Origen del manati: Origen e Historia Evolutiva de los Manatíes

Origen e Historia Evolutiva de los Manatíes

Siendo esta la semana de la Conservación del Manatí Caribeño en Puerto Rico y pasado lunes el Día Internacional del Manatí aquí les dejo un breve resumen sobre los orígenes de este interesante grupo de mamíferos marinos.

En la región del Atlántico y Caribe muchos hemos escuchado sobre los manatíes y quizás hasta visto uno que otro. La especie en particular que habita esta región es el manatí Caribeño el cual también se le conoce por el nombre científico de Trichechus manatus. Algo que quizás no sepan es que existen otras dos especies de manatíes, el manatí del Amazonas (Trichechus inunguis) y el manatí de África Occidental (Trichechus senegalensis). Estas distintas especies en conjunto, pertenecen a la familia Trichechidae, la cual junto con otra familia llamada Dugongidae forman parte de un grupo de mamíferos muy únicos, llamados Sirenia o sirenios. Los sirenios se distinguen por ser los únicos mamíferos marinos que se alimentan principalmente de vegetación acuática y por tener huesos muy densos, los cuales les ayuda a mantener flotabilidad neutral poder subir o bajar en la columna de agua con facilidad.

¿!Orígenes Europeos!?
Para conocer de donde vienen los manatíes necesitamos echarle un vistazo al registro fósil. Sorprendentemente, los restos más antiguos que se han podido identificar como pertenecientes al mismo grupo (Trichechidae) que los manatíes, proviene de Europa. Más específicamente, se encontraron en depósitos marinos que se depositaron durante el Oligoceno tardío (entre 28. 4-23 millones de años atrás) en la región de la cuenca del Mar del Norte en Alemania. Es allí donde se descubrieron restos de una especie extinta llamada Anomotherium langewieschei Siegfried, 1965, el cual hasta el presente se considera como el manatí más antiguo. A esta especie, le sigue en antigüedad otra especie, Miosiren kocki Dollo, 1889, encontrada en la misma región, esta vez en Bélgica, en depósitos marinos depositados en el Mioceno temprano (entre 20.4-16.0 millones de años atrás). Mientras que una tercera especie, llamada Prohalicore dubaleni Flot, 1887, fue descubierta en sedimentos marinos depositados en el Mioceno medio (16-11.6 millones de años atrás) de Francia. Estas tres especies extintas se clasifican dentro de una subfamilia distinta, llamada Miosireninae, hasta el momento, con distribución exclusivamente europea. Es de un ancentro en común con estos miosireninos que se origina el grupo de manatíes que eventualmente llega la las Américas.

Llegada a las Américas
Los fósiles de manatíes en las Américas son relativamente escasos, posiblemente porque habitaban cuerpos de agua dulce, los cuales no siempre se preservan tan bien como habitats marinos. Sin embargo se han encontrado especímenes claves en América del Sur para entender su historia en la región. El manatí más antiguo de las Américas es una especie llamada Potamosiren magdalenensis Reinhart, 1951 encontrada en depósitos fluviales depositados en el Mioceno medio (16-11.6 millones de años atrás) en Colombia. Mientras que la otra especie de manatí fósil, llamada Ribodon limbatus Ameghino, 1883, se ha encontrado, mayormente en depósitos fluviales del Mioceno tardío (11.6-5.3 millones de años atrás) en Argentina y Brazil*. Estas especies extintas de manatíes americanos vivían en cuerpos de agua dulce, donde evolucionaron y se diversificaron. No fue, sino hasta hace unos 2-3 millones de años atrás, que los ancestros de los manatíes modernos invaden los océanos de nuevo (recordemos que las especies europeas eran marinas), específicamente el Caribe y Atlántico. Esto sucedió luego de la formación completa del Istmo de Panamá, y como consecuencia, la extinción de los dugones que dominaban los mares de la región hasta ese entonces.
*En esta entrada previa pueden apreciar un mapa del Mioceno con la distribución de sirenios en las Américas.


Dientes especiales para dietas abrasivas y muelas que nunca terminan
Las características más distintivas entre las especies modernas de sirenios son sus dientes (tema que cubrí anteriormente aquí), que obviamente está relacionados a lo que comen. Los manatíes fósiles de Sur América presentan adaptaciones a dietas abrasivas, ya fuese por alta presencia de sedimento, o por el tipo de vegetación que consumían, es decir, que de haber tenido molares considerados normales se hubiesen quedado sin dientes prematuramente. Sin embargo, y como dijo Ian Malcolm en Jurassic Park “Life, uh, finds a way”, estos manatíes primitivos evolucionaron un aparato dental para poder lidiar con ese problema de abrasión.
Las primeras adaptaciones que vemos es en Potamosiren magdalenensis, que es una especie que contienen el número normal de muelas que tienen los sirenios (o sea tres por cada cuadrante de la boca para un total de 12), pero que sin embargo tienen un esmalte muy grueso. El esmalte es la estructura más dura de nuestros dientes, de hecho, de todo el cuerpo. Teniendo una capa de esmalte más gruesa alrededor de los dientes, ayudaría entonces a retrasar el desgaste causado por una dieta abrasiva, esta adaptación también la vemos en otros mamíferos.

En Ribodon limbatus apreciamos otra adaptación, en este caso muy parecida a la que vemos en los manatíes modernos. Ribodon en lugar de tener molares con esmalte grueso, evoluciona lo que se le conoce como reemplazo horizontal de dientes. Esto es una adaptación, donde las muelas son relativamente pequeñas, pero tienen más de tres por cuadrantes (se han contado hasta 7/cuadrante en algunos manatíes modernos), y en adición, a medida que las muelas se van desgastando, estas son reemplazadas, durante toda la vida del animal. Esto quiere decir que mientras nosotros, al igual que casi todos los otros mamíferos, tenemos dos pares de dientes (los de leche y los permanentes) los manatíes, comenzando desde Ribodon, han tenido una cantidad ilimitada de dientes que reemplazan durante toda su vida.

Hueso maxilar de Ribodon (arriba) en vista ventral donde se aprecian los alveolos para las raíces de los molares, cada color representa alveolos para un molar). Abajo, se aprecia el cráneo de un manatí Caribeño en vista ventral donde se correlaciona los alveolos del maxilar de Ribodon con los molares y/o alveolos del maxilar del manatí.

Ribodon presenta una etapa que se puede considerar intermedia entre Potamosiren y los manatíes modernos, ya que tiene más de tres muelas por cuadrantes, pero todavía son relativamente grandes (como se puede aprecias en la figuras arriba). Luego con la aparición de los manatíes modernos, hace unos pocos millones de años atrás, es que observamos la reducción actual de sus molares, convirtiéndoles en eficaces consumidores de vegetación acuática. Esta adaptación es única en mamíferos marinos, y en tierra solo se conoce en dos mamíferos, un marsupial en Australia, y una especie de roedor en África. Y recuerden, los manatíes con su apariencia dócil y lenta, esconden una historia evolutiva única y llena de sorpresas.

Espero les haya gustado esta entrada dedicada a los manatíes y su fascinante adaptación para el consumo de vegetación. No dejen de visitar este blog y estén atentos para más entradas sobre mamíferos marinos en un futuro no muy lejano.

Referencias

Beatty, B. L., T. Vitkovski, O. Lambert, and T. E. Macrini. 2012. Osteological associations with unique tooth development in manatees (Trichechidae, Sirenia): a detailed look at modern Trichechus and a review of the fossil record. Anatomical Record 295:1504-1512.

Domning, D. P. 1982. Evolution of manatees: a speculative history. Journal of Paleontology 56:599-619.

Domning, D. P. 2001. Sirenian, seagrasses, and Cenozoic ecological change in the Caribbean. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 166:27-50.

Domning, D. P. 2005. Fossil Sirenia of the West Atlantic and Caribbean Region. VII. Pleistocene Trichechus manatus Linneaus, 1758. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25:685-701.

Gomes Rodrigues, H., P. Marangoni, R. Sumbera, P. Tafforeau, W. Wendelen, and L. Viriot. 2011. Continuous dental replacement in a hyper-chisel tooth digging rodent. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108:17355-17359.

Velez-Juarbe, J. 2014. Ghost of seagrasses past: using sirenians as a proxy for historical distribution of seagrasses. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 400:41-49.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number (NSF Grant 1249920).Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Trichechus – Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre

«Manatí» redirige aquí. Para otras acepciones, véase Manatí (desambiguación).

Manatí con su cría

Trichechus es un género de mamíferos sirénidos de la familia de los triquéquidos (Trichechidae),^[1]​ siendo el único representante de esta familia.^[2]​ Son conocidos como manatíes o vacas marinas.
Son apacibles herbívoros que pasan la mayor parte de su tiempo buscando e ingiriendo las plantas ribereñas y del lecho marino de aguas poco profundas. Los manatíes viven en aguas tanto dulces como saladas, cerca de las costas de América y África. Su único depredador es el hombre; y aunque no existen registros, se presume que con poca frecuencia las orcas podrían atacar a los triquéquidos o manatíes, puesto que estos, por ser grandes, lentos y gordos, parecen una presa ideal para estos depredadores; sin embargo, debido a la distribución de los triquéquidos, que principalmente se da en aguas costeras y de relativa baja profundidad (y frecuentemente en aguas dulces) de los trópicos, en donde las orcas aparecen en raras ocasiones, se cree que los triquéquidos escapan de su depredación. ^[3]​

Índice

• 1 Nombre
• 2 Características
• 3 Alimentación
• 4 Reproducción
• 5 Taxonomía
  • 5.1 Especies
• 6 Distribución
• 7 Amenazas y protección
  • 7.1 Reservas de vida silvestre donde se encuentra los manatíes
• 8 Véase también
• 9 Referencias
• 10 Enlaces externos

La palabra “manatí” en la lengua indígena caribeña, significa “con mamas”. Su nombre científico proviene del vocablo latino Trichechus, que hace referencia a los pequeños pelos o cerdas esparcidas sobre su cuerpo, y manatus proviene del vocablo griego μανάτος (manatos), que se refiere a la característica común de los mamíferos de amamantar a sus crías.

Otros nombres son tlakamichin, del náhuatl tlaka (hombre) y michin (pez) y awakash (vaca de agua) en náhuat.

Características[editar]

La longitud del cuerpo alcanza entre 4 y 5,6-6 m, y el peso oscila entre 300 y 500 kg. El cuerpo es gris con intersticios rosados. Se distinguen de los dugongos por tener una cola aplanada horizontalmente en forma de espátula, en vez de forma de media luna.

Alimentación[editar]

Los manatíes son herbívoros, y se alimentan de unos 60 tipos diferentes de plantas, como hojas de mangle o algas. Para ello usan el labio superior, que está dividido. Un manatí adulto puede comer normalmente hasta un 9 % de su peso (unos 50 kg) al día. Los manatíes antillanos también comen peces de las redes.

Reproducción[editar]

Cada 2 a 5 años la hembra da a luz una cría, la cual al nacer pesa 35 kg en promedio, y mide de 90 a 120 cm de largo. La cría depende totalmente de su madre y permanece con ella por lo menos 2 años. Solamente la hembra se encarga de cuidar la cría, dándole leche hasta que sus dientes estén bien formados para comer alimentos duros. Son adultos a los 4 años y pueden vivir hasta los 80. Su reproducción es con fecundación interna.

Especies[editar]

De acuerdo a Mammal Species of the World, el género está conformado por tres especies:^[1]​

• Trichechus manatus – manatí del Caribe o de Florida
• Trichechus senegalensis – manatí africano
• Trichechus inunguis – manatí amazónico

Sin embargo, de acuerdo a otros autores existe una cuarta especie:^[4]​

• Trichechus pygmaeus – manatí enano

Distribución[editar]

La especie Trichechus senegalensis habita las costas de África Occidental; Trichechus inunguis habita la costa este de América del Sur y los ríos de la Amazonia, y una tercera, la Trichechus manatus, habita las Antillas y ríos y estuarios de la cuenca del mar Caribe, especialmente en las costas de República Dominicana, donde existen reservas importantes, además de ser el primer país donde se crean leyes de protección para este animal. ^[5]​ El manatí de Florida es considerado una subespecie (Trichechus manatus latirostris) y el manatí antillano, que habita desde el norte hasta el noreste de Sudamérica, es considerado como otra (Trichechus manatus manatus).

Más recientemente se ha descrito una cuarta especie de manatí, el manatí enano Trichechus bernhandi. Es próxima al manatí amazónico, más bien una probable subespecie, que solo alcanza el 1,3 m de longitud. Tiene una distribución muy restringida, unos 120 km del curso del río Aruainho, afluente del Aripuanii; habita en las aguas claras de corrientes rápidas y se alimenta en posición horizontal y no verticalmente como hace su pariente.

Amenazas y protección[editar]

Los manatíes han sido cazados, principalmente por su carne y su grasa, aunque en la actualidad sus especies están protegidas.

Manatí con cicatrices en su espalda causadas por un bote de motor.

El manatí del Caribe es una especie en peligro de extinción. La expansión humana ha reducido su hábitat natural en muchas áreas. La Reserva del manatí, en Río Dulce, Guatemala, es tal vez uno de sus últimos santuarios. Los manatíes ingieren sustancias tóxicas o metálicas mezcladas con los vegetales. La cacería indiscriminada redujo drásticamente la población y muchos manatíes han sido heridos por los botes de motor.

En el caso del manatí de Florida, debido a su distribución por encima de la línea del Trópico de Cáncer, se congregan con frecuencia cerca de fuentes artificiales de calor, como las plantas de energía atómica. Cuando hacen esto, dejan de migrar y se vuelven dependientes de esa fuente artificial de calor. Ante el cierre o traslado de algunas fuentes de calor artificial, se necesita calentar las aguas para evitar la desaparición de esas poblaciones de manatíes.

El 15 de julio de 2014, el manatí fue declarado símbolo nacional de la fauna marina costarricense por el congreso de ese país, con el fin de incentivar su conservación. Esta declaratoria fue iniciativa de un grupo de estudiantes de la escuela Barrio Limoncito, en la provincia de Limón.^[6]​

El 23 de julio de 2019, el Gobernador de Tabasco, Adan Augusto Lopez Hernández, declaró Jonuta, en Tabasco,México, como santuario del manatí, uno de los pocos lugares en los que esta especia estaría protegida.

Reservas de vida silvestre donde se encuentra los manatíes[editar]

• Cuero y salado – Honduras
• Biotopo Protegido Chocón Machacas (en la cuenca del Río Dulce, Lago de Izabal) – Guatemala
• Bahía de Chetumal – México
• Estero Hondo – República Dominicana
• Parque nacional Jaragua – República Dominicana
• Bahía de las Águilas – República Dominicana
• Parque nacional Tortuguero – Costa Rica
• Parque nacional Turuépano – Estado Sucre – Venezuela
• Parque Zoológico y Botánico Bararida – Estado Lara – Venezuela
• Refugio de Vida Silvestre Cuero y Salado – La Ceiba, Atlántida – Honduras
• Santuario del manati -Poblado los pájaros – Los buchecos Jonuta, Tabasco, México
• Laguna de Catazaja Chiapas; México
• Reserva Biológica Laguna de Caratasca – Gracias a Dios (Honduras)
• San San Pod Sak Bocas del Toro, Panamá
• Laguna del Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico ^[7]​

Véase también[editar]

• Vaca marina
• Amazonía del Perú
• Sistema de información de la diversidad biológica y ambiental de la Amazonía Peruana

Referencias[editar]

1. ↑ ^{a b c d} Wilson, Don E. ; Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. (2005). «Trichechus». Mammal Species of the World (en inglés) (3ª edición). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. 
2. ↑ ^{a b} Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. (2005). «Trichechidae». Mammal Species of the World (en inglés) (3ª edición). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. 
3. ↑ Jefferson, T. A., Stacey, P. J. & Baird, R. W. (1991). A review of Killer Whale interactions with other marine mammals: predation to co-existence. Mammal Rev., vol.21, n.4, pp. 151-180.
4. ↑ van Roosmalen, Marc G. M. (2015). «Hotspot of new megafauna found in the Central Amazon (Brazil): the lower Rio Aripuanã Basin». Biodiversity Journal 6 (1): 219-244. 
5. ↑ «Información Sobre los Manatíes». Save the Manatee Club (en inglés estadounidense). Consultado el 19 de enero de 2020. 
6. ↑ Fallas, Gustavo (4 de julio de 2014). «Manatí es declarado por el Congreso símbolo nacional de la fauna marina costarricense». AR. 
7. ↑ «Residentes los manatíes en la Laguna del Condado | Centro de Conservación de Manatíes de Puerto Rico» (en inglés estadounidense). Consultado el 12 de enero de 2022. 

Enlaces externos[editar]

• Wikimedia Commons alberga una galería multimedia sobre Manatíes.
• Wikispecies tiene un artículo sobre Trichechus.
• Wikcionario tiene definiciones y otra información sobre manatí.

DOMINICAN

The main subject of tourist interest in Dominican Republic is a beach holiday at the highest level in the entourage of all kinds of Caribbean holidays and carnivals. The Dominican Republic is famous for its very clean sea and white sand beaches located in lagoons, sheltered from the waves of the ocean by coral reefs. In general, the Dominican Republic has collected a lot of beautiful things in its open spaces: beautiful landscapes on land and under water, beautiful old buildings, beautiful girls. By the way, the latter is far from being a subjective statement. nine0005

As a tourist destination, the Dominican Republic will primarily interest lovers of the exotic with an emphasis on idle relaxation surrounded by fantastically beautiful nature. But what the Dominican Republic cannot boast of is historical sights – there are such here only in the capital of Santo Domingo. However, the tourists who have returned from heaven say that the Dominican Republic does not lose at all from this … and looking at their peaceful faces, we unconditionally believe in it! nine0005

The capital is Santo Domingo. The main resorts are Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, Bayahibe, Samana. Also, the town of La Romana with a large hotel complex, and a newcomer to the field of Dominican tourism, Cap Cana, can be considered a separate, albeit small resort.

Visa to the Dominican Republic

For citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, visa-free entry to the Dominican Republic is provided for up to 30 days. nine0005

Customs

There are no restrictions on the import and export of national and foreign currency. Duty-free importation of a liter of alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 22%, two liters of less strong drinks, 500 grams of coffee, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, two bottles of perfume (bottles must be printed), as well as personal use items and gifts with a total value of not more than 100 USD .

The import of products of animal, agricultural and horticultural origin (that is, almost all products) and drugs is prohibited. It is forbidden to export (without special permission) objects and things of historical and artistic value. nine0005

Phone numbers

Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Moscow: Rublevskoe shosse, 26, bldg. 1, of. 211; tel.: (495) 415-25-96, fax: 415-36-01.

Immigration phone number in Santo Domingo: (809) 685-25-35, 685-25-05.

There are no foreign missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in the Dominican Republic. Representative functions are concurrently performed by the Russian Embassy in Venezuela.

Rescue Service: 911.

Dominican Transport

Between tourist areas and major cities, buses run by Metro Bus and Carib Tours (new, air-conditioned), as well as small local companies are less comfortable. Analogues of our minibuses, minibuses “gua-gua” connect nearby cities. Travel in them, as in our “Gazelles”, is paid to the driver.

Public transport in cities – the same buses, “gua-gua”, as well as express buses and collective taxis “carro publicos”. All this is cheap: the average fare in the city is 5 pesos. nine0005

There are no meters in local taxis; instead, there are clear fares for travel between certain points (it makes no sense to bargain). Taxis are usually ordered at the reception. For trips within the city, you can use the services of private drivers. You should agree on the price with them in advance, before getting into the car.

Car rental

Renting a car is easy, but very expensive. There are many international car rental companies in the country offering cars according to the standard rules: you must be over 25 years old, have an international driver’s license (valid in the country for at least 9 more0 days) and a credit card. Insurance is required.

Buses in the country are called “gua-gua”. Dominicans are very friendly people, so 2-3 people can fit on a seat designed for one person.

It is also common in the country to rent mopeds and light motorcycles – they are rented without insurance.

Tourist safety in the Dominican Republic

You should not drink tap water, and it is better to use boiled or purified water for washing and brushing your teeth. Vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and fruits should be eaten peeled. You should not exchange money on the street and in the markets – currency fraud accounts for about half of all crimes in the country. It is better not to appear in the “evil” quarters of cities after dark. nine0005

Dominican climate

The climate in the country is humid subtropical. Sea breezes and trade winds from the northeast soften the heat. The rainy season runs from May to September and is characterized by frequent but short showers. Showers are also possible in November and December. The rest of the time, dry warm weather persists. The hottest month is August. The average daily temperature ranges from +25 °C in winter to +33 °C in summer. Tides and tides are negligible. nine0005

Hotels Dominican Republic

All hotels in the Dominican Republic are classified and have an official “star rating”. As a rule, such a classification corresponds to the list of services provided by the hotel. A characteristic feature of the rest in almost all hotels is the all-inclusive system, which implies three meals a day, snacks at any time, any local drinks, soft drinks in the minibar and non-motorized beach entertainment.

In addition, there are many comfortable cottages in the country, bungalows with 8-16 rooms each. The hotel complexes have large green areas (mini-trains usually go through them, since walking to the pool or the beach is sometimes quite far), there is animation. All hotels are not high-rise (maximum four floors), mostly “four” and “five”. There are no Russian-speaking employees in the hotels, but many tour operators have their own permanent representatives.

Mains voltage: 110/120 V, 60 Hz. Flat sockets, American standard plugs. To use electrical appliances, you must have special adapters, which are usually sold in hotel shops. Power outages are not uncommon in the country, so most high-end hotels have their own generators. nine0005

Money

Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport, at the hotel or at commercial banks (banks are open from 8:00-8:30 to 15:00-18:00 from Monday to Friday). A reverse exchange is possible if there is a certificate of the initial exchange, but usually no more than 30% of the original amount is exchanged. In tourist areas, the rate is greatly underestimated. In private institutions, dollars are accepted everywhere, but change can be given in pesos. If prices are set in dollars, the conversion rate should always be specified in advance. nine0005

In the capital and major tourist areas, credit cards of all major world payment systems are accepted for payment. In the interior of the country, it is almost impossible to pay with them. Some banks accept traveler’s checks. To avoid additional costs due to exchange rate fluctuations, it is worth using checks in US dollars.

Tipping is partially included in the cost of service in hotels, while in restaurants it is customary to leave about 10% of the order value to the waiter. Maids and porters are usually entitled to 1-2 USD. nine0005

Shopping and shops in the Dominican Republic

From the country you can bring all sorts of little things made of wood, bone, amber, larimara (Dominican turquoise), ceramics and leather, as well as cigars, coffee and rum. Popular souvenirs here are figurines of a parrot “cat”, ceramic dolls without a face “lime” and colorful paintings in the style of “Haitian naive”: they can be bought on the beach and in the markets.

Shops are open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:30, private souvenir shops are open “until the last customer”.

The capital of the Dominican Republic, the city of Santo Domingo, is located on the seashore, however, the nearest beach is only thirty kilometers away.

Tourist areas of the country offer tourists numerous boutiques and souvenir shops. Santo Domingo has the largest commercial centers where you can buy clothes, shoes and other goods of local and foreign production of good quality and at affordable prices. nine0005

Pirates of the Caribbean

The already intense tourist interest in the countries of the Caribbean has been thoroughly fueled by the now multi-part and rather complicated saga of Jack Sparrow … sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow and his comrades. A handsome man with frowning eyes and an unsteady gait firmly nestled in our minds the images of tropical nature with lianas (and a lousy monkey jumping over them), rocks overgrown with emerald forests, wild beaches and coconut palms leaning over the azure surface. By the way, the real Jack, that is, the actor Johnny Depp, got used to the role so much that he bought one of the many islands of the archipelago. Stanislavsky would be pleased. nine0005

Kitchen and restaurants

The cuisine of the Dominican Republic can be briefly described as follows: an unusual but delicious mixture of European, African and local recipes. It is based on the wide use of legumes, bananas and vegetables (including exotic ones) in original combinations with meat and fish. Traditional dishes are, for example, “bandera” – a stew of meat, fried bananas, beans, rice and lettuce, thick soup “asopao” and fried pork “puerco en puya”. But fish and seafood, despite the island status of the Dominican Republic, are not very popular in the country. nine0005

The “national drink” of the Dominican Republic is rum, more than 15 varieties of it are produced here. The most popular are Brugal, Barcelo and Bermudez. The local brands of beer Quiskeya, Seniza, Presidente and Bohemia are of quite decent quality. The original taste has a traditional local alcoholic drink “pru” – the result of fermentation of the juice of the plant of the same name.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of the Dominican Republic

In Santo Domingo, it is worth seeing the Alcázar de Colón Palace, the San Diego and Concepción forts, the Captain’s Palace and the Tower of Honor, the fortresses of La Fortalesa and Ozama, the Columbus House, the Hostal Nicolás Nader Palace, the Sundial on Calle des las Damas, the complex of Casa del la Moneda and the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. Well, the Faro o Colon lighthouse serves as a phallic symbol of the city – a museum is open in it, there is also a mausoleum with the remains of Columbus. The most interesting museums in the city are the Dominican Museum and the Las Casas Reales Museum, where you can learn about the Spanish culture of the New World and the travels of Columbus. It is also worth visiting the La Caleta Museum with an underwater park, and the Del Rescato Submarine Museum exhibits a magnificent collection of weapons, dishes, jewelry and old coins. nine0005

In Santiago, you can visit the Tobacco Museum and the tobacco factories of Zan Clement, Leon Jimenez and the Tabacalera company, the Folklore Museum of Thomas Morey, the Old Town Hall, which now houses the Santiago Museum, and Duarte Park with the city’s cathedral.

The most beautiful waterfalls of the country are in the vicinity of the city of Jarabacoa. Nearby is the Armando Bermudez Nature Reserve; and in general, everything is in order with national parks in the country. La Vega will delight with the archaeological excavations of the old city and the Church of Our Lady of Las Mercedes. And Saona – nature and diving. nine0005

Popular excursions

Sightseeing tour of Santo Domingo 85 USD, “Dominican Outback” 80 USD, Saona Island and Altos de Chavon 95 USD, “Caribbean Festival” 70 USD. Samana Peninsula (by plane) 270 USD, fishing in the Caribbean – from 140 USD, fishing in the Atlantic Ocean – from 100 USD. Diving – from 50 USD, Fun-Fun Cave 110 USD, rafting 270 USD, Cigars and Rum tour 25 USD, underwater fishing 90 USD, Bavaro Truckers 60 USD, helicopter ride – from 70 USD, Manati Park » 25 USD. Even in the Dominican Republic, it’s a sin not to go surfing – the waves here are the envy of any “boarder”. nine0005

Agritourism

Every month, the Fresh Market agricultural exhibition-fair takes place in the Constanta Valley – where you can buy seasonal products that are grown in this region (clearly, environmentally and biologically clean, as well as without the mentioned GMOs by the night). Moreover, at the fair, you can taste local cuisine and take part in folklore, musical and theatrical events. Finally, travelers who are hungry for everything natural can go on the “Chocolate Tour” in order to see with their own eyes all the features of growing and producing cocoa in the Eastern Dominican Republic. nine0005

Events

Throughout the year, many festivals take place in the country. Carnival in Santo Domingo begins in February on the eve of Lent and lasts about a week. The next carnival begins on August 15 and coincides with Restoration Day (the beginning of the war with Spain). In the last week of July – the first week of August, the Meringue Festival is held in the Dominican Republic. The week-long Festival of Caribbean Culture is celebrated in Puerto Plata in June with jazz, blues and folk music concerts, as well as dance shows. And in Cabarete in February, some competitions are held every weekend: bicycle races, a knife throwing championship, a sand sculpture competition. nine0005

Dersu Uzala.

Ecotourism Development Fund

Dominican Republic is a typical tropical world and a paradise for tourists. Nowhere in the world is there such white sand and such a clean sea. Holidays on an island on the Caribbean coast will primarily appeal to those who prefer a traditional beach holiday with swimming in the sea, sunbathing under the hot American sun, tasting national dishes and buying local souvenirs. Holidays in the Dominican Republic will not do without interesting excursions to the main historical and natural attractions; majestic mountains immersed in verdure, noisy transparent waterfalls, dense mangrove forests with exotic animals living in them will not leave anyone indifferent. Holidays on the island do not end with an acquaintance with amazing nature and a clear warm sea. At the main local resorts, the quality of service in hotels reaches the highest level, and with the onset of darkness, noisy nightlife begins here. nine0005

The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. Popular resorts: Boca Chica, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Samana, Cap Cana, Juan Dolio, Bayahibe.

How to get to the Dominican Republic

Direct flights Moscow – Punta Cana are operated by Transaero on Sundays and Thursdays, by Aeroflot on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Travel time is 13 hours. From the cities of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, you can get to the Dominican Republic with a connection in European cities: Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam. Travel time is from 13 to 20 hours and depends on the choice of airline. There are no direct flights from the CIS countries to the Dominican Republic. Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa if their stay in the country does not exceed 30 days. nine0005

Customs

It is forbidden to import into the territory of the Dominican Republic: products of animal and agricultural origin, that is, almost all products, drugs, some types of medicines. The import of national currency is not limited. Duty-free importation of personal items and gifts for an amount not exceeding 100 USD, 200 cigarettes, 500 g of coffee, 1 liter of alcohol with a strength of up to 22%, two printed bottles of perfume is allowed. The export of items of historical and cultural value from the country is prohibited. nine0005

Dominican hotels

Dominican hotels have an official classification that corresponds to the list of services they provide. Most of them are all inclusive, with three meals a day and snacks at any time and local drinks to choose from. Hotel complexes have large areas around, often you have to get to the beach on special mini-trains. There are many tourist cottages and bungalows on the island, hotels are mostly 3-4 storey. Russian-speaking employees in hotels are mostly not found, however, many tour operators have their own permanent representatives. Most hotels in the Dominican Republic are 4 and 5 *. If you have already chosen a hotel for yourself, ask when it was last reconstructed. The proximity of the sea has a negative impact on the state of the country’s hotel fund. nine0005

Attractions and entertainment

In the Dominican Republic, you should definitely visit the city of Santo Domingo. The capital of the republic was founded in 1496 by Bartolomeo Columbus. Its original name is “New Isabella”. The historic center of the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The symbol of Santo Domingo is the lighthouse of Faro o Colon with the mausoleum of Columbus located in it. Of great interest from an architectural point of view are: the palaces of Alcazar de Colon and Casa del Duarte, the colonial buildings of Atarazana, the forts of San Diego and Concepción, the House of the Sash, the fortress of La Fortalesa. Tourists should visit the local Pantheon, the oldest cathedral in America – Santa Maria la Menor, the mausoleum of Baluarte. Of the museums, the most interesting are: Las Casas Reales, the Center for French Culture, the Dominican Museum, the Museum of Modern Art. The city has a large aquarium and a zoo. nine0005

The largest island in the Dominican Republic, Saona, is located off the southeast coast of Haiti. Its nature is protected by the state. There are no hotels on the island, one side of it is practically uninhabited, and several fishing villages huddle on the other. Tourists come here to relax on the white sand and swim in the amazingly clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Saona’s biggest attraction is the clear, shallow blue lagoon. On the island you can go diving and see starfish underwater. The island is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs that are home to rare species of fish and shellfish. On Saona, numerous caves of the Taino Indians, the indigenous population of the island, have survived to this day. The most famous cave, Kotubanama, was used as a ritual hall and later as a hiding place for pirates. Saona is characterized by mangrove forests. Outwardly, they are no different from an ordinary forest growing in the coastal zone, but the water hides a whole system of intertwining roots that has become home to many small fish and fry. Of the representatives of the animal world, iguanas and turtles live here, many species of birds, occasionally you can see diving dolphins and manatees. Excursion tour to the island lasts up to one day. During this time, tourists are provided with snacks and soft drinks. nine0005

In the Constanta Valley of the Dominican Republic, an agronomic fair takes place every month – the Fresh Market exhibition. Tourists also get the opportunity to visit it. Here you can try organic exotic fruits grown in this region and national dishes, take part in a theatrical show. Those with a sweet tooth should take the so-called “chocolate tour” to a cocoa plantation in the eastern Dominican Republic.

Punta Cana resort is an excellent place for family holidays and recreation for those who want to be alone with themselves and nature. 32 kilometers of endless white beaches will not leave anyone indifferent. The most popular beaches among tourists are: Macau, Arena Gorda, Cortecito, Bavaro. Tourist centers are located here no more than 100 meters from the coast, sometimes separated by mangrove forests. There are three national parks on the territory of the resort. Manati Park is home to tropical birds and reptiles. Here you can visit a museum dedicated to Aboriginal culture, attend a show of dancing horses and watch dolphin swims. In the Marinarium, you can get acquainted with the life of coastal underwater inhabitants, look at electric rays and predatory sharks. The main architectural attraction of the resort is the Ponce de Leon House Museum, built here more than 500 years ago. nine0005

Punta Cana’s most popular tours: Jeep safari, Fun Fun Cave, Manati Park, St. Catolina Island, cockfighting, fishing in the Caribbean, whale watching. Getting here is not difficult. Since 2010, Aeroflot has operated direct regular flights from Moscow to the Punta Cana resort.

Restaurants and local cuisine

Dominican cuisine is a mixture of European, African and local recipes. The main ingredients for cooking are vegetables, beans, bananas, fish and meat. Seafood is not very popular here, despite the island location of the country. Traditional national dishes are: fried pork “puerco en puya”, thick soup “asopao”, meat stew with salad, rice and bandera bananas. The Dominican Republic produces 15 varieties of rum. The most popular are: Barcelo, Bermudez and Brugal. The original local drink is pru, made from the fermented juice of the plant of the same name. For a quick bite in Santo Domingo, you should look into the Chinese restaurant “pica pollos” or any cafeteria where you can have an inexpensive bite of grilled chicken with a side dish of salad and rice and quench your thirst with freshly squeezed fruit juices. In restaurants, it is customary to give tea to waiters. Tipping is approximately 10% of the order value. Hotel maids and luggage porters should also tip $1. nine0005

Shopping

Santo Domingo has large shopping centers with many boutiques where you can buy clothes, shoes, local products at very reasonable prices. In tourist areas, small shops and souvenir shops are open from early morning until 8 pm. Bargaining about the price here is worth it everywhere, except for supermarkets. Crafts made from turquoise, ceramics, wood and bone, rum, coffee, and cigars are brought from the Dominican Republic as souvenirs. The main souvenirs are figurines of parrots, ceramic Lime dolls can be purchased right on the beaches and local markets. The national currency of the Dominican Republic is the peso (DOP). Money can be exchanged at a hotel, airport or commercial bank. In resort areas, the exchange rate is very unfavorable. Credit cards of well-known world payment systems are accepted in all major cities. In private restaurants and hotels, you can pay in dollars, sometimes they give pesos for change. nine0005

Transport

There is a well-developed bus network between major cities and tourist centers of the Dominican Republic. Basically, there are comfortable buses of large carriers Carib Tours and Metro Bus, many buses and small local carriers. True, the comfort of the trip in them leaves much to be desired. It is convenient to move around the cities by gua-gua minibuses, which are an analogue of Russian minibuses, you need to pay for the fare with the driver. You can also use a taxi, it is best to call a car from the hotel. Taxis here do not run according to the meter, the fare is calculated according to a clear fare for travel between certain points in the city. Bargaining with the driver about the price of the trip does not make sense. Taxi drivers in private cars take half the price, you need to negotiate the price of the trip with them in advance. nine0005

Renting a car in the Dominican Republic is not cheap. There are many companies that rent cars according to the standard rules for all countries: the driver must have a credit card, a passport and an international driver’s license, his age must be at least 25 years old. Car insurance is required. Without insurance, you can rent a light motorcycle or moped. When traveling in a rented car, you should be especially careful, local drivers do not follow any traffic rules, and the police do not miss the opportunity to fine a wealthy foreign tourist. nine0005

The climate of the country

The climate of the Dominican Republic is humid subtropical. The intense heat here is almost imperceptible due to the trade winds constantly blowing from the northeast and sea breezes. The hottest month is August. The average daily temperature is +33 degrees in summer and +25 degrees in winter. The rainy season in the Dominican Republic lasts from May to September. This time of year is characterized by heavy, but short-lived showers. In October and December there is also rainy weather. The rest of the year in the Dominican Republic is hot, sunny and dry. nine0005

Safety of tourists

Do not abuse tropical fruits in the first days of your holiday, vegetables should be thoroughly washed with hot water, fruits should be peeled. You can not drink water from the tap in the hotel room, it is better to use boiled or purified water for washing and brushing your teeth. In the Dominican Republic, currency fraud is quite common, so it is better not to change money on the street and in the market.