End of the year in Dominican Republic: Shows, traditions and good gastronomy

November arrives and the festive weather begins to be felt in the Dominican Republic. The number one destination in the Caribbean receives a special movement with numerous shows, ancient rituals and traditions that are revived every year, and the opportunity to enjoy special dishes to celebrate the end of the year festivities. November and December are a particularly good time to visit the Dominican Republic and experience the best that the destination has to offer.

"The last months of the year are also highly recommended to visit our destination as the country undergoes a fascinating transformation. The spirit of celebration and the Dominican culture begin to beat in every corner, anticipating a good closing of the year, "says Magaly Toribio, Marketing Advisor of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic (MITUR). "In unison, the country is prepared to offer multiple meetings full of rhythm, life and flavor, ensuring a beautiful experience no matter the place."

Music occupies a prominent place this season, filling the cultural agenda of shows, concerts and special presentations. In different parts of the country, national and international artists come to delight Dominicans and visitors.

November kicked off with the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival, in Puerto Plata (November 1), and the presentation of Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny in the iconic stage of Altos de Chavón, in La Romana (November 3). The vibrant atmosphere of the capital city of Santo Domingo is enhanced this month with musical shows of the most varied styles: the Puerto Rican soloist Residente (November 10 at Marina de Sansouci) and the Colombian band Bacilos (November 23 at Hard Rock Café de Santo Domingo).

In December, Punta Cana receives the great Dominican artists Juan Luis Guerra and Vicente García, who after exhausting concerts and winning the Grammy Awards, will perform for the first time together at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on December 1st. Also returning is the Electric Paradise music festival on December 22 that includes the most listened and recognized artists on a global level of all genres including Cardi B, Foster the People, J Balvin, Major Lazor, Riccia Oriach as local talent, and plus. Santo Domingo, meanwhile, will vibrate with award-winning Dominican singer-songwriter Romeo Santos, who concludes his "Golden" world tour in the Olympic State on December 15, and Chilean singer Beto Cuevas, who will perform at the La Fiesta Theater, the 4 from December.

Hotels and restaurants in the Dominican Republic offer delicious menus, family toasts, convenient packages and fun parties with dancing included to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve. The activities especially designed for children, such as the gift of Santa Claus, are a great attraction.

Food plays an important role at parties, so it is the ideal time for visitors to try and discover the most emblematic Dominican delights, which fuse influences Hispanic, African, Taino and other cultures. Some recommended dishes are leaf cakes, a mass of cassava or bananas wrapped in banana leaves and stuffed with meat; the quipes, which consist of a kind of fried croquette of wheat mixed with different ingredients such as chicken or beef, and the classic pork roasted in its pulla, and the punch is the classic drink.

Since December, in every corner of the country rituals and traditions are lived in a unique and special way. In the nine days leading up to Christmas, people take to the streets in small processions to participate in the inns, carrying the images of the Virgin Mary and Joseph, who visit the house of a neighbor or relative every day, in search of from an inn to give birth to the Baby Jesus.

The aguinaldos are other well-established customs in the Dominican people. The groups of friends gather and go from house to house singing meringue and Christmas carols to the rhythm of the drum, the güira and the accordion, where they are received by neighbors and friends with drinks and delicious food.