Things to See & Do in the Dominican Republic
The country is large, and a drive between regions can take a few hours, so the base you choose shapes the week. These are the places I plan around.
Punta Cana and Bávaro
The all-inclusive heartland: long white-sand beaches on the east coast, enormous resort choice and short airport transfers. Cap Cana, just south, is more upscale and gated.
La Romana and Bayahibe
Calmer water, good diving, and the departure point for boat days to Saona Island in Parque Nacional del Este. Altos de Chavón, a re-created Mediterranean-style village above the Chavón River, is nearby.
Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone
Founded in the 1490s, Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, and its Ciudad Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas. About two and a half hours from Punta Cana by road.
The Samaná Peninsula
Green, quieter and less built up, with beaches around Las Terrenas and the El Limón waterfall. In winter, humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay, and regulated whale-watching trips run from Samaná town.
Puerto Plata and Cabarete
The north coast mixes established resorts with a real town to explore. Cabarete, a short drive east, is one of the Caribbean’s best-known kitesurfing spots.
The mountains
Jarabacoa and the central mountains offer cooler air, rivers and waterfalls, and the trailheads for Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean.
Back to the Dominican Republic overview
Let’s plan your Dominican Republic trip
Tell me who is travelling, when, and whether this is a resort week or something with a bit more exploring. I’ll compare resorts and regions honestly and book the flights, stays and transfers.
The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary. The professional research fee is $50 per traveller aged 2 or older, paid before research begins.