{"id":195695,"date":"2019-12-05T14:14:24","date_gmt":"2019-12-05T14:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/why-you-should-put-the-dominican-republic-back-on-your-vacation-shortlist.html"},"modified":"2019-12-05T14:14:24","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T14:14:24","slug":"why-you-should-put-the-dominican-republic-back-on-your-vacation-shortlist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/travel\/why-you-should-put-the-dominican-republic-back-on-your-vacation-shortlist.html","title":{"rendered":"Why we should put a Dominican Republic behind on your vacation shortlist"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el\" aria-label=\"Video - Dominican Republic deaths and attacks means tourists to be nervous\"><button class=\"gnt_em_vp_a gnt_em_vp__tp_a\" data-g-r=\"vp_ap vp_tg\" data-c-vpattrs=\"{muted:true,bContent:false,vidNum:1,docking:true}\" data-c-vpdata=\"{adsEnabled:true,awsPath:travel,byline:,canonicalURL:,contentSourceCode:USAT,createDate:2019-06-18T20:12:47.605Z,credit:USA TODAY,duration:73280,headline:Dominican Republic deaths and purported attacks creation U.S. tourists really nervous,hlsURL:https:\/\/secure.brightcove.com\/services\/mobile\/streaming\/index\/master.m3u8?videoId=6049685798001pubId=28911775001secure=true,id:1491860001,image:{url:https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/06\/18\/USAT\/a82b1a39-5354-4e4c-84c8-d36945bc0d14-VPCTRAVEL_DOMINICAN_REPUBLIC_DEATHS_DESK_THUMB.jpg,opto:true},initialPublishDate:2019-06-18T20:24:03.485Z,keywords:Dominican Republic,Anxiety,Overall Very Negative,Video Syndication - USAT,mp4URL:https:\/\/mp4media.gannett-cdn.com\/28911775001\/28911775001_6049690438001_6049685798001.mp4,origin:USA TODAY,pageURL:{long:https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/videos\/travel\/2019\/06\/18\/dominican-republic-deaths-and-attacks-cause-tourists-nervous\/1491860001\/},promoBrief:At slightest 7 Americans have died in 2019 in a Dominican Republic, with questions being lifted about what is going on.,publishDate:2019-06-18T20:24:03.485Z,series:,ssts:{leafName:travel,path:travel,section:travel,storysubject:,subsection:,subtopic:,taxonomyEntityDisplayName:Travel,topic:},tags:[{id:ae88510a-0a99-4834-be43-04e79df74649,name:Dominican Republic},{id:837a013f-0bdd-423e-a8e8-35516121ab4e,name:Anxiety},{id:3d309c09-63e7-4fe6-8a03-775bb5bd7936,name:Overall Very Negative},{id:6f55135f-3b5e-490d-8a52-a3b8e1f11ee7,name:Video Syndication - USAT}],title:Dominican Republic deaths and attacks means tourists to be nervous,url:\/videos\/travel\/2019\/06\/18\/dominican-republic-deaths-and-attacks-cause-tourists-nervous\/1491860001\/}\" aria-label=\"Play video\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"gnt_em_vp_img\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/c53ef_a82b1a39-5354-4e4c-84c8-d36945bc0d14-VPCTRAVEL_DOMINICAN_REPUBLIC_DEATHS_DESK_THUMB.jpg\" data-g-r=\"vp_po\" \/><\/button><\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Punta Cana is a 500-pound chimpanzee of Dominican Republic tourism. This tourism powerhouse on a country\u2019s eastern seashore attracts over 4 million visitors a year to a white silt beaches and affordable comprehensive resorts. But progressing this year,\u00a0reports of during slightest 8 traveller deaths \u2013 not all of that happened there\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and a span of heartless attacks expel a cover over a region&#8217;s liberality attention and visitation to Punta Cana plummeted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The country&#8217;s tourism minister\u00a0Francisco Javier Garcia has <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">maintained all along that a Dominican Republic\u00a0is safe<\/a>. In June, he noted\u00a0that a series of traveller deaths in 2019 was indeed reduce during that indicate of a year than in 2011 or 2015 when 15 died.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In a end, sinister ethanol \u2013 that was suspected in several cases \u2013 was ruled out, as were other forms other tainted play.\u00a0 Autopsies and <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">FBI toxicology reports<\/a>\u00a0have given dynamic that 7 of a 8 died of healthy causes and a eighth is believed to have as well.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/6dd30_d505b9d1-7cfe-4cda-a989-7dc090561181-GettyImages-908394686.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/12\/03\/USAT\/d505b9d1-7cfe-4cda-a989-7dc090561181-GettyImages-908394686.jpg?width=1320height=704fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The Dominican Republic, that shares a island of Hispaniola with Haiti, covers 18,704 block miles. Here's a map to assistance we get your bearings.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vacationers still wavering to transport to Punta Cana shouldn\u2019t spin their behind on visiting a Dominican Republic altogether. The country, that shares a island of Hispaniola with Haiti, covers 18,704 block miles and has most to offer over Punta Cana, including hotel and selling bargains, authentic informative experiences, stream and towering adventures, world-famous golf courses, and pleasing beaches.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/c5c0b_d4d81bc8-011f-46fe-9a79-1871508f40d9-CAPTION_5_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/d4d81bc8-011f-46fe-9a79-1871508f40d9-CAPTION_5_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=884fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Santo Domingo\u2019s Zona Colonial ancestral district is filled with uncovered restaurants and cafes.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The comprehensive flipside of a beach vacation is visiting a DR\u2019s collateral city of Santo Domingo, that is mostly referred to as a oldest city in a Western Hemisphere.\u00a0The primary interest of a revisit is furloughed a city\u2019s ancestral <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">Zona Colonial<\/a>, where there are many buildings dating behind to a 15th century. The ancestral district is also filled with uncovered restaurants and cafes, and good path shopping. There are also one-of-a-kind hotels in renovated colonial-era buildings, such as a 16th-century <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">Hodelpa Nicolas De Ovando<\/a>, a home of a former governor. Visitors should also take time to wander a city\u2019s malec\u00f3n, or seafront promenade, for a lurch of internal color.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/a8072_6ed784d5-20f2-48f7-8595-5fbc34709a48-CAPTION_4_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/6ed784d5-20f2-48f7-8595-5fbc34709a48-CAPTION_4_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Stirring views can be enjoyed from atop a walls of Santo Domingo\u2019s Ozama Fortress, that was built in 1502.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">On a island\u2019s north seashore are a ancestral beach towns of Puerto Plata and Sos\u00faa. These dual towns reached a tallness of their recognition decades ago and were eventually overshadowed by Punta Cana\u2019s unusual success. Over a final several years, renewed investment has put a uninformed gleam on both destinations.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/c837a_e3c297ac-17bb-4597-ae23-97da6284e9f2-CAPTION_9_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/e3c297ac-17bb-4597-ae23-97da6284e9f2-CAPTION_9_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Puerto Plata is distinguished for a wire automobile charity extensive sea views during a float adult Mount Isabel de Torres.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Puerto Plata is distinguished for a wire automobile charity extensive sea views during a float adult Mount Isabel de Torres. Sos\u00faa has a eminence of being a core of a Dominican Republic\u2019s Jewish heritage. During WWII, <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">Sos\u00faa became a breakwater for Jewish refugees journey German persecution<\/a>, with a series of families remaining in a segment to take adult farming.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/1b0ef_4849371c-7f93-4447-bc37-baa416e9c2bd-CAPTION_8_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/4849371c-7f93-4447-bc37-baa416e9c2bd-CAPTION_8_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Travelers can get an up-close demeanour during a Dominican Republic's cigar prolongation by visiting one of a country\u2019s cigar factories.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The mainly located city of Santiago creates a good bottom for exploring a region\u2019s cigar enlightenment (The DR rivals Cuba for a peculiarity of a cigars). And if you&#8217;d rather breathe in uninformed towering atmosphere than tobacco, the\u00a010,125-foot\u00a0<a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">Pico Duarte<\/a> is watchful to be climbed. There&#8217;s also glorious whitewater rafting to be found\u00a0on a Yaque del Norte River.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/585db_72ec98e0-3b84-4605-b51b-cb6d9f31f0fd-CAPTION_6_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/72ec98e0-3b84-4605-b51b-cb6d9f31f0fd-CAPTION_6_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The city of Santiago \u2013 a DR\u2019s second-largest city - offers lots of authentic informative practice and is a good bottom for exploring a surrounding countryside.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Samana Peninsula juts out of a country\u2019s northern coast. It\u2019s a laidback beach end prolonged renouned with European travelers seeking an authentic Caribbean vibe, rather than finished tourism.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/67256_86865c2d-93b7-4353-b522-6d282d138aad-GettyImages-629679830.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/12\/03\/USAT\/86865c2d-93b7-4353-b522-6d282d138aad-GettyImages-629679830.jpg?width=1320height=880fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Samana doubles as both an eco-tourism mark (especially during whale season) and black history. The segment became home to 200 liberated slaves from a U.S.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Samana is renouned with eco-tourists, generally during <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">whale-watching season<\/a>, that runs from Jan. 15 by Mar 31. Samana also has an intriguing chronological factor: in 1824, Samana \u00a0\u2013 that during that point, was still partial of Haiti \u2013 became a new home to about\u00a0<a href=\"javascript:void(0)\">200 liberated American blacks from Philadelphia<\/a>, who, as their numbers grew, combined their possess singular enlightenment in their new home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">For those travelers with a truly brave spirit, there\u2019s a comparatively underdeveloped eastern half of a country. Stupendous beaches but crowds, primitive wilderness, and boutique hotels that have never seen a cookie-cutter.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/96cdf_3c2fc186-6593-4b62-b1e4-ff664deacc53-CAPTION_17_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/12\/03\/USAT\/3c2fc186-6593-4b62-b1e4-ff664deacc53-CAPTION_17_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?width=1320height=886fit=cropformat=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Lago Enriquillo is a 135-square miles saltwater lake in a eastern segment of a DR, where boatmen take passengers out on a H2O to observe American crocodiles in their healthy habitat.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Perhaps a pi\u00e8ce de r\u00e9sistance is Lago Enriquillo, a 135-square mile\u00a0saltwater lake, where boatmen take passengers out on a H2O to observe American crocodiles in their healthy habitat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It would be a contrition if travelers were frightened off transport to a Dominican Republic altogether. Traveling in any unfamiliar nation final common sense. Keep your wits about you, don\u2019t peep money or jewelry, and keep an eye on your drink.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Irish author James Stephens pronounced it best: \u201cCuriosity will conquer fear even some-more than aplomb will.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.wordpressdynamos.com\/timesofnewscdn\/USA\/1a83e_70c742dd-9758-45e2-b362-037a2d847ae8-CAPTION_10_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2019\/11\/22\/USAT\/70c742dd-9758-45e2-b362-037a2d847ae8-CAPTION_10_Dominican_Republic_Ministry_of_Tourism.jpg?crop=6143,3455,x0,y551width=1320height=744format=pjpgauto=webp 2x\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Article source: http:\/\/rssfeeds.usatoday.com\/~\/611087946\/0\/usatodaycomtravel-topstories~Why-you-should-put-the-Dominican-Republic-back-on-your-vacation-shortlist\/<\/a>\r\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Punta Cana is a 500-pound chimpanzee of Dominican Republic tourism. This tourism powerhouse on a country\u2019s eastern seashore attracts over 4 million visitors a year to a white silt beaches and affordable comprehensive resorts. But progressing this year,\u00a0reports of during slightest 8 traveller deaths \u2013 not all of that happened there\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and a span of heartless [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[90],"class_list":["post-195695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-travel","tag-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195695","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=195695"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195695\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=195695"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=195695"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=195695"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}