Yo-Ho-Ho and A Bottle of Rum Early Dominican rum was once called kill-devil and demon water for its harsh unrefined taste. Today, those terms are history since island rum has achieved worldwide recognition for its smooth, rich character. In fact, the island is among the most respected rum-producing countries in the world. Not surprisingly, the once maligned demon water has become an island tourist attraction. Across the country, there are endless opportunities to enjoy this distilled spirit made from fermented sugar cane. It’s widely found in resort bars, beachfront shacks, distillery tours, restaurants, rum tours, cigar lounges, cocktail bars and more. W.C. Fields once wrote that “all roads lead to rum.” True or not, at least one of them leads to the DR. Carnival Season The country’s famous annual Carnival is a massive, month-long cultural festival celebrated each February in towns and cities across the island. It features vibrant street parades, elaborate costumes, traditional masks, pulsing music, folkloric dancing and large military shows. Parades and festivities take place every Sunday in February, culminating in a month-end finale in the nation’s capital of Santo Domingo. Overall, Carnival is a happy celebration of the country’s diverse historic mosaic of European, African and indigenous Taino roots. CSANews | FALL 2026 | 21 Travel
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