When to Go
The Dominican Republic can be battered by occasional tropical storms, particularly during August and September. Weather-wise, the cooler high season from December to late February is the best all-rounder, with few tropical showers and long afternoons of sunshine. But bear in mind that during Christmas and New Year prices are at their peak and the beaches can get crowded.
Who Can Help
If you’d like to leave the organisation – and driving – to someone else, Caribbean Tours can arrange 10-day trips covering Cabarete, Jabaracoa Santo Domingo, Laguna de Oviedo and Bahia de las Aguilas.
On the Road
Eat. Tostones – The Dominican Republic would strike tomorrow if its beloved twice-fried plantain chips were taken off the menu. Served with everything from fried chicken to grilled meats and lobster, these carb nuggets are Caribbean gold.
Drink. A santo libre – It’s not Cuba, where everyone drinks rum over ice with a slice of lime. Dominicans sweeten their rum drink with a lemon and lime mixer such as Sprite.
Read. Peruvian Nobel Prize-winner Mario Vargas Llosa’s The Feast of the Goat, a brutally honest take on the dictatorship and assassination of former Dominican president and all-round villain Rafael Trujillo.
Dance. The bachata – Dominicans love merengue but they love bachata just as much. It’s a moodier, down-tempo routine based on a one-two-three-four side-step shuffle. For Strictly Come Dancing fans, it’s like a bolero but in slow-motion.
Try it Once – Mamajuana, an aperitif of rum, red wine and honey soaked in a bottle stuffed with tree bark and herbs. It’s syrupy sweet, but be warned: locals A consider it an alternative to Viagra.
Bring it Back. Artisanal organic chocolate bars, as sold at Santo Domingo’s Choco Museum. Local cocoa farmers supply upmarket chocolate makers Green & Black’s and Valrhona with trinitario beans, renowned for their intense flavour.
