As Easter Week approaches, hotels are gearing up to manage 100-percent occupancy rates. During this peak vacation period for Dominicans, travelers may expect some lines for dinner, but no different than what can be expected in the month of August, another prime season for domestic travel on weekends in the Dominican Republic.
Schools will close on Monday, 14 April through Good Friday, 18 April. Contrary to what may be the custom in other Roman Catholic countries, Easter Week has become a time for revelers and partygoers in the DR, but still holds something for everyone.
Over the years, thousands have decided to avoid the big crowds of the vacation areas, with substantial numbers of people remaining in the larger cities. Consequently, Santo Domingo and Santiago are not as quiet as in previous years, with movie houses and restaurants remaining open. Hundreds also participate in the religious processions and ceremonies of private worship in the Colonial City?s churches.
The main events, however, will take place on the beaches, leading the government in recent years to ban the use of motorized boats for the period. The use of jet skis, for instance, is a nationwide no-no for the week, simply to reduce the risk of injury in the crowded waters. For the same reasons, there are also restrictions on horseback riding on certain beaches.
For the most part, though, instead of decreasing, the number and diversity of beach activities increase, with beach volleyball championships and kite-flying events taking place.
If you must take to the roads during Easter Week, the secret is to avoid the peak travel times. Avoid driving on the afternoon of Thursday, 17 April, and plan on being home before 3pm on Easter Sunday, 20 April.
The government also closes some beaches and other swimming areas that are considered especially risky when visited by large crowds, although most of these are not frequented by foreign tourists. These areas will have people posted there to explain the off-limits to visitors from Thursday, 17 April to Monday, 21 April. The restricted areas are:
Santo Domingo: Guibia, Manresa, Playa de Juancho, La Playita, and Los Gringos beaches
San Cristobal: Los Ca?ones de Nigua, Puente de Nigua, Boca de Nigua, and Los Cuadritos
San Pedro de Macoris: Playa del Muerto, Las Saldinas, Hawaii, Morota, Villa del Mar, and El Muelle
Samana: Playa de los Mesias, Boca del Limon, Playa del Valle, Playa Frances, Chiguela, and Gran Estero
Barahona: Los Patos, Saladilla, Palito Seco, Del Ca?o, and San Rafael
La Romana: Chavon and Tres Colitas
Puerto Plata: El Canal, Sand Castle, Encuentro, La Bombita, and La Bonita
Nagua: Independencia
The better-known river vacation spots that will be closed include the El Salto de Jimenoa in Jarabacoa, Boca de Chavon in La Romana, and Hatillo Dam.