Best Man Filming Locations In The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is known for its stunning beaches and luxurious resorts, but it has also been a filming location for many famous films. The country offers a range of landscapes, from lush jungles to pristine beaches, and has a well-developed film infrastructure, attracting filmmakers from around the world.

Locations in Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, served as a filming location for several scenes in the movie "Best Man Final Chapter". The city's beautiful beaches and vibrant culture made it an ideal backdrop for this American comedy-drama miniseries.

One of the beaches in Santo Domingo, known as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, was chosen for filming beach scenes for the series. This beach is located in the heart of the city and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Santo Domingo de Guzmán is also the financial, cultural, political, industrial, and commercial centre of the Dominican Republic, making it a bustling and energetic location for filming.

In addition to the beach scenes, the production team also filmed in various other locations around the city. The historic colonial district, known for its beautiful architecture and vibrant atmosphere, was used as a stand-in for Havana, Cuba, in some scenes. The elegant National Palace, located in the colonial district, added a touch of grandeur and elegance to the filming locations.

Other notable filming spots in Santo Domingo include the bustling Santa Bárbara district and the iconic Santo Domingo Malecón promenade. The production team captured the city's vibrant energy and beautiful landscapes in these locations, showcasing the unique character of Santo Domingo.

The filming of "Best Man Final Chapter" in Santo Domingo highlights the city's cultural and historical richness, making it a desirable destination for filmmakers and tourists alike.

Scenes shot in La Romana

La Romana is a city on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. Its lush landscapes and tropical scenery have made it a popular filming location for movies. Here are some notable films that included scenes shot in La Romana:

Apocalypse Now (1979): Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this film used the Chavón River in La Romana as a backdrop for several key moments, including the famous air raid scene set to Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries." The river's lush surroundings and tropical scenery added to the epic nature of the film.

First Blood (1985): The Chavón River in La Romana also served as a filming location for the first film in the Rambo franchise. The river's extensive reed beds provided the perfect setting for John Rambo's escape by helicopter, portraying his return to Vietnam.

The Feast of the Goat (2005): Based on the novel by Mario Vargas Llosa, this film depicted the end of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. La Romana was one of the chosen locations, along with Santo Domingo and Jarabacoa, to represent the country's exteriors.

The Lost City (2021): An action-comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, this film was shot entirely in the Dominican Republic. La Romana, along with other areas on the northeast coast, served as a backdrop for this adventurous tale.

The Amber Museum in Puerto Plata

The museum boasts an impressive collection of amber pieces, with artefacts and informational plaques providing insight into the history and mining process of this semi-precious gem. The Dominican Republic is known for its valuable amber, which has attracted the attention of filmmakers, most notably in the iconic film "Jurassic Park." The initial scene of the film showcases amber mining in the country, and the museum displays newspaper and magazine clippings of this famous scene.

The Amber Museum has several display rooms showcasing amber's palaeontological significance. The displays include amber with inclusions, such as plants, insects, and small fossilised animals. One of the highlights is a 20-million-year-old gecko that has been perfectly preserved in amber. The museum also offers a glimpse into the past with a display of Jurassic Park memorabilia, including a replica of Dr Richard Attenborough's walking cane, which featured a fossilised rock with a trapped mosquito.

The building itself has an interesting history. Known as Villa Bentz, it was constructed during the economic boom of Puerto Plata in the early 18th century by Emil Bentz, a German immigrant who fell in love with and married a local woman, Maria Hatchmann, in 1865. The couple became successful merchants and built the villa, which was completed in 1919 by Spanish architect Martin Gallart.

The Amber Museum offers guided tours in multiple languages, and visitors can also explore the museum independently. The first floor features a gift shop with amber jewellery and other Dominican handicrafts available for purchase. Whether you're an amber enthusiast or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, a visit to the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata is well worth your time.

Saona Island

The island has two permanent settlements: the town of Mano Juan and the naval base at Catuano. Mano Juan is the only inhabited village on the island, with homes for local fishermen and boutique hotels.

The island has also served as a filming location for movies such as "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "The Blue Lagoon".

While there are no hotels or resorts on Saona Island, it is a great option for a day trip from Punta Cana, offering a unique and relaxing experience in a tropical paradise.

Santiago Airport

The airport was inaugurated on March 18, 2002, with two direct flights to San Juan operated by American Eagle. Santiago Airport has since become a popular gateway to the Dominican Republic for tourists and missionary workers, with new routes to Spain and Colombia. It is also the Dominican Republic's busiest international route, with over 1.051 million passengers every year as of 2023. The airport's primary international operator is JetBlue, which offers up to twenty daily flights.

The airport's infrastructure consists of a main international terminal, a domestic terminal, and a cargo terminal. The international terminal is the most used, with modern facilities that make checking in, boarding, and claiming baggage more efficient. Santiago Airport also has six gates, five of which provide boarding docks. The domestic terminal, or General Aviation Hall, has three stands and is used for charter private flights. The airline Aerolineas Mas was the major domestic airline operating at this airport.

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