Waterfalls and rain forests contrast cobblestone roads, colonial buildings and contemporary beachfront hotels in the Dominican Republic. Christopher Columbus’ first settlement of the New World keeps the wonder of exploration alive with thrilling adventures and natural wonders, from cenotes to mating humpback whales and cloud forests. Step to the rhythm as merengue guides you through historic streets into vivacious city centers filled with restaurants, beach resorts and more than 250 miles of stunning beaches.
Courtesy of Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Dominican Republic Beaches: Places to Stay and Things To Do
As the second largest country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic serves a multitude of travelers with options for families, thrill seekers, divers, beach lovers, and so on. It’s the diverse topography that makes this island so unusual. Climb a waterfall, snorkel a coral reef, dive into a cool and crystal-clear cenote, zipline through a rainforest, hike a mountain valley 1,640 feet above sea level, watch sea turtles nesting in offshore cayes, decipher ancient Taino cave paintings, listen to humpback whales mating in the bay, and then sip a piña colada from a beach lounger at your all-inclusive resort–it’s all possible here.
Whether you choose a sleepy fishing town on Samaná Bay, or head into the sprawling resort town of Cap Cana in Punta Cana, you’ll easily understand why the people of the Dominican Republic lovingly call their home Quisqueya, meaning “mother of all lands.” Core values here are family, hospitality and courtesy; the people are inherently happy, and joy is contagious.
Step out into a world of curiosity.