What you need to know before traveling to a Caribbean destination, Dominican Republic
A pleasant time is what we all wish for when we think of taking a vacation, however, there is more to the story than just tropical beaches. There are some things you probably won’t think about before taking a trip to the Dominican Republic. Beautiful beaches, warm breezes, green mountains, great food, fantastic weather, friendly people, and much more can be found in this beautiful country. In order to have a safe and pleasant trip, there are some details that you should know before traveling to the Dominican Republic.
Weather conditions are something you would think you wouldn’t have to worry about when traveling to a Caribbean destination, however weather conditions can be a problem if you don’t pay attention to certain details. The climate in the Dominican Republic is warm throughout the year. A typical day in the Dominican Republic has temperatures in the 80 degree Fahrenheit range, however there are places where the temperature could drop as low as freezing point. These lower temperatures can be found in the mountains. Remember that the Dominican Republic has very high mountains in some places, including the highest point in the entire Caribbean, which is called Pico Duarte. Its altitude reaches 10,417 feet. There are other elevations where lower temperatures can also be found. Be sure to bring your winter gear if you plan to go on this type of adventure.
Transportation isn’t too bad if you plan to take buses, taxis, or the train. Please note that taxis can sometimes be a bit expensive if you plan to take taxis every day. Also note that the train runs only locally in the capital, Santo Domingo. Another option is to rent a car, which can sometimes be even worse. The fact is that driving in a foreign country is already a problem, but it turns out that the safety of driving in the Dominican Republic has its own challenges. In most cities and towns, traffic lights are not working and most people do not follow traffic laws. Motorcycles, which are the most common mode of transportation in the Dominican Republic, can often make riding truly unsafe for themselves and other drivers. Motorcyclists can sometimes cross in front of you unexpectedly and between cars in a very unsafe manner. Also keep in mind that most of the roads are very narrow. Another big problem with driving a car is that some drivers just stop at a red light for a second and run the red light. This type of driving is very common, especially if there is no police officer around. On highways it’s even worse, as drivers can go as fast as their cars can go.
There are places along the road where vendors sell very nice things like food and other things as well. However, the place where the merchants sell their products is on the shoulders of the road, which is extremely dangerous. If you decide to stop at one of these places, be aware of the safety concerns of the place, especially if you are traveling with children or pets. Please note that these issues I have addressed above are some things that are good to know before you experience them first hand. On the other hand, remember that the Dominican Republic is a country that is not yet fully developed, which may explain why you should be aware of these types of issues. Also, the Dominican Republic can provide you with a happy vacation if you take the above tips into consideration. Enjoy your vacations!