Easter holidays in the Dominican Republic: from April 14 to 20, 2019

Holy Week is very felt throughout the country. In the whole week we can see all the streets of the city full of party, where the Dominican citizens gather to eat and drink together.

The Tradition of Easter

In the Dominican Republic and some Caribbean countries, the tradition of Holy Week, is carried in its various manifestations and expressions of its culture as part of the historical syncretism that has inherited the new world product of the meeting of cultures. Despite the party associated with Carnival, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are usually the solemn occasions in the Dominican Republic.

Christianity and especially Catholicism is the dominant religion throughout the Caribbean. As time passes, the religious and cultural expressions for this time have been disappearing, and those that do keep the tradition with greater emphasis are the families of middle – low class, especially very marked in the fields and towns of the country. However, the passage of Holy Week can also be a warm and welcoming experience for visitors as local traditions give a unique tropical twist in the religious and secular celebrations of the party.

Celebration and Processions

The celebration of Holy Week in the Dominican Republic has processions that take place on Holy Thursday and Good Friday: the most popular is the huge procession that begins at the 16th century Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, in Santo Domingo after Mass in the morning and the characteristic parades, their costumes and figures that represent Jesus.

Major week

It should be noted that the Major Week, according to the Catholic calendar is changing date. For many it becomes a week of rest and an obligatory reason to visit their relatives or friends; Whether in the countryside or in the city, for others it is more like a week of fun, trips to the beach, rivers, spas and outdoor sports.

One of the customs of these celebrations on the island is the Gastronomy of Holy Week that usually includes foods allowed in the Catholic religion during these dates. They emphasize traditional recipes like: the beans with sweet, the prepared fish of different ways, the moro of pigeon peas, beans with sweet, chacá, (plate with corn and typical in the Southwest region), jelly of sweet potato … among others .

Activities

* If for you Holy Week is a time to enjoy and relax, we propose:

1. A getaway to paradise: either by booking an excursion to Saona Island, in catamaran from bayahibe, to visit its dreamy virgin beaches surrounded by transparent waters and palm trees; or a tour to Catalina Island (visiting also Altos de Chavón in Casa de Campo, one of the best spots in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean for snorkeling and diving, as well as being an island that is also very beautiful and perfect for relaxing.

2. If you like the city: you can visit Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and culture, since it was the place of the first European settlement in America, with an invaluable historical value and number of artistic events and cultural events such as the first cathedral and the first castle in America; both located in the Colonial City, an area declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city, especially its Historical Center receives approximately one million international visitors each year.

Do you already have plans for Easter? Are you coming to the Dominican Republic? We are waiting for you with open arms and a smile