Waterfalls, Cocoa Plantations and underwater museum are just some of the activities the Dominican Republic offers visitors

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - February 19th, 2013 -

Waterfalls, Cocoa Plantations and underwater museum are just some of the activities the Dominican Republic offers visitors  

The “Salto El Limon” Waterfall: A Must Visit for Eco-Tourism Lovers

The “Salto El Limon” waterfall is an idyllic destination situated in the Samana Peninsula, near the village of “El Limon.” This is a protected area that has been declared a “Natural Monument” by the local authorities.  The “Salto El Limon” waterfall is one of several scenic waterfalls found in the region. Reaching the waterfall is part of the exciting tour to the region. Visitors can reach it either on foot or on horseback. Tours could also include an exciting ride through the river itself.  For that, interested parties should contact Santiago, the owner of Rancho Santi, who will provide the necessary equipment and experience in this adventure-filled tour through one of the country’s most beautiful regions.

The tours will usually leave from one of the twelve “tour stops” found along the road that connects the city of Samana to the “El Limon” village. Al “tour stops” are clearly identified with signs offering visits to “El Limon.”  All stops offer horse rental facilities (for those who want to ride up to the waterfall on horseback), and a typical Dominican lunch.  The one-mile ride is done through a scenic trail that will lead to the breathtaking waterfall.  Before reaching the final destination, visitors will go through shallow creeks, take in breathtaking mountain views, and also enjoy the incredible beauty of the “Indian Tail” waterfall.

At the waterfall, hikers can take a refreshing swim right under the waterfall. An incredible site will be watching the young locals jump from the top of the waterfall to the clear pond below.

Dominican Cocoa and Tourism

Tourists visiting the Dominican Republic can enjoy guided tours of cocoa plantations, all located in the country’s mountainous central region.  In the north coast, the mountains are situated near the north coast city of Puerto Plata, while in the eastern region the plantations are conveniently located near the Punta Cana and La Romana areas, important tourism enclaves. (www.tourdechocolate.com ; www.nazariorizek.com)

Some of the tour options feature visits to small farms where the farmers will share with the visitors their particular lifestyle and the traditional practices they use to harvest and produce chocolate.

Other options include a more in-depth tour, where visitors will be able to see all the steps that need to be taken – from the planting of the cocoa seeds to the actual shipping process to European and American markets.

Underwater Museum Features Remains of Captain Kidd’s Pirate Ship

The remains of the pirate ship “Cara Merchant”, belonging to the famous Captain William Kidd and which dates back to 1699, were recently turned into “Captain Kidd’s Underwater Live Museum.”  The underwater museum is situated near Catalina Island, in shallow water and only 70 feet from the coast.  The museum features the remains of this particular ship, which dates back to the golden age of pirates in the Caribbean.  Several anchors and dozens of cannon balls are part of the underwater wreckage.  Catalina Island is situated just minutes from the La Romana-Bayahibe tourism region, situated in the Dominican Republic’s southeast region.

Also situated near the tourism village of Bayahibe – situated some 20 minutes east of the city of La Romana – are the underwater “live museums.”  The reserves of the “Guadalupe” and the “Canoa”, which recreate XVIII sunken galleons, have been recreated to give the visitor an exact idea of what these XVIII shipwrecks looked like.  Cannons which once belonged to “Our Virgin of Guadalupe” (1724), as well as other archaeological treasures found in different points throughout the island.

The “Cara Merchant” is the only pirate shipwreck found in the Caribbean, and only one of three in all of the Americas.  This reserve will also be used to study underwater archaeology, marine biology, ecology and geology.  All exhibits are identified with plaques in order to guide the divers accordingly.  Also clearly identified are the surrounding corals and sunken objects.  The shipwreck was found and identified in 2008 by Professor Charles Beeker, researcher and archaeologist from the University of Indiana.

This project is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, the University of Indiana and the Viva Wyndham Resorts chain of hotels, which operates two hotels in Bayahibe.  For more information, please visit:  www.explorelaromana.com.

Captain Kidd in London and Indianapolis: A special bronze plaque was unveiled in the Dominican Republic to mark the spot where Captain Kidd’s pirate ship went down in 1699, two special exhibits recreating the same theme opened in the British Museum of Docklands in London, and in the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in the US.  The date chosen to open the underwater exhibit, and the other two exhibits in London and Indianapolis was May 23, which marked the 310th anniversary of the death of Captain Kidd in London. http://www.accessdr.com/2011/06/underwater-museum-features-remains-of-captain-kidd%E2%80%99s-pirate-ship/

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For further information on the destination please contact:  Esther Smith - pr.uk@godominicanrepublic.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768901197 -Website:  www.godominicanrepublic.com

About Dominican Republic: Rich in history, the Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Since then, it has developed into a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican Republic and European flavours to more than 220,000 British visitors each year.  A leader in eco-tourism, the Dominican Republic created the world’s first Whale Sanctuary and has established protection zones for more than 20 percent of its land and coastal areas. The country boasts some of the world’s best golf courses and beaches, the largest marinas in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official Web site at: www.godominicanrepublic.com or call +44 (0)20 7242 7778.

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