Delectable local delicacies and world-leading rums are why this island leaves an unforgettable taste on your tongue – your guide to living the Dominican dream
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PUBLISHED: 11:34, 04 July 2022
While decadent natural scenery and breath-taking views may encourage you to visit the Dominican Republic, it’s the food, the music and the culture that will make you want to stick around. In keeping with your wild tropical surroundings on the island will be a host of bright flavours ready to dance on your tongue, as spellbinding traditional songs tickle your ears.
There’s no doubt that this is an island for the senses, where each one is dazzled by a new delight with every passing moment. From local specialities served up by chummy street food venders to the pulsating beats of Merengue, let this Caribbean paradise seduce you with all its charms.
Indulge with the local cuisine
Being an island nation in the Caribbean, seafood is a big part of the local diet. The freshest fish can be enjoyed from sea to table in just a few hours, particularly a hearty serving of a red snapper. Down on the island’s celebrated beaches, you can order yourself a pescado frito which usually is accompanied with tostones (mashed and double-fried green plantains), avocado and yaniqueque.
For a relatively small nation, the Dominican Republic packs a true punch when it comes to its native flavours
While street food may be a recent trend across cities here in the UK, it’s always been a healthy part of Dominican culture. Once the sun sets, out come the vans which dole out delicious chimichurri or a juicy Dominican burger, both favourites with the locals.
There is plenty of diversity on plates across this island. Start the day by sampling mangú (green plantains, boiled and mashed) with eggs, fried cheese, and fried salami – a traditional Dominican breakfast. Then, for lunch, try la bandera dominicana which consists of rice, red kidney beans, a meat stew, and some more tostones.
Then to cap off a day of delicacies, you can tuck into chicharrón (pork rinds), locrio de pollo (fried rice with chicken) or mofongo, which is plantain mound with deep fried pork or shrimp. Other alternatives could include fish in coconut sauce, stewed crab and conch, roasted or stewed goat with boiled cassava, and sancocho (a seven-meat stew).
Tuck into a plate of pescado frito, a delicious speciality of the island - served with an array of fresh sides; The Samaná region has the delicious coconut addition to the traditional dish
And present at every dinner table should be cassava bread and a few slight servings of queso de hoja – an artisanal cow’s milk cheese.
If you have a sweet tooth, then a trek through the plantation trails is sure to leave a good taste in your mouth. There, the women-run cacao plantations offer full-day immersions into the world of chocolate, from hiking amid cacao trees to processing chocolate into tasty treats.
Enjoy a world-class tipple
What would a trip to the Caribbean be without a few swigs of delectable Dominican rum? It’s produced by several big labels, with the most popular of those being Brugal and Barceló. Ron Bermúdez dates back to the 19th century, with the white and gold premium varieties earning accolades the world over.
Having ballooned in popularity in recent years, Ron Macorix bottles of flavoured rum are a delight to imbibe. The sweet and tender notes of spices, pineapple and coconut rum blend to create something truly delectable.
Why not try a little Mamajuana? It’s a must-try when visiting the Dominican Republic. Ubiquitous along the beaches, roadsides, souvenir shops and markets throughout the country, the drink is a herbal concoction made with tree bark and spices steeped in rum and red wine. No two recipes are the same—everyone has their own version of the drink.
Fermented for your tasting pleasure, Mamajuana is a herbal concoction with a kick
Soak up the atmosphere
Once dinner and drinks are out of the way, you may be feeling ready for a dance. Music and dancing are integral parts of everyday life in the Dominican Republic. The beats of their traditional music echo from corner stores and local clubs, where you can find folks dancing nearby in parks and town squares.
A passion for dance is in the waters in the Dominican Republic, where locals need no excuse to move to the music
The red, white and blue folkloric dress is traditionally worn when dancing the merengue
Santo Domingo, a hub for nightlife and live performances, is always popular with travellers who are seeking a little revelry. In Cabarete, it’s the beachside nightlife that reigns supreme where you can dance the evening away on the waterfront.
Then over in Punta Cana, it’s the glitzy nightclubs and marinas which draw in the crowd, where a sophisticated evening of live shows and performances can be enjoyed with a drink in hand.
Move to Merengue music
If you’re seeking to get a more intimate understanding of the culture in the Dominican Republic, then look no further than Merengue. The traditional style of music and dance was named an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 by UNESCO and is revered as such by the locals who play the music and dance to its beats.
Traditional merengue music dates back to the late sixteenth century, combining Taíno, African and European influences
Any Dominican will tell you that merengue is part and parcel of every Dominican’s essence. Its lyrics share the everyday life stories, and its instruments reflect Dominican Republic’s triple identity – the güira comes from the Taíno, the tambora or drum from Africa and the accordion from Europe. This is music for the ages that captures the magic of this island.