The Dominican Republic is a vacation hotspot in the Caribbean, with something for everyone. The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for tourists worldwide, especially those from the US and Canada, since it’s so close.
This exotic paradise offers beautiful beaches, zip-lining, hiking, diving, kite surfing, and more. Whale watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, and horseback riding are popular tourist activities
. The delicious local cuisine will put a pleasant smile on your face if it’s all about the food for you.
Whether you prefer an Airbnb or an all-inclusive resort, there are fantastic options throughout the country, ideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway or families with children.
Whether you’re researching things to do in the Dominican Republic or simply want to know the best time to visit Punta Cana, this blog post is jam-packed with recommendations to help you plan your trip.
Things To Do in the Dominican Republic
Whale Watching In The Dominican Republic
North Atlantic humpback whales migrate near the Dominican Republic between January and March. The Samana Bay happens to be a whale mating and calving ground. While you’re in the Dominican Republic, you’ll have the opportunity to go on some fantastic whale watching trips and snorkel with them, as wild as that sounds!
Eat Dinner In A Cave
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in the Dominican Republic. In that case, you might consider visiting El Meson De la Cava, a well-known landmark in Santo Domingo. El Meson de la Cava was once a military storage facility. In 1967 the facility was converted into a charming and unusual restaurant. In fact, the restaurant’s slogan, “Uno en un millón,” means One in a million in English.
As for cuisine, you’ll find a fusion of Spanish, Mediterranean, and local dishes on the menu. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, there are options on the menu for you too!
27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
The 27 waterfalls of Damajaqua, also known as Los Charcos, is an amazing experience! You can book a day tour to Los Charcos. Before you go on your trek through the Jungle to Los Charcos, eat up…because you’ll be super active! You can expect to spend your time hiking, climbing, sliding down rocks, jumping off cliffs, swimming, and more through this waterfall wonderland.
The waterfalls are beautiful, with multiple waterfalls cascading from various heights. It’s highly advised that you book an experienced tour guide to capitalize on this amazing experience.
Go Rum Tasting
If you enjoy a bit of rum, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy touring the local rum distilleries. I recommend visiting the Brugal Rum Distillery in Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic’s leading producer of traditional rum since 1888.
You can enjoy a rum tasting session and distillery tour. The tours are an excellent way to learn about the country’s rum manufacturing process and history. Usually, during your time, you’ll have opportunities to purchase limited production rums, which aren’t available anywhere else.
Visit Hoyo Azul In Punta Cana
The Hoyo Azul(Blue Hole in English. Some people also refer to it as the Blue Lagoon) is a stunning natural lagoon with crystal clear turquoise water. Many people refer to this Hoyo Azul as “magical!” Hoyo Azul is a natural sinkhole in the earth called a cenote. The hole sits beneath a 75-meter tall limestone cliff. You can hike around the area, swim in the turquoise waters, or simply relax and enjoy the sight of this natural wonderland!
Explore The Streets Of The Zona Colonial In Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo was the first European colony in the Americas, founded by the Italian explorer Bartolomé Columbus in 1496. in 1990 Santo Domingo was designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.
In Zona Colonial, you’ll stroll down cobblestone streets and past buildings that were built over 500 years ago. Notable landmarks in the area are the Ozama Fortress, Alcázar de Colón, and the Primada Cathedral.
Chill on the beach
You can’t travel to the Dominican Republic and not spend time on the beach! While in the Dominican Republic, you can book activities such as scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, kitesurfing, and catamaran tours. Those are just a few watersport activities in the Dominican Republic.
Cabarete Bay, located on the North of the island, is a popular destination for surfers and divers. You’ll enjoy the coral reef barrier at Cabarete Bay if you plan to scuba dive.
If you prefer an Instagrammable Caribbean beach experience, I’d recommend taking a trip to Playa Frontón Beach in Samana. Playa Frontón is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.
Visit Parque Naccional Los Tres Ojos
Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos(Three Eyes National Park in English) is an ancient cave complex of three interconnected natural lakes with dazzling blue waters near Santo Domingo. You won’t be able to swim here, but you’ll undoubtedly want to take many photos.
If you make the trip to Three Eyes, it’s best to get there early due to the large crowds. Additionally, I’d advise you to wear comfortable shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of climbing.
Visit Dunas de Bani
Dunas de Bani is an area of natural sand dunes located on the island’s southern end. The tallest dunes are 35 meters/115 Feet Tall. You can expect to see lizards, desert goats, herons, and flamingos as you travel through the dunes to the beach. Dunas de Bani is different than anything else you’ll see in the country as if you’re in an Arabian desert.
Visit the stunning Salto de Socoa Stunning Waterfall
Salto de Socoa waterfall is a popular destination for locals about 60 miles north of Santo Domingo. Make sure you bring a swimsuit because you won’t want to miss the opportunity to take a dip in these crystal clear waters. I recommend you bring water shoes to avoid hurting your feet on the rocks here.
Hotels and Lodging in the Dominican Republic
Depending on your budget, there are a variety of options which I’ll discuss below:
Hostels
There are a variety of hostels throughout the Dominican Republic. You can expect to pay between 400 – 900 Dominican Pesos($8 – $20) per night . You’ll find a variety of accommodations ranging from dorm-style hostels to hostels offering private rooms. Most of the hostels have lounge areas, storage lockers, free Wi-Fi, etc.
Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts and Airbnb
You can expect to pay between 2,800 – 7,700 Dominican Pesos($50 – $150) per night for mid-range hotels and resorts. You can also find very nice Airbnb properties in the same price range. I paid $150 per night for a 2-bedroom beachfront villa with a pool in Las Terrenas.
Most hotels and resorts will offer standard amenities such as a gym, restaurant and bar, hot tubs, and beach access (with secluded beaches occasionally) are available.
The cost of an exclusive luxury hotel or resort will range from 8,000 to 20,000 Dominican Pesos($150 – $400+).
Food
Dominican food is inspired by Spanish, Taino, and African cuisines.
La Bandera is the Dominican Republic’s national dish consisting of rice, beef, red beans, and salad. Other popular Dominican dishes include Sancocho (a three-meat stew) and Mofongo (mashed and fried plantains with pork).
On the streets, you’ll find empanadas (baked or fried pastry stuffed with meat, cheese, or veggies) or limonata(like lemonade, but with sparkling water and limes instead of lemons) if you’re thirsty.
The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for tourists worldwide, especially those from the US and Canada, since it’s so close.
