Global Dominican Movie Festival 2008 November 19th - 23rd, 2008
Enjoy the second annual Global Dominican Movie Festival which takes place in five cities around the country: Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Higüey and Nagua. Find the full schedule on the web site:
www.drglobalfilmfestival.org/drgff2008/
ProCigar Festival 2nd Annual Procigar Festival
February 16 - 20, 2009
Preserving the heritage and maintaining the quality and unrivaled reputation of Dominican Cigars is the mission of La Asociación de Fabricantes de Cigarros de la República Dominicana. From the Dominican Republic's fertile tobacco country comes the world’s finest handmade, premium cigars. Old World craftsmanship has been refined and perfected into new meaning. Cigar Country’s artisans have no equal anywhere in the world for their cigar making skills and their passion to provide supreme smoking pleasure and relaxation.
The ProCigar Festival is a magnificent event for cigar smokers from around the world who want an unforgettable experience surrounded by fun, sun and golf and of course, great cigar education and the best premium smoke you could have.
Get the chance to truly be behind the scenes of the best manufacturers in the world and see your favourite brand come to life: Leon Jiménes, Partagas, Fonseca, Davidoff, Montecristo, Juan Clemente, Macanudo, Avo, La Aurora, among many others…
Your trip will start in world famous La Romana, home of Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón, and conclude in the historical city of Santiago de los Caballeros, the heart of Cigar Country.
País de los tabacos
En su calidad de mayor productor de cigarros habanos en el mundo, la República Dominicana es conocida como “el país de los tabacos”. La mayoría de los cigarros son manufacturados en las regiones centrales de Santiago y el Valle de Cibao, gracias a su ambiente ideal para cosechar tabaco.
Entre el 5 y el 7 de marzo de 2008, la Asociación de Productores de Cigarros de la República Dominicana (PROCIGAR) fue la anfitriona del primer Festival Procigar en Santiago, que incluyó recorridos por los campos de tabaco y por las fábricas de marcas famosas como Arturo Fuerte y General Cigars. El festival se realiza anualmente, y en él participan profesionales y consumidores de tabaco nacionales e internacionales. Consulte el sitio web www.procigar.org para las fechas del festival.
7th Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta January 11th - 14th, 2009
Dominican Republic: This event marks the start of the world's laser regatta calendar. Master sailors and past champions of all levels compete for a chance to win $5,000 in prize money and a recognition by ISAF with the results effecting world rankings. (The Caribbean Laser Regatta is held one week prior to the Miami Olympic Regatta (OCR) allowing sailors to easily participate in both events.) the BIC Wind Center holds a pre-race clinic from the 11th - 14th. Get complete details on the site: www.caribwind.com/ltc/index.html
How to get here... There are many airports throughout the country. Fly into and within the Dominican Republic using:
Joaquin Balaguer (Santo Domingo)
Las International Airport (Santo Domingo)
La Romana International Airport
Punta Cana International Airport
Arroyo Barril International Airport (Samana)
El Catey International Airport (Samana)
Gregorio Luperon International Airport (Puerto Plata)
Santiago International Airport
Maria Montez International Airport (Baharona)
Please note: Prior to entering Immigration, visitors are required to purchase a Tourist Card for $10 USD per person (cash only). The Immigration officer will keep half of the card on arrival. The other half should be kept with your travel documents and presented upon departure.
Rental cars are available to those over 25 years of age with a valid driver's license.
The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso, however the US dollar is accepted at most establishments and often is preferred.
Tourism: Did You Know? According to Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez 25 percent of all travelers to the Caribbean picked the Dominican Republic as their vacation spot of choice in 2007. Plus tourists from North America exceeded tourists from Europe. Forty-eight percent of visitors to the DR originated from North America with 34 percent from the U.S. and 14 percent from Canada. Thirty-nine percent came from Europe and the remaining 13 percent from Latin America.
Minister of Tourism Jimenez recently announced the Dominican Republic government’s plan to invest approximately U.S. $1 billion in tourism infrastructure developments by 2012. Some of those developments include:
>The new Sans Souci Port which will be formally inaugurated in the summer/fall of 2008 and is now known as the DR’s “mother port” for prestigious cruise lines. The DR’s cruise ship tourism has grown to rival Puerto Rico’s industry. In 2007 ship visitation to the DR represented 34 percent of overall tourism and 500,000 cruise ship tourists are forecasted to visit the DR in 2008. This would be a 60 percent increase over 2007.
>Improvements to the highway from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo should shorten drive time between the areas from three and a half hours to just two.
>In the near future, visitors to Bavaro will easily reach Samana upon completion of the Bavaro tourism corridor. Located between Macao and Sabana de La Mar, it will feature a port to provide a one-hour ferry crossing between the East and North Coasts (completion date to be announced).
Delta Delta ads expanded air service to Dominican Republic with a second daily flight into Punta Cana beginning in December 2008 from Atlanta. Please see www.delta.com for details.
Spirit Air Check for low fares to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo on Spirit Air. www.spiritair.com
Whale Watching Dominican Repubic is within the direct path of migrating humpback whales. Take a tour and even swim near the whales. Best time to catch the show is from December to April.
One of the best viewing sites in the world is called the Silver Bank - located 100 km north of the Dominican Republic. This is one of many sites favored for mating and calving by the humpbacks. Some estimates say that the Silver Bank may host the largest population of humpbacks in the North Atlantic Ocean and possibly the world. Estimates place from three to five thousand humpbacks in the Silver Bank during any one season. Week long expeditions are offered here.
Did you say, Mamajuana?
The distinctly Dominican Republic liquid remedy for the flu and other ailments mamajuana is also used as an aphrodisiac. A home-made, exotic concoction that varies in flavor, mamajuana is also served as a side shot with a cold beer, or as an after dinner beverage. Dominican families create the drink from natural herbs, spices, tree leaves and stems mixed with honey, molasses, lemon, rum and other alcohol.
Carnival! Carnival - a nation-wide celebration, lasts throughout February - celebrated on weekends and climaxing at the end of February. In some locations Carnival is runs through the beginning of March. For a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your visit to the Dominican Republic, take home a papier-mache mask. Shopping for them is even fun!
Secrets
Secrets Resorts & Spas, the luxury resort chain offering Unlimited-Luxury® to adults. Secrets brand portfolio will add more than 3,000 rooms to the Caribbean and Mexico including two new properties in Dominican Republic by 2009.
Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa, Opening fall 2009; will unveil a new level of vacation opulence to the Dominican Republic. Lavish sparkling pools, unequaled land, world-class spa and fitness center, multiple seaside lounges and gourmet restaurants, all with highly attentive and cheerful personnel to pamper and serve you.
Secrets Punta Cana Resort & Spa, opening fall 2009; will add yet another layer of luxury and romance to the Dominican Republic. Find luxury in every detail at this all-suite resort, from exquisite suites with stunning ocean views, private balconies and opulent amenities to pure white sands, crystal-clear waters and pristine glistening pools, including an expansive infinity pool offering complete relaxation as you absorb the endless azure ocean.
www.secretsresorts.com
Water World in the Dominican Republic Ocean World Marina, the Dominican Republic's first, full-service marina boasts a 73-slip facility featuring boathouse and dry storage, clubhouse, casino, pool, lounge and dining. Depth at the entrance is 16 feet, with an average of 12 feet throughout the marina. Ocean World Marina, located in Cofresi just 3 miles west of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, is a state-of-the art marina facility strategically positioned between the heavily traveled Florida/Bahamas region and the Puerto Rico/Eastern Caribbean region. www.oceanworldmarina.com
In addition to Ocean World, two new marina projects are about to open;
First, Cap Cana in Punta Cana with a capacity of 500 slips for yachts up to 150 feet in length. Also the Roco Ki Aquatic Sports Center for charter boats and sailing lessons as well as a full-service marina.
Farallón Trump at Cap Cana The new $2 billion Trump development at Cap Cana, Dominican Republic breaks all records selling 64 out of 68 plots in just hours in 2007. Prices started at $3 million US.
Of all the investors, approximately 35% are from the Dominican Republic, 30% from the United States and Puerto Rico and 30% from Venezuela, Spain and several Latin American countries.
Farallón Trump at Cap Cana includes approximately 30,000 acres, 5,000 residential units, four luxury hotels, three Jack Nicklaus golf courses and a 1,000 slip marina which can accommodate vessels up to 150 feet.
New - Wyndham Cap Cana PARSIPPANY, NJ, June 5, 2008 - Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has announced a 497-unit luxury Wyndham resort is in development now, scheduled to open late in 2008. The property is an oceanfront community, ten minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.
The new Green Village at Cap Cana, A Wyndham Grand Bay Resort, will feature luxury one-bedroom bungalows, two-bedroom villas and four- to six-bedroom residences constructed by Cap Cana S.A. and managed by Wyndham Hotel Management Inc..
Amenities include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course; 5,000 square feet of meeting space with access to an adjacent convention center; 3,550-square-foot Wyndham Blue Harmony ™ spa; fitness center; three-meal casual American restaurant; Spanish Mediterranean-themed restaurant; the Wyndham brand’s new combination café, barista and food mart named “Eat. Refresh. Live.”; three bars and lounges; two swimming pools; infinity-edge pools at individual villas; and a host of recreational activities including tennis and scuba-diving.
American to Santo Domingo American Airlines adds service from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.Visit aa.com.
Global Dominican Movie Festival 2008
November 19th - 23rd, 2008
2nd Annual Procigar Festival
January 11th - 14th, 2009
There are many airports throughout the country. Fly into and within the Dominican Republic using: 
According to Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez 25 percent of all travelers to the Caribbean picked the Dominican Republic as their vacation spot of choice in 2007. Plus tourists from North America exceeded tourists from Europe. Forty-eight percent of visitors to the DR originated from North America with 34 percent from the U.S. and 14 percent from Canada. Thirty-nine percent came from Europe and the remaining 13 percent from Latin America.
Delta ads expanded air service to Dominican Republic with a second daily flight into Punta Cana beginning in December 2008 from Atlanta. Please see www.delta.com for details.
Check for low fares to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo on Spirit Air. www.spiritair.com
Dominican Repubic is within the direct path of migrating humpback whales. Take a tour and even swim near the whales. Best time to catch the show is from December to April. 
Carnival - a nation-wide celebration, lasts throughout February - celebrated on weekends and climaxing at the end of February. In some locations Carnival is runs through the beginning of March. For a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your visit to the Dominican Republic, take home a papier-mache mask. Shopping for them is even fun! 
The new $2 billion Trump development at Cap Cana, Dominican Republic breaks all records selling 64 out of 68 plots in just hours in 2007. Prices started at $3 million US. 
PARSIPPANY, NJ, June 5, 2008 - Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has announced a 497-unit luxury Wyndham resort is in development now, scheduled to open late in 2008. The property is an oceanfront community, ten minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. 
American Airlines adds service from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.