1. Nature and National Parks

Are you up for some scenic views? You can find some incredible natural sights in the Dominican Republic. That is if you decide to ditch the crowded beach and venture out of the tourist resorts. One of the most spectacular ones is the 27 Waterfalls complex. However, the guided tours are described as “high-adrenaline” – so maybe it’s not for everyone! Nearby, the Isabel De Torres National Park offers lush forests with spectacular views of Puerto Plata. On the other side of the island, there is the 3 Eyes National Park. Here you can discover some crystal clear and bright blue lakes under ground. For a time (somewhat) far away from civilisation, head to the Parque Nacional Jose Armando Bermúdez. Here hiking, trekking and stunning scenery wait for you. Skip Lake Enriquillo, which is hard to access and doesn’t offer a lot to see anymore. Yikes! Instead, head to Jaragua National Park. Here you’ll find incredible beaches and to see the Iguanas.

2. The Ocean

Wait, didn’t I just tell you to stay away from the crowded beaches? True. But there are a few beaches that are a little less known, like the beach at Jarague National Park. There are also plenty of water activities. A little outside the regular resort areas, Macao Beach is a great place to lay in the sun and enjoy some calm. Another super secluded, postcard-worthy beach is Playa Fronton. It’s a bit hard to reach, but possible either via boat or a hike through the coconut trees. Another great past-time is whale watching from Punta Cana or Santa Barbara de Samana. Here you can book a spot on a boat and hopefully see the incredible humpback whales. Can’t get enough of the marine life? La Romana has beautiful scuba diving and snorkeling options.

3. Historical Attractions

Feeling a bit seasick now? That’s ok because the next attractions are all inland. The Dominican Republic has some very interesting historic sights and museums that are worth a visit. One that stands out it Altos de Chavón, a completely recreated 16th-century Mediterranean village. For something more historically accurate, check out the Bellaparte Museum in Santo Domingo. It has an extensive private art collection, with some pieces dating back to the 19th century. The Amber World Museum displays a large collection of amber stones. Most of these have insects and plants trapped within them. A little odd? Yes. A curious break from the tourist crowds? Also, yes. Very interesting is also the Basilica Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Altagracia, a Gothic-style chapel in Higuey. Less touristy and super cool are the Pomier Caves. They host the largest collection of rock art in the Caribbean. A total of 6,000 drawings, carvings and pictographs decorate their walls. Some of these date back around 2,000 years.

Here we go, those are the best things to do in the Dominican Republic! While some people prefer a resort holiday, if you want to see the true Dominican Republic, definitely check out our suggestions! Wondering how to plan your trip? Check out this article.

What do you prefer – exploring the region or having a leisurely beach holiday? Let me know in the comments!

The post Absolute Best Things To Do In Dominican Republic appeared first on christopherkhoitran.

I won’t take flights into account, as they’re dependent on where you come from. This article will be divided into three parts, each focusing on a different holiday destination in the Dominican Republic.

Punta Cana

Probably the most popular destination with tourists, Punta Cana is an ideal place if you plan a trip to the Dominican Republic. The top rated hotel is the Eden Roc at Cap Cana, which costs a whopping $1,200 a night. For something more mid-range, there’s the Paradisus By Meliá Punta Cana at $300 or the Hotel Tropical Princess Beach Resort for $150.

For the most popular beach, head to Bavaro beach. If you’re after good surf, try Macao Beach instead. To fill your days, there’s snorkeling cruises for ~$100 and ziplining at the Adventure park for $154. For something a little more laid back, go golfing for $140.00 (per person per 18 holes). The most popular dinner restaurants are the Jellyfish Beach Restaurant and the Passion By Martin Berasategui.

Santo Domingo

If you plan a trip to the Dominican Republic, definitely consider the capital Santo Domingo! The highest rated hotel here is the JW Marriott Hotel for $280. For something more resort style, try the Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino for $212 or the El Embajador for $140. There’s something for every travel budget!

Despite being a buzzing city, you can still visit the beach in Santo Domingo, the most popular being Guibia Public Beach. There’s also plenty of local history to explore, for example at the Alcázar de Colón residence, Parque Colon or Fortaleza Ozama fortress. These are only a few things you’ll see on a free walking tour! You can also see the famous Los Tres Ojos, which are three turquoise lagoons in a limestone cave. There’s also day trips to Saona Island for $120, where you get to spend the day on a catamaran cruise. Or you can get a tour of the local Cacao plantations for $50. If you’re into the nightlife, there’s plenty of clubs and casinos and a Nightlife tour for $72. For top-rated dining try the Pat’e Palo European Brasserie.

La Romana

La Romana is one of the less popular, but no less idyllic spots to consider if you plan a trip to the Dominican Republic. The Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is one of the top-rated hotels, one night costing $375. La Romana is also great for a small travle budget, with mid-range hotels like the Hostal Silvestre for ~$100.

From here, it’s easy to visit Catalina Island for $80 per day trip. There are also multiple great beaches, such as Minitas beach or Caleta. If you’re up for something adventurous, you can go on a ziplining tour for $90. Alternatively, there’s a golf course where you can play for $250. For dinner, try the Onno’s Altos De Chavon for some delicious Spanish food.

Hopefully, now you have an idea of where to start planning your trip to the Dominican Republic! Have you ever traveled there or are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments!

Not sure the Dominican Republic fits your travel budget? Check out this comparison of destinations!

The post How to Plan a Trip to the Dominican Republic appeared first on christopherkhoitran.

Your Travel Budget In Different Countries

Depending on where you’re going, $1000 can make you a millionaire or a beggar. Here are some examples of what your money can get you once you’re on the ground (excluding tickets).

UK: £560

The UK is the most popular destination for Americans, and it’s easy to see why. Everyone speaks the same language (well, they sound pretty posh there) and it’s a very accessible destination. Now, London is rather expensive compared to the rest of the country, but a great place to start our comparison. For $1000 you get £560 – pretty disappointing number, right? A hotel including breakfast and an average-priced meal for two costs you £120 a day already. So in London, a travel budget of $1000 might give you three days stay, including a decent meal (£40) and small lunch, an oyster card to use public transport each (£7/day), a bottle of wine (£10) and a couple pints of beer (£3.5) here and there. This leaves you with about £100 for activities.

France: 875€

Who could not love the most romantic place in the world? It’s one of the most visited countries worldwide, luring tourists in with a combination of cheese, wine, and beautiful countryside. One of the most stunning cities is Bordeaux. When you arrive, you can swap your $1000 for 875€. With a decent hotel for 80€ and a mid-range dinner for 40€, you could do nothing but dine for a week (food holiday, anyone?) Stay for only 5 days and you could rent a car (160€/week) and get down to the markets for some wine (6€/bottle), beer (5€/pint) and cheese. Keep some of your last 100€ for a café au lait you can sip while taking a nice free walking tour in Bordeaux.

Dominican Republic: RD$ 50,400

This is also a very popular holiday destination for Americans – it is more affordable and there’s very little that can beat Caribbean beaches. Here, you will get RD$50,400 for your budget. If you stay in La Romana, you can find a decent hotel for around RD$4,500. You might be able to stretch your money for a week if you don’t drink a lot – this means you can still have a pretty good dinner every day (RD$1,500) and rent a car for a week (RD$8,500). Cut the trip down to 5 days and you can fit a few beers (RD$150) and cocktails (RD$300) into your travel budget and take the occasional tour, like snorkeling at Catalina Island (RD$4,000).

Thailand: 32,000 Baht

Now if the previous destinations made you cringe, that might be because you want more out of your small travel budget. If that’s the case, there is no better destination than Thailand. For this comparison, I chose Koh Lanta – a beautiful Island that’s fairly quiet and not flooded with tourists. Once you get your money exchanged to 32,000 baht, you can get a nice hotel for as little as 1,700 baht (private room). Have a delicious three-course dinner for two (650 baht) and a couple of beers a day (100 baht/each). That way you’ll still have enough to rent a scooter (200 bath/day).

Just relaxing on the beach and zipping around on your scooter will make for a nice 10-day vacation, but if you replace the three-course fancy meal with something more modest, you’ll be able to stay even longer. Or you could just enjoy some tours to Koh Phi Phi and go snorkeling (avg. 1500 baht/person).

How To Use Your Budget

Of course, some travelers might be happy to stay longer in cheaper hotels, while others wouldn’t set foot in anything that has less than 5 stars, so these estimates vary. But it shows that a nice holiday can be had with a small budget and that even a big budget can be spent quickly in an expensive location. So it’s up to you to make your money work for you!

What do you think – how long can you make $1000 last in your dream destination? Let me know in the comments below!

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