Semana Santa (Holy Week)

During Semana Santa, expect the Dominican Republic to feel very different from normal:

• Businesses close — Most shops, restaurants, and services shut down from Thursday through Sunday
• Packed beaches — Every beach in the country reaches maximum capacity
• Traffic jams — Major highways become congested as families travel to their destinations
• Religious processions — Solemn parades through town centers, especially in the Colonial Zone
• Traditional food — Habichuelas con dulce (sweet bean dessert) is the essential Semana Santa dish
• No loud music — By tradition (and sometimes by law), colmados and bars reduce or eliminate music on Good Friday