Just the thought of the Caribbean conjures up images of impressive hotels, pristine beaches, characterful towns and a blissfully laid-back lifestyle.
But even in a region so blessed with seemingly ideal holiday destinations, the Dominican Republic stands out for its vibrant towns, beaches with bone-white sands lapped by crystalline waters and a plethora of delightful natural sights.
Add to this a distinctly Latin twist – from the local cuisine to the booming merengue music – and you have a true slice of South America in the Caribbean.
And the Dominican Republic offers far more than just a fly-and-flop holiday. Away from the beaches and paradise-like islands, towns like Punta Cana provide the rowdy parties, while the capital hosts the island’s cultural and historical highlights.
Inland, there’s a plethora of natural landmarks, from national parks to vast lakes, adding to the Dominican Republic’s long list of things that holidaymakers shouldn’t miss. Below, we’ve compiled a selection of some of the best.
Visit the capital
To see Santo Domingo at its most energetic, visit in February for Carnival and the Independence celebrations
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Like many Latin and Caribbean capitals, Santo Domingo is a city whose character has been shaped by strong traditions, years of colonialism and a slew of post-independence development. Its cobblestone streets are brimming with heritage sites, bars and a range of dining options, with modern-day Dominicans enjoying everything from rowdy nightlife – mainly concentrated in the Malecon beachfront area – to baseball matches between the city’stwo main teams.
As one of the first cities in the so-called New World, Santo Domingo has buildings dating back to the era of Columbus’ arrival on the island of Hispaniola. In the Zona Colonial, 15th-century landmarks include the Columbus Alcazar – once home to the explorer’s son, Diego – the Ozama Fortress and Primada Cathedral. Nowadays, the area is a popular spot for a walk in the park, cafe- or bar-hopping and enjoying weekend musical performances in the lively Plaza Espana.
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Go whale watching
The region around Samana is home to some of the best beaches in the country
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Samana Bay, located on the northeastern coast of the country, is an excellent place for whale watching in…
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