Dominican Republic News Archive (1147)
Welcome to the home of archived Dominican Republic News. Our collection of local news from around the Dominican Republic is an ideal reference point for those who wish to discover the REAL Dominican Republic. Please remember that at any time, you can use our powerful search box at the top of every page. This search will look at every article in our extensive database and give you the results you need.
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With the general election for the next President of the Dominican Republic scheduled for May 20th 2012, political rhetoric and campaigning are about to go into overdrive. For some years now the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs has been applying pressure to see candidates go head to head in a live Presidential debate, and now for the first time in Dominican history, the two candidates will meet for a battle of wits in the first televised debate which will be held on 17th April 2012. Dominican people take their politics seriously and it is anticipated that viewing figures could exceed more than 31 million across Latin America and The Untied States as Danilo Medina who is leader of the ruling PRD party, and Hipolito Mejia leader of the PLD debate each other and make clear their plans for the future of The Dominican Republic. The debate will be televised by Grupo de Comunicaciones Corripio in conjunction with CNN en Espanol and hosted by both a local moderator and a CNN moderator on Channel 2, Channel 11, Channel 37, TeleAntillas, and CDN available through cable TV.
After 4 years without playing in the Dominican Republic, we are delighted to inform you that Grammy award winning band Mana will be performing at the Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo on March 14th 2012. The Mexican band who hail from Guadalajara have exceeded global sales of 25 million are on tour to promote their new album "Drama y Luz" for which they have already received their most recent Grammy. This wonderfully talented and charismatic band are well worth seeing, and tickets can be purchased online with prices beginning at RD$ 700 for the bleachers, RD$1,200 for ground level access, and VIP seating from RD$4,000 - RD$6,000. For more information go to http://www.ticketexpress.com.do
It appears that certain local news sources jumped the gun when announcing publicly plans to develop a U.S. Naval base on the secluded national park of Saona Island on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. Because Saona Island has always been a protected area, and one of the jewels of the Dominican Republic the news sparked a certain amount of vocal unrest and controversy amongst the local population. After further clarification by Environment Minister Ernesto Reyna, it was revealed that local authorities merely plan to upgrade an existing naval station that was constructed back in the 1960's. The planned re-modelation and construction work will upgrade existing facilities for approximately 12 Dominican military personnel that are stationed there and not US personnel as was originally reported. All in all this is good news for environmentalists who were also informed that international funds would also be made available from Germany, Japan and Taiwan to help improve local environmental conditions. Saona Island is visited by thousands of tourists each year and is famous for is breathtaking powder white sand and beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters as well as an amazing offshore natural swimming pool. Click here for more information about the Saona Island excursion from Punta Cana, Bavaro and Cap Cana or see the video beneath. Anyone planning on visiting the Dominican Republic should definitely consider adding the Saona Island excursion to their list of things to do.
This weekend marks one of the biggest celebrations of the Dominican Republic's annual public holiday calendar. February 27th 2012 is the official 168th Independence Day here in the Dominican Republic when the country was liberated from Haitian rule back in 1844. February is also the month of carnival here in the DR and each weekend prior to this one has seen carnival celebrations held in most of the larger provinces, all of which culminate into major festivities over the long weekend until Monday 27th February. If you are here in the DR keep an ear out for local events in your area join us, have fun and and help us celebrate!
Check out this amazing video taken recently as a juvenile whale shark swims lazily alongside the Freestyle Catamaran giving all on board a wonderful treat. The passengers are clearly thrilled with this amazing close up and personal encounter and why wouldn't they be as The Discovery Channel comes to life right before their eyes. Once in a lifetime experiences like this one create vacation memories that last a lifetime. Click here for more information about the Freestyle Catamaran excursion from Playa Dorada on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.
Planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic? Why not impress your friends by taking the time to learn Salsa? We guarantee that you'll have a lot of fun in the process. Here's how it works, pass by your local liquor store and treat yourself to a nice bottle of Dominican Rum with either a bottle of Coke or Sprite. Watch the Salsa Dance Class video and practice with your other half. Once feel that you're getting the hang of it, proceed to open the rum and prepare a couple of Cuba Libres (Coke & Rum) or Santo Libres (Sprite & Rum). Turn the heating up to try and replicate our wonderful tropical weather, download or find on Youtube some Marc Anthony Salsa music or similar, turn it up (very important), have a couple of drinks, let yourselves go & practice what you just learned. We guarantee you'll have lots of fun, plus you'll be learning something really cool, in addition to impressing family, friends, fellow travelers and locals. Not to mention what it might do for your love life...:-) Learn to dance Salsa here:
The 2012 Macao Surf Invitational Competition will be held on Macao Beach from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February. A schedule of events will coincide with the main surf competition such as live music, skateboarding demonstrations, and concludes with a beach party on Sunday 26th at the very cool Soles Beach Bar and Restaurant in Bavaro. All surfers and spectators welcome! Schedule of events as follows:
- Friday 24th February 7.00pm, subscriptions to surf event and live music from Justin James at the Bali Cana restaurant, Los Corales, Bavaro. Cost to register 300 Dominican Pesos.
- Saturday 25th February, elimination rounds, Macao Beach - 8.30am to 5.00pm
- Saturday 25th February - Junior skateboard competition, 6.00pm Coast Riders Skate Park, Plaza San Juan, Bavaro
- Sunday 26th February - Surf finals, Macao Beach - 7.30am onwards
- Sunday 26th February - Presentation ceremony and Beach Party, 8.00pm Soles Beach Bar & Restaurant
Saturday 18th February sees the return of the biggest beach party in the Dominican Republic and the entire Caribbean! Barcelo Rum proudly presents Desalia 2012 which is now in it's 5th year and attracts party goers from all over the planet. The event which will be held on Bavaro beach (Punta Cana) caters for approximately six thousand people, with the best international DJ's on the planet playing some amazing sounds. The weather forecast is looking very favorable, so you'll be able to dance the night away until the following morning under a myriad of stars on a powder white sand beach. All party goers must be dressed in white. Guaranteed to be an amazing event, tickets cost U$50.00 and are available at Danny's Sports Bar in the Los Corales are of Bavaro. If you are in Bavaro right now, don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to attend one of the best beach parties in the world.
If you are heading out to the Dominican Republic, chances are that you will try our wonderful Presidente Beer. A firm favorite amongst locals and visitors alike, Presidente is a light flavorful beer designed specifically to quench any tropical thirst. But as with most things, there is a right way and a wrong way to truly enjoy a Presidente beer. Any self respecting bar tender or beer connoisseur here will tell you that the Dominican Republic's favorite beer is best enjoyed with what is known locally as a "vestida de novia". Roughly translated this means "bridal gown" and refers to the frosted coating a perfectly prepared Presidente beer will "wear" the moment the chilled beer hits the tropical warmth. To help explain what we mean just check the image.
Heading out to the Dominican Republic and want to try something new, invigorating and possibly life changing? Maybe surfing is for you? There are some pretty good surfing locations and surf schools in the Dominican Republic, most notably one here on the north coast close to Cabarete called Pauhana Surf School on Encuentro beach, and on the east coast close to Bavaro and Punta Cana called Macao Surf Camp on Macao beach.
As a complete beginner I called in at the Pauhana Surf School recently to give it a try, and I had to tell you I had a blast. Great pre water instruction and hands on classes in the water, we were put totally at ease and now I can totally
February is the month of carnival here in the Dominican Republic. Most weekends in major cities throughout the country will host spectacular colorful carnival events leading up to the final celebration of Independence Day in the Dominican Republic on February 27th. Back in the early history of the Dominican Republic, the original inhabitants of Hispaniola, the Taino's, had their own celebrations linked mainly to the seasons and to promote a healthy abundance of crops and also the spirituality of life. Carnival as it is known today initially began shortly after the arrival of Christopher Columbus and evidence of this exists going back to the mid 1500's. Carnival has close ties to the origins of slavery whereby slave owners encouraged slaves to release pent up energy not least as a diversion to distract them from the miserable conditions of their day to day lives.
Happy Valentines Day everyone! May your day be blessed with much love and romantic activity. Despite the odd rain shower or two today, don't forget to treat yourselves to a romantic walk on the beach and a cocktail or two as the sun sets on our beautiful Caribbean island. Also don't forget to make a reservation at your favorite restaurant, local guitar players strumming romantic tunes will be out in force today! Either way do something special to show the one you love that you care.
And, if you've not yet met that special person, why not join our Dominican Republic Community, you never know who you will meet !
For those regular visitors to therealdr.com, you will have noticed our recently updated Dominican Republic Attraction, Tour and Excursion Store, is packed with a range of top quality Dominican Republic tours and excursions for every budget and every desire! Top sellers so far from our range of Punta Cana Tours and Excursions, and the most popular in Punta Cana at the moment are the Zip Line Canopy Tour, Jungle Safari Adventure and our old favourite, the Pure Caribbean and Saona Island Experience. Whatever your particular favourite, just take a look at our range of Punta Cana tours and excursions, we're absolutely sure you will not be disappointed!
For all of our hundreds of Punta Cana Tour bookers, we'd love you to share your experiences of your tours and of us, so please login and tell us about your Punta Cana experience.
