Punta Cana - this is the most popular tourist destination with ocean water like a bathtub, many resorts, and soft white sand

Boca Chica - a smaller beach where locals vacation, is just a short ride from the Santo Domingo airport

Santo Domingo has many beautiful and well preserved historical sights from the time of colonization. Take a trip to the Zona Colonial for a self guided walking tour of the area. I especially like walking through this area at night, as the buildings are all lit up and the locals are out. There are great bars and restaurants with views of immaculate brick buildings. One of my favorite buildings is the Ruins of the St. Bari Hospital. It is on the outskirts of the zone, but worth the walk.

• Don't be afraid of the green bananas! Here they are called guineos (gee-nay-ohs). They are boiled and either eaten plain, or mashed with butter and seasonings. These are traditionally eaten at any meal and are kind of like potatoes.
• La Bandera is a traditional dominican plate consisting of rice, beans (habichuela - ah-beach-whey-la), and meat.
• Speaking of habichuela, beans are also often eaten daily in a variety of forms.
• The tropical fruits on this island are some of my favorites. Guanabana, also called soursop, is an alien-looking fruit that tastes like a banana mixed with a pineapple. Zapote is something that tastes like a papaya (lechoza) and both are great in Dominican milkshakes.

¿Que lo que? - What's up

Vaina - thing, object

Pana - friendo

Colmado - corner store

Chin - a little