Since I met a super cool travel blogger at TBEX Toronto, Tasha Hacker of TurftoSurf.com, who currently lives in Dominican Republic with her husband Ryan, I've been super excited to go to the Dominican Republic. I've been doing some pre-trip research of all that things that I want to do there and wanted to share my bucketlist list with you. The Dominican Republic is a wonderful option for a quick getaway from the US or Europe. Just a 3 and a half hour flight from New York City and approximately 8 and a half hours from many European cities - like London and Madrid.
Whether you want to find a spot on a deserted beach to sun yourself and watch the world go by, or you want to make the most of your time and fill your itinerary with as many adventure activities as possible, a trip to the Dominican Republic will be able to satisfy your needs.
As a nation on the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is one of the prime destinations for people heading for a stint in the Caribbean, and rightly so. With Haiti as its neighbor, the nation is part of the Greater Antilles archipelago nestled in the warming Caribbean Sea.
Photo Credit: greenwichmeantime.com
After Cuba, the Dominican Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean and offers travelers a huge opportunity to tread the beautiful white sands before taking a dip in the crystal clear, turquoise waters.
Photo Credit: Dominicana.com
Without further ado, I present to you...
FreshTraveler's Bucket List of Things to Do:
Visit Puerto Plata for a chance to learn more about the island and its heritage.
Photo Credit: TripAdvisor.com
Visit the Brugal Rum Distillery to learn how this navy rum is made (and perhaps enjoy a tipple or two).
Photo Credit: Earthtrek.com
Take a Kitesurfing Lesson in Cabarete Bay, a location of professional kitesurfing competitions "WorldCup/Copa Mundial", Master of the Ocean).
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Dive the Marine Caves at the Gri Gri lagoon. This is the location of some of the best diving in the world.
Photo Credit: cabareteecohostel.com
Hike Mount Isobel de Torres and take a cable car down. South west of Puerto Plata, this mountain is home to the highest manicured gardens in the Caribbean. The hike also offers breathtaking panoramic views from its peak, 2600 feet above sea level.
Photo Credit: definitivecaribbean.com
Go on a white water rafting adventure on the Rio Yaque del Norte in Jarabacoa, and tackle the bumps and twists sailing down river in an inflatable dinghy.
Photo Credit: caribbeandreamsdr.com
Rappel down a series of 27 waterfall cascades in the Damajagua area. Guided by adventure outfitter Iguana Mama, you'll hike, climb and swim your way to the top of the waterfall chain, then cliff-jump your way back down - sometimes leaping over falls of 30-feet or more.
Photo Credit: Iguana Mama
All this bucketlist research is getting me excited! I cannot wait for my trip to the Dominican Republic!
