First Time to Surf and what fun it is when you have lessons.

Off we went, after learning about surfing on dry land in a lovely stretch of beach called Encuentro Beach in Cabarete, the Dominican Republic.  We had been well instructed by Marcus, who has lived in this seaside city for a long time.  He was here when there were no resorts-just virgin beaches!  Of course, he hasn’t aged a day!  Life here is relaxing and it shows on one’s face.

With Marcus’ blessing and teachings at Cabarete 321 Takeoff Surf School we were ready to go out there with the Cabarete waves and try surfing. Our instructors kept a close eye on us.  They helped us surge our boards forward to help us catch the waves!.

Trying to stand and keep our balance was a lot of fun-we swallowed some ocean water but it was great.  We were timid at first but slowly we started to get the hang of it.  We all were able to stand up on the board and surf within forty five minutes or so in the water.  Soon we needed a break from the relenting ocean.  We caught our breaths, drank some bottled water and couldn’t wait to go back out and try it again.  Which we did!  We couldn’t wait to go back out and test our small but budding knowledge of this sport called surfing.

See other Videos:

Surfing Lessons in Cabarete

www.321takeoff.com  for more information.   Marcus can be reached at  809-963-7873 or email him at 321takeoff@gmail.com for your surfing adventure.

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Bayahibe Bay located in La Romana, Dominican Republic

Nestled east of La Romana in the South East of Dominican Republic  is a great little tourist destination Bayahibe some times misspelled as Bahahibe .

Spend a lazy afternoon just people watching.  Watch the locals enjoy their time with their families.  The beautiful, warm tranquil water just invites you to sit and relax.  Swim, eat and enjoy local food fare-langostinos, fried fish, fried plantains.  Wash it down with some Presidente beer, some rum and coke or just plain refreshing drinking water.

Bayahibe Beach, a public beach, and it is the place where one can take a  boat tour to Saona Island.

The people in this part of the Dominican Republic are friendly and welcome all .  They enjoy their natural environment and invite you to do the same.  Just sit back and watch the seascape filled with boats floating in the Caribbean Sea.

Caribbean Island Sunset in Punta Rucia, Dominican Republic

Enjoy a few moments standing on a beach watching the sun slowly set on an picturesque landscape of Punta Rucia, Dominican Republic.  Punta Rucia is known for its spectacular Caribbean Island sunset on  it’s sleepy little fishing village located in the north west coast of Dominican Republic.

DR Adventures Dominican Tours, Excursions and Travel.  Follow our travel to all areas of the Dominican Republic and join in and comment on our blog post.  Keep the adventures rolling!

See other related videos of Punta Rucia:

Punta Rucia, Beach at Casa Libre

Punta Rucia, Bed and Breakfast “Casa Libre”

Punta Rucia, Caribbean Island Sunset in Dominican Republic

Casa de Campo boasts its own beach.  You can arrive to the beach by taking one of the shuttles provided by the resort, or if you follow directions, take your own golf cart.

When you arrive, you will be greeted by the security guard in the office.  Guests of the hotel have to register their room number.  You can then grab your towels from the towel shack, grab a beach chair/shade tent or go to Le Cirque Beach Club restaurant on location at the beach.

Las Minitas Beach is not very large but it is big enough to provide motorized, as well as, non-motorized water toys.  You can pedal on your boat for two or go kayaking.  These are examples of non-motorized toys.  For those wanting a bigger thrill, catch a ride on the Banana Boat or get on a jet ski.

For an indulgence worth having-book yourself a massage on the beach!  How soothing it is-while your body is being massaged you can hear the ocean.  Relaxation at its best!

If you have children, there is a children’s facility called La Palapa.  Here the kids can enjoy games with other tots while you are enjoying a Coco Loco or just relaxing on the beach kid-free for awhile.

The sand is clean at Las Minitas Beach, and the grounds are pristine.  The staff is friendly and informative.  You can spend all day here-relaxing, playing, eating and drinking.  Stay and watch the sunset for another one of life’s enjoyable moments.

Santiago, Metro Bus Station Transportation, Dominican Republic

Video of the Metro Bus Station in Santiago,  Dominican Republic.  This is a video of inside and outside the terminal and  surrounding area and inside of waiting area, ticket counter and convenience store within terminal.  Travelling to different cities via motor coach is a preferred method of  travel between the major cities in Dominican Republic.

There are  few methods of transportation for getting around in the Dominican Republic comfortably. The Metro usually is the most rapid non stop transportation to and from the 3 major cities, Santiago,  Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.  Another Major Bus line is Caribe Tours. The early morning and late evening rides can sometimes be chilly, especially the window seats whe you can get an icy blast of air-condtioning,  carry an extra blouse or jacket – for some reason many buses wont or cannot make adjustments to the air-conditioning temparature to insure passenger comfort.

Metro Bus Schedule Departing Santiago as stated on Metro Route Times are as follows…

Bus Departure time for Santo Domingo is every 30 minutes:
From 5:30 AM  to 8:00 PM except  Sundays which open routes at 7:00AM
Usually 2:30 travel time.

Bus Departure time for Puerto Plata:
AM  -  9:15, 11:15,
PM  -  1:15,  4:15,  6:15, 7:15,  9:15

Note: Be sure to call and verify schedule always, the phone numbers are below.

Phone for Verification of Schedule:
Santiago:   809-582-9111
Santo Domingo:   809–227-0101
Puerto Plata:   809-586-6062

See a video of the Monument in Santiago, Dominican Republic

Monte Cristi Bay view from Hotel MonteChico

Follow the salt flats and the ocean air to a quaint fishing village called San Fernando de Monte Cristi, Monte Cristi in the province of Monte Cristi.  Located in the northern western region on the Dominican Republic, this tranquil village is a respite for the weary traveler.  You can see and admire the cacti dotting the landscape.  Yes, cacti are abundant on this side of the island.

While travelling to one of the most beautiful beaches to be found – El Morro Beach- stop at Monte Cristi’s Coco Mar Restaurant next to the Montechico Hotel. The restaurant offers inside and outside seating.  The outside tables have a nice view of the ocean as the refreshing sea breeze to cool you off.  There is inside seating, some tables also face the sea.  The food is home cooked and delicious.  Try the seafood soup-served in a gigantic bowl.  The soup easily serves tow-if not four people!  It is fragrant-full of octopus, conch, fish and lots of vegetables. Wash it down with a nice cold beer and you are in heaven.

The restaurant also serves other dishes-not just seafood.  Wine and other alcoholic beverages are also available. Local patrons dine in the restaurant-always a good indication that the food is good and fresh.  The staff is courteous and friendly. It is a restaurant worth visiting-like visiting old friends from home-wherever home might be.

While visiting Monte Cristi, in the Dominican Republic, you will encounter a hotel that usually has rooms available.  The rooms have scenic views, some have AC, there is cable and hot water.  All this can be found for less than 1,000 DOP per night at the Montechico Hotel. This video was taken from the 2nd floor balcony showing a panoramic view of the bay.

Don’t forget to request the staff to turn on the hot water!

Here, in Monte Cristi one finds clear waters ideal for snorkeling and diving and exploring the long, amazingly diverse coral reef or identifying fascinating fauna which is atypical from other Caribbean islands and the rest of the Dominican Republic.

Monte Cristi is home to Monte Cristi Beach or Playa Monte Cristi where one can find rough waters at times as it sits on the Atlantic. Next to a small island called Pablillo is a semi-circular beach with golden sand due to rock deposits and significant surf where one can surf and boogie board, called El Morro.

See other Videos of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.

Monte Cristi Clock Tower and Church

Monte Cristi Park office and beach entrance

Monte Cristi Marina and Restaurant

Monte Cristi Bay View from Hotel Montechico

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Monte Cristi Marina and Restaurant

Travel down the road on your way to El Morro Beach and you will come to the Marina Monte Cristi. The marina is dotted with many boats. Many boaters living in Santiago dock their boats in this Marina for the ease and convenience of having access to their boats. The marina is well guarded and protected from wakes, the guards are very friendly and informative.

There is a restaurant in the marina: it is open air but under cover. They serve simple dishes that are reasonably priced. The beer sure is cold and refreshing!! After sitting down to enjoy a simple delicious meal and drink, one is hard pressed to get up and continue your travels. What a nice, relaxing way to enjoy the day.

See other Videos of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.

Monte Cristi Clock Tower and Church

Monte Cristi Park office and beach entrance

Monte Cristi Marina and Restaurant

Monte Cristi Bay View from Hotel Montechico

Monte Cristi Park office and beach entrance

The sand on the dramatic and picturesque Monte Cristi or El Morro Beach comes from the mountain and has a particular hue to it and is nicely packed. The beach at Monte Cristi is called El Morro Beach because of its large wall-like rock. It is rocky in places, mostly secluded and very rarely crowded.

Swimming out 300 meters to Isla Cabrita where sits a lighthouse and where divers visiting Monte Cristi enjoy investigating the several shipwrecks and colonial-era galleons.

See other Videos of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.

Monte Cristi Clock Tower and Church

Monte Cristi Park office and beach entrance

Monte Cristi Marina and Restaurant

Monte Cristi Bay View from Hotel Montechico

Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic Clock Tower and Church

Video of Monte Cristi Clock Tower and neo-colonial Catholic church San Fernando de Montecristi located on Avenida Duarte.  The Clock was donated by France. The city of Monte Cristi is paved with an easy street grid due to the flat low lying area.

San Fernando de Monte Cristi is the furthest, most westerly town on the North coast of the Dominican Republic, right next to Haiti. Monte Cristi is the capital of the province of Monte Cristi and is located approximately 135 km west of Puerto Plata and sits among desert-like surroundings and boasts a much drier climate with plenty of cactus in the area.

Founded in 1506, the town was an important trading port until the 19th century – exporting sugar, mahogany and other crops to Europe. Presently most of the 25,000 inhabitants make their living from farming, fishing and the salt flats to the north.  Dominican Republic Adventures, Travel and Excursions.

See other Videos of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.

Monte Cristi Clock Tower and Church

Monte Cristi Park office and beach entrance

Monte Cristi Marina and Restaurant

Monte Cristi Bay View from Hotel Montechico

DR-Adventures.com

With the current economic situation many travellers are searching warm destinations that offer variety of adventure & activities choices with savings. Though Cabo and Cancun are recognized as popular locations, the prices for accommodation and travel may not bet conducive to savings. Many are setting course for the Dominican Republic as popularity of adventure vacations evolve.  Saving money seems to be a must nowadays and Travel to Dominican Republic offers the perfect Tropical Paradise for fun in the sun adventure vacations.

A huge variety of Excursions and Adventures in the Dominican Republic await your participation upon arrival.  River Rafting, Booze Cruise, Deep Sea Fishing, Swim with Dolphins, Quad riding,  Horseback, whale watching, Night Life and tons of other activities in DR can pack your Spring Break moments for lifetime memories.

A couple of  popular Dominican Beach Vacation areas is Punta Cana, Cabarete and Puerto Plata.  All inclusive hotels and resorts package rates can offer some savings for world wide spring break travelers.  All inclusive hotels and resorts  are usually  crowded and usually do not offer the same privacy as the  non-inclusive hotel & resorts. Planned Group vacations for spring break may land  a prenegotiated savings with most Resorts in the Dominican Republic.  Since many resorts are in need for more business, it has become a travelers market if the proper homework is done to get the best for your buck.