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World Tourism Day, commemorated each year on 27 September, is the global observance day fostering awareness of tourism’s social, cultural, political, and economic value and the contribution the sector can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals. 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the first World Tourism Day.
For many communities tourism represents a lifeline, and even more so in developing countries. Tourism has been one of the areas most affected by COVID-19, but it also represents an opportunity to rethink the future of the tourism industry, including the way it contributes to the sustainable development goals, through its social and cultural value, political and economic.
Having limitations to travel outside the country does not prevent us from doing domestic tourism and exploring all the beauties that the Dominican Republic has to offer. One of those places is Monte Cristi which we visited with Wisdom Travel agency.
Our adventure tour starts at 8 a.m., leaving from La Romana, Dom. Rep., bound for Monte Cristi, the jewel of the northwest, a border province with a wild and captivating landscape, ideal for adventures out of the ordinary. Plantations of rice and banana, goats, and giant cacti are found along the road that takes you to salt ponds and limestone cliffs that hug the Atlantic Ocean and its waves.
There you will be able to visit:
IGLESIA DE SAN FERNANDO
Mimicking the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, this historic Catholic church stands out at one end of the town square, attracting visitors with its 19th-century Gothic neoclassical design, impressive stained windows, and a bell tower surrounding an ornate mahogany altar.
RELOJ DE MONTE CRISTI
The clock tower in the Montecristi square, in the form of a mini version of the Eiffel Tower, designed by the French engineer Alexandre Gustave Eiffel and built by the famous French watchmaker Jean-Paul Garnier. It was shipped to Montecristi during the town’s glory days at the end of the 19th century, and it continues to function with its original mechanism.
CAYO ARENA
Our tour continues to an amazing place! Cayo Arena, also known as Cayo Paraíso, 25 minutes by boat from the departure point in Punta Rucia, located northwest of Puerto Plata. This sandbar is in the middle of the brilliant blue ocean, with fine white sand and shallow waters teeming with tropical fish, ideal for snorkelers of any level, or you can also choose to dive. Most of the tour operators offer the round trip from Puerto Plata, including the boats that will take you to the key with snorkeling equipment included.
EL MORRO
El Morro, a dramatic limestone outcrop, it rises 242 meters above sea level, gracing Montecristi’s coastal setting with one of the most impressive and unique views in the Dominican Republic. The subtropical dry forest landscape around El Morro is surrounded by extensive mangrove areas that can be seen up close, on foot or by boat, through a network of inland waterways and lagoons where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Iguanas, like numerous species of birds, live among the mangroves and El Morro forest, such as frigates, herons, egrets, American oystercatchers, and aquatic birds, including migratory species.
The entrance to the park is accessible from the town, less than 10 minutes away, and multiple tour companies offer boat trips between the lagoons and the mangroves. Around this part desert and part Mediterranean-like scenery, mangrove tunnels take you to cool lagoons, while offshore keys fill with migratory birds and offer secluded white sand beaches.
The sunsets adorn the small but beautiful boardwalk of this town as well as its beaches, with multiple hotels and restaurants that surround the area, and that prepare the specialty of this area, the spicy goat. From your table in front of the sea and from any point of the town you will be able to see El Morro, the iconic plateau that reigns over Montecristi, and at its feet is a spectacular beach. Those who venture off the sand and into the Atlantic Ocean will be able to kite surf or go under the sea to explore the barrier reef that runs parallel to El Morro and extends to Punta Rucia. It is the largest and healthiest reef in the Dominican Republic. In the distance and along the bay of Montecristi is one of the best snorkeling and diving areas in the country, Cayo Siete Hermanos, a series of seven keys that are also nesting areas for brown boobies and other migratory birds.
EL MORRO ECO ADVENTURE HOTEL
This is undoubtedly one of our favorite parts of the adventure, and that is that a tour full of physical activity must also go hand in hand with a good time of recreation, relaxation, and rest. And it is that the Xeliter properties in MonteCristi, welcomed us as worthy kings of our adventure, offering us first-class services and comfort.
The Morro Eco Adventure Hotel offers quality accommodation to the public interested in taking a break, practicing sports or exploring the charms of Montecristi. It has 2 restaurants and a spacious lounge bar; Restaurant El Bubí open every day, offers a variety of dishes prepared by our chef. Its specialty is typical dishes with a gourmet touch; and Restaurant El Morro, available for activities and private events with a menu prepared to measure.
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Wisdom Travel
Based in Punta Cana, and more than 16 years of experience in the tourism industry, this travel agency offers the best leisure activities for the family, combining the best tours in the area and the country.
Where: C/ Eugenio A. Miranda, esq. Diego Avila #52, Local 1C
Contact: 849-206-2209, email: info@wisdom-travel.com
Website: wisdom-travel.com/es Social media: Instagram: wisdomtravel