By Carlos Torres

Hello, my name is Carlos Torres. I’m 34 years old and I reside in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. It has always been a passion of mine to explore and discover new places on my beautiful island.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting places that are not well known in the Dominican Republic. Over time, it has become a way of life for me to travel and share the places I visit. I aim to inspire others to leave their comfort zones and encourage them to explore more of our beautiful country.

The Dominican Republic is full of incredible destinations that not many people know of. It’s also a country with a diverse and colourful culture. We are a happy bunch of people who live life to its fullest.

In a few words, we are an island paradise with a wealth of culture. Our musical rhythms such as Merengue and Bachata are an essential part of our daily life.

For me it’s an honour to be Dominican. Here you live a very quiet life, without stress. You live very well. People are generous, we like the weather, the warmth and the smiles of the people. This is a country with a lot of potential that you simply have to visit!

MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO VISIT IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

My trips around the Dominican Republic have been varied. I love to explore every corner and share my experiences on my social networks so that other people are encouraged to visit too.

There are still a few places that I would like to explore such as Pico Duarte (the highest of the Antilles) and a few sheltered waterfalls in the mountains that I have not yet been to. This year I will continue to explore as much as possible to see the whole country!

My favorite places in the Dominican Republic tend to be turquoise coloured springs. One in particular called “Rio Partido” in the Hermanas Mirabal Province is especially beautiful. Being able to swim in this place gives me a lot of peace and tranquillity.

I literally feel like I’m in a dream. It makes me appreciate my country even more. We are so privileged to have so much biodiversity. I try to transmit that feeling to my followers so that we become aware of why it’s important to care for the environment and our natural resources.

SPECIAL MEMORIES TRAVELING AROUND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

I would say that all my adventures have something special and different about them. But I do remember one tour we took to a crystalline river called “El Mulito” in the province of Pedernales. We decided to go beyond and cross the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

We entered the neighbouring country and discovered some of its natural beauty. For me, this was extremely rewarding since it was my first experience in this part of the island. Above all else, there was nothing planned. It was all spontaneous and a little bit crazy!

TOP 10 ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic is full of incredible places just waiting for adventures. Many of them are not well known because of the difficulty in reaching them. Among my favourites are the rivers and waterfalls with turquoise waters.

If you consider yourself an adventurous soul then you can’t miss the mountains of Jamao Al Norte. Drive for five hours to a place called Cola de Pato or El Arroyo Frio Canyon and you’ll be in contact with more than 60 pools and several amazing waterfalls.

I love both of these places since they aren’t really accessible to the public. They maintain their untouched beauty. On the other hand, the Dominican Republic has beautiful beaches which make for great adventures.

The beaches of Samaná such as Hermit Beach and Playa Onda are both uniquely beautiful. Bordered by coconut trees that invite you in. Access to these destinations can be limited but in recent times they’ve become more popular on social media.

So, without further ado, here are my top 10 adventurous things to do in the Dominican Republic.

1. COLA DE PATO, JAMAO AL NORTE

Not many people know the existence of this exotic and naturally beautiful destination. It’s accompanied by turquoise blue waters that will make you feel like you’re in a true paradise. This charming place is a favourite for the adventurous types who don’t fear long hours of intense walking or jumping into the river from a rock that can measure up to 10 metres high.

2. 27 CHARCOS DE DAMAJAGUA, PUERTO PLATA

The 27 waterfalls of Damajagua offer a full day of hiking. Trek through thick forests, cross bridges and discover Dominican flora, before reaching the rocky top of a hill from where you will begin travel down, jumping or sliding through a series of waterfalls. Safety equipment is mandatory when you slide along water-padded slides, or jump into deep turquoise pools.

3. CHARCO DE LOS MILITARES, PUERTO PLATA

Completely out of the list of usual attractions, you will find three waterfalls that fall into a deep blue pond called the “Pool of God.” You can walk for an hour watching typical scenes of the town life of Puerto Plata. Climb a short series of rocks until you reach the Charco de los Militares where natural pools fed by the river await you.

4. MAGIC MUSHROOMS, JAMAO AL NORTE

The Magic Mushrooms looks exactly like, well, mushrooms. This mushroom shaped waterfall is a great place to visit and swim. Or if you’d like you can rappel down the mushroom into the cool blue waters of Cabarete. Great place for an Instagram pic!

5. CAYO ARENA, MONTE CRISTI

This tiny sandbank is located in the middle of the bright blue ocean, with fine white sand and shallow waters full of tropical fish. It’s ideal for snorkellers and divers of all levels. You can also just relax in the sun!

6. CAYO LEVANTADO, SAMANÁ

The small and picturesque island of Cayo Levantado is located just five kilometers from the bay of Samaná. It has bright beaches of white sand and palm trees. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, kayaking or paddle boarding, and enjoy fresh fish.

7. CATALINA ISLAND, LA ROMANA

Catalina Island is an excellent place for water sports, particularly diving and snorkeling. Parts of the beach receive cruise excursions but the entire section is open for public enjoyment.

8. SAONA ISLAND, BAYAHIBE, LA ROMANA

The beautiful beaches of Saona Island attract more visitors than all Dominican national parks together. A protected area and part of the Cotubanamá National Park, this island is a tropical paradise.

9. EAGLE BAY, PEDERNALES

Recognized as the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and part of the Jaragua National Park, this stretch of bright white sand stretches for about eight kilometers. Eagle Bay has crystal clear turquoise waters and a spectacular rocky karst landscape that hugs the beach along the entire coast.

10. ERMITAÑO BEACH

Located on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic, Ermitaño Beach is a combination of beach, cliffs and mountains. This untouched beach is a paradise that has several beaches, crystal clear waters and green mountains full of coconut trees.

THE BEST REGIONS TO EXPLORE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

In my opinion, the towns that are on the north coast of the Dominican Republic are the most privileged in terms of natural resources. They have forested areas full of rivers and springs of crystalline waters. It’s perfect for those who seek to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city and connect more with themselves.

If you come to the Dominican Republic I recommend you take a walk through the coastal area of Nagua and Cabrera. There you will find everything from beaches to cenotes, waterfalls and incredible caves. Samaná is another of my favorite places for its spectacular beaches and ecological hotels.

And how can I not mention the Espaillat Province if you are looking to do something more extreme. You can explore mountains, go swimming in water canyons and jump from cliffs. From these three regions, you will have enough to fall completely in love with the contrasts of the Caribbean. I promise you won’t want to leave!

TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Our food is varied and rich. What is consumed daily in the Dominican Republic is “The Flag” consisting of white rice, stewed beans and stewed meat (preferably chicken, pork or beef).

Bananas are the national ingredient. It’s consumed in the country in many ways such as Tostones (sliced mashed and fried plantain) and as a Mangú which is a mashed green boiled or ripe banana, butter, milk, hot and cold water, usually accompanied by sausages, salami or eggs.

A dish that enjoys great popularity and acceptance is the Sancocho. If you come to the Dominican Republic you cannot leave without trying it. It’s a broth of seven meats and is common in various parts of Latin America (with variations). This is usually consumed on special occasions and accompanied by avocado and rice.

In terms of practical tips I’d say learn some Spanish. The local language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish and learning some words in this language will help you a lot during your trip. However, in many of the tourist sites, people usually know some English and manage to communicate without a problem.

Although American dollars are accepted in the Dominican Republic, you can regularly get better prices by paying with the local currency (Dominican pesos). Don’t worry if you bring another type of currency with you.

My final tip is to relax and enjoy! In the Caribbean, nothing is rushed. Everything is peaceful and quiet. Remember that you are on vacation. Just let yourself go and enjoy the atmosphere and the beautiful landscape. Do not be afraid to go exploring and get to know new destinations.

BY CARLOS TORRES
IG: @CARLOSTORRESRD