Dominican Republic Up Close
8 Instagram Accounts that Will Make You Want to Visit the DR
Hats for sale on a Dominican beach
Photo: Hutch Photography / Shutterstock.com
Are you a first-timer to the DR or a lifelong fan? Wherever you are on your journey, you may be wondering where to start – or what you haven’t discovered yet! These eight Instagram accounts are a solid starting point in planning a fun itinerary, or spicing up a short trip with something completely new.
01. Everyday Dominican Republic (@everyday.dr)
A great introduction to the Dominican Republic, Everyday Dominican Republic consists entirely of photos shot by locals of and visitors to the Dominican Republic. The account opens several little windows on daily life on the island; from frio frio vendors in Santiago to fishermen at Punta Torrecilla, the photos reveal pieces of Dominican life that exists beyond white sand beaches and busy metropolises.
02. Eladio Fernandez (@eladiofoto)
Nature lovers will find a haven of wonder and discovery on Eladio’s Instagram page. Through his profile, the wildlife landscape of the Dominican Republic comes to life. Creatures of the everyday and the every-so-often jump off the screen, as do the Dominican birdlife, fascinating landscapes and details of natural phenomena. His page is also a great launching pad for any nature-based adventures and must-see places for the regular traveler as well!
03. Hillary (@hillajugola)
Through Hillary’s stylist eyes, the Dominican Republic is presented to us through a soft, nostalgic lens. She explores subjects like Black people of the Caribbean, street culture and style, and the re-discovery of cultural heritage all across the island. It’s a modern, refreshing take that shifts the island’s presentation from bold and lively to tender and layered.
04. Carla Faxas Santana (@carlafaxass)
Carla’s photography allows us to see Dominican people — and Dominican women in particular — in a new way. Her lens awards them softness, tenderness, and a kind of natural ease that mainstream media refuses to concede. Young girls and older women are portrayed in nature, in their homes, and in their cities. Through her words, Carla explores topics of social relevance like the importance of civic duties, the fears surrounding childbearing, as well as Carla’s own daily reflections.
05. Ryan Bowen (@ryanbowenphoto)
Ryan’s Instagram page is a portal into the personal lives of people in the Dominican Republic. The juxtaposition of landscape and everyday life photography with intimate portraiture is the closest capture we have of what it’s like to live in the Dominican Republic and make real, true friends along the way. A jack of all trades, Ryan also runs Atlas Travelers with his girlfriend Jenny Checo; the sustainable tourism agency is a popular way for Haitians to explore the Dominican Republic and for Dominicans to explore Haiti.
06. Miosotis Batista (@mioexplorando)
Miosotis’ heart and soul are in sustainable ecotourism. Through her insta account, she takes her followers through the natural wonders of the Dominican Republic: from cascading waterfalls to impressive mountaintop views and sustainable strawberry farms. Miosotis promotes green tourism in the Dominican Republic, and her account is a great way to see it up-close.
07. José Miguel Pérez Paulino (@jmpprd)
Before your first (or next!) flight to the Dominican Republic, feast your eyes on José Miguel’s Instagram page. Here, drone photography of the Dominican Republic’s vistas is the pieza de Resistencia. From Santiago to Boca Chica to Nagua, José Miguel’s eye captures the sprawling countryside roads, the impressive waterfronts, and the city landscapes that make the Dominican Republic one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.
08. Jean Sano Santana (@jeansans_)
LGBTIQ activist Jean Sano shares glimpses of his bold and beautiful life in the Dominican Republic, as well as his connection with Haiti. His posts raise awareness about issues facing the Dominican Republic’s LGBTIQ community, all the while illustrating how fighting for equality can be part of someone’s everyday life. Through Artibonito, Jean leads cultural immersion experiences in Haiti, doing his part in bridging the gap between the two islands.
Written by Kelly Paulemon.
Published February 2021
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