The Caribbean Country That's This Summer's International 'It Girl

[SKY]

If there's one thing Americans are looking forward to, it's summer travel—or at least, that's what emerged from Tripadvisor's annual Summer Travel Index, which was just released today. According to the index, 95% of Americans plan to travel as much or more than last summer.

But they're not looking to go just anywhere. One Caribbean island stands out when looking at international destinations, flaunting two entries in the top 10 global destinations for American travelers, and that's the Dominican Republic.

According to the Index, Punta Cana comes in third place for most popular international destinations, beating some iconic cities around the world, including Paris. Additionally, Bavaro, which is also located in the Dominican Republic, is ranked higher than Spain's Barcelona and Turks and Caicos' dreamy Providenciales.

The Caribbean Country That's This Summer's International 'It Girl'

Can you guess which one it is?

www.thrillist.com

 

[NALs]

Putting Punta Cana and Bávaro separately is oxymoronic. Ost people that vacation in “Punta Cana” in reality do so in Bávaro since that’s where most hotel rooms are located. To put it bluntly, many of those that picked Punta Cana in reality are Bavaro tourists. Punta Cana and Bávaro should always be together or simply call the entire coast there “Punta Cana.”

 

[aarhus]

Putting Punta Cana and Bávaro separately is oxymoronic. Ost people that vacation in “Punta Cana” in reality do so in Bávaro since that’s where most hotel rooms are located. To put it bluntly, many of those that picked Punta Cana in reality are Bavaro tourists. Punta Cana and Bávaro should always be together or simply call the entire coast there “Punta Cana.”

Maybe it was a mistake and should have been Bayahibe-La Romana.

 

[Lucifer]

I know Dominicans who live in La Romana who don't know Bayahíbe is in La Altagracia province and not in La Romana.

 

[aarhus]

I know Dominicans who live in La Romana who don't know Bayahíbe is in La Altagracia province and not in La Romana.

I thought it was in La Romana.

 

[NALs]

I know Dominicans who live in La Romana who don't know Bayahíbe is in La Altagracia province and not in La Romana.

That’s nothing. Have a convo with those that think the DR is actually half of the island.

An even more dramatic issue is the whole Capitaleño identity. A lot of people that live outside the Distrito Nacional say they are Capitaleños. Don’t open that can of worms.

 

[aarhus]

That’s nothing. Have a convo with those that think the DR is actually half of the island.

An even more dramatic issue is the whole Capitaleño identity. A lot of people that live outside the Distrito Nacional say they are Capitaleños. Don’t open that can of worms.

Some say Santo Domingo about the whole country and I think it was the name earlier on.

 

[NALs]

Some say Santo Domingo about the whole country and I think it was the name earlier on.

That’s the unofficil name of the country. In fact, Dominican derives from Santo Domingo. The official name of the country is the name of the government, which is a rarity.

You will also find that many Spaniards, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and many other Latin Americans call the country Santo Domingo and know without explain it to them that whenever someone says Santo Domingo, very often they mean the country and not the Capital which is often called simply that. It’s also one of the name of the island and that’s the only name used for the island in things like the Dominican constitution.

With Americans many get confused as many think Santo Domingo is just the Capital. It’s a mystery considering even in the USA until a few years ago it was common to call the country Santo Domingo too, in fact there are American published books that have that name and they are referring ti the country and maos too.

 

[aarhus]

That’s the unofficil name of the country. In fact, Dominican derives from Santo Domingo. The official name of the country is the name of the government, which is a rarity.

You will also find that many Spaniards, Puerto Ricans, Cubans and many other Latin Americans call the country Santo Domingo and know without explain it to them that whenever someone says Santo Domingo, very often they mean the country and not the Capital which is often called simply that. It’s also one of the name of the island and that’s the only name used for the island in things like the Dominican constitution.

Nice info. Yes I have noticed Cubans and Puerto Ricans saying Santo Domingo for the whole country. Especially older people

 

[Lucifer]

Some years ago, when I lived in H-tewn, I was in a meeting with some other Dominicans. I had just arrived from the D.R.
One of the members asked me how my trip went:

<<¿Cómo le fue en su viaje a Santo Domingo?>>

To which I replied:

<<No visité Santo Domingo; me quedé en Higüey>>.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Nice info. Yes I have noticed Cubans and Puerto Ricans saying Santo Domingo for the whole country. Especially older people

Same with Haitians. It took me 6 months to realize that.

 

[keepcoming]

It used to be I would always hear "I am going to Santo Domingo:". Now it is "I am going to DR".

 

[dulce]

The first vacation I booked in the RD was for Juan Dolio. It was advertised as Santo Domingo.

 

[aarhus]

It’s some years ago. Maybe around 15. A dr1 profile at the time said “Punta Cana” was the most searched DR related search words on Google . It’s probably even more now.

 

[AlterEgo]

It’s some years ago. Maybe around 15. A dr1 profile at the time said “Punta Cana” was the most searched DR related search words on Google . It’s probably even more now.

I’d like to earn a dollar for each person out there who thinks Punta Cana is a country/island.

 

[aarhus]

I’d like to earn a dollar for each person out there who thinks Punta Cana is a country/island.

I think many search it, book it and go there and don’t think much about where it is. They just have to remember to bring their passport.

 

[Lucifer]

Punta Cana's real names:

Two former DR1 moderators coined the names I.R.E. (Independent Republic of the East) and I.R.P.C. (Independent Republic of Punta Cana).

Eat your heart out, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros.