Dominican Republic
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Claudicet Pena is a mami and creative writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. She loves to romanticize her life by exploring new destinations and hidden gems. Claudicet devotes her time to her daughter. Together they cultivate a lifestyle of art and culture. They love exploring the city of Boston and traveling abroad. Claudicet’s favorite destination and home away from home is the Dominican Republic. Claudicet is dedicating her time to experimenting with new art techniques and discovering remarkable spots.
Why We Love the Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic is globally recognized as a prime Caribbean getaway. After living in the Dominican Republic for nearly two years, I can testify to its slogan “The Dominican Republic has it all.” It is renowned for its white sand beaches and lavish all-inclusive resorts. However, its lively culture, rich history, and diverse landscapes keep visitors coming back for more. Open your eyes to everything the Dominican Republic has to offer!
Best of the Dominican Republic
🏙️ Destinations
The Dominican Republic is geographically diverse with breathtaking beaches to lush mountain peaks! Each area brims with culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are my favorite places:
- Santo Domingo – This magnetic city is the capital of the Dominican Republic. It oozes Dominican history and culture.
- Punta Cana – This tourist-favorite area is the all-inclusive resort capital of the country. It’s globally recognized as the place to stay in the Caribbean.
- La Romana – This area is the DR’s most coveted luxury beach destination. It is known for its upscale golf course.
- Santiago – The second-largest city in the country. It is loved by families for its laid-back city life.
- Jarabacoa – Located in the central mountain range of La Vega. Locals and adventure seekers love its natural beauty and tranquility.
- Puerto Plata – Beach lovers can enjoy outdoor adventure and watersports in this city at the base of the Cordillera Septentrional Mountains.
- Cabrera – This coastal town offers local charm, natural beauty, tranquility, and Dominican hospitality.
- Samana – This destination is a favorite among locals. It’s praised for its natural beauty and eco-tourism.
✨ Things to Do
The Dominican Republic shines in resort life, beaches, mountains, history, culture, and cuisine! The country has so much to offer no matter the interest of the traveler.
- Experience Casa de Campo’s Golf Course – Get a hole-in-one by the sea at the world-renowned golf courses of Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.
- Eat and Drink – You can’t visit without trying the cuisine! Indulge in tropical fruit, fried plantain, and fish on the beach.
- Go Beach Hopping – No matter where you lay your beach towel, you are bound to find natural beauty and adventure.
- Visit La Zona Colonial – Walk down cobblestone streets in Santo Domingo’s historic zone. You will be transported back to the 1500s.
- Go Whale Watching in Samana – Humpback whales travel to the warm waters of Samana to give birth to their calves.
- Ride on Puerto Plata’s Teleférico – Hop on the Teleferico cable cars to get a bird’s eye view of the coastline, sea, mountains, beaches, and villages.
- Visit the Three Eyes National Park – Explore the Taino’s underground caves and blue lagoons.
🗺️ Where to Stay
There are many diverse destinations all over the Dominican Republic and each has its own flavor. Explore the areas that are hot spots for beaches, mountains, history, and resort life.
- Santo Domingo – The capital is a great choice for first-time visitors. It is a lively city with a rich history, cultural institutions, and more.
- Punta Cana – A popular vacation spot for tourists in the Caribbean. It is known for its resort life and outdoor adventure.
- La Romana – This luxurious beach destination is ideal for events and special occasions.
- Santiago – This laid-back city is rich in Dominican history, culture, and arts.
- Jarabacoa – Locals and adventure seekers escape to the cooler temps of the mountains in Jarabacoa.
- Puerto Plata – This area is for beach lovers who enjoy watersports. There is no shortage of surfing, kitesurfing, and more.
- Samana – This dreamy beach town is a great location for nature lovers. It is safe and easy to get around.
👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay in the Dominican Republic.
🛎️ Best Hotels & Resorts
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The Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of accommodations for every type of traveler. From luxurious all-inclusive resorts to charming boutique hotels, there is a hotel for every budget and taste.
- InterContinental Real Santo Domingo – A luxury hotel known for its superb service. It is perfect for first-timers staying in Santo Domingo.
- Casa de Campo Resort and Villas – An upscale and luxurious resort in La Romana known as a complete golf resort.
- Tortuga Bay Hotel at Punta Cana – A famous luxury resort in Punta Cana only half a mile from Playa Blanca.
- Mosquito Beach Hotel– A boho-chic hotel situated on a beach paradise. It is located in Las Terrenas.
- Casa Colonial Beach and Spa – This is a popular hotel to stay in Puerto Plata. It is only a few steps away from the beach.
⛱️ Best Beaches
Beach seekers flock to the Dominican Republic to relax, lounge, and play. No matter which direction you head, you are bound to run into pristine waters.
- Playa Blanca – This is the most popular beach in Punta Cana known for its white sands.
- Playa Boca Chica – This beach is only about a 40-minute drive from Santo Domingo. It has the prettiest shallow waters.
- Playa Bonita – This beach oasis in Samana is dotted with boho-chic bars and restaurants.
- Playa Dorada – This relaxing beach in Puerto Plata is known for its golden sands.
🌄 Best Mountains
The Dominican Republic has many mountains with peaks and valleys that separate them. Experience unforgettable fun in the mountains while taking in majestic views.
- Mount Isabel de Torres – Take a cable car to the top of this mountain in Puerto Plata for stunning views of the city and a botanical garden.
- El Morro – Hike up to the summit of El Morro mountain for beautiful views of the vast blue Atlantic Ocean.
- Montana Redonda – Sit on the swing at the top of Montana Redonda for spectacular panoramic views.
- Pico Duarte – This is the tallest mountain in the DR. It provides a diverse landscape and unique hiking.
🪨 Best Caves
Caving in the Dominican Republic is a thrilling experience. There’s a cave full of wonders to suit everyone’s age and physical abilities.
- Cueva de las Maravillas – This cave is near La Romana and displays hundreds of pictographs from the country’s first inhabitants.
- Las Cuevas de Cabarete – A great day trip from Puerto Plata. Experience the network of caves by hiking or swimming in its pools.
- Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos – The largest caverns in the DR, linked together by lagoons. Located just outside of Santo Domingo.
- Cenotes of Bayahibe – These wonders in Bayahibe can be explored by snorkeling its translucent waters.
🛶 Best Rivers
There are a variety of rivers in the Dominican Republic. Locals and tourists alike head to the refreshing rivers for their unique landscapes, ecosystems, and outdoor activities.
- Rio Yaque del Norte – The longest river in the DR, known for its freshwater, scenic beauty, and outdoor activities.
- Rio de Chavon – This winding river in La Romana is flanked by cliffs and lush landscapes. Take in the views from the Altos de Chavon village.
- Rio Cano Frio – This popular river in Samana is a natural swimming pool. Locals and visitors love to cool off here.
- Rio Sonador – This river in Puerto Plata is home to freshwater pools, exotic birds, and dazzling flowers.
- Rio Damajagua – A popular attraction in Puerto Plata. It’s easily accessible and best known for its waterfalls.
🐬 Family Fun
The Dominican Republic offers a variety of family activities for all ages. Dabble in everything the country has to offer and make unforgettable memories together.
- Parque Zoologico Nacional – This family-friendly zoo is located in Santo Domingo. Learn about the local wildlife and other exotic animals.
- Jardin Botanico Nacional – This botanical garden is in the heart of Santo Domingo. It covers 400 acres of flowers and plants.
- Aqua Nick Water Park – This Nickelodeon-themed water park is located in Punta Cana and offers exhilarating adventures.
- Fresas Ariyama – Go strawberry picking in Constanza. The unique climate of this area allows agricultural fields to thrive.
🖼️ Best Museums
The Dominican Republic has opportunities for museum buffs to take in its history and culture. There are museums for history, chocolate, precious stones, art, family life, and more.
- Museo del Ambar – This museum in Puerto Plata houses the country’s stunning amber stones. Some even contain animal fossils!
- Alcazar de Colon – This impressive piece of architecture was once home to the son of Christopher Columbus. It’s now a museum in La Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo.
- Museo Nacional de Historia Natural – This cultural institution in Santo Domingo showcases natural history artifacts and thousands of specimens.
- Khakao ChocoMuseo – This Santo Domingo museum is all about cacao. See the cacao circle of life, taste different chocolates, and make your own chocolate bars!
Dominican Republic Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with warm weather year-round. Average temperatures range from 77℉ in winter to 88℉ in summer.
- ☀️ November to April – Dry season in the Dominican Republic as there is little rainfall. Weather conditions are consistent and pleasant. This season is ideal for outdoor fun and beach vacations.
- ☔ May to October – Rainy season in the Dominican Republic as there is more humidity and frequent rainfall. Weather conditions tend to be unpredictable. Some days there is prolonged rain, some days there are short afternoon showers, and other days are dry.
- ⛈️ June to November – Hurricane season in the Dominican Republic. The country is vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean.
🚌 Getting Around
There are many ways to get around and get between major destinations. However, the best form of transportation depends on which area you are staying in.
- ✈️ Airport – Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP), Cibao International Airport (STI), La Romana International Airport (LRM)
- 🚗 Driving – A car rental is a comfortable and convenient way to move around and explore the country.
- 📲 RideShare – Uber and Lyft are not available in all parts of the country. You can hop in a RideShare in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, and Santiago.
- 🚇 Public Transit – The Metro Santo Domingo is the subway that locals use to commute to work.
- 🚌 Public Bus – This is a great way to explore the country and travel between cities.
- 🛵 Moto’ Taxis – A fun way to get around cities. Motorbikes are a popular way for locals to get around as it is cheap and fast.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Walking is not very common. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t opt to get around on foot. Walking in parts of Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Santiago, and Samana are safe.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🇪🇸 Practice Spanish – Spanish is the national language spoken in the Dominican Republic. English is more common in touristy areas, but don’t expect it everywhere.
- ℹ️ Tourist Card – Visitors traveling into the Dominican Republic need a tourist card. This is usually included in your airline ticket and is valid for up to a 30-day stay.
- 🚨 Safety – Always exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking. Do not leave your items unattended as there could be potential petty theft. I recommend you arrange transportation booked by your hotel or book an Uber where available.
- 🍴 Try the cuisine – Try the cuisine in the Dominican Republic. Indulge in the region’s tropical fruit, fried plantain, and fresh fish by the beach.
- 🚱 Do not drink tap water – Do not consume tap water in the Dominican Republic. Drink bottled water only. Most hotels provide bottled water in your room each day.
- 🤌 Have patience – Island life is slower-paced. There is no rush, and service tends to be much slower. Remind yourself to go with the flow.
🧳 What to Pack
- 🌊 Beach wear – There are no shortages of pristine beaches in the Dominican Republic. Pack your bathing suits, cover ups, shorts, tanks, airy dresses, and quick drying clothes for water sports.
- 👟 Comfortable shoes – Pack a variety of comfortable shoes. Think sandals for the beach, walking shoes for exploring, and training shoes for hiking.
- 🩳 Comfortable clothes for heat – The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate. Pack outfits that blend fashion and functionality.
- 💧 Water bottle – It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day. The Dominican Republic has year-round warm weather.
- ☀️ ️ Sunblock – Pack sunscreen with an SPF of 50. Hats will also protect your face from the sun.
- ☂️ Umbrella – Pack a compact umbrella. It is common to see small showers in the afternoon, especially during the rainy season.
- 🎒 Beach bag – Pack a comfortable backpack or tote bag to hold everything you need for the beach.
- 🦟 Bug repellent – Pack insect repellent for pesky mosquito bites.
- 👗 A sharp outfit – Dominicans take pride in dressing nicely. Pack a casual and elegant outfit for restaurants and events.
👉 See the full Dominican Republic packing list.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2024) – 11.43 million
- Time Zone – Atlantic Standard Time (UTC-4 Year Round)
- Area Codes – 809, 829, 849
- Airports – Las Americas International Airport (SDQ), Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP), Cibao International Airport (STI), La Romana International Airport (LRM)
- Nickname – The D.R.
- Demonynm – Dominican
- Capital – Santo Domingo
💵 Costs & Budgeting
The currency in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Pesos (DOP). Taxis, public transport, and remote areas with local markets and restaurants all accept cash only (in pesos). Some establishments might accept foreign currency, however, they may not give you change in the same currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, major establishments, and main tourist areas.
FAQs
What is the safest area in the Dominican Republic?
Punta Cana and Samana are safe areas to stay in the Dominican Republic. These destinations offer a sense of security to explore outside of hotels and resorts.
Is three days enough in the Dominican Republic?
Three days can be enough to visit the Dominican Republic, but you will need to make those limited days specific to one region or one activity. Head to Punta Cana, Bavaro, or Puerto Plata if you are looking to unwind, swim, and engage in water sports. Travel to Santo Domingo if you are more interested in culture and history.
What is the best area to stay in the Dominican Republic?
Punta Cana and Santo Domingo are great areas to stay in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana offers the best in resort life. While Santo Domingo offers a complete cultural immersion.
Meet Our Dominican Republic Travel Expert
Claudicet Pena
Claudicet Pena is a mami and creative writer based in Boston, Massachusetts. She loves to romanticize her life by exploring new destinations and hidden gems. Claudicet devotes her time to her daughter. Together they cultivate a lifestyle of art and culture. They love exploring the city of Boston and traveling abroad. Claudicet’s favorite destination and home away from home is the Dominican Republic. Claudicet is dedicating her time to experimenting with new art techniques and discovering remarkable spots.
📰 Dominican Republic Travel Guides
Check out our other guides to Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and the Dominican Republic. These guides will prove helpful when planning your next visit.
- 44 Things to Do in Santo Domingo
- Where to Stay in Santo Domingo (Best Places & Areas)
- Where to Stay in the Dominican Republic (Best Places & Areas)
- Where to Stay in Punta Cana (A Guide to the Best Places & Areas)
- Dominican Republic Packing List (31 Items You Shouldn’t Forget)