Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the ferns and moss-bound rainforest of the lower elevations, and once you hit 2200m all
you see are burnt-out forests of Caribbean Pine, spaced at regular intervals, with no anim-
als and only cawing crows for company. Still, if it's clear at the top when you get there -
and you have time to linger at the summit - then the hard work to get there may be worth
it.
Shorter Hikes
The DR is not a world-class hiking destination. Still, there are a number of waterfalls and
quite a few challenging trails around Jarabacoa. The Península de Samaná has some beau-
tiful hikes near Las Galeras, with picturesque deserted beaches as your reward at the end.
In the southwest, there's some decent half-day and full-day hikes just outside Paraíso, al-
though they are best visited as part of a tour.
Lesser-known trails are slowly being developed for organized hikes in the Cordillera
Septentrional south of Sosúa. Contact Tubagua Plantation Eco-Village ( Click here ) for
customized itineraries. And rising out of flat plains near San Francisco de Macorís, Loma
Quita Espuela is surrounded by organic cocoa plantations and swimming holes.
Golf
Known as one of the premier golf destinations in the Caribbean, the DR has more than
two dozen courses to choose from. Signature courses from high-profile designers like
Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones Sr, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Arnold
Palmer continue to be built at a steady pace. The majority are affiliated with (or located
nearby) the top all-inclusive resorts (the most by far are located along the southeastern
coast between La Romana and north of Punta Cana; none are west of an imaginary line
that runs south to north from Santo Domingo, to Jarabacoa, Santiago and Puerto Plata),
but are open to guests and nonguests alike. Almost all take advantage of their Caribbean
setting (of course this means many were built on former mangrove areas) and feature fair-
ways and greens with spectacular ocean views. A few of the best in the country:
» Corales Tom Fazio-designed course opened in Punta Cana area in 2010.
» La Cana Golf Course Best in the area; design completed by Pete Dye's son Paul Burke ( Click here ).
» Playa Grande Last course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr ( Click here ); due for renovations.
» Punta Espada One of three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses at Cap Cana ( Click here ).
» Teeth of the Dog One of four highly- rated Pete Dye-designed courses in Casa de Campo ( Click here ).
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