Santiago De Los Caballeros
One piece of information that will ease your travels to the island, is that you will need to purchase a tourist card at the airport upon arrival (unless you are a resident or citizen of the Dominican Republic). The tourist card is basically a entry and exit tax - and must be paid in U.S. currency. Currently, the card is $10 per person (as of Oct. 2008), for a tourist stay of 30 days or less. A second document is the customs form, that will be usually passed out by your airline before arrival.
This city is referred to as La Ciudad Corazón, (Heart City) because it is located at the heart of El Cibao Valley; it is also known as the capital of El Cibao. Tobacco, rice, coffee, and cacao are some of the many products grown in the fertile soil of this beautiful region. This city is graced by the meandering Yaque del Norte River and is home to the popular Dominican Baseball team, Las Aguilas Cibaeñas. Santiago's history goes back to the late 15th Century, and it has always played a major role in the economic and social development of the Dominican Republic.
Often compared to Santo Domingo, the city of Santiago, the second largest metropolis, is comprised of natives that prefer a less chaotic and more purposeful lifestyle than its counterpart. Home to over 750,000 people, the heart of this laid back city proves to be the cultured downtown area. In addition, Santiago is where most of the country's presidents were raised; giving the city well-deserved bragging rights.
A primary downtown attraction and a place were boredom is not in the vocabulary is Calle del Sol. Known as the city's main shopping district, the street is stocked with shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and an array of vendors.
Located north of Calle del Sol is Parque Duarte. A popular area to kick up those traveling feet and get acquainted with the natives, this shady park is a great representation of Santiago's laid back lifestyle.
An ideal spot for cigar lovers and a perfect place to relax after a day of shopping is the Museo del Tabaco. Visitors will learn about the art of cigar-making while purchasing some of the country's top brands. Located in Santiago, it would be a sin to exit Cibao Valley without stopping by this one-of-a-kind museum.
People from around the globe visit Santiago year-round to stay at some of the finest accommodations that satisfy the needs of any traveler. In addition, the city provides a vibrant nightlife and variety of stores that are comparable to the capital city.
Most travelers know that convenience is an added bonus. Santiago provides an additional benefit by serving as an alternate airport to Puerto Plata. Also, both of the airports are of about equal distance to Monte Cristi and other destinations in the Dominican Republic's northwest region.
Puerto plata and Sosua just 20 miles from Santiago
The best diving on the North Coast of the island takes a little time getting to. There are a number of shallow water reef systems, however in Sosua, about 20 minutes from Puerto Plata, you will find reefs, canyons, shipwrecks, and gardens. Average water temperatures are about 80 degrees, and dive depths are usually 50 to 130 feet. The area of Playa Grande, about an hour and a half away, also features the Gri Gri lagoon for snorkeling. A colorful historical story of one shipwreck is the Concepción. The North Coast tossed this Spanish galleon into the Silver Banks about 60 nautical miles from Puerto Plata. The ship carried a cargo of freshly minted silver coins, and some an American with British support recovered about 69,000 pounds of it in 1689. It was not until 1979 that an American teamed up with the Dominican government to recover tons of silver that remained (they split the findings 50/50). All the larger hotels in Puerto Plata are able to help with diving and snorkeling.
Playa Dorada is home to the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Course. Located in the Playa Dorada Resort Complex in Puerto Plata, this course is situated amongst 14 hotels providing easy accessibility. Aslo it's listed as one of the top 100 golf courses in the world. Serious golfers may want to make a trip outside of Puerto Plata to another Robert Trent Jones creation, Playa Grande, considered to be one of the best courses in the Caribbean.
Puerto Plata is the ideal location for a great sport fishing vacation. As to deep sea fishing, great boats, great gear and great service from friendly English speaking crews is what you'll find here. The catch: Blue Marlin July - September, White Marlin April - June, Mahi Mahi October - March, Wahoo October - January, Sailfish October - March. Half day private charters start about US$590 including round trip transportation from the hotel, drinks, taxes and all the gear.
If you've ever dreamed of getting married on the beach, in a tropical paradise, barefoot at sunset with live music playing in the background -- you've found your destination: Puerto Plata!
What to Know
The Dominican Republic is the new wedding destination of the Caribbean. Any couple is able to customize the tropical wedding ceremony of their dreams. The island and its atmosphere make it an ideal candidate for marriage.
When choosing your date, avoid hurricane season -- the period between July and October.
Plan early if you want to wed over a long weekend. Some hotels have limited room accommodations and fill up quickly!
Hire a local wedding planner who can guide you through all the red tape. Sometimes this service is provided by the hotel with no extra cost.
Marriage Requirements
It is fairly easy to arrange for a legal civil ceremony in the Dominican Republic for this special occasion. The document requirements are a passport or original birth certificate, a single status affidavit (in Spanish), and/or a divorce decree (in Spanish) stating you are free to marry. Two witnesses are required, and passports are usually needed; however, Dominicans can witness the wedding and provide "cedulas" for this purpose. It is recommended that all requirements should be confirmed at the time you make your hotel reservation.
The best way to get a single status affidavit is contacting your nearest Dominican Embassy or Consulate. They will send you the exact wording via fax or mail. Then you can retype it, has it notarized, and send it to the Dominican Consulate for their stamps, and legalization. They turn it around in two days. If you are sending the documentation by mail you will need to send a prepaid envelop in order for the Consulate to send the document back. They do not accept personal checks.
Budget
For $600 dollars or less, you can have a very nice wedding in the Dominican Republic. Hotels are usually a huge help in the planning required, and there are some outside restaurants and gazebos that serve as the perfect backdrop for this special day (Pier Giorgio's in Sosua is one of our personal favorites).
Wedding Tips
There are two ways to find a wedding coordinator. Puerto Plata has resorts with plenty of destination wedding experience. Most employ an entire staff dedicated to making planning as hassle-free as possible. This includes having experienced planners who oversee all the arrangements. They work with a team of local vendors so you don't have to worry about hiring your own individuals. Of course, you always have the option of bringing your favorite caterer or florist along. When working with your on-site coordinator, it's important to give her clear direction, especially if you have a very detailed vision of how you want your wedding to take place. Talk over the phone, fax seating charts, and email instructions and pictures of your ideal bouquet, cake, food, and décor. Most places will make sure all your requests are in place by the time you get there, including the flowers.
