DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
​I first visited the Dominican Republic in the 1980s and returned in 2015.

Beisbol is part of the Dominican social and cultural landscape.  So much so that ballplayers who have made good in the US major leagues are without doubt the most popular and revered figures in the country.*

Although Dominicans dance merengue with passion and flair, ballet classes are alive and well in Santiago.

This rehearsal took place at the Casa de Teatri in Santo Domingo.
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Merengue is the dance music of the 
Dominion Republic.* 

Dominicans dance merengue with passion and flair.*
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Reggaeton, a mix of American-style hip-hop and Latin rhythms, is increasingly popular.*

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The Dominican Republic has produced many accomplished painters.*

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If the artwork looks distinctly Spanish, it's because the influence is undeniable.*

The Dominican art scene today is quite healthy, thanks in no small part to dictator Rafael Trujillo.*

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Acuas Blancas waterfalls are a beautiful but difficult 16km drive from Constanza, and are reputedly the largest falls in the Greater Antilles.  The falls -- actually one cascade in three different sections -- crash some 135m down a sheer cliff into a pretty pool.*
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Basketball is popular in the Dominican Republic.



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A Michael Jackson impersonator makes his moves on the streets of Santo Domingo.​

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It follows a distinctive 2-2 ad 2-4 beat pattern typically played with drums, an accordion-like instrument known as a melodeon, and a guira...

Whereas merengue might be viewed as urban music, bachata is definitely the nation's "country" music.*​

The guira is a popular musical instrument that is used to infuse a song with a rhythmical rasping sound.*
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Also well represented s what's known as 'primitive art' -- Dominican and Haitian paintings that convey rural Caribbean life with simple and colourful figures and landscapes.*

During the Spanish Civil War, many artists fled Franco's fascist regime to start new lives in the Dominican Republic.*

Although his 31 years of authoritarian rule in many ways negated the essence of creative freedom, Trujillo had a warm place in his hear for paintings...*
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The only reason to come to Imbert is the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua.*  



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​The quality and variety of architecture found in the Dominican Republic has no equal in the Caribbean. In Santo Domingo and in Santiago you can see examples of Cuban Victorian, Caribbean gingerbread and Art Deco; in the Zona Colonial you'll also see plenty of the Gothic, which was popular in Europe during the colonial times.

The Dominican Republic has produced many accomplished painters. If the artwork looks distinctly Spanish, it's because the influence is undeniable. During the Spanish Civil War, many artists fled Franco's fascist regime to start new lives in the Dominican Republic.

Although Dominicans dance merengue with passion and flair, ballet classes are alive and well in Santiago.
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Boxing is also popular in the Dominican Republic.

 Ballet classes continue in Puerto Plata.

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Rio San Juan is a friendly, sleepy Dominican village an hour east of Cabarete.  It's a great base to explore two of the north coast's best beaches, including the stunning Playa Grande, a 15-minute guagua ride east of town.*

...a metal instrument that looks a little like a cheese grater and is scraped using a metal or plastic rod.*

Salsa, like bachata, is heard on many Caribbean islands, and it's very popular in the Dominican Republic.*

Also well represented is what's known as 'primitive art' 0 Dominican and Haitian paintings that convey rural Caribbean life with simple and colourful figures and landscapes.*

These paintings are created by amateur painters -- some would say skilled craftsmen -- who reproduce the same paintings hundreds of times.*

Influencial artists include Manolo Pascual, Jose Gausachs, Jose Vela-Zanetti, Eugenio Fernandez Granell and Jose Fernandez Corredor.*
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Dominicans have a love for all sorts of board games.
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The quality and variety of architecture found in the Dominican Republic has no equal in the Caribbean.  In Santo Domingo and in Santiago you can see examples of Cuban Victorian, Caribbean gingerbread and Art Deco; in the Zona Colonial you'll also see plenty of the Gothic, which was popular in Europe during the colonial times.*

* These captions are from Dominican Republic & Haiti -- Lonely Planet's travel guide.