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Christmas Dominican Republic holidays
Dominicans completely love Christmas and often celebrate with three months of festivities, beginning in October and wrapping up as late as January. It is seen as a time for family, dancing, great food, fireworks, carols, and giving thanks. Colourful poinsettias or ‘Flor de Pascual’ are found everywhere in the Dominican Republic at Christmas along with ‘charamicos’ which are a traditional Dominican Christmas tree. A Charamico is dry tree branches that have been painted white, shaped into a wide array of different styles and decorated with pom poms and Christmas ornaments.
If you head to the Dominican Republic over the Christmas season you are guaranteed to be treated like family. The weather in December in the Dominican Republic is usually between 20-30°C, the only white Christmas that can be found here are the beautiful white sand beaches.
Christmas holidays to the Dominican Republic
Christmas traditions in the Dominican Republic
There are plenty of Christmas traditions to discover in the Dominican Republic, the main one different to ours is that the main celebration and meal is on Christmas Eve the 24th of December and is celebrated as NocheBuena. Some of the main dishes you will see on the Christmas Eve menu will include ‘Cerdo asado’ (roast pork), ‘Pasteles en hojas’ (banana leaves that are filled with pork, chicken, or fish), ‘Ensalada Rusa’ (cooked potatoes, peas, carrots, hard-boiled eggs, vinegar, onion and mayonnaise) and ‘Ponche de Huevo’ (a traditional Christmas drink made with Dominican rum).
There is also the tradition of ‘aguinaldo’ which is like carolling except the singers and musicians head out in the early hours of the morning singing Christmas songs, waking up their neighbours and friends and getting them to join their carolling procession. The nativity scene will still be found as the main Christmas decoration along with fairy lights and big firework displays.
Best places to celebrate Christmas in the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic and they go all out for Christmas with lavish decorations found around town and in the shopping malls. Shopping is a big deal at Christmas time in the Dominican Republic with lots of pop up stalls and arts and crafts markets selling local Christmas decorations and festive gifts.
Puerta Plata is the third-largest city in the Dominican Republic and sits on the Northern Amber Coast. Expect to see an abundance of Christmas decorations around the town and a great festive atmosphere. There are plenty of amazing beaches to enjoy as well as local museums, golf courses and a water park. If you do visit Puerta Plata be sure to go up the cable car at Mount Isabel de Torres (Pico Isabella de Torres) to see spectacular scenic views of the city, beach, and Atlantic Ocean.
Best hotels to celebrate Christmas in the Dominican Republic
Ocean Blue & Sand Beach Resort in Punta Cana. is a fantastic family-friendly all-inclusive hotel option that has a great Christmas atmosphere. The hotel offers great activities such as a rock-climbing wall, an indoo bowling alley, diving classes and two onsite pools. There is also a great selection of onsite dining restaurants covering a broad range of food styles including American, Caribbean, Italian, and Mexican.
Juan Dolio is found 45 minutes east of Santo Domingo offering miles of beautiful beaches and easy access to the capital. Coral Costa Caribe all-inclusive hotel would be a great option offering a wide array of activities and entertainment options for all the family.