The Dominican Republic (also know as Hispaniola) shares the Caribbean island with the Republic of Haiti. Hispaniola after Cuba is the second largest island of the Greater Antilles discovered by Christopher Columbus on 5th of December 1492. For Christopher  Columbus this island in the West Indies was the most beautiful place mans eye ever saw  - a paradise. The Aborigines the Taino Indians were exterminated by the Spanish soon and replaced by African slaves. Today the population of the Dominican Republic is a great mixture of all races. The Dominican Republic, called the D.R. for short has around 48.500 km² and almost 8.25 million people. The time for traveling to the DR is all year round with summer temperatures between 27 and 30 Grad Celsius (74-90 F) - it never becomes cold, except in the mountain regions. The official language is Spanish but in the tourist areas English, some German and some French is spoken.

As an island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea the DR fulfills everything you can expect from a wonderful vacation. The north of the island with the Atlantic Ocean offers from Monte Christi in the northwest, close to the border of Haiti over Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Rio San Juan, Playa Grande until Samana with lagoon Gri Gri, small and long sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. Small Dominican villages are changing places with little towns, including all tourist infrastructures. Hotels and restaurants of all categories are bordering the North Coast. Horse riding, golfing, surfing, tennis, mountain biking, sun-bathing, dancing, walking on the beach or just hanging around under the coconut palms the DR is prepared and cater for all kinds of needs.

But the Dominican Republic is not only beach, sun and palm trees. It is divided from north west and south east by mountains called Cordillera Central. Between the mountains is the fruitful Cibao Valley (tobacco and rice farms, in the higher mountains also cacao and coffee is produced) with the main city Santiago de los Caballeros in its center.  In and around Constanza grows apples, strawberries, potatoes and mushrooms because of the cooler temperatures. Close to Jarabacoa is the beautiful waterfall Jimenoa - you can do a river rafting tour where you can also enjoy the countryside.

The south of the island bordered by the Caribbean Sea shows you a completely different picture.  There is Lago Enriquillo, a salt lake river in the southwest where there is a home for crocodiles and flamingos.  Even the water world is different in the south. From Bani and Playa Palence you will arrive in Santo Domingo the capital city. This big city is the first in the new world of the Americas with a population of over 2 Million people. It has not only the flair of the metro pole but also an interesting old part called Ciudad Colonial. To the east lies the fruitful valley of Santo Domingo with Boca Chica, a vacation town where the Dominicans and other nationalities like to go.

Crossing endless sugar cane fields the road leads to San Francisco de Macories and over La Romana to Casa de Campo (residence of the super rich people) and to Altos de Chavon. This little town gives you a beautiful picture of a middle age town, even when it is not original you have to see it, especially because there are working artists that live and work there.  In opposite the island Saona and the vacation resort Punta Cana which offers pure vacation with kilometers of beautiful sandy beaches, coconut palms and of course sun. Don’t miss trying the typical Caribbean drinks such as Piña Colada, Banana Mama, Cuba Libre and Mamajuana they all include the famous Dominican Ron (rum), made from the cultivated Dominican sugar cane.