Dance to the (merengue) music!

Victor Contreras and some of his coworkers are happy to teach tourists some fancy footwork that has a distinctive Dominican twist to it. Contreras is one of those who works in the activities department at the Coral Costa Caribe Resort & Spa in oceanside Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, and among available activities for guests are morning merengue lessons.

Merengue dancing and music may be the ultimate expressions of Dominican culture, with Contreras saying the “great majority” of his compatriots can dance it. “Come and join” the classes, says the affable and enthusiastic Contreras, who adds that those who have never tried dancing merengue before can learn to dance it reasonably well after a couple of days of instruction. Even one brief class will enable resort guests to learn some steps, Contreras adds.

Fellow Coral Costa Caribe Resort & Spa employee Francisco Gonzalez says Dominicans love to dance not only merengue but other forms of Latin dancing, including bachata — which is also Dominican — and salsa.

Meanwhile, Contreras notes that those staying at the Coral Costa Caribe Resort & Spa will find many other available activities for guests, including Spanish lessons for those wanting to improve their linguistic skills while in the Spanish-speaking country.

The Coral Costa Caribe Resort & Spa has a choice of restaurants and bars, including a swim-up pool bar.

Water sports are available for guests, as are such land-based activities as tennis.

The all-inclusive resort has a Kids Club, and visitors will also find nighttime entertainment.

The property notes that it’s less than an hour from Santo Domingo, which has an old quarter that has received UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Golf is available in the area as well.

Santo Domingo is linked to both Montreal and Toronto by Santo Domingo-based Arajet.