Playa Esmeralda truly is the darling beach of the Dominican Republic’s eastern region. Tucked away on the southern shores of Samana Bay, the approx. 5km long Costa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Coast) is a virgin cove among the most photogenic shorelines in the entire Caribbean. The lazy turquoise-azure waters and amber-colored sands are outlined by hundreds of […]
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Hidden in a secluded corner of the Dominican Republic, about 20 miles west of Miches, is quite possibly the country’s most important national park. Los Haitises, meaning “highlands” in Arawak, the native Taino indian language, is an immense 230 square mile humid forest. A humid forest is just one step below a rain forest in
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Media Luna is the Dominican Republic’s ultimate natural swimming pool or “piscina natural” as the locals would say and it’s located just over an hour’s drive from Punta Cana. Tourists flock to many of the country’s natural ocean pools in Punta Cana and Saona island which are really sandbars that offer waist deep waters, hundreds
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After a taxing hike into the dense forests of Miches, I look down at my Garmin sport watch and the results read: And to whom do I express gratitude for this strenuous trek of nearly 5 hours? Her name is La Jalda and she is the tallest waterfall in the Caribbean. La Jalda Waterfall (salto
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The Dominican Republic produces more handmade cigars than any other country in the world with over 500 million rolled yearly. The closest competition, Cuba, lags far behind with less than half that number. The DR also leads the world in the amount of brands. Cohiba, Aurora, León Jimenes, Arturo Fuente, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann,
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Cayo Levantado (literally, ‘raised cay’ in English) is the Dominican Republic’s quintessential Caribbean oasis. Also known as Bacardi Island, because of it close resemblance to the beaches Bacardi Rum once used for their famous commercials, this sandy sanctuary is located off the southern shores of Samana Peninsula. The island sits in the heart of Samana
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The most solicited mixed drink in the Dominican Republic is by far the Cuba Libre (Free Cuba). Although odd the word “Cuba” is included in the Dominican Republic’s most popular mixed drink, no other alcoholic concoction is as cultural as a classic Cuba Libre. Knowing this, proud Dominicans have put their own spin on the
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Mamajuana, a Dominican aphrodisiac with reputed healing powers, has become synonymous with the Dominican Republic. This elixir has captured the intrigue of locals and travelers, and its history as a traditional Taino drink, has added to its cultural mystique. What is it, exactly? Mamajuana is prepared in a variety of ways and can include many
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Did you know Saona island was discovered by Christopher Columbus because of a hurricane? It’s true because more than 500 years before Saona became the most popular daytime excursion from Punta Cana, it was the sleepy offshore sanctuary of the Tainos, the Dominican Republic’s original inhabitants. And if it wasn’t for a chance hurricane, the
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In the Dominican Republic, not all rums are created equal. Leyenda is Brugal’s newest release for the super-premium rum market. And one sip of this smooth premium blend will have you looking to add Leyenda to your home bar’s top shelf. Looking for that rum to try during your trip to Punta Cana? This is
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