It’s just simple our paradise is plain romantic! Our clear skies, crystal
blue water and white sandy beaches make for a romance made in heaven but at the
touch of your hands. Add to that coconut trees and a star lit night and
it’s no wonder why the Dominican Republic is considered one of the most
romantic and beautiful places on earth.
Whether you’re looking for a outstandig tropical wedding party or
just be hidden at tropical haven just for two, Dominican Republic is the
place for you. The benefits of year-round gorgeous weather, beautiful scenery
unlike any other and the convenience and security setting has made Dominican
Republic a magnet for destination wedding couples, such as Europeans and
NorthAmericans. And with today’s technology, planning a Dominican Island
Wedding from a distance has never been easier..
The white-sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges veined with spectacular
rivers and waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are
just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal. Whether you're looking to party,
relax or explore, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer. With all the
regions and beautiful places to choose from - all with amazing tropical
settings and flawless views - deciding which location is right for you is no
easy task! Scroll down below the page to get the inside scoop on what unique
qualities each offers and what benefits (or disadvantages!) may be waiting for
you on your venue of choice. Still undecided? Your wedding planner at Torcello
can help find the perfect place for your tropical island getaway!
Punta Cana and Bavaro
Punta Cana and its neighbor Bavaro are home to about a half dozen
self-contained resorts. They're located along a beautiful 20-mi/32-km stretch
of white-sand beach lined with coconut palms. This lovely strip of shore looks
like it was taken straight off a travel poster. The largest complex, with more
than 1,500 rooms, has its own casino, two discos and an 18-hole golf course.
Isolated and sparsely populated (it's an arid, scrubby landscape), the area
will most interest those who have no desire to wander outside the perimeter
fence of their hotel. The Bavaro resorts are closer together than those in
Punta Cana, allowing for more movement between properties. The only
public-access beach is in Cortecito, near the Bavaro resort. Juanillo, a
fishing village south of Punta Cana, offers an escape from the resort area, if
you feel so inclined. Though more development is moving into this area, the
resorts of Punta Cana have so far retained the relaxed atmosphere most visitors
expect from a Caribbean vacation spot. 100 mi/160 km east of Santo Domingo.
Beach
Santo Domingo
The country's capital and largest city (pop. 2,600,000), Santo Domingo is the
oldest city in the Americas. It was Spain's first colonial headquarters in the
New World. Today, the city remains important as the country's economic hub as
well as one of the Caribbean's top business centers. It has the island's most
exciting nightclubs, restaurants, shopping, and historic and cultural
sites.Like other large Latin American cities, it also has sprawling slums and
shantytowns. Even so, it's a magnet for Dominicans as well as foreign visitors,
which means you'll likely be seeing the sights alongside interested visitors
from the country's hinterlands
Puerto Plata
Mount Isabel de Torres forms the dramatic backdrop for the north-coast town of
Puerto Plata. A large statue of Christ stands on the mountain with arms
stretched out into the clouds, looking much like the statue that overlooks Rio
de Janeiro in Brazil. As impressive as its natural setting is, Puerto Plata
(pop. 200,000) has lost a lot of its luster in recent years. Part of this can
be attributed to the hotels in the Playa Dorada resort area southeast of the city,
which have adopted all-inclusive plans. Many travelers tend to stay on the
resort properties because trips to outside restaurants or other attractions add
to the cost of their vacation. As a result, some businesses have closed. Still,
several good restaurants line the malecon (seaside boulevard). Puerto Plata
also is blessed with an abundance of beautiful Victorian architecture, though
much of it is in need of maintenance. This does lend a certain sense of
authenticity to it all, though, so try to look at it as a cultural artifact and
not so much a "should-be-spruced-up" resort area. The aged appearance
gives the place an authentic look that is undeniably quaint and warm. We think
you'll find Puerto Plata an interesting mix -- one worth experiencing even with
its obvious flaws.
La Romana
Casa de Campo is what put this sugar-mill town east of Santo Domingo on the
tourism map. An internationally known resort that's considered by many to be
the finest in the Caribbean, the resort and its vast grounds (7,000 acres/2,800
hectares) were designed by fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, a Dominican
native. Casa de Campo is truly the one thing for which La Romana is known; just
ask any Dominican anywhere in the world about the town and the first thing they
will tell you about is Casa de Campo. You can indulge in all kinds of
activities at Casa de Campo. There are watersports, including swimming,
snorkeling, Jet Skiing and windsurfing. You can play golf on three
championship-caliber courses, including the incomparable Pete Dye-designed
Teeth of the Dog. Or shoot trap and skeet or try your luck on a simulated
hunting course. Play tennis on one of the 13 courts at the hilltop La Terraza
complex. Go riding (polo, jumping, trail rides) on one of the resort's 1,000
horses.
Casa de Campo has a variety of accommodations, including hotel rooms and
villas. Off-season rates can be quite good. La Romana has an airport, so there
is no long shuttle ride to the resort.
Samana
A cultural oddity in a country usually associated with Columbus and Spanish
domination, the town of Samana was founded by English-speaking U.S. slaves in
the 1820s. This came about through the efforts of U.S. abolitionists and a
Haitian general who worked to relocate thousands of slaves who had escaped
Southern plantations via the Underground Railroad. Descendants of the original
settlers -- called Americanos -- still live around the town, which is on the
south coast of the Samana. Some residents speak English as their first
language. They continue to have a noticeable impact on the area's food,
churches and architecture. Samana was developed relatively recently as a
tourist destination -- the first road to the town was built only 25 years ago.
You can now avoid the long road trip from Santo Domingo by taking a small
(five-passenger) airplane from the capital. With its low-key atmosphere and
many budget-type accommodations, Samana is a popular spot with Europeans and
those interested in viewing whales. Humpback, pilot and Bryde's whales inhabit
Samana December-early March before heading north for the summer. The World
Wildlife Fund has named Samana as one of the best spots in the world for
whale-watching. It lives up to the title, as the views are second to none. Boat
excursions let you get a look at the huge mammals: Inquire at the Marine
Mammals Sanctuary in Samana for more information. The town has an interesting
market offering fruits and vegetables: Be sure to buy a pineapple -- they're
very sweet and surprisingly inexpensive. Bay Bay Peninsula
On the north side of the peninsula is Las Terrenas, a small but busy resort
area with basic facilities, a handful of hotels and idyllic palm-fringed
beaches. The drive up the mountain to the town is one of the most breathtaking
in the country. Nearby is Playa Casson, one of the loveliest unspoiled beaches
in the Caribbean.
An even more laid-back spot on the Samana Peninsula is the seaside town of Las
Galeras, 16 mi/25 km north of Samana. Be sure to stop at the waterfalls en
route -- you can walk to the falls or go with a guide on horseback. Las Galeras
has several small hotels and an all-inclusive resort. Also nearby is Playa
Rincon, a secluded beach that can best be reached by four-wheel-drive
vehicle.
Los Haitises National Park, on Samana near Samana, is known for its mangrove
and swamp areas and caves with Amerindian rock paintings. The park has varied
plant life and landforms, including lunarlike karst landscapes with pockmarked
terrain and deep pockets of limestone. Guided tours of the park leave from
Samana, Sanchez and Sabana de la Mar. Samana is 65 mi/105 km northeast of Santo
Domingo. Bay
Sosua
This small town southeast of Puerto Plata was founded by German Jewish refugees
in the late 1930s who were fleeing Nazi persecution (Dominican dictator Rafael
Trujillo oversaw their settlement, hoping to gain favor with the U.S.). The
town's Jewish Museum chronicles the experience of the 700 refugees, who
established a dairy and a sausage-manufacturing facility. Parts of the original
settlement are interesting, especially the businesses run by the descendants of
the Jewish immigrants. The town has become popular -- some say too popular --
with Dominicans and Europeans because of its lovely beaches and dive sites.
Because of the crowds and the noise, Sosua has lost some of its charm and
sleepy feel. It's also falling prey to random development and a flood of
tourist shops. There's some lively nightlife, however, and an arts community. A
10-minute drive east of Sosua is Cabarete, a premier spot for windsurfing. 90
mi/145 km northwest of Santo Domingo.
Law requirements
If you are destination couple wanting to get hitched in Dominican Republic, we
have good news. It’s easier than you think!
The Dominican Republic is the ideal place to celebrate your wedding. Surrounded
by palm trees, tropical flowers, live music, you will find the perfect balance
between privacy and a friendly atmosphere.
You will need two witnesses holding valid passports who can be traveling with
you or you can ask local hotel staff to witness your wedding.
Documents required to get married in the DR:
• Original birth
certificates.
• Valid and signed
passports.
• Notarized Statutory
• Declarations of Single
Status
• Divorce certificate or
death certificate (if applicable).
Note: Some hotels in the Dominican Republic may charge legal fees for the
authentication of documents legalized by Dominican Consulates abroad by the
Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs.
