Welcome to Dominican Republic Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury resorts, and a solid tourism infrastructure are what draw many tourists to the Dominican Republic. This is one of the Caribbean’s most geographically diverse countries, with stunning mountain scenery, desert scrublands, evocative colonial architecture […]
Welcome to Dominican Republic
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury resorts, and a solid tourism infrastructure are what draw many tourists to the Dominican Republic. This is one of the Caribbean’s most geographically diverse countries, with stunning mountain scenery, desert scrublands, evocative colonial architecture and beaches galore. The stunning diversity also creates unique opportunities for travelers who want more than a simple beach vacation.
Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial
In this city, where Christopher Columbus first landed in the America’s, you’ll find the hustle and bustle of modern day life being played out against the backdrop of centuries-old buildings. Wandering around the various streets, you’ll see crumbling ruins, like those of Monesterio de San Francisco; beautifully preserved buildings, such as the Catedral Primada de América (First Cathedral in the Americas), which is still in use today; and residential areas, offering a glimpse into local life. Even eating pizza in a restored colonial building on a hot night, or lounging in the courtyard of your 450-year-old hotel can feel like a unique experience in this beautiful city.
The Resort Destination of Punta Cana
Where an endless stretch of beautiful white-sand beach meets the emerald waters of the Caribbean is Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s premiere resort destination. If you are looking for luxury all-inclusive resorts, a couple’s retreat, or family-friendly accommodation combined with an unending list of water-based activities for entertainment, this is the place to come. Bavaro Beach is Punta Cana’s most impressive stretch of beach, where you can wade into the water or walk for hours along the sand.
Puerto Plata & Playa Dorada
Along the north coast, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, the resort destination of Puerto Plata and the beautiful stretch of beach known as Playa Dorada is one of the Dominican Republic’s biggest tourist draws. This golden-sand beach is lined with luxury resorts. This area is also much more subdued and has more of a tranquil feel. The beaches are not busy with boats and water sports, although it’s a beautiful area for swimming or snorkeling. You can walk beyond the resorts to undeveloped beaches backed by palm trees and forest.
Descending the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
A hard won slosh to the far side of the river and then a trek through the forest lead to these falls. Experiencing this spectacular series of 27 cascades involves wading through clear pools, swimming inside narrow, smooth walled canyons, hiking through dripping tropical forest and climbing rocks, ropes and ladders through the roaring falls themselves. The Adeline-pumping fun culminates when you leap and slide down the falls, with some jumps from as high as 10 Mts.
Whale Watching in Samaná Bay
Each winter, from December through March, thousands of humpback whales enter Samaná Bay to mate and give birth, making this one of the best places to see these beautiful giants in the wild. The city of Samaná, on the Samaná Peninsula, is the main departure point for Whale Watching trips.
Cayo Levantado
If your vacation goal is to relax on a beautiful beach on a private island, then look no further than Cayo Levantado. This remote island off the coast of the Samaná Peninsula is surrounded by soft-sand beaches, with shallow turquoise waters. The island’s three beaches, connected by trails, are some of the most beautiful in the Dominican.
San Domingo Nightlife & dancing
Get dressed to the nines, do some limbering up and get your dance moves on. Nightclubs in the seaside resort hotels host some of the best merengue and salsa bands. Downtown has trendy scenery clubs for the fashionable set, while the Zona Colonial is chockablock with drinking holes, from sweaty corner stores and boozy bohemian hangouts to upscale restaurants, hipster-y craft cocktail bars and hideaways with magnificent colonial era courtyards.
Las Terranas Cafe Culture
Mellow out in this cosmopolitan beachfront town where French & Italian accents are as common as Dominican. International camaraderie is contagious when everyday begins & ends with Espresso among baguette totting foreigners at open air cafes and restaurants overlooking the ocean. The relaxed vibe of this former simple fishing village is a marriage between water sports adventurers swapping tips and tales after a tiring day and the more relaxed set, content to admire from afar, while relishing the town’s European flare.
Best Time to visit Dominican Republic :
High Season: The dry season from December – March is generally considered the best time to go if you want perfect weather pretty much guaranteed. You’ll find warm sunshine and little rainfall during this peak time, but the island will be busier and your vacation will inevitably be a little more expensive.
Shoulder Season : The spring is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic. Running through April, May & early June this in-between time offers sunny weather without big crowds of tourists. You may see some rain as it heads towards the wet season, but any showers usually pass quickly and shouldn’t affect your vacation plans.
Low Season : Due to the lower prices and lack of crowds the wet season can also be a good time to visit. You can still enjoy good weather especially in the months of June, July and November which often see lots of sunshine without any storms.
Fast Facts:
Capital : Santo Domingo
Language : English, Spanish & Creole
Currency : Dominican Peso. 1 peso = 100 centavos.