The Dominican Republic (Spanish: República Dominicana) is a nation located in the Caribbean region, shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and was one of the first permanent settlements in the Americas. The country is noted for a lot of “firsts” for the Americas, being also the site of the first colonial capital, the first university, first cathedral and the first fortress built by Europeans.

Cruise ships coming into the Dominican Republic waters generally tie up off of La Romana on the Southern coast of the country. Passengers are taken ashore in tenders from the ship. Tours range from local visits to La Romana and the Altos de Chavon Artist’s Village to an 8 hour tour into Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republics capital city. Other tours include an “Evening Paddle Wheeler Cruise on the Chavon River”, “Speed Boat to Saona Island”. or “Taino Indian Cave & Cigar Factory”.