PUNTA CANA.- Barceló Bávaro Caribe is a four stars all included hotel located just 20 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, in front of Bávaro Beach. From Barceló Bávaro Caribe you have quick access to Basílica de Higüey, a venerated place for being the home of Virgen de la Altagracia, patron of Dominican Republic.

Bávaro Caribe has 401 equipped rooms with double beds o one simple, Cable TV, full bathroom, hair dryer, minibar, air conditioning, security box and daily room service.

It has 2 restaurants: the Italian restaurant “Los Pinos”, which offers lunch and dinner a la carte, and “La Orquídea”, international buffet restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner, is served.

Its 3 bars: the lobby bars “Framboyán”, the swimming pool bar “Bungaivilla” and the beach bar “Banana” offer national drinks, and for a low additional cost you can have international drinks.

In the leisure time Barceló Bávaro Caribe offers the day and night entertainment program for children and adults which include merengue classes, sports such as badminton, water polo, mini golf, tennis, football, volleyball, basketball, softball, table tennis, dart games and Bocce ball, among others.

Barceló Bávaro Caribe Hotel offers equipment of water sport, vehicles, communication services, doctor services, barbershop, nursery service and laundry service for a low additional cost as well as shopping in the hotel stores.

Average price per night is just US$55.00

Telephone for reservations: + 001 809 227 2356

JARABACOA, LA VEGA.- Right in the scientific natural reserve of Valle Nuevo, located at 2,200 meters above sea level, in the oriental parte of the Central Mountain Range, you will find Aguas Blancas Waterfall, an impressive waterfall of 83 meters height.

This beautiful waterfall, the highest in Dominican Republic is located in the only place of The Antilles where there is alpine vegetation surrounded by the majestic landscape where low temperature form winter frost.

For those ecotourism lovers, Aguas Blancas Waterfall is a wonderful place to visit. Besides, for those adventure lovers, this place offers the chance of enjoying sports such as mountaineering and rappelling.

The pleasure of smoking a good tobacco is unchangeable for those cigars loves, and Dominican Republic has turned into a paradise for them lately. Nowadays, it is worldwide leader in tobacco exportation due to maximum quality; such leadership is recognized by the Tobacco Producers Association of different countries. An example statistic is October 2001 to October 2002: the country exported 256,300,000 cigars.

Dozens of new brands, most of them American brands, are created on the island and perspectives are pretty promising.

Dominican Cigars exhibit their main characteristic of good cigars: Combustion, texture, flavor, elasticity, smell, color and nicotine and oils balance.
It is important to know that the entire elaboration process influences the final product quality; from soils selection for the crops to the expertise of a craftsman. Tobacco must be very well harvested, well dried, well stored and well fermented.

In Dominican Republic they have established the main tobacco companies such as:

• Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cía (Producers of Hemingway and Opus X brands)
• Davidoff
• Ashton
• Hispano Europea de Tabacos (Producer of “El Coto”, “Curros” and “La Hoja” brands)
• Don Diego
• Dunhill
• Among others.

In thirty years Dominican tobacco manufacture has gained a wide reputation and it is one of the main sources of richness for the economy in Dominican Republic.

Some of the main costumer countries of our tobaccos are: United States, Spain, Morocco, Honduras, Holland, Germany and Belgium.

SANTIAGO.- Dominican Tobacco Museum is located in a construction that is part of the most representative urban environment of Santiago de los Caballeros, second capital of Dominican Republic.

This museum is located in the park known as Parque Duarte, which is a zone integrated by the most important buildings of the city such as: Cathedral Santiago Apóstol, Provincial Bishopric Building, Fine Arts Schools of the Municipality, Presidential Provincial Palace, Recreation Center, the antique Town Council Palace and the Culture Center of Santiago.

This museum exhibits everything related to one of the most important commercial activities of this region and the country: the crops, processing and exportation of Dominican Tobacco, considered as one of the best in the world and preferred by a wide percentage of international tobacco consumers.

If you wish to know this activity a little bit closer, or just enhance your knowledge about local cultures, visit Dominican Tobacco Museum, located on 30 de marzo and 16 de agosto streets interception in Santiago de los Caballeros city.

Cabo Engaño is located in the famous zone known as Costa del Coco which takes this name due to the extensive white sand beaches and water surrounded by reeves; within some years it will become in the Mecca for tourists in Dominican Republic.

Humidity in cabo engaño is 94%; the average temperature is 81 °F / 27 °C. Cabo Engaño is separated by the two most important tourist cities: Puerto Plata and Bávaro; it is undoubtedly one of the world’s paradises for those windsurf lovers.

Cabo Engaño has a lighthouse in the south which points the most oriental part of Dominican Republic; it is a place where swimming in NOT recommended due to the strong winds and waves that whip the zone.

Cabo Engaño is a very accessible place thanks to being close from the International Airport of Punta Cana. The zone has more than 64 kms beaches extended to the southeastern extreme of the country.

If you visit Cabo Engaño, please, do not forget your camera and remember to visit the other tourist zones such as Costa del Coco if you have the chance.

The Colonial Area is located in Santo Domingo, Capital of Dominican Republic, it’s one of the most touristic parts of the country, only a few meters away from Ozama River, its name dates back to 1498, when the Spanish Crown granted the royal letter and recognized it as the first colonial city receiving such an honor.

The Colonial Area is one of those places you cannot miss, its streets seem to be lost in oblivion, narrow and antique, but well preserved. Walking along anywhere in this area you will find buildings and houses from the colonial period, you can also find Dominican handcrafts shops, do any type of shopping, listen to outdoor music shows or just enjoy an unforgettable and romantic moment.

Having a guided tour around the Colonial Area may not be enough, I actually suggest you visit on your own or with a close friend the most beautiful places surrounding this area, take your time, get a guide and prepare your cameras to take some of the most astonishing pictures ever.

As a starting point the Colon Park is a good place, here you will find the statue of Christopher Columbus (sculpted by the French sculptor Gilbert in XIX century). The Columbus Park has several pleasant terraces, similar to the ones you can find in Spain in the summer time; these terraces offer many types of drinks, but I recommend you try Cerveza Presidente.

A few meters away from Columbus Park you can find Conde Street; this street is unique and is one of the most commercial ones, actually you can find any type of shops, products, restaurants, in short: anything you need to satisfy your taste. Southwards Columbus Park, you’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (built between 1514 and 1544), to get inside you need to meet some clothing requirements: short pants are not allowed, therefore you can rent some long pants in any nearby stalls (about RD$50).

The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor is considered the first Cathedral of America, built as a mixture of baroque and renaissance style that jointly give a gothic and cozy sensation. Its construction was possible thanks to the work of a team of well-known artists, Dominicans as well as foreigners, among them the Dominican Rincon Mora stands out.

In short, the Colonial Area is one of those exceptional places you cannot miss; remember to bring your camera to capture those moments that live eternally.

PUERTO PLATA.- Cabarete Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of the northern area; finding good restaurants is not a problem in Cabarete and night life is an exciting nd endlessly journey. In Cabarete Beach you can practice water sports such as surfing and leisure activities.

Cabarete Beach is recognized worldwide for the windsurf competitions that are taking place take place each year only a few kilometer away from the city. Cabarete is an important hotel area that has several hotels and condominiums; therefore life is very active, people live from day to day in one of the most touristic parts of the Dominican Republic.

The municipality of Cabarete began to become well known at the early 80’s. Between the 80’s and the 90’s tourists started to discover the charm of being in a place surrounded by beautiful beaches and strong waves, is a place where the wind blows like if it was the last day.

For water sports lovers, Cabarete Beach is a dream destination. The beach is favourable for any type of sport requiring strong wind and big waves; for those who aren’t big fans of sports like kite surf and windsurf, they will find interesting things to admire such as the colourful landscape. Cabarete Beach is certainly one of the most strategic areas in Dominican Republic to attract tourism.

All around Cabarete you can breathe the tropical weather, typical of the country; the best of it is that you can enjoy the sea or just rest in a canapé and enjoy the heat of the sun and the strength of the wind; this will make you feel wonderful.

Among the alternatives activities to water sports, you can practice in Cabarete is bike riding, horse riding or fine sports such as golf.

Night life and restaurants are some other advantages in Cabarete and this will surely give added values to your vacations; you’ll find a great variety of restaurants and places to dance or try original cocktails. Night time is the best moment to meet new people since in Cabarete people are very open and friendly,if you are visiting Cabarete Beach it is very likely that between the beaches, the sports and nightlife the less things you’ll end up doing is resting.

La Basilica is located less than one hour from Bavaro, Punta Cana and less than three hours from the Las Americas International Airport (Jose Francisco Peña Gomez); reaching La Basilica by public transport from anywhere in the Dominican Republic is quite easy and visiting La Basilica is an experience that must be lived.

La Basilica de Higüey is one of the most respected monuments of the Dominican Republic. It is located in on the main street of the province of Salva Leon de Higüey. The the present building was inaugurated by the Dr. Joaquin Balaguer (1974-1978); since then La Basilica is considered as the most important religious monument of the Dominican Republic, above several important churches like Las Mercedes. La Basilica is one of the most visited Dominican monuments for by foreigners and nationals tourist; it certainly is the religious center of attention of Latin America and it is where the altar of La Virgen de la Altagracia, the Patron Saint of Dominican Republic, is placed.

La Basilica was inaugurated the 21st of January of 1971, and it was built by French architects (same as many other Dominican monuments) to substitute the antique sanctuary built back in 1572. Its name is due to La Virgen de la Altagracia, the Patron Saint of the Dominicans; in La Basilica you’ll find the spectacular image of the Virgin that is 45cm tall and 33,5cm wide; the painting was made in the 15th century by a Spanish painter.

The frame that holds the image of La Virgen de la Altagracia is made of gold and precious stones; it was created in the 18th century and its value is immeasurable. La Basilica de Higuey is a Dominican Monument since the 12th of October of 1970, the 17th of October of the same year the Pope Pablo IV declared it Minor Basilica. Two years later, the 15th of august of 1972, La Basilica was declared the Diocese of Salva Leon de Higuey.

La Basilica is a structure of monumental dimensions, designed in the shape of a Latin cross; the entry is made of bronze with a 24 carat gold bath and was blessed in Rome by the Pope John Paul II. La Basilica has a bell tower composed by 45 bronze bells. It is located in Higuey (province of Altagracia), in the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Independence (February 27, 1844) was proclaimed in La Puerta del Conde, therefore this monument is a celebration of freedom. Dominicans are true lovers of their freedom, for that reason this monument is a Dominican symbol. It is located in Palo Hincado Street, on the corner of Conde Street in Santo Domingo (Colonial Area, Capital City).

In 1833 La Puerta del Conde changed its name again to what it’s called nowadays Puerta del 27 de Febrero; only a few Dominicans know that is not actually called La Puerta del Conde. In 1935 it was declared National Monument of the Dominican Republic, and eight years later it was acknowledged as the tomb of the Fathers of the Homeland (Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sanchez and Ramon Matias Mella rest in the Altar of the Homeland).

La Puerta del Conde is designed with the Spanish style of the 16th century, as well as other popular monuments of the Dominican Republic. It is centrally situated in Santo Domingo (Colonial Area), near Duarte Highway and easy to reach; furthermore it is an incredible place to spend a nice time and take some good pictures.

Many people don’t have a good reason to get married out of their countries, but let me tell you that celebrating your wedding in Dominican Republic is like a dream come true, why? First of all in here is cheap, easy and unforgettable, Dominican Republic slogan is “…Inexhaustible”, just imagine you in your wedding surrounded by palm trees, tropical weather, beautiful flowers, and the ability to have your wedding as secret as your want, lovely?.

Making your wedding in Dominican Republic is an activity that keeps growing over the years, becoming really popular for foreigners, the most adorable thing that you can do here is your honeymoon, here you don’t have to travel more than 30 minutes to get married and then go to your hotels where you’ll enjoy with live music, sandy beaches that should make your day an unforgettable moment in your life.

Your wedding in Dominican Republic can be a quiet ceremony of a huge party all depends of how much money you want to spend, here are two ways to get married, by law and or church (Catholic), if you want to prepare your wedding by law I recommend you to start in your paperwork between 1 – 2 months earlier, but if you want to get married by Church that can take more time, so start making arrangements between 4 – 6 months that can vary depending where you want to get married.

If you not speak Spanish and you don’t know nothing about Dominican Republic I recommend to hire a Wedding Planner, also if you want write me and I will send you some tips about prices or places, also hotels packages offers where have wedding packages include I’ll be speaking about that in the hotels section so go there if you want more info.

Preparing your Wedding in Dominican Republic

Here is not required to get a marriage license to get married in Dominican Republic, what you have to do is to register in the Oficialia del Estado Civil(City Clerk), every city have one, they have a small charge for that registration, that charge is the same for everybody, the charge is less than US$20.

You have to hire a judge (if it’s by law) where the price may vary, if you want to get married in the Oficialia Civil is not expensive, but you can talk with the judge and make an appointment for any day, my sister was married here last Sunday and we just pay US$100 for the judge that may vary cause my sister was married in Piedra Blanca, Bonao (where I was born) and that place is not a tourist place.

What you need to have for the paperwork is:

• Valid Passport, if you are Dominican you just need a Cédula (National ID), two copies.
• Birth Certificate: two copies.
• Single Status affidavit: Translated by a official translator into Spanish, Bring or send one original and one photocopy.
• Divorce certificate if apply: Translated by a official translator into Spanish

The last two documents are translated and legalized by the Dominican Republic Consulate. The birth certificates have to be translated into Spanish as well, the fees are less than $100 US each legalization, and less than $40 US each translation.

Your have to transcripts legally the Birth Certificate, Single Status Affidavit, an Divorce Certificate (if apply) in the Dominican Consulate just where the documents were issued, if you need more details about how to contact Dominican Consulate at you country just go the de consulate section in our Directory.

Here exists a Special Divorces Law, and you can get divorced as fast as you can change your shoes, but to get married again you just need to wait 24 hours (…relatively fast).

In case that after the marriage you or want to spouses what to apply for a visa (ex if you are Dominican) you need to have a Marriage Certificate from the Oficialia de Estado Civil (City Clerk), and bring that certificate to your consulate in Dominican Republic, if this is your case please consider to hire legal help or ask for help to your hotel, that can be handle as part of your wedding package or maybe you shall pay an extra fee.

If you are gay or lesbian we are still working to approve than kind of wedding but for now is not possible, if you want to get married with a Religious Ceremony please hire a wedding planner, is really important to have all the paperwork done before making your wedding plans in Dominican Republic. If you have any specific question please feel free to send me an email any time or to visit our forum.