Malecon Chillin'

 

Carnaval 2021 cancelled in SD

 

https://dr1.com/forums/threads/.395801/#post-5571847

The National District city government announced the suspending of the annual carnival parade in 2021. Already, the organizers of the La Vega carnival canceled. The events congregate hundreds of thousands of people.

The city government says that the priority is people’s health. The intense practicing of the dance troupes, the organization and the parades that bring together thousands of people would be putting too many people at risk of catching Covid-19.

Read more in Spanish:
El Dia

 

Hump Day Happiness

 

Thankful for Beauty

 

 

Major Hotel Development Coming!

 

President Luis Abinader attended the start of construction of the first Iberostar hotel built outside of a beach destination in the Dominican Republic. Iberostar, the Spanish hotel chain that has operations in Punta Cana (5), Puerto Plata (1) and Bayahibe (1) beach destinations, announces it will build the Iberostar Heritage Mercedes Hotel in the historic center of Santo Domingo. The hotel will open at the location of the abandoned centuries-old Hotel Las Mercedes on Calle Las Mercedes in the Colonial City

The hotel will be five stories high and have 131 rooms, a spa, a swimming pool and a 700-meter hall for events. The hotel is a US$25 million investment. Iberostar plans to open the hotel in May 2022.

The chain will market the Iberostar Heritage Las Mercedes with its other landmark hotels in historic locations around the world. With the Heritage brand, the Spanish lodging company seeks to introduce its guests to places with art, culture and history.

Read more in Spanish:
DR1 News
El Nacional

Making Waves

 

Artistic in DR

 

As artistic street expressions catches on across the globe the DR is not left out.

 

No Carnaval in 2021

 

As the pandemic continues to effect decisions regarding major events around the globe, the government of La Vega Province has decided to cancel its carnaval for the upcoming season.

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Quincy

 

Time To Get Away

 If you are looking to visit to the D.R. but are hesitant due to the pandemic, don't be. There are many safety procedures in place to keep you healthy and help you relax and enjoy your stay. Now, there is a new incentive.

You may take advantage of a GREAT DEAL that includes the cost of airfare for only $399 dollars. YES, an all-inclusive, 4-night package to La Romana, D.R. good for travel until the end of 2020.

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A Friday Favorite

                     See him in action at Tropical Desires Uncut!

I Can SEA It

 

Travel Updates for D.R.

 Changes are coming as health, technology, science and travel continue to evolve during the pandemic.

Starting at the end of September, all tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be covered with a temporary comprehensive health and travel insurance plan. The medical and trip protection insurance plan for visitors will cover hospitalization for coronavirus in the tourism destinations in the country, extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes.

Only random testing will be carried out at airports. Visitors will not be required to bring test results to travel here. The random rapid breathalyzer testing is set to start at the end of September. Once this measure is in place, the current requirement that travelers come with a negative PCR Covid-19 test or be subject to random antibody blood test at the airports will be eliminated.

Read the full story HERE.

Vacation Planning 101

 Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!

Shutting Down Again

 

The US Virgin Islands is “putting the brakes” on tourism, closing its doors to leisure visitors beginning Aug. 19 for a period of at least one month. 

US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr announced the move, reverting the territory to a “Stay-at-Home” phase of its COVID-19 response for the next two weeks. 

“The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk,” the Governor said. “This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our health care and public safety infrastructure.”

Effective immediately, all hotels, villas, Airbnb accommodations and guest houses, charter vessels and similar businesses have been ordered not to accept or book any new reservations for a month. 

Reservations are only being accepted for business travelers, flight crews, emergency personnel and government workers with written authorization from the government agency they are visiting. 

Beginning Aug. 17 through Aug. 31, all restaurants can only offer takeout, delivery or drive-through, with all bars, nightclubs and cabarets closed. 

Mourning Period is Over

         Check out the new Tropical Desires Uncut

David is Delicious

 

Queer Santo Domingo

There is now a link to a reference to help you with even more info regarding queer life in Santo Domingo. Check it out in the sidebar.

St. Maarten Now Open to Americans

Caribbean Journal-

On Aug. 1 St Maarten officially reopened its borders to travelers from the United States, following a July relaunch to Canadian and European tourists and private aviation. 

It should be noted that only St Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is open to Americans and all other travelers; 

Saint Martin, the French side, has closed its borders to the Dutch side — meaning U.S. visitors are not able to visit the French side of the island right now. 

Most crucially, all travelers to St Maarten must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their travel date to St Maarten. (All visitors also need to fill out a St Maarten entry form that can be found here). 

The results must be uploaded as part of that form no later than 12 hours prior to departure. 

Visitors who do not provide such a result will be tested and then quarantined for 14 days at their own expense. 

St Maarten has launched six “core measures” to help prevent the spread of COVID.

That includes physical distancing with proper floor markings, mandatory face mask usage, social distancing of 2 meters, proper self-sanitization procedure, the appropriate procedure for cleaning surfaces, a stay-at-home when sick policy, and digital menus and messages, the Ministry of Tourism said. 

St Maarten is requiring all visitors to travel with their masks, hand sanitizers and to wear their mask on their flights and at the airport. 

The destination is also “strongly advising” travelers to purchase all-risk travel insurance “ensuring that they are covered in the event they fall ill while on vacation.”

A Video Tour of Beautiful DR

Smoking Hot Cam Guy

Barbados Makes Work Easy!

Are you one of millions that are working remotely, whether due to the recent pandemic or not? Are you looking for a change of scenery? Why not consider the island nation of Barbados? They have a new type of Visa that will allow you to work in their country for up to one year. Imagine, all the comforts of a tropical vacation while you work from your island villa or condo!

Andy is a Cutie

                          See more of Andy at LatinBoyz.

Curfews Are Back in Santo Domingo

President Danilo Medina issued Decree 266-20, establishing differentiated curfews nationwide. The curfew measures follow the enacting of a new National State of Emergency starting 20 July for 45 days as per Decree 265-20 issued also on Monday, 20 July.

The government explained that the curfews respond to the differences among the National District and provinces regarding the spread of the disease and the rate of test-positivity. The government says this requires differentiated actions to achieve greater effectiveness in implementing public policies to combat Covid-19.

The most extended curfew will be from 5pm to 5am Monday through Friday and from 5pm to 5am on Saturdays and Sundays. It will be in effect in the National District and Santo Domingo province (Greater Santo Domingo). Greater Santo Domingo has more than 50% of the cases nationwide. It will also go in effect for 15 other provinces.

These curfews will go into effect as of 21 July for a 20-day period. The Presidency says that if the epidemiological stats evolve will determine whether these are extended.

The Presidency reminds all that face masks are mandatory in public places and recommends the use even in private places as an essential measure to control the spread of the disease.

Hump Day

Happy Hump Day from Steph in the Bahamas!

12 Caribbean Islands That are Open

This LINK presents the Caribbean destinations that are open for tourists at this time. The first, Anguilla, has only had under a hand full of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began. The final four are restricting American tourists from entering their borders at this time.

If you are looking to get away before the real probability of most countries shutting down again then this information will be helpful to you as you prepare to vacation in the new normal. There is also a mention of additional documentation or requirements you may need.

Among the list are Anguilla, St. Barts, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Aruba, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, The Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Bonaire and Curacao.

Dive Into Jamaica

One of the major attractions in Jamaica, aside from Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, is the cliff-diving experience at Rick's Café in Negril. You should also consider a bungalow at Rock House Hotel Cottages.

A Few Reasons to return to the DR

It's For Real

    It's No Myth from Jamaica! One of our favorite models from                                                Rudejam.com

                               See more of him at Tropical Desires Uncut

Happy PRIDE Week

Vacation Planning 101

Be sure to visit the Travel Info Page for helpful tips when planning your vacation to the Dominican Republic. Support the links for great deals and great experiences!