When you think about Dominican Republic Holidays, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Dominican Republic Holidays are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Being predominantly Catholic, Christmas day takes a very special place in the Dominican Republic’s holidays. Sure, there are no white Christmases or Christmas balls, but Dominicans have their special way of celebrating the centerpiece of all Christian holidays in the Caribbean.

First off, Dominicans start celebrating Christmas earlier than most people around the world. They start so early that their Christmas dinner, in fact, is held on the 24th of December, not on the traditional 25th observed by the rest of the world.

But the Christmas mood begins far earlier than that. Beginning on the first day of December, the Dominicans start playing traditional melodic Christmas tunes. Usually, groups of 2 to 4 persons play the official Dominican music, the Merengue, with the accordion, the drum and the güira to the tunes of Christmas carols, which set off anticipation for the celebrations to come.

The sense of community is very strong among Dominicans. This is why it is not surprising that informal Christmas parties, called the Aguinaldos, parties that are open for everybody and not just for a few family members are held throughout the nation. People could come from anywhere, whether they are invited or not. On most cases, people who participate in the Aguinaldos are the singing parties who, on their way to the Christmas party, have already visited a number of houses where they were either given a home-made ginger beverage called the ‘jengibre’ or a taste of what is served on the dinner table of the family they have visited, called ‘bocadita’.

And of course, once everyone has gathered in a house where the party is set to kick off, partying, dancing, eating, and drinking begins. Beginning with traditional Dominican Republic carols, this party continues well into midnight.

Most of this information comes straight from the Dominican Republic Holidays pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

The Aguinaldos have always been the typical Dominican Republic way of celebrating Christmas. These informal community parties are enjoyed in the most populated areas of the country where the sense of community is very strong.

Because most of the people in the Dominican Republic are mostly poor or middle class, the way Christmas is celebrated varies. It is very important though for every Dominican family to be together on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Both are official non-working holidays.

What would be Christmas if there are no Christmas decorations?

The Dominicans have a very distinct way of decorating their homes during Christmas. Most families have recreations of the Nativity or the Birth of Jesus Christ within their homes. These are called ‘Nacimiento’. ‘Charamico’, the Dominican Republic’s version of the Christmas tree, is the literal translation of ‘dry branch’. To serve as a Christmas tree, the ‘Charamico’ is painted white and decorated with typical Christmas tree decors like balls, lights, and ribbons.

Dominicans also have their own special version of the European flower for Christmas called Poinsettia, which they call, ‘Flor de Pascua’. Most homes also grow the ‘Estrella de Natividad’, literally translated as the ‘Star of the Birth’ of Christ.

Truly, Dominican Republic has very special ways of celebrating the festive season of Christmas.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

The only way to keep up with the latest about Dominican Republic Holidays is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about Dominican Republic Holidays, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.

The Dominican Republic has one of the most festive Christmas holidays in the world, and perhaps the longest. In a way, the locals start to celebrate Christmas as early as October. It is a season of dancing, fireworks, carols, family time, and excellent food!

Dominican Republic citizens are very family-oriented, as most of the holiday celebrations and traditions involve the whole family, and are highly involved in the community. Smiles are pasted all over the sanguine faces of the locals, and joviality becomes more infectious and ebullient as the Christmas season approaches.

FIREWORKS!
The Fuegos Artificiales/Fireworks are a special tradition in the Dominican Republic. If your residence is smack dab in the active villages, you might even hear the fireworks right inside your home! Stalls selling fireworks are set up everywhere, and the fireworks range from firecrackers to rockets, from sparklers to the cohetes y petardos. If you have the zeal to impress – and if you have the financial resources – you can even set up a big fireworks display. This makes you an instant hero in the eyes of the locals!

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Dominican Republic Holidays, keep reading.

BEAUTIFUL DECORATIONS
People from the Dominican Republic love to decorate. Like stated earlier, they celebrate the Christmas holidays early, so even a few months from December, the houses and the streets are already teeming with magnificent and colorful decorations. Everyday is a fiesta! The most popular decoration in the Dominican Republic is the ‘Charamico’. One just needs to get a dried branch, paint it white, and decorate it with an assorted array of baubles such as ribbons, glass balls, lights and angelic figures. Under the branch is placed a diorama of a ‘Naciamento’, with figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ as Joseph, Mary, and the Three Kings look on. Simply put, it is a depiction of the Nativity.

LA MISA DEL GALL/MIDNIGHT MASS
As Christmas time approaches, the festivities slowly escalate. But at an appointed hour on Christmas Eve, the Dominicans make a point to attend the midnight mass, which is called the La Misa del Gall in their language. It is a mass to commemorate and express gratitude to the Christian God for the bounty that they have amassed throughout the year.

NOCHE BUENA
After the midnight mass, the Noche Buena – or midnight meal – heralds the actual day of Christmas. This is the peak of the festivities. Gifts are exchanged, delicious food is eaten, and fireworks ensue. And best of all, families get to spend time together, have fun, and affections expressed in a more profound manner.

If you love travel, I would highly suggest that you spend at least one Christmas in your lifetime in the Dominican Republic. Go there as early as the middle of November, and take in all the festivities around you. Walk the busy villages, interact with the locals, listen to the rhythm of the merengue, smell the aroma of the fantastic food as it whisks from the inviting homes of the villages. Learn the culture and assimilate yourself into it. I guarantee that you will feel like a special member of the ‘familia’. The Dominican Republic locals are some of the most hospitable people in the world. If you do all this, you might even think of going back next year, and bringing your own ‘familia’ with you!

If you’ve picked some pointers about Dominican Republic Holidays that you can put into action, then by all means, do so. You won’t really be able to gain any benefits from your new knowledge if you don’t use it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

A holiday at the Dominican Republic is, perhaps, among the most luxurious, if not enjoyable experience you could ever have in the Caribbean. With serene beaches, lovely people, and festive celebrations all year round, you will surely have fun staying at any of Dominican Republic’s town. To help you make the most out of your holidays in the Dominican Republic, try following the tips below:

Know the best time to spend your vacation.
There are two climates you should be wary about when visiting the Dominican Republic. The first is the hurricane season which runs from June to November. The second is the time of the year when the temperatures could go pretty high and the humidity, very uncomfortable. If you don’t mind experiencing some strong storms or hot weather, try visiting during these time frames. Otherwise, consider visiting during the most comfortable parts of the year.

Bring plenty of sun block lotions and insect repellants.
Whether it’s summer or winter, the sun is ever-present in the Dominican Republic’s sky. Be sure to bring plenty of sun block lotions with you. Also, mosquitoes are notorious for ruining vacations for they can potentially cause malaria. Bring with you a lot of insect repellants.

Bring with you a Spanish-American dictionary.
The official language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. A decent Spanish-American dictionary, therefore, comes in handy when traveling around the country. There are also areas in the country where English is not spoken or English-speaking representatives are lacking. You will have a good advantage in dealing with locals when you know a few Dominican words and phrases.

The information about Dominican Republic Holidays presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Dominican Republic Holidays or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

And of course?

Familiarize yourself with Dominican Republic holidays.
Dominican Republic has a barrage of holidays that offer nothing short of a spectacle. While there are hundreds of holidays that are celebrated by the entire nation, there are always those that are more enjoyable than others.

February is the month when the entire country celebrates the Carnaval ? a very festive celebration that spans the entire month of February. The highlights of the celebrations happen on all Sunday afternoons. Whether your plan is to stay very long in the island or enjoy the best part of the year, you consider spending your vacation at this time of the year. It is also not a bad idea to truly enjoy the various events held in the country. nearly every town has their own Carnaval.

There are plenty of other festive occasions throughout the year such as the regional feasts held in honor of the various Patron Saints in the land and other national public holidays. There are also music festivals and patriotic holidays which could give you a feel of everything that is Dominican. Determine what type of celebration you want to participate in so you could enjoy the country’s holidays better.

Perhaps the least enjoyable part of the year is during Christmas. Not only is it hot ? which could get very uncomfortable if you are used to cold weather during this season ? it is also considered the ‘spring break’ of the Dominicans. Most hotels are occupied and there aren’t much of a celebration to enjoy.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Sometimes the constant stress we are subjected to while living and working in the city can take its toll, and we feel that we want to get away from the congested confines of the tightly packed buildings, the sight of traffic jams, and the general stoic and business-like manner of the people. You suddenly feel like an automaton in a hurly burly world and feel the wanderlust taking its hold on as you stare at the horizon. When one thinks of having a holiday, the most common phrase you’ll ever hear is ‘a trip to the Caribbean’ that it’s already considered a cliché. A trip to the Caribbean is one of the most sought-out holidays for some time now, especially during Dominican Republic holidays. The Dominican Republic is also a favorite destination during winter due to its magnificent beaches, laid back culture, lush vegetation, and fine weather.

The Dominican Republic constitutes most of the Caribbean island, and is replete with beautiful resorts, top-class hotels, and baroque historical landmarks. Aside from enjoying the sun in the beautiful beaches, you can also immerse yourself in the region’s rich culture – which has an interesting Hispanic twist to it!

PARTY BEACHES
If you are in a party mood, the Cabarete beach is the ideal destination for its festive atmosphere and big crowds. It’s where hip tourists go to, and where parties and events are held everyday. The vim of the waves also makes it ideal for surfers. And also be ready to tune up your dancing so that you can dance to the infectious beat of the merengue, the national dance of the Dominican Republic. Visit the chic resort bars in Punta Cana and you’ll find yourself mingled with fellow tourists and friendly locals. The Cabarete beach is simply where the action is!

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

BEACHES FOR THE SPORTY
For thrill seekers, a visit to the La Romana-Bayahibe Underwater Park presents you with an adventure diving for the shipwrecks that have a biological and cultural significance in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana and the Sosua Beach is also a great site for snorkeling because of the coral reefs situated under the water. Windsurfing is one of the main attractions of the Dominican Republic. Cabarete is the premiere spot for this sport. In fact, it is the most popular location for windsurfing all over the world. The Cabarete bay and its surrounding areas provide the perfect conditions for both beginners and experts.

FAMILY BEACHES
You can have a grand time with your family at the Ocean Park Marina, located on the north coasts of the Island of Hispaniola, by seeing the teeming variety of marine life like dolphins, sea lions, and sharks. The aquatic animals are extremely well trained (except for the sharks, of course) to provide great entertainment for the whole family.

SOLITARY BEACHES
If you want a more laid back atmosphere, and just bask in the serenity of the tropical seas, you can opt for the secluded beaches in the region. The romantic sunset on the El Morro Beach, located in the north-western corner of the Dominican Repubic, is a spectacular view to behold. Playa Montecristi is a perfect place to become solitary, and is popular to honeymooners all over the world.

Once you go back from your holidays in the Dominican Republic, the tan you have developed will soon fade away, but I assure you that the memories will stay.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Dominican Republic Holidays.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

When you think about Dominican Republic Holidays, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Dominican Republic Holidays are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

All year round, the Dominicans, known as lovers of festivities, music and celebrations, have holidays that cater to culture, religion, music and everything else in between. Below are the Dominican Republic holidays that are celebrated in the country throughout the second half of the year.

July
A two-week festival begins on the third week of July and continues into the following month. It is called the Santo Domingo Meringue Festival or El Festival del Merengue de Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo is the largest city and the capital of the Dominican Republic.

The festival showcases the country’s own style of music and dance ? the Merengue ? and practically all Merengue acts of the last couple of decades, on top of gastronomic festivals that include anything from the usual Dominican Republic fair to competitions such as Bartender of the Year Competition and Waiter’s Marathon.

Just a few days before the festival, the foundation of Sociedad la Trinitaria is celebrated.

August
The highlight of this month is the celebration of the Fiesta Patria de la Restauracion or the Restoration Day. This is celebrated on the 6th of August to commemorate the country’s final independence from Spain in the year 1863. Festivities are held throughout the nation although the largest are in the country’s main towns, Santo Domingo and Santiago.

Two days prior to the Restoration Day, people at Salvaleón de Higüey, or simply Higüey, celebrate the Festival of the Bulls.

September
Fiestas patronales occupy the month of September. On September 14, Santisma Cruz, otherwise known as Fiestas De la Santisima Vera Cruz in Spain from where the feast came from, is celebrated in Valverde province. In La Vega, the Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, otherwise known as Our Lady of Mercedes or Our Lady of Mercy, the Patron Saint of the country is celebrated on the 24th. It is an official non-working Dominican holiday.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

The feasts in honor of Patron Saints end with one that commemorates San Miguel in Los Patos, Barahona and Vaca Gorda in Dajabon.

October
Comparable to the Merengue Festival of July, the Puerto Plata Festival is celebrated every third week of the month. This is a lively festivity that includes everything that is Dominican? food, live bands, parades, and street dances.

On October 12, the entire nation commemorates the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus on the holiday formally known as Descubrimento de America. Main celebrations are held in the Faro a Colon, at the tomb of Christopher Columbus, and at the Cathedral in Santo Domingo.

This is then followed by the festivities of Bambula, an African-derived dance, on October 24th.

November
November begins with the observation of All Saints day. Six days following this holiday, Dominicans commemorate the Constitution Day, which marks the official signing of the country’s first constitution on November 6, 1844.

Six Fiestas Patronelas are celebrated on this month ? Todos Los Santos in San Juan de Maguana on November 1, Santa Lucia in San Juan on November 13, Nuestra Senora de la Esperanza in Valverde and Virgen del Amparo in Barahona which both fall on November 18, Nuestra Senora de Regla in Bani on November 21, and finally, San Andres in Boca Chica on November 30.

December
What would be December without the festivities? Dominicans celebrate Christmas with a special twist on the 24th, although anticipation for the coming celebrations commences on the 1st day of the month. This month is also dedicated for the celebration of the Santa Barbara Day on the 4th.

On top of these are the various Fiestas Partonales or the feasts held in honor of the various Patron Saints in the land. These feasts vary slightly from one town to another. Celebrations differ because of the traditions surrounding the feasts and the patron saints, themselves, are not the same for every town. Nevertheless, these Dominican Republic holidays bring to the table all that is Dominican ? music, parade, prayer, and dance.

Knowing enough about Dominican Republic Holidays to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about Dominican Republic Holidays, you should have nothing to worry about.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Celebrations and holidays are a big part of the culture of the Dominican Republic that if the Carnaval is celebrated the whole month of February, La Navidad lasts from October to January. This is a time for exhilarating parties, gathering together family, friends, and relatives, and enjoying life.

In the Dominican Republic, there are many holidays in the year to have a great time. Christmas time is even more delightful. Christmas is a time for big family reunions that airlines are fully booked with Dominicans returning back to their roots and celebrating the holidays in places they call home. The excitement is continuous and sustained with daily firework display that intensifies as December 25 gets closer and this continues through the New Year.

Dominicans celebrate the event unlike most people probably in the whole world. To do business during this season will not be easy. This is a time for celebration and a celebration it will be with people preoccupied with enjoying other peoples company’s rather than with anything else. Parties are everywhere with whiffs of food and other festive aromas dominating the air. This is festive spirit in abundance. There is nothing like it.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Dominican Republic Holidays, keep reading.

The Big Bang in Action
Children of all ages ignite firecrackers of all types. Small missiles shoot in the air like crazy and people getting out of the way like mad with seldom a word of reprimand. Dominicans are used to these. They, in fact, anticipate this these are excited by all the noise that firecrackers have become synonymous with celebrations. Understandably, a feast without the boom is not complete, the bigger the bang, the bigger the grins on faces.

The Big Meal
In a predominantly Catholic country like the Dominican Republic, Noche Buena is a big part of the celebration. People even in far off areas always make it a point to go home. This is one of those days in the year where the favorite recipes of aunts and mothers are served and enjoyed with visiting relatives. This is feasting at its best. In most countries, December 25 is the main day to celebrate. In the Dominican Republic, the feasting starts towards the midnight of December 24. December 25 is a day to recover from all the food, if not a day to feast some more.

Giving Thanks
The center of all the celebration actually is the birth of Jesus Christ that is celebrated in all churches during the midnight of the 24th to the early morning of the 25th in a mass called the ‘Misa de Gallo’. The religious and the pious gather in the church very early. Expect churches to be overflowing during this day and expect the majority of churchgoers not being able to get inside the church. This is fine as displays and the general atmosphere of the celebration is just as good outside. The Dominican Republic has the first church in the Americas. The Catedral de Santa Maria remains to be the most elaborate and the largest throughout the Republic.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Largely influenced by Spanish culture, the Dominican Republic is a country known for its string of Fiestas Patronales. Fiestas Patronales or patronage festivals are celebrations held in honor of various saints that have been adopted by towns or municipalities. In the Dominican Republic, there are hundreds of Fiestas Patronales celebrated each year, with each month seeing the celebration of as much as 12 holidays. Every day, it seems, Dominican Republic celebrates regional Fiestas Patronales.

Most towns in the Dominican Republic have their own celebrations of their Patron Saints. Typically, the celebrations start on the Friday ? approximately one week ? preceding the prescribed date of the feast. The Sunday before the feast date is celebrated by parades of ‘imahenes’ or images of the Saints being celebrated that are usually made of wood.

On the appointed date of the feast, Dominicans gather to start the local celebration, and on some occasions national celebrations, which include the parade of the images of the saint being commemorated, the parade of street dancers and performers, live band music, prayers, gastronomic feasts, and of course, street parties. The assortment of activities varies slightly from one Patron Saint to another, and from one town to another. Apparently, although the Catholic ceremonies and services are held, the majority of the celebration is anything but very religious.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Dominican Republic Holidays than you may have first thought.

Starting the year is one of the most significant Fiesta Patronal of the Dominican Republic ? the Virgen de Altagracia. It is celebrated as the most important religious day in the nation, which is participated by thousands of devoted Dominicans. In 1922, Pope Pius XI crowned the Virgen de la Altagracia as the Spiritual Mother of the country.

Legend has it that the image of Our Lady of Altagracia that was brought by two men to Hispaniola in 1502 performed a miracle that has later encouraged the early Spanish settlers to build the first church in the province called Higuey. Nowadays, thousands of pilgrims and devotees pray and visit the Basilica of Altagracia that in Higuey to show their devotion to the Virgin Mother of Christ.

Perhaps the most important Fiesta Patronal celebrated in the Dominican Republic, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, also known as Our Lady of Mercedes and Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes, is held every 24th of September. It is a non-working holiday that commemorates the adopted Patron Saint of the Dominican people. This celebration is distinct because it is specifically celebrated by way a pilgrimage to Saint Cerro’s shrine near the city of La Vega.

There are plenty of other fiestas patronales celebrated throughout the country. From the beginning of the year to the end, there is no shortage of Catholic festivities in the Dominican Republic. After all, it is a Spanish practice and has become the Domincans’ practice to associate each town with a patron saint. Although the most famous include feasts that are celebrated in Santo Domingo and Higuey thanks to their distinct way of celebrating their festivities ? with joyous parades and artful costumes.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

As the entire Dominican Republic celebrate the opening of the New Year on January 1st, some Dominicans hold events that give importance to one of the dying yet very prominent traditions in the land in a feast called the Cocolo Festival.

When the wave of African immigrants moved into Hispaniola during and after the Spaniards have settled in the land, they have brought many traditions with them that now compose the fibers of the Dominicans’ culture. Among the groups of ethnic immigrants was the Cocolo tribe which originated from the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles. They are largely known as the English-speaking Caribbean people who brought with them a culture that has the elements of both the European and African cultures. It is, as many people have said before, the culmination of the merging of the cultures of the African slaves and the European colonizers. Although they still have retained their political and social economic authority.

Years after they have settled in Hispaniola, the Cocolo dancing drama tradition have developed. It was, among their own educational system and religion, the most distinct expressions of their culture. It was its peak during the mid-nineteenth century. In recent times, the assimilation of the Cocolo descendants with the majority of the Dominicans have caused the disintegration of the Cocolo’s culture. Although, as is apparent in some areas in the Dominican Republic, the Cocolo dancing drama tradition is still very much alive.

In its original form, the dancing drama is performed on Christmas and on Carnavals. Nowadays, it is performed only in January in San Pedro de Macoris, a province in the Dominican Republic where the Cocolos originally settled.

The more authentic information about Dominican Republic Holidays you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Dominican Republic Holidays expert. Read on for even more Dominican Republic Holidays facts that you can share.

The Cocolo Festival features the music, dances and songs that are patterned in the tunes of the original Cocolo music. These have African and European influences which make them very unique in the Dominican Republic, if not distinct from every other music in the world.

The music, for example, is patterned after the African pace and the dances have the steps and movements particular to the African court. Although when these are dramatized, they become an entirely different art form. They become almost exclusively European because of the themes and stories adopted. Among the most typical stories performed in the Cocolo Festival is the Mumme’s Play, thus the Festival has become associated with street dancers and performers called the ‘Mummers’. This tells of the story about St. George and his enemy. In summary, this reflects the main theme of the Cocolo dance drama ? the battle between good and evil.

Other dance dramas and games usually performed at the Cocolo Festival are the ‘Guloyas’ and the ‘Baile del Buey’. The ‘Guloyas’ consist of several groups of dancers who perform a variety of dances. Among the many they showcase is the ‘Dance of Stilts’ which requires dancers to dance on high stilts while wearing pompous jackets. The ‘Baile del Buey’, meanwhile, is performed by a festival character whose main features are identified with the bull.

The Cocolo Festival, although less popular than other Dominican Republic holidays, is indeed among the nation’s more important heritage. It is no wonder that UNESCO has chosen it as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Dominican Republic Holidays. Share your new understanding about Dominican Republic Holidays with others. They’ll thank you for it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with Dominican Republic Holidays? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Dominican Republic Holidays.

Packing for a trip can easily go from bad to worse. Let’s face it, all of us get over excited for a trip that we end up packing half of our closet.

To avoid over- packing, it’s a good idea to sit down and list all of the things that you need to bring. Keep in mind that you’re only bring the things that you need and not the things that you want to bring. To make packing even easier, come up with a list of things that you will use for each day of your trip. Planning your wardrobe ahead of time would help you avoid bringing clothes that you will not use during your vacation.

Pack A Functional Wardrobe
To be functional means to be able to use your clothes in more than one occasion. Mix-matching clothes are one of the secrets to traveling light. Dominican Republic is a tropical country. Light clothing and neutral colors are pleasant to the eyes and would go well to the country’s climate.

The number of items you will bring will depend on how long you will stay in the country. The number of items on the list is for a 3-day to a week trip to the country.

? Pants. 2 to 4 pairs of pants that you can easily interchange with the rest of your wardrobe are good enough. Black, white and khaki pants can easily be matched with various colored tops.

? Capris or shorts. Bring only a pair of shorts or Capri pants. Use this when you will be touring the city or going on an eco- adventure.

? Sundresses. To make packing even lighter, ladies can bring a couple of sundresses. Accessories can easily change the look of these sundresses so you can use them more than once in your trip.

? Light tops. 3 to 6 light colored tops or blouses is enough. You can wash these tops so you can use them again and match them with different pants or bottoms.

? Swimsuits and cover-up. 2 swimsuits should be enough for your trip. You can use one swimsuit while waiting for the other one to dry. You only need one cover-up, especially when you are bringing a few sundresses. A sundress can double as a cover-up.

? 2 pairs of shoes. A pair of sandals and sneakers would make walking in the city comfortable and still fashionable for the ladies.

? Poncho or lightweight jacket. Depending on the date of your visit, you might experience a few rain falls.

Think about what you’ve read so far. Does it reinforce what you already know about Dominican Republic Holidays? Or was there something completely new? What about the remaining paragraphs?

? Undergarments

Other Things To Bring

Once you’ve got your wardrobe covered, it’s now time to pack your other essentials.

? Toiletries

? Your medications. Don’t forget to bring the prescription from your doctor to avoid having problems in the airport or police officials.

? First aid kit

? Sun block and lip balm

? Mosquito or insect repellant

? Camera

? Country’s travel guide. You can buy this when you get to Dominican Republic already.

? Spanish Dictionary. While Spanish is the official language, English is also widely used but a small dictionary might come in handy.

Have a stress-free Dominican Republic Holiday by traveling light and having all the things you need in your bag. Before leaving, make sure you’ve got everything listed on your list.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Holidays in the Dominican Republic are as varied and as colorful as the country’s history. Most revolve around religion and are celebrated with live music, festivities, and joyous parades.

January
The Dominicans kick off their year on the first day of January, like most countries around the world. They are no exception to the festivities associated with the celebrations of the coming of the New Year. What is distinct among Dominicans though is their belief that the coming of the New Year should be celebrated with new things while discarding the old.

Houses are cleaned and dusted in the days preceding the New Year. Windows and doors are also open wide, as if to invite good things to enter the homes. New brooms are also bought to replace the old ones. These are placed outside the house for the rest of the midnight and are brought inside only the next morning. In many areas in the country, the Cocolo Festival is held by street dancers and performers.

On the 6th of January, the feast of the Three Kings is celebrated. This is followed by Dominican Republic’s most important religious holiday ? the feast of Our Lady of Altagracia on the 21st of January. The month is ended with celebrations that honor the birthday of the man considered the architect of the country – Juan Pablo Duarte y Díez on the Duarte Day.

February
The highlight of the Dominican Republic holidays falls on the second month of the year. It is called the ‘Carnival’, a celebration whose history dates as far back as 1867.

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Carnival is celebrated throughout the month ? on all Sundays ? and climaxes on the 27th of February, with the Dominican Republic Independence Day. Every town in the country add their own twist to the holiday and everyone ? local and tourists alike ? are invited, in fact expected, to join the grand parades, street dances, and activities in most towns.

March to April
After the festivities of the preceding month, the Dominicans prepare for the holiest week of all. During this month, ‘Semana Santa’ or Holy Week is celebrated starting on the Easter Sunday and ending with the Black Saturday. Christian celebrations, however, coincide with the voodoo celebrations typical of the areas where Haitian migrants live and near the country’s borders.

May
The fifth month of the year begins with a holiday ? the Labor Day. The Dominicans living in the San Felipe de Puerto Plata then celebrate the feast of San Felipe on the 3rd day of the month. The month is then ended with the feast in honor of San Fernando, the local Parton Saint of Monte Cristi.

June
June is marked by various celebrations in honor of the Parton Saints of different towns in the Dominican Republic. People living in San Pedro de Macoris celebrate the San Pedro Apostle de festival. On June 10, the Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated in most towns. On the 13th of June, a religious festival held in honor of San Juan Batista is celebrated alongside the Fiesta Patronal of Sosua and Bonao ? the feast of San Antonio.

On the first week of the month, Puerto Plata Cultural Festival is celebrated and on any date of the month, the three-day long Latin music festival kicks off in the Santo Domingo Olympic Stadium.

The Dominican Republic holidays continue throughout the year with celebrations from July to the last day of December.

Of course, it’s impossible to put everything about Dominican Republic Holidays into just one article. But you can’t deny that you’ve just added to your understanding about Dominican Republic Holidays, and that’s time well spent.

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