Thinking of a good travel get-away? Have a Dominican Republic holiday and experience culture and life in the Caribbean.

Dominican Republic prides itself with its rich culture and tourist destinations. If you’re planning to visit this great traveler’s haven, make your trip more meaningful by knowing the country’s background and profile. Here are some good-to-knows about Dominican Republic that will help you appreciate your travel to this country.

An Overview
Dominican Republic is in the island of Hispaniola, located in the Greater Antilles region in the Caribbean. It is a country influenced by Spanish, French, Haitian, and African cultures. Its population is very diverse, majority of which are Europeans and Africans. You would also see a number of Haitians, Asians and Americans. The official language of the country is Spanish and Castilian. English, Chinese, Italian and French are also used in different transactions especially in their popular tourist destinations. The government is a Representative Democracy and the currency they use is Dominican Peso. Majority of the population is Roman Catholic. Other religions in the country are Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist and Mormon.

History
To appreciate a country more, it’s important that you know a few things about its history.

Christopher Columbus reached the area in 1942 and put up the first permanent European settlement in the region. Santo Domingo became the capital of Dominican Republic and the first capital of Spain in the new world. After the Spanish rule, French and the Haitian took over the country.

The country gained independence from Haitian rule in 1844. During this period, Dominican Republic faced numerous political strife and tyranny. Spain took over again in 1861. In 1865, Spain left the country after 2 years of fighting against the United States of America.

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.

Government
The founding fathers of Dominican Republic are Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramon Matias Mella and Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez. The country follows a Representative Democracy type of government with 3 branches, which are the executive, legislative and judicial. The president and vice-president have a 4-year term. Their government’s legislature is bicameral. The senate has 32 members and the Chamber of Deputies has 178 members.

Election is held every 2 years alternating between the presidential elections and the congressional and municipal elections. Today, the president of Dominican Republic is Leonel Fernandez.

Society, Climate and Culture

Dominican Republic is a tropical country. The average temperature is 25 ° C. The coldest months are January and February while the hottest month is August.

Dominican Republic can be viewed as a melting pot of many cultures because of the mix of population in the country. Visiting the country would let you experience a blend of Spanish, French and African cultures. Dominicans love fast and lively music, which is represented very well by their music known as Merengue. They also excel and are passionate about baseball.

Eco tourism is one of the reasons that people want to visit Dominican Republic. They pride themselves with their lovely beaches and mountain ranges. Some of the most popular places in the country are the towns of Jarabacoa and Constanza, Pico Duarte, Baha de las Aguilas and Puerto Plata.

Have a Dominican Republic holiday and see for yourself what this rich country has to offer.

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.

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By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

Current info about Dominican Republic Holidays is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Dominican Republic Holidays info available.

Set right in the middle of the Caribbean Island, the Dominican Republic is a true paradise that will appeal to many kinds of tourists. That’s why Dominican Republic holidays are very much popular. Whether you are a thrill seeker or a laid back individual, the facilities and the lay of the land can provide you with the means to have the ultimate vacation. The most popular aspect of the region is the beach. Its white sand beaches, beautiful resorts, and turquoise waters are a magnificent spectacle to behold, not to mention that they provide the perfect atmosphere for the ultimate beach get-away.

Despite the surge in tourism, the Dominican Republic is very much attached to its local culture and identity as a tropical paradise. It became the first settlement in the New World when Christopher Columbus discovered the beautiful island in 1496. Despite the constant pouring in of tourists, the Dominican Republic still maintained its Spanish heritage. This explains the Latin American culture that permeates through the localities and its daily habits.

The region is not devoid of excitement since Latin American culture provides a twist that should satiate the thrill seeker. Travel by bike-taxi is a cheap and popular form of transportation within the island, and it can take you almost anywhere. Some of the favorite sporting activities on the streets are dominoes and baseball. If you loiter long enough on the streets, you’ll most probably get an invite to join in!
The major resort area is Punta Cana, which can be found in the East Coast of the region. The amount of its visitors comprises more than half of all the Dominican Republic’s tourists. The beach spans 50 kilometers, which makes it the longest beach in the Caribbean. Walking the whole stretch of that beach amidst the breathtaking scenery and the infectious music of the meringue is a popular activity among tourists.

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.

In the North Coast is where you’ll find the Amber Coast, called by its name because of the amber deposits that can be excavated from its sands and rocks. The capital of the region, Puerto Plata, is known for its lively vibe. It has many attractions that are both modern and cultural. It has historic buildings, museums, and golf courses. The city also never sleeps since it has a lot of interesting nightspots where you can party until the wee hours of the morning. If you are in the mood for adventure, you don’t have to look further than Cabarete. Windsurfing made Cabarete famous. It is the ideal spot for the windsurfing because of the relatively flat water in the bay and the constancy of the trade winds. Other outdoor activities that Cabarete is famous for is wakeboarding, surfing and kite boarding.

Down in the South is where you’ll find Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic. In the colonial quarter is where historical landmarks such as Calle El Conde, the Puerta de la Misericordia, and the Catedral Santa María La Menor are located. Outside is the commercial center, where you can dine at the prestigious restaurants and go shopping at the malls.

Cheap packages are always on offer for the Dominican Republic holidays. The spend you time in the Dominican Republic will be priceless. Don’t forget to knock your friends senseless with your version of the merengue dance when you go back!

There’s a lot to understand about Dominican Republic Holidays. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

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By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

Any visitor new to the Dominican Republic will find a bewildering array of celebrations, festivities, holidays, and everything else in between. In fact, in the Dominican Republic, something fun is always happening somewhere every day of the year.

In most of the Catholic world, ‘Semana Santa’ or the Holy Week is a time for reflection, prayer, attrition and silence and other practices that generally encourage the faithful for time of quiet. This traditional practice has been going on for centuries at different degrees of relative silence in different Catholic countries all over.

The Dominican Republic with its own unique way of observing holidays practices, Semana Santa, a high point in Catholic worship, is celebrated in a way that only Dominicans could pull off. The general manner is very respectful, solemn, and prayerful. In fact, every tradition and method of worship is practiced and implemented by the Catholic hierarchy and observed by its people. But then again, why carry a sour countenance when this is the most important day of a people’s salvation? Off to the beaches we go.

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.

As if conditions encourage it, the weather from March to April, the week in which Semana Santa is celebrated, is ideal. For a tropical maritime nation, in fact, there is little choice other than to sulk in a corner. The water is incredibly clear, the weather is warm, there is a lot of sunshine, offices are closed, the food is great, and tourism is at its peak. Except for motorized water equipment and water sports, which the government bans during the season due to past numerous accidents, everything is perfect, which brings us to the only downside of spending Semana Santa in the island.

The beaches are packed, hotels the same. This is the Caribbean Sea and there is just that thing in the Caribbean that lures people from everywhere, in the Dominican Republic, this is more so. To top it, Dominicans love their beaches and the well-heeled can get reservations in the hotels quicker than anybody can. If the idea is to spend Semana Santa in the island, bookings are to be done very early.

Otherwise, spending Semana Santa in the Dominican Republic is by all accounts the most colorful Holy Week anyone could experience. Catholic traditions and celebrations are the same everywhere except that in with the Dominicans, there is a twist. Processions are a tradition in the church anywhere but here, you will get to chase that jerk, Judas. It all starts on a Thursday. People will be dressing up like Jews, centurions and other outlandish colorful fun costume and chase a running man rattling a tin can representing the payoff from selling Jesus. These are all for fun though. The excitement is whether Judas could elude his chasers, (many times he actually does) or not. It is a wild, colorful, and noisy event full of action and excitement.

Of course anyone who tires of that could always have rivers to ford, beaches to get the tan, hills to climb and snorkeling to do.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

The following paragraphs summarize the work of Dominican Republic Holidays experts who are completely familiar with all the aspects of Dominican Republic Holidays. Heed their advice to avoid any Dominican Republic Holidays surprises.

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!

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Dominican Republic Holidays. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

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!

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his Perpetual20 training site for great bonuses: Perpetual20

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.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

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.

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.

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The following article presents the very latest information on Dominican Republic Holidays. If you have a particular interest in Dominican Republic Holidays, then this informative article is required reading.

The holidays and festivals in the Dominican Republic are some of the most prestigious and festive celebrations in the whole world. The pageantry, lively music, garish costumes, and the happy disposition of its locals all contribute to the ebullience of the festivities. Tourists around the world come regularly to the beautiful island to join in on the fun and excitement.

Most of the holidays being celebrated in the Dominican Republic pay homage to the tenets of Christianity. This is no surprise because the Dominican culture is of Hispanic origin. In fact, there seems to be a celebration everyday from somewhere in the country as all municipalities and towns have their own patron saints to commemorate on a particular day of the year.

VIRGEN DE ALTAGRACIA
The most important religious celebration in the Dominican culture is the La Dia de la Virgen de Altagracia, which is celebrated on January 21. The Virgen de Altagracia, known as Our Lady of the Highest Grace, is the patron virgin of the Dominican Republic. In this holiday, thousands of Dominicans set out on a several day pilgrimage to the magnificent basilica of the Higuey.

LA CARNIVAL
Held every Sunday throughout the whole month of February, the La Carnival is the most anticipated and exciting festival in the Dominican Republic. It is a time for partying, with the locals donning their traditional demon costumes and dancing incessantly to the lively tempo of the band’s music. The Carnival is concluded by a massive parade to the Malecón on February 27 to herald the coming of Independence Day.

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

LA DIA DE INDEPENDENCIA
The La Carnival is just a prelude to a party that is so much bigger. Held on February 27, the La Dia De Independencia (Independence Day) marks the day of the Dominican Republic’s independence from Haiti. Same with the La Carnival, this particular day involves a lot of dancing, parades, eating, and drinking. It’s the apex of the celebrations that started during the carnival. In a manner of speaking, the La Dia De Independencia is the party to end all parties!

LA NAVIDAD
La Navidad is celebrated on December 25, which is actually Christmas, just like in the United States and many parts of the world. The usual serving of food among families and exchanging of gifts is done to celebrate the day. The only difference is that the locals attend a midnight mass before proceeding with the actual celebrations.

THE MERENGUE FESTIVAL
The Merengue is the most popular music and dance in the Dominican Republic. Every year in July, the Dominicans stage a 10-day celebration filled with parties, music, dancing, and concerts. The festival begins with a parade, complete with bands, dancers, and men in costume. Even hotels and clubs organize their own events and concerts in lieu of this particular holiday. And of course, they all dance to the tune of the exotic and upbeat rhythm of the merengue.

The Dominicans, aside from being a religious bunch, are a festive group of people, which is quite telling when you consider the manner in which they celebrate their holidays. Truth to tell, they love to party and have fun all the time even in ordinary days. So if you want a truly unique and fun holiday, the Dominican Republic is the perfect place to go to.

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 soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

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.

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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.

When word gets around about your command of Dominican Republic Holidays facts, others who need to know about Dominican Republic Holidays will start to actively seek you out.

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By Anders Eriksson, proud owner of this top ranked web hosting reseller site: GVO

The best times of the year to visit the Dominican Republic is during one of its holidays. Doing so will give you a good taste of the nation’s culture and people.

The Dominican Republic holidays are roughly divided into three ? the official public holidays, the festival holidays, and the fiestas patronales. National public holidays consist of secular holidays that are recognized by the Dominican Republic as its official holidays. Usually, these are non-working holidays, thus allowing the Dominicans to celebrate as a nation.

The secular holidays are the:

- New Year’s Day on January 1 (Celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve)

- Three Kings or the Epiphany on January 6

- Dia de la Altagracia or Our Lady of Altagracia on January 21 (Celebrations are held in honor of the Protector and Queen of the Hearts of the Dominican People.)

- Duarte’s Day on January 26 (Otherwise known as Duarte’s Birthday, this celebration is held in commemoration of one of Dominican Republic’s founding fathers, Juan Pablo Duarte.)

- Independence Day on February 27 (This marks the liberation of Dominican Republic from foreign rule.)

- Good Friday on April (As part of the Holy Week or ‘Semana Santa’, Good Friday is celebrated by
Dominicans to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ in the Cavalry.)

- Labor Day on May 1 (The nation joins the entire world in celebrating this holiday.)

- Corpus Christi, which is celebrated in June, on a Thursday (This is celebrated exactly 60 days after Easter to commemorate the institution of one of the Catholic Church’s sacraments ? the Holy Eucharist.)

- Restoration Day or Día de Restauración on August 16 (This holiday celebrates the freedom regained by the Dominicans after a brief period of Spanish occupation.)

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- Our Lady of las Mercedes on September 4 (This is the holiday set part in honor of the nation’s Patron Saint.)

- Constitution Day on November 6 (This marks the day when the first constitution of the Dominican Republic was created and adopted.)

- Christmas Day on December 25 (Although officially starting with a Christmas dinner on December 24th, the Dominicans celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ as a nation on the 25th.)

These secular holidays are mostly celebrated by the entire nation. The next set of holidays in the Dominican Republic compose mainly of regional festivals. Some of them are:

- The Cocolo Festival on January 1. This honors the African-European traditions of the Cocolo tribe who migrated to Hispaniola during the 16th century.

- The month-long festival, called the Carnaval, that is celebrated by over 100,000 nationwide.

- The week-long observance of the ‘Semana Santa’ in March or April. Church services are held in most towns. This coincides with the Voodo festivals held by the Haitian in the country.

- The Puerto Plata Cultural Festival that is celebrated in June. It is a 3-day long festival that is dedicated to Latin music.

- The Merengue Festival of Santo Domingo from the third week of July and generally to the 1st week of August.

- The Festival of the Bulls in Higüey on the 14th of August.

- The Jazz Festival that is widely celebrated in Cabarete and Sosua. It is usually held on the first week of October.

- The All Saints Day, which just like in the rest of the world, is held on the 1st day of November.

Finally are the Fiestas Patronales, the celebrations held in honor of the Patron Saints of the various towns , municipalities and provinces in the Dominican Republic. There are hundreds of these celebrated in one year. A handful of the most popular patronage holidays are the: San Felipe of the Puerto Plata Malecon, San Fernando of Monte Cristi, San Juan Bautista of Bani, San Antonio of Bonao and Sosua, and Saint Andrew of Boca Chica.

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By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his soon to be top ranked Perpetual20 training site: Perpetual 20

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Dominican Republic Holidays. When you start sharing the fascinating Dominican Republic Holidays facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

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.

You can’t predict when knowing something extra about Dominican Republic Holidays will come in handy. If you learned anything new about Dominican Republic Holidays in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

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The following article lists some simple, informative tips that will help you have a better experience with Dominican Republic Holidays.

While the whole Dominican Republic is celebrating the Christmas holidays, another festival is being celebrated known simply as the Festival of the Bulls in San Juan Bautista de Bayaguana. This traditional cattle festival starts from December 28 and ends on January 1 with the offering of the Bulls. The offering of the Bulls is giving thanks to the Santo Cristo for rains that shower their crops.

The tradition started when a group of farmers decided to offer a bull to Santo Cristo to stop the ongoing draught and to pray for rain. The crops then were already withering, fruits were drying, and the cattle were dying that the prospects for the farmers surviving the year were very bleak. A few days after sacrificing the bull the rains started to fall, crops, and animals were saved and the tradition started.

This festival has been going since 1604. What made the festival a strong crowd drawer apart from the bulls and the return of rains stopping the draught are the miracles attributed to the festival. First, the apparition of Jesus Christ to a little girl praying for a cure for her mother’s blindness that returned the mother sight shortly after the apparition. Second, a paralytic praying to participate in the festival stood and walked. In 1924, during the feast day, American Troops left Santo Domingo while the church bells rang by themselves.

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Confirmed by the Catholic Church or not, commemorating the first event in 1604 was strengthened. In order for the festival to be successful, the Commissioners of Santo Cristo de los Milagros go around the region several days before the event to request for bulls. The faithful, on the other hand, offers the animal as a confirmation of their faith and expression of their thanks.

Every year on December 28, the commissioners, wranglers, and the public enter the town square towing their bulls for consecration. The procession while a solemn one is far from being silent. Dominicans celebrate the day the best way they know how, with joy. A municipal band, led procession of people singing, praying, dancing and the ever present firecrackers. That is only the start of a four-day event. During the evenings, there are more singing, chanting, dancing, and imbibing of coffee, rum, and jengibre. The songs chanted are improvised verses sung a capella with alternate leaders taking their turns while the rest joins in the refrains like a choir. For outsiders, the scene would be far from the normal images of sacrificing but an all night four days partying.

On January 1, people from all over the country gather to participate in masses offered as thanksgiving for miracles and prayers granted and favors granted by Jesus Christ for the past year. This is the most solemn and inspiring part of the festival. After that the mass the people gather outside some to buy the bulls, some to trade them with something else but the proceeds go to the church to be used for church programs.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

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