal that are daily to Punta Cana, 5 days a week to Puerto Plata and weekly to La Romana. There is also a schedule of flights in the summer months – welcome news for honeymooners, teachers making the most of their long break – or for anyone needing R&R on the beach. So the Dominican Republic is a great choice year round.
If there is only one flight per week then you can only go to your chosen destination for 7 or 14 days. But where there are multiple flights per week it opens up the chance to go to for different durations such as 3, 5, 10 or 12 days.
Air Transat also have fights to the Dominican Republic from Thunder Bay, London, Hamilton, Vancouver, Halifax and Newfoundland – so if, for example, you are gathering a group from across Canada, they have it covered from East to West.
The flight time is just over 4 hours, made all the more comfortable by travelling Air Transat who have been voted No 1 Leisure Airline in North America (3yrs in a row) and 2nd best in the World!
You can buy a package with Transat Holidays that includes flights on Air Transat plus transfers to and from the airport in the Dominican Republic, all inclusive accommodation and the services of a Transat Holidays representative in destination. Transat also offer excursions to help you explore the beautiful Dominican Republic.
Check out the Transat “Collections” that help you pick the right resort for you. Resorts in the “Luxury Collection” are 5-star resorts designed to provide the ultimate in pampering, elegant accommodation, picture-perfect beaches and gourmet food. The Distinction Collection properties feature extra services like additional guaranteed a la carte restaurants, free wifi and international brand drinks. R&Rresorts are typically adults only and feature spacious rooms and excellent spa facilities. And the Family Collection are family-friendly resorts with great kid’s facilities.
Here are just a few suggestions from the wide range of resorts available from Transat Holidays and Nolitours.
Punta Cana
To enjoy included golf in Punta Cana – here is a resort that also offers great cuisine – and the Bohio Dominicano buffet restaurant allows you to enjoy the typical Dominican flavour.
There are 4 Barcelo Hotels and Resorts in Punta Cana. If you stay at the 4½ star adults only Barcelo Bavaro Beach it is like two hotels in one as you can also take advantage of all the facilities of the Family Collection 5 star Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe. This opens up an impressive list of facilities – 7 à la carte restaurants, Casino, Spa, Pirates Island water park and included golf to name a few.
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe has range of rooms to suit families – including a Family Duplex that accommodates 4 people but it has 2 separate bedrooms. A Family Room Deluxe also has 2 separate bedrooms that can accommodate 6 people - but this accommodation also offers an outside whirlpool.
The Magestic Colonial Punta Cana, Majestic Elegance Punta Cana and IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Bavaro also have golf included.
If shopping is your sport - the Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana has the Pueblo Principe 24 hr commercial and entertainment village at the entrance to the resort. It has a casino on site, a beautiful spa and it even has its own waterpark.
Puerto Plata
Also in the Dominican Republic in Puerto Plata, the Grand Bahia Principe San Juan has been newly renovated. The lobby, swimming pools and beach area have all been refurbished and furnished to provide the ultimate “chill out” areas. The re-styled specialty restaurants include 3 à la carte restaurants (Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean).
The Casa Marina Reef Resort on stunning Sosua Beach is a great hotel. It is a Beachfront property only a 5-minute walk from downtown and approximately 7 km from the Puerto Plata airport. It is a nolKIDS hotel. Nolikids is one of the Transat Collections where hotels are specifically chosen with families in mind. The resort offers a kid- friendly atmosphere, multiple pools with exclusive childrens pools, kid friendly facilities like jungle gyms, a kid’s club and loads of kid-friendly entertainment. The resort also features a Scuba diving centre on site and Casino off site.
Santo Domingo
To be close to the history and nightlife of Santo Domingo here are a couple of suggestions:
The Be Live Collection Canoa in La Romana is located directly on the beach, approximately 25 km from the La Romana airport and 72 km from Punta Cana airport. The hotel comprises 532 rooms in 12 buildings of 3 storeys. Extensive amenties include 2 pools, disco, casino (off site) and spa. There are 7 restaurants including 5 à la carte (Mexican, Brazilian, Asian, Seafood and Gourmet). There is an activities program, kids club and kids pool and a mini disco.
The Be Live Experience Hamaca in Santo Domingo is located on the beach, 36 km from the Santo Domingo airport. The hotel comprises 694 rooms in 15 buildings of 6 storeys. Extensive amenties include 5 pools, disco, casino (off site) and spa. There are 7 restaurants including 5 à la carte (Mexican, Brazilian, Italian, Seafood – and Dominican so you can try the local cuisine). There is an activities program, kids club and 2 kids pools.
The Bellevue Dominican Bay in Santo Domingo is located 200 m from Boca Chica Beach, approximately 15 km from the Santo Domingo airport, 105 km from the La Romana airport and 180 km from the Punta Cana airport. The hotel has a spa and a scuba diving centre on site. The hotel also has 4 restaurants and a disco.
La Romana
In La Romana consider the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana Royal Golden and – for the ultimate in pampering - the Luxury Bahia Principe Bourganville Don Pablo Collection.
The great partnership between Bahia Principe and Transat brings you special offers and great extras you won’t get elsewhere! Many of the Bahia Principe resorts are in the Transat Distinction Collection, which means Transat Guests get additional inclusions that make your vacation that bit more special.
Samana
In Samana the Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa Royal Golden, Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo Royal Golden and the Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Don Pablo Collection are also in the Bahia Principe family.