SANTO DOMINGO — As sunseekers flock to Dominican Republic to defrost from the winter freeze, an increased number of visitors are looking to add a little action into their vacation with fitness and sports being a primary driver for travel.
According to a recent study by HostelWorld, three-quarters (74 percent) of U.S. travelers aim to be equally or more active when on vacation than at home, and nearly half (47 percent) aim to get at least one workout in during their vacation.
From the land to the sea, Dominican Republic is home to an abundance of pulse-pumping activities perfect for baseball aficionados, anglers and golfers.
“Our diverse topography and annual temperatures ranging from 67 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit make Dominican Republic a natural destination for a wide range of sports and athletic activities” said Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor for the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. “From baseball, with its deep roots in Dominican culture and history, to our acclaimed golf courses and world-class marinas and fishing expeditions, Dominican Republic is the perfect destination for active travelers.”
Whether your picture-perfect getaway involves conquering a challenging oceanside golf course, spending a day at the baseball field or embarking on an open water adventure in pursuit of your next great catch, or to ride the next great wave, Dominican Republic promises to deliver memories that last a lifetime.
Designer Courses Worthy of the Golf Greats
In 2018, tour operator members of the Global Golf Tourism Organization, IAGTO voted Dominican Republic the “2019 Golf Destination of the Year for Latin America and the Caribbean”. This is the fourth time the country has been recognized as the go-to destination for golf travel by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), making it the most celebrated destination in the region.
From La Romana to Punta Cana, Juan Dolio, and Puerto Plata, the country boasts 86 sea-facing holes and 39 ocean-side, offering you a tee time by the sea, or along lush inland greens designed by the most acclaimed golf course architects, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Sr., Gary Player, Tom Fazio, Nick Price, and Greg Norman.
This month, golf pros flocked to the country for the Dominican Republic PGA Tour. From March 25 to 31, Puntacana Resort & Club hosted the second edition of the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship on the resort’s 18-hole course—a Tom Fazio creation that boasts six oceanfront holes set on rocky cliffs next to the Caribbean Sea.
Baseball: Dominican Republic’s National Pastime
Baseball, known lovingly as “pelota” in Dominican Republic, is the country’s undisputed favorite sport. Many of the world’s most legendary players hail from the country, including Sammy Sosa, Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, Robinson Canó, José Reyes, Juan Marichal and Bartolo Colón, among many others.
Locally, Dominican Republic’s baseball season runs from mid-October through late January. The country’s six teams compete at stadiums around the country, and for baseball lovers, the experience is not to be missed. Attending a “juego de pelota” is more than just a game—it’s also a lively party and an opportunity to come together with locals in celebration of one of the country’s greatest passions. Game schedules and tickets can be found at the Dominican Baseball League’s official website.
Fine Fishing in the Caribbean
Whether you arrive in pursuit of a laid-back fishing getaway or a boisterous tournament on the water, Dominican Republic is a fisherman’s paradise. Throughout the country, local fishermen rise early in pursuit of the day’s catch. Visit one of the local sports fishing centers or work with an expert guide who can bring you to the shore’s most abundant waters, where you’ll be certain to reel in a brag-worthy catch.
Each May, anglers gather for the Torneo de Pesca fishing tournament which showcase’s Bayahibe’s best catches and its unique and colorful fishing atmosphere. Further east along the southern coast, the 2019 Casa de Campo International Blue Marlin Classic Tournament in La Romana this April will bring visitors to one of the country’s hottest spots for the majestic blue marlin. The event runs from April 10-13 at the Casa de Campo Marina—a prestigious marina that accommodates up to 350 yachts. Designed by Italian architect Gianfranco Fini, the picturesque Casa de Campo Marina mimics the old seaside villages of the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, a New York couple has been missing for nearly two weeks after mysteriously vanishing during a vacation in the Dominican Republic, according to published reports.
Family and friends are desperately searching for Orlando Moore and Portia Ravenelle, who left for the island from Newark Liberty International Airport on March 23. They were supposed to return March 27 but never did, according to NBC New York.
The couple had been staying at the all-inclusive Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa resort in the northeast town of Samana but did not check out of their hotel. They never returned their rental car and never made it onto their flight home. Their cellphones are turned off, according to the report.
“When these things happen, you always think of the worst, but we are hoping for the best,” Edith Walters, Moore’s grandmother, told the news outlet.
Ravenelle’s family is in the Dominican Republic looking for the pair.
A representative from the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic was not familiar with the missing persons case.
A Mount Vernon police spokesperson acknowledged the investigation but could not immediately provide details.
To learn more and start planning your own sports-inspired getaway to Dominican Republic, visit www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.