Dominican Republic-2025

Visiting My Husband’s Homeland: A Family Trip to Santiago, Dominican Republic

This trip was deeply personal- it wasn’t just about travel but about reconnecting with roots. My husband was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. at eight years old. He and his parents hadn’t been back in over 20 years, so this family trip to Santiago was long overdue.

Arrival in Santiago

Flying into Santiago is different from landing at a major airport like JFK. Instead of air-conditioned jet bridges, we deplaned directly onto the tarmac. Stepping off the plane, I had a Hannah Montana Movie moment- when she steps off the plane and shouts, “Hello, New York!” only to be greeted by a cow. That was me, except my greeting was the warm, humid air and the mosquitos of the Dominican Republic.

We picked up our rental car from Hertz and headed to our hotel, Platino Casino & Hotel in Santiago. Though the trip was about reconnecting with family, the experience was different for everyone. For my in-laws, it was an emotional return to a place that had transformed over the past two decades. What was once farmland had become city, and once-quiet streets were now bustling.

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Exploring Santiago

To kick off our visit, we became tourists in my husband’s hometown.

•  Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración: This landmark, standing tall in the heart of Santiago, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Cordillera Septentrional mountain range. We rode the elevator to the top and admired the scenery, even with the rain clouds adding a moody atmosphere.

•  A Visit to the Cemetery: Next, we visited my father-in-law’s parents’ graves. The cemetery was unlike any I had seen before- concrete mausoleums, above-ground graves, and statues, similar to the cemeteries depicted in the movie Coco. If you’re a visual person. The moment was heavy with emotion, especially for my father-in-law, who hadn’t been back in 20 years. The local street dogs and puppies kept us company, providing unexpected comfort.

•  Santiago Gondola Tramway: Seeing the city from above painted a raw picture of life in the Dominican Republic. From modern buildings to tin-roofed homes and landfill sites, this was the real Santiago - not the resort version many tourists see. We spotted the Ron Bermúdez sign, a Dominican rum brand, and a large cross that reminded me of the many Christ the Redeemer statues worldwide (spoiler: we attempted to visit one here in DR!)

That night, we celebrated my father-in-law’s birthday at his sisters home with a traditional Dominican cake and dinner, wrapping up our first day on the island. YUM!

©️victoriaam

Shopping & Childhood Memories

The next day was for shopping- and for me, that meant hunting for a travel sticker to add to my collection!

•  Calle del Sol: Santiago isn’t a major tourist hub, so souvenir shops were scarce. We found a hidden two-story indoor market, where we picked up postcards and amber rock charms, a local specialty. (Fun fact: Dominican amber is known for its clarity and unique colors!)

•  Visiting My Husband’s Childhood Home: The real highlight of the day was revisiting the house where my husband grew up. We weren’t sure if it would still be standing, given the area’s modernization. But there it was - a beautiful yellow stone house, one of the last original homes on the street. My in-laws couldn’t contain their excitement and knocked on the door. To our surprise, the family they sold the house to 20 years ago still lived there and welcomed us inside. It was a full-circle moment. Before leaving, we took photos by a mango tree that had been planted over 20 years ago, a living testament to the past! With all emotions flying and busy more it was time to eat.

•  Camp David Ranch: To celebrate the emotional day, we drove to Camp David, a mountaintop restaurant with stunning views. Even in the rain, we enjoyed delicious steaks, wine, and the chance to leave our mark -literally. The restaurant sells locks for guests to write their names on and attach to a gate. We wrote “Family Trip 2025” and locked ours in place. With outside seating you can take in the fresh air and surroundings: there is a little photo spot in front of the restaurant that you can stand on 360 view of the island. I’m sure it’s sunny on a sunny day.

After Camp David it was time to hit the road and head back to the hotel. We made multiple stops at Hermanas Noboa for pastelitos, which became our go-to road snack.

©️victoriaam

Altamira & Puerto Plata

The last leg of our trip took us outside Santiago.

•  Altamira: This small town was my father-in-law’s childhood home. Driving through, we saw a street named after his grandfather, a beautiful reminder of their family legacy. (Fun fact: My husband’s name has been passed down for five generations!) the streets were filled with people, art and food! A small town but lively. We saw his childhood home but he didn’t want to knock on someone’s door again. Lol!

•  Puerto Plata: After a scenic drive and pit stop for fruits and coconuts we arrived at Emotions Resort in Puerto Plata, greeted with guava drinks and warm smiles. The hotel was an open-air concept, reminiscent of Hawaiian resorts.

•  Pros: Spacious rooms, adult-only areas, multiple restaurants, pools, and beach access. Oh and a coffee/ ice cream bar!?!?

•  Cons: A leaky toilet and shower that flooded the bathroom. Maintenance requests went ignored, which was frustrating.

We spent most of our time at the beach, soaking in the long-awaited sunshine and enjoying the all-inclusive perks - beach bar food, desserts, coffee drinks, and more. The pros weighed out the cons and honestly there was so much activities and fun on the resort so we weren’t in our room at all.

That night, we caught performances at the ADN Bachata World Festival 2025, where Spain dominated the dance competitions.

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On our final night, we had dinner at Amici, an Italian restaurant on the resort. It was, hands down, the best meal of the entire trip- flavorful, hearty, and the perfect way to end our stay.

Before leaving, we took a corny-but-cute nighttime photoshoot under the stars, savoring the last moments of the trip.

©️victoriaam

Photo-Worthy Stops

Though we didn’t spend much time at these locations, they’re great for Instagram-worthy shots:

•  Puerto Plata Sign

•  Umbrella Street

•  Mount Isabel de Torres (Warning: Don’t drive up- take the tram!)

We attempted to drive up Mount Isabel de Torres, but the steep, winding roads proved dangerous. Halfway up, our car started sliding backward, forcing us to turn around. Lesson learned: next time, we’ll take the cable car or public transport. It was disappointing because it looks beautiful in photos and what a cool side quest, visiting all the Christ statues around the world? Maybe next time.

Final Thoughts

This trip was a mix of nostalgia, discovery, and making new memories. Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy visiting the Dominican Republic, but experiencing it through my husband’s and in-laws’ eyes changed everything.

Despite its economic struggles, the people of the Dominican Republic are some of the happiest I’ve ever met. They find joy in simplicity, in family, and in their culture. That, above all, is what made this trip so special.