Mystery Meat

Who IS that masked man? See more HERE.

Maybe Next Time

All hope for a Caribbean, South or Central American winner of the 2014 FIFA World Cup was not to be. Germany is the world champion team, beating Argentina 1-0 in the final match held today in Brazil.

Latin Muscle God

Marching Pride

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual (GLBT) organizations in the country have invited Dominicans to join them in their 7th Gay Pride March that will take place on Sunday 13 July 2014 from Avenida del Puerto in Santo Domingo starting at 3pm. 

Friends-Always-Friends Volunteer Network (REVASA) coordinator Deivis Ventura said that everyone who believed in democracy, human rights and freedom could come together and celebrate diversity. 

Marianela Carvajal, representing lesbians in the country, said that this year's theme would be "If you love... respect." She went on to say that they wanted to call the authorities' attention to the social exclusion suffered by thousands of GLBT men and women in the country who experience discrimination just because they love someone of the same sex. 

Read more in Spanish: http://hoy.com.do/homosexuales-dominicanos-invitan-a-creyentes-en-democracia-y-derechos-humanos-a-caravana-del-orgullo-gay/ 

Puerto Rico Is Best

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Puerto Rico has been voted the number one US Island in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Award Contest. Puerto Rico tops the list, beating such destinations as Kauai, Hawaii, and Amelia Island, Florida.

"We are delighted that the readers of USA Today ranked Puerto Rico as the premier island in the United States," said Ingrid Rivera Rocafort, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. "With daily flights from a range of US cities, no passport needed, and no customs lines to navigate, Puerto Rico offers US citizens an accessible and affordable five star vacation." 

Just one visit to Puerto Rico reveals why the island came out on top in the 10Best Contest. The ALL-STAR island delivers a unique mix of cultural influences, with a tropical atmosphere of beaches, rainforests and mountains. Whether you're exploring the historic, colonial beauty of Old San Juan, hiking in the stunning El Yunque National Forest – the only tropical rainforest in the US Forest Service – snorkeling in the submarine kingdom of coral reefs, or shopping in the designer boutiques of Condado, Puerto Rico has something for everyone. And getting to Puerto Rico is now easier than ever with no customs inspections, no passport required for US citizens, and direct flights available from more than 15 major continental US airports.

Dos

A pair of any kind is better than one! See more pairs HERE.

The Americas Move On

Costa Rican teammates celebrate after advancing in the Round Of 16. Central and South American teams remain in play for the World Cup. 

Self Satisfaction

Something HUGE

dr1- Movie-going is getting better in the Dominican Republic. Plush theaters combined with easy availability at most shopping centers nationwide are making cinema an increasingly popular activity nationwide. Another advantage is that tickets for the movies in the Dominican Republic are relatively inexpensive. Palacio del Cine Blue Mall has announced that the first IMAX theater in the Dominican Republic will open on 3 July 2014. The IMAX theater will also be attractive to guests staying at the JW Marriott that is scheduled to open at the Blue Mall this September. 
The IMAX movie house will open showing "Transformers 4: Age of Extinction." Blue Mall is located on Av. Gustavo Mejia Ricart at the intersection with Av. Winston Churchill in Santo Domingo. 
Imax promotes itself as "going to the theater to forget you're at the movies" because the complex web of high technology and architecture "grabs your senses." There is no frame, and the picture is bigger, higher and wider than a person's field of view.

Seductive Santo

Santo will seduce you when you visit LatinBoyz.

Boasting Bonaire

Part of the Dutch Caribbean, Bonaire is an English-speaking country and uses the U.S. dollar as its currency.

Bonaire is one of the best diving sites and is at the forefront for eco-tourism. The country is known for cultural events like Bonaire Day, Carnival and the annual Sailing Regatta. There are museums, galleries and the huge Rincon's Market is held every first Saturday of the month.

Try an island bus tour and learn about the history, culture, flora, fauna and more. The island has fabulous hotels/resorts, but maintains the small island feel.

Visit HERE for more information about this Caribbean jewel.

2014 World Cup

The mayhem has begun. There will be many matches, featuring many handsome and rugged hombres to feast your eyes upon.

                                 Hulk is a veteran player of the host country, Brazil.

                                              The Dominican national team.

                                                    Players from Honduras.

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!

Roadside Wares

There are many street vendors in Caribbean cities and towns. They are often sexy young men selling fresh fruit, and perhaps a little bit more...

AA Has Changes

AP- Airline travelers are adjusting to constant turbulence in frequent flyer programs. American Airlines is the latest to tinker with its program.

The changes aren't as dramatic as Delta Air Lines recent switch to basing rewards on money spent, not miles flown, but they are the latest example of airlines giving away less. American has made it tougher, as of June 1st, to redeem miles during busy travel periods, and to check a bag without a fee.

It's basic economics. During the Great Recession, when when airlines were struggling and many planes were half-empty, airlines lavished miles on customers who signed up for credit cards or made other purchases. Now the big airlines routinely fill 80 percent of their seats.

Still they are not reducing the value of their miles as much as United Continental did in November for international trips. The cheapest awards will remain available on more than half of all travel days but not on popular days such as the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

American members can redeem miles for an unrestricted "AAnytime" award at 20,00 miles, 30,000 miles or 50,000 miles each way instead of the old 25,000-mile flat rate. The less-flexible "MileSAAver" awards will continue to start at 12, 500 miles.

Miles requirements will change on many international trips and there will  be no more free checked bags for American Airlines passengers traveling on miles they earned or who paid full price for an economy seat. However, the charge for a second checked bag on trips to South America is being dropped.

UPDATE 11 June 14: United Airlines has announced changes as well and will reward its big-spending customers at the expense of bargain-hunting travelers who rack up miles with long-distance getaways.
While basic United MileagePlus members will earn 5 miles per dollar, awards for top fliers will depend on their status level. 7 miles for "silver", 8 miles for "gold", 9 miles for "platinum", 11 miles for "1K" passengers.