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The Dominican Republic is a small country with a surface area of 18,704 mi² (48,442 km²), which shares the Caribbean island "Hispaniola" with Haiti. The country is politically stable and safe for travelers.

A wonderful place to combine vacation and language learning. The endless white-sand beaches, groves of coconut palms, clear blue water and tropical vegetation provide the backdrop for the perfect getaway. Beyond the beaches there is even more to explore; cascading waterfalls, gorgeous national parks, clear cold rivers, and the highest mountain in the Caribbean are all within your reach in the Dominican Republic.


Excursions: You can venture out on your own, traveling by rented car, motorbike or quad, or by taking a public bus, known as a “guagua,” or you may join any of the organized tours that are available in town and around the country. We recommend traveling by guagua at least once, as it is not only cheaper, but also provides the language student with an opportunity to socialize with local people and experience travel “Dominican style.”

The climate in the Dominican Republic is tropical. Temperatures in “winter” are generally around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), while summer runs a bit hotter. There are several rainy seasons that differ according to region; however, even on days when there is rain, you will often still have the opportunity to go to the beach. It rarely rains all day on the peninsula.

Form of government. The Dominican Republic is a presidential republic. Citizens from the age of 18 on vote for their president every 4 years. The official language is Spanish. 

Dominican cuisine is simple and tasty. For little money, you can go out for lunch or dinner to typical Dominican restaurants called “comedores.” The main staples of the Dominican diet are rice, chicken and beans. There are also dishes with pork, beef and seafood. Seafood and fish are particularly good, as everything is caught daily and served fresh. If you like to eat out, Las Terrenas has dozens of restaurants in town and on the beach that serve a wide range of international cuisine (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese and more).


For further information we refer you to any of the recommended published or online travel guides about the Dominican Republic. 


 

the country

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