The Dominican Republic

When Christopher Columbus arrived on the Dominican Republic's shores in 1492, he proclaimed, "There is no island that is more beautiful in the world ". For visitors of the country today, the Dominican Republic definitely represents just that. It is simply a paradise to discover - golden sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, mysterious lush valleys, majestic tall mountains and wonderfully friendly people

The second largest nation in the Caribbean, the Dom. Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, with Haiti occupying the western portion. To the west are Jamaica and Cuba; Puerto Rico is east beyond the 112-kilometer Mona Passage; and the southern tip of Florida is about 1,000 kilometers away.

The North Coast of the Dominican Republic is called the Amber Coast, because of its rich deposits of semi-precious amber. This is where Columbus landed on his first voyage of discovery. It is comprised of an assortment of beach towns, resorts and communities, nestled between the Atlantic and a chain of majestic coastal mountains. Mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, water park, white-water rafting, casinos, jeep and catamaran tours, diving and snorkeling excursions, fine restaurants, shopping and golf - the North Coast has it all.

One of the most fascinating vacations you could experience begins when you land at Puerto Plata International Airport, rent a car and just take off, to go exploring from place to place along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic.

Río San Juan is a fishing town that has one of the most impressive natural attractions in the north coast, the Gri-Gri Lagoon. This sweet watered lagoon forms a special ecosystem full of groves and a variety of birds.

There are hotels located in the coast, which imitate the old homes that used to be built around the littoral areas.

Playa Grande is an open, white sanded beach. Residents in the area have made it a summer vacationing spot, where the fishing and lobster industries have developed.

Water enters El Caletón Beach under rocks that close the marine horizon, thus forming a natural pool, different from all others in the country. Usually, people who wish to visit the Gri-Gri Lagoon are taken out to sea and then brought into this beautiful beach, entering through the stone arch of the reef.

The Banco de la Plata is located to the north of this beach and acts as a sanctuary for the Humpbacked Whales. This is also the site where the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señara de la Concepción sank in the 17th century.

The Cabrera area, beginning approximately 120 km east of Puerto Plata, has become increasingly popular for two reasons: it's spectacularly unspoiled white powder-sand beach and the incredible Robert Trent Jones - designed 18 hole golf course. Many visitors to this area stay in Cabrera, located approximately 5 km east of Playa Grande. This coastal area offers some of the most exclusive private villas in the country, with unbelievable views of the ocean. Whether you choose to stay in this area, or visit on a day trip, you will not be disappointed. Playa Grande Beach  was rated as 'one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world' by Condé Nast travel magazine. Along with the soft, powder-like sand, the beach is lined with tall coconut palms and bordered on each side by rugged coral formations and cliffs. The big waves this area enjoys makes it a popular spot for surfing and body/boogie boarding. Just behind the beach are a number of food vendors who vie to be the first to offer you their freshly prepared seafood dishes and refreshments, served on tables in front of their establishments, or brought right to your chair on the beach! If you enjoy golf, you will not want to miss having a round at the Playa Grande Golf Course. The course was designed to take full advantage of the area's beauty with ten holes following the cliffs overlooking the incredibly blue Atlantic Ocean below.

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