Samaná: With new alternatives in its tourist offer Tourists tan on the paradisiacal white sand beaches, taste coconut fish and beat the heat with fruity drinks. This option is usually the attraction of the Dominican Republic in the international market, but other visitors seek an authentic experience. Living on an island in the Caribbean, located in the same path as the sun, allows the travel and tourism industry to connect with the environment and integrate the community into the value chain. This is possible thanks to the production of ginger. This is one of the objectives of the Guariquen Agrotourism and Multiple Services Cooperative (Coopaturg) in the community of Rincón, in Samaná. According to the entity’s partner, María Corporán, the ginger route is included in the Samaná Sustainable Circuit, which aims to publicize the production and harvesting process of organic ginger. And is not for less; The agritourism market will be worth $4.33 billion by 2025, estimates research company Technavio. “This route will offer something different from traditional tourism, it is the hidden side of agricultural production,” he says in conversation with elDinero. According to the executive, 70 companies will benefit from the economic benefits of the excursions. Likewise, he asserts that integrating the community will allow the development of new boutique hotels and small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that will contribute to the socioeconomic development of the town.
Cibao Atlántico, a paradise to discover from Puerto Plata to Montecristi Montecristi.- For a significant majority of the general population of the Dominican Republic, the name Cibao Atlántico is something that, although it exists as a territory within the national conglomerate, was abstract until recently. However, for the tourism businessman, Danilo Rafael Guzmán (Danilito), this is a geographic designation that marks the country that extends from the municipality of Luperón west of Puerto Plata, to Montecristi. “This area, endowed with natural beauty unrivaled in the world, is made up of mountains and hills of all kinds; beaches so beautiful and docile that they stimulate the desire to dream and enjoy,” said Guzmán, who is part of an important business group that enthusiastically works on the promotion and execution of an important project for the area. It is a place where nature is perfect and every day feels like a vacation evidenced by Christopher Columbus who established the first European settlement on his lands, as it has attractions that have nothing to envy of other tourist areas not only in the country but in other latitudes of the world. “The area has a unique history in America, it has La Isabela Historica with its beautiful and exotic beaches, and cliffs like none in the country, this was the first community established by Columbus during his second voyage to the new continent of the Americas in the 1493,” said Danilito. Historic Isabela has a Museum and a national park that has all the firsts of the continent, as well as the most beautiful beaches in the country including its icon as a tourist destination, FricoLandia. Other attractions of Cibao Atlántico
Playa La Ensenada and Punta Rucia, with their natural turquoise waters with mild waves and reliable depths for the whole family, there are no other such natural and organic places in the country. Also the Buen Hombre in Villa Vásquez Montecristi, with winds up to 35 knots at the foot of the mountain range and multicolored waters, and just 15 minutes from the aforementioned place, you will find Cayo Arena, a natural phenomenon waiting for every Dominican. “It’s over that the Cibaeño has to drive across the island for 6 hours to be able to enjoy a type of tourism that is first in the world, with exotic beaches, mountains, rivers, history, archaeology, because all the people who want to enjoy these immense attractions, now They do not have to spend a day almost entirely on the road, to go to the East, for example, and both the middle and upper classes can have their villas or apartments in this beautiful area called Cibao Atlántico, just a little more than one hour from Santiago, and two hours from the capital,” said Guzmán.
Puerto Plata, a gastronomic offer that integrates traditional and international Puerto Plata, the starting point for mass tourism in the Dominican Republic, has a varied gastronomic offer, based on its oldest traditions and with an impressive international proposal. From the most typical proposals such as melao chocolates, a tradition from the municipalities of Imbert and Luperón that people usually enjoy accompanied by the typical leafy cheese of the region, in the numerous artisanal factories in the area. In the area of the main municipality, tradition is marked by emblematic products such as the Julia Cookies, shortbread cookies, made in an artisanal way, with the same recipe of its creator in her house on Cardenal Sancha Street, the Bojos quipes on Margarita Street Mears, Gerry Gilbert’s bread on that same street and Doña Agustina’s sweets at José Del Carmen Ariza. The municipality of Maimón is the headquarters of fish in the province, with dozens of restaurants located on the same road, where you can enjoy various specialty options, fried fish, but also grilled or boiled, as well as all kinds seafood. Fish and seafood can be enjoyed throughout the province in different restaurants, with a wide range of local restaurant options for Creole, Italian food, pizzerias, fast food restaurants, Indian food and others. The Playa Dorada complex has numerous specialty restaurants that the public can enjoy, even if they are not staying in their hotels. In Sosúa and Cabarete, international food options multiply; in every corner there are alternatives to enjoy German, Italian, Canadian, Irish and other food. In Cabarete, with the additional attraction of its restaurants located around the beach, with tables on the sand itself. But the offer is expanded to all municipalities, with interesting proposals, in Imbert, Guananico, Los Hidalgos, Villa Isabela and Luperón, as well as in the heights of Altamira, home of the best chocolate in the region or to the Yasica district to taste the Yaroa Coffee.
Moca: historical, cultural and gastronomic route In the Dominican Republic there are destinations that are recognized more than others. Perhaps because of its cultural, historical, artistic or gastronomic relevance. One of these is Moca, the head municipality of the Espaillat province. Moca, throughout time, has been the protagonist of several historical events that have made it known as the cradle of great heroes; Important events have been established here such as the “Gesta del 2 de Mayo” in 1861 against the Annexation to Spain, the execution of Ulises Heureaux on July 26, 1899 and the execution of Lilís, to mention some of the most important events. . On this occasion, thanks to a tour that we took with Grupo Sarma and the Ecotourism Cluster of the Espaillat province, we are going to share seven mandatory stops that make up the historical, cultural and gastronomic route of the city considered “capital of mofongo” in the Dominican Republic. Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Moca is a town that strongly believes in God and has one of the most beautiful temples in the entire Dominican Republic. This parish was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990 and then Monumental Heritage of the Dominican Republic by the Executive Branch in 2006. Designed by architect Humberto Ruiz Castillo, this temple has a height of 110 meters from the base to the cross that crowns its tower. Its structure is made up of a central nave and 2 lateral ones. Its bell tower is 60 meters high and the clock and its red dome can be seen from every corner of the city of Moca. The interior of the church is magical. There you can see a series of beautiful polychrome stained glass windows with biblical and Salesian representations, an organ with 4000 pipes, 2 keyboards and about 16 Murano glass lamps that illuminate the entire area, as described by Dominicana Life Style. Among its images is: the Heart of Jesus, recreated in white marble; Our Lady of Guadalupe; Christ the Redeemer also has an altar dedicated to Mary Help of Christians and another altar to Saint John Bosco. The Virgin of Altagracia and San José custodian of the sides of the temple. Without a doubt, a temple that you should visit.
This historic space is located in the Estancia Nueva district, where the widow of President Ramón Cáceres settled. If you are interested in knowing a little about the history of the Dominican Republic and the way and lifestyle of this former president, a native of La Estancia, Moca, noted for his opposition to the mandate of the dictator Ulises Heureaux, visiting the museum is an excellent way to connect with your work. This cultural space (@museoramoncaceres), built at the initiative and will of the family, collects the episodes of life and exercise of power of the former president number 39 of the Dominican Republic. With a tour that lasts approximately 15 minutes, new generations can learn about their works and achievements in the economic, political and development areas in favor of the country.
On our tour we made a stop at @las4fmoca, located on the Coronel Lora Fernández highway, in Moca. This break is one of the most important activities when visiting Moca, because there is no tour of this municipality that does not include enjoying a good mofongo. The Las 4F restaurant has more than 10 variations of mofongo on its menu, including some made with cassava – rare but tasty – and all of them can be accompanied with chicharrón, sausage, cheese, carnita, seafood or crab dough. Other dishes that can be enjoyed at Moca are sancocho with various meats, typical sweets, white cheese, and Rodaos.
One of the most recent attractions that the municipality has is 26 de Julio Street, which was painted in three-dimensional form, becoming the first of its kind in the Dominican Republic. This space, which begins right in front of the Plaza 26 de Julio and Museo 26 de Julio, has several illustrated landscapes in 3D format where tourists and locals can take fun photographs. “The 3D street is part of a complete project that seeks to convert that complete road with sections that highlight art, education, technology, communications, fine arts and the history of the province,” said Juan Santiago Cabrera at the time. of the inauguration. This work in the dream occupies about 60 meters and was made by the professor and brush artist Julio Tejada, who captured images that refer to the geographical demarcation of the city.
Another experience that you must live on the historical tour of the city of Moca is the visit to the 16 de Julio Museum (@museo26dejuliard), where young students with enthusiasm and drama will give you a tour of relevant events about Ulises Heureaux, who was murdered on July 26, 1899. This historic space was inaugurated on July 26, 2015, within the framework of the commemoration of the 116th anniversary. It is located in the small square that pays tribute to Ramón Cáceres, Horacio Vásquez, Manuel Cáceres, Jacobo de Lara, Pablo Arnaud and many others like Eduardo Contín, heroes of the tyrant’s execution. The house where the museum is located was donated by the De Lara family, from where Jacobito De Lara fired the first shot against Lilís. Here there are several paintings that depict what happened in the assassination of President Ulises Heureaux by several young Mocanos. The museum, located on Colon Street, in front of 26 de Julio Street, is a replica of the original building, using skylights that were found in the exterior and interior doors of the old house, as part of the museography and exhibition with portraits, paintings and objects of the time.
Jarabacoa has offers for fun in air, water and land Not only in the real estate area is the impact of the growth that Jarabacoa is currently experiencing felt, but this is also generating greater movement in the entertainment offers that are by land, air and water. Activities such as four-wheel trips, horseback riding, rafting and paragliding are generated here, which are increasingly having better results as the number of visitors to the different areas of the municipality increases. Fabio Herrera established a four wheel excursion business a year ago, and talks about how favorable the increase in visitors has been, which has allowed him to grow and generate jobs with the acquisition of more motorcycles and the sale of accessories. Regarding the noises that many complain about, Herrera explains that inconveniences will always arise, especially because Jarabacoa was a very quiet area where small things were done, but when a big movement is made, the change will be felt. He is aware that where the engines pass, the noise and dust they raise bother nearby residents, so among the other groups that are dedicated to the business, about five, they are meeting with people to listen to them and find a way to cause as little noise as possible. “I understand that it affects them, but what are we going to do, are we going to stay small all the time? We have to grow,” says Herrera, after warning that their vehicles are silent and represent few risks for customers.
By horse
Another business is the horse business in La Confluencia park, where a group of 25 young people has organized to share visitors without the need for competition to reach the customer first. These young people have around one hundred horses on site, ready to ride clients along one of the three established routes that run through different areas of the municipality, according to Estarlin de la Cruz, who has been carrying out this activity in the same space for 25 years.
Between the mountains
As attractive aquifers are the cold waters of the Yaque and Jimenoa rivers, which although they originate in different points, join to become one in the place called La Confluencia, right where President Luis Abinader inaugurated a park three months ago. There are also the Jimenoa and Baiguate waterfalls, which are visited by tourists from all over who make the journey in the middle of the mountains. In the latter the water sport rafting is practiced. And for those who want to get the adrenaline going there are paragliders, an adventure through the air that starts from the top of the mountain, which is also part of the tourist attractions. These activities are generating greater dynamism in the local economy, as well as the creation of jobs. The president of the Cardenal Sancha neighborhood association, Zoila Carmona, highlights that tourism has been beneficial for the town due to the contributions it produces, and points out that visitors express that they feel well welcomed in Jarabacoa because of the treatment they receive from its people. . He says that tourists also take the opportunity to visit the nearby religious temples and to learn about the cuisine offered by the different restaurants and informal establishments.