Master of the Ocean
The 10th annual Master of the Ocean "a surf and sail triathlon" takes place on February 22nd - 27th, 2012. Cabarete, the epicenter of windsurfing for the past 25 years, welcomes the world’s best surfers, kitesailors and windsurfers. Visitors can watch surfing athletes perform tricks and acrobatic jumps as well as great food, nightlife and music. Dude, visit masteroftheocean.com for full details.

ProCigar Festival 2012
5th Annual Procigar Festival
February 19th - 24th, 2012
The cigar event of the year!
New for 2012! The Pro Cigar Poker Tournament

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.

Find package information on www.procigar.org.

Let's Play Ball!
October - January
The U.S. baseball season may be ending in the summer, but it just begins to wind up in the Dominican Republic. Venues for baseball games in the Dominican Republic include Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris and San Francisco de Macoris. Dominican Winter League (Liga de Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana)
Season runs from October with Round Robin Playoffs beginning December and the series wraps up in January.
Visit: www.lidom.com.do

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.

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.

Carnival!
Carnival - a nation-wide celebration originating from Spanish roots and dating back to the 1500s. The Carnival lasts throughout February - celebrated on weekends and climaxing at the end of February. In some locations Carnival is runs through the beginning of March. Each town celebrates with their own individual events and calendars - most include parades that occur on Sundays with participants donning whimsical masks and outrageous costumes. For a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your visit to the Dominican Republic, take home a papier-mâché mask. Shopping for them is even fun!

Dominican Independence Day
February 27th
Santo Domingo
Event: Enjoy the military parade in the afternoon and festivities along the Avenue Malecon. Contact Dominican Tourism for more information at: 1-809-221-4660.

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.