The Dominican Republic, once a secret haven for those
that had discovered the simple secrets of the Caribbean,
has gown by leaps and bounds in the past 10 years. Dominican
Republic tourism grows everyday like a small child, ready
and willing to take on what the world offers. Here we
have one of the most unique nations in the Caribbean (not
that you'd expect anything else from the country that
shares Hispaniola with Haiti),
yet one that changes with the day's tides. Definitely
the most nebulous of the Caribbean isles, the mix of Dominican
Republic culture with the ancient ways of the Spanish
settlers that once populated the island makes this country
one of the most unique in the region.
Those looking for a Dominican
Republic history lesson or a trek back into colonial
times will be disappointed, however. Much like Jamaica
and St. Thomas, nowadays
the beaches are home to hundreds of resorts and hotels
– the Dominican Republic tourism industry is nothing
if not ambitious. And a lot of it has paid off for the
country's economy, an economy that narrowly avoided the
widespread poverty that has unfortunately stricken its
neighbor on the island of Hispaniola. But Dominican Republic
history has always been about perseverance, and the onslaught
has done nothing to diminish the nation's rich culture
or lifestyle.
Outside of the many luxury resorts, there are still
a number of out of the way places where travelers can
immerse themselves in Dominican Republic culture. Santo
Domingo has a number of historical monuments, many
of them in the famed colonial district. Here you'll find
the castle of Don Diego Colon, built early in the 16th
century. There are a number of churches and homes in this
area that have been lovingly preserved from when the Spanish
first set foot on the island – and there are a handful
of museums that also remind visitors about the beauty
of Dominican Republic culture. The cathedrals here are
especially impressive, as are many of the casas that remain
entrenched in Dominican Republic history.
Cabarete is another city
that offers much in the way of the past. But not as ancient
as the capital city – Cabarete was built as the
bohemian center of the island. And though some of this
has been blotted out by the encroachments of the Dominican
Republic tourism industry, there are still many options
to observe the country in its more authentic state.
