Gran Ventana, Dominican Republic<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Gran Ventana is one of the many beach resorts that have been cropping up along the coastline of the Dominican Republic in the last few decades. The powers-that-be realised that their country has all the weather and scenery for good tourism, so they worked to create such resorts to boost their countryâs economy.
Located in the Caribbean, Gran Ventana is under continuous sun all year around and is known for being extremely hot all of the time. The resort village is less than a mile East of Puerto Plata, a major site in that region of the country and is closer to other resorts and beaches.
Summer
If you like warm holidays but donât like to be too hot, youâd best avoid the summer as the only temperatures the summer sees are extremely hot ones. The average maximum temperature is 33°C (91°F), but tourists can expect it to feel much hotter due to the humidity, likely around 100°F. More than half of the day is light and more than a quarter of it is in direct sunlight. This may sound great and, well, it is, although everyone will warn you of the UV levels in the Dominican Republic. With good reason too as the UV index hits the extreme at this time of year, going up to 11. Why does the index go up to 11? Well because itâs one more isnât it.
The sea will be the saving grace for any holiday-goer in Gran Ventana. The Caribbean is still around 28°C (82°F), but itâll help cool you down more than nothing. Youâll be glad to know it rains quite often there too but it doesnât rain for very long at one given time, around 3 inches a month.
A respite from the heat comes at night time when the average temperature recedes to an average 21°C (70°F). Holiday-makers may want to make sure thereâs air conditioning in their hotel.
Winter
The winter has much more enjoyable holiday weather than the summer as tourists wonât always be counting the minutes they spend in the sun. The UV index is still pretty high, ranging from 7-8 (high-very high), but the temperature is lower, with the maximum average being 28°C (82°F) and the minimum being 17°C (63°F). That increased range and a moderate humidity level gives the holiday-makers more time outside and gives them time to get in a full game of golf at Gran Ventanaâs range.
As with most countries, the winter is Gran Ventanaâs rainy season and for around 11 days a month it rains anything from 4-10 inches, so a peek at the forecast before you venture forth from the hotel is a good idea.
People wanting a winter holiday in Gran Ventana should still bring some swimwear as the water temperature is still pretty high, surprisingly. The coldest average it can get is 26°C (79°F) which is brilliant for a swim. It wonât leave you shivering and it wonât scold you either.
There are enough kids clubs that provide them with enough activities to give the parents some time to themselves, should they wish to take a drive in Puerto Plata or further inland to see the scenery.