Dominican Tours

Dominican Tours

If you are looking for a change from your resort, a tour is a good way to get out and experience the country and people of the Dominican Republic. A great place to start is the country’s capital, Santo Domingo, with a walking tour of this colonial city. This is the first established colony and city in the Dominican Republic. Columbus Park (Parque Colon) is located in the center of the colonial district and has great shopping. If you know anyone that likes cigars you must pick up a few of the hand-rolled cigars that are sold.

On the walking tour you must visit the Catedral Basilica Menor de Santa Maria, Primada de America. Being the first church to be built in the Caribbean this structure is steeped in history. Columbus is rumored to have had his remains interred here but there has been a great deal of conjecture as to where he is actually buried. You can catch a great sunset from the bell tower of the Cathedral and the climb to the top is a great workout.

The city also boasts of the first military fortresses in the Caribbean and you must see this as well. Climb to the top of the fortress and you will be rewarded with another beautiful sunset. The Ozama Fortress is where Diego Columbus (Columbus’ son) lived with his wife when he first arrived in the Dominican Republic.

You will also find the “Calle de las Damas” (walk of the ladies) which runs along the front of the fortresses and there is much to see here. This street got its name from Maria de Toledo, the wife of Diego Columbus. She would walk to Mass with other ladies of nobility. I can just imagine all that lace and brocade rustling down the street.

Once you have acclimated yourself to the capital it is a good time to visit and tour other areas. If you love to fish then look no further. The local marinas have been recently renovated and offer great tours. The clear waters in this area make fishing a real joy. If you have never been deep sea fishing now is the time to learn.

Check around for pricing on tour boats to charter for fishing. It is important to make sure you have an experienced crew and in order to insure that you may have to pay as much as $500US. My suggestion is that if you are already at a resort with an all-inclusive package, check with them to see what kind of fishing is offered. Then if you want a different tour you can research what is available in the area that you are staying.

If you are not interested in fishing but want to have a boat tour there are many that you can book. In the Samana Bay, Humpback whales migrate from January to April and they are wonderful to watch. “Whale Samana” and “Iguana Mama” are popular choices for booking whale watching boat tours.

If you have a taste for adventure you can book a Monster Truck Safari. This tour lasts all day and takes you into the countryside, which gives you a good view of how Dominicans live. The kids, especially the boys, will love this tour. The seating is high up in the Monster Trucks so you get a good view of everything.

Once again, check with your resort or hotel that you are staying at in order to find all the tours available. There are also tours that show you the flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic. While many people vacation here for the beach there are many wonders to visit in the interior of the country

A quick note here, if you remember to bring a few little toys and candies to give out the children in the villages you visit will love it. It is a small kindness but it makes the children happy.