Dominican Republic Tourism

Enjoy discovering the wonders of the Dominican Republic, the best option for tourism in the Caribbean

Samaná, Dominican Republic
© Turismo RD

Go to the Dominican Republic, the second largest country of those bathed by the Caribbean waters and the preferred tourist destination due to its beauty and uniqueness. Discover the first European settlement in America, an island that Columbus named La Española and which became the richest colony in the world. Enjoy its privileged weather and diverse landscape, which entails tropical jungles, beaches of crystalline waters, high mountain ranges, fertile valleys and stunning mangroves… all of these turning the country into an idyllic vacation destination.

Santo Domingo
© Vinylmeister

Puerto Plata
© Turismo RD

Parque Nacional de Los Haitises
© Turismo RD

Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic
© Turismo RD

Its capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest settlement in the New World. Lively and bustling, this city displays the charm and richness of centuries of history. Take a walk around its colonial neighborhood, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1990, and explore its architectural jewels or take a ride in the picturesque Chu Chu Colonial, the little train that offers guided tours. Admire the centenary buildings, such as the Columbus Fortress (Alcázar de Colón), Santo Domingo’s Cathedral (declared the first cathedral in America in 1546), Mercedes Temple and Ozama Fortress.

Take a break and enjoy the calm atmosphere of Columbus Park, or immerse yourself in the country’s history thanks to the Dominican Man Museum, the National Museum of History and Geography and the Hall of Pre-hispanic Art. Visit Independence Park, with The Count’s Gate, the Altar of the Homeland and La Misericordia Square; all of them are emblematic places and referents of the Dominican independence. Learn about the latest and newest art trends in the Contemporary Pottery Museum, the Bellapart Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum and the Fine Arts Palace.

Come into contact with the natural environment by visiting the Botanic Garden, the Zoo and the amazing Aquarium. Besides, you will be able to enjoy some incredible beaches such as Boca Chica Beach, Caribbean Beach and Guayacanes Beach, which are just a walk away from the capital. Don’t forget to stroll around the Pier, a maritime boulevard 14 km long that has a line of palm trees running parallel to the Caribbean coast.

In addition to the capital, the Dominican Republic offers a great variety of tourist destinations and possibilities to enjoy and admire each one of its regions.

In the North Region, popularly known as El Cibao, you can visit the wonderful city of Puerto Plata, named as such by Columbus in honor to the silverish color the sea has due to the effect of the sun rays. Sail along its beautiful coast in catamaran or a boat with a glass bottom, so that you can admire the marine fauna; you can also contemplate the city in a cable car ride up to the peak of Isabel de Torres mountain. Take a break in the nearest beaches, such as Cofresí, Sosúa or Cabarete, a mecca for adventure sports where you also admire the stunning underground lakes of Cabarete Caves. Visit the Amber Museum or the famous Ron Brugal distillery. Go to the Natural Sanctuary of Banco de Plata, where whales go every year during the cold months; and the Marine Reserve of Manatees. Admire the unspoiled nature of the Nalga Maco National Park, where you will be offered a tour in order to visit the most important waterfalls of 27 Saltos de Damajagua.

In the region of Monte Cristi you will find the National Marine Park of Monte Cristi, to which the islands of Cayo Siete Hermanos belong, and where you will live an unforgettable experience when diving in a protected natural area of great value and beauty.

If you want to stay away from the more touristy and crowded places, you can go to picturesque and secluded locations such as Río San Juan,Nagua, San Ignacio de Sabaneta or Dajabón.

The East Region of the country is linked to a more traditional type of tourism, which means that it has unbeatable tourist services and facilities. Along the coast of Punta Cana and Bávaro Beach, you will find a wide range of all-inclusive hotels which offer every possible amenity to travellers.

In La Romana, which is among the most popular destination in this country, you will find beautiful beaches such as Catalinita, Rincón or Isla Saona Beaches; you will enjoy watching baseball games or golf tournaments, and you can even try your luck in the Dominicus Casino. From this place, you can go on many excursions and enjoy a perfect shopping day: the different products range from the handicrafts of Bayahibe to the exclusive boutiques of Marina Country House. Do not forget to visit Altos del Chavón, which is a replica of an Italian-Spanish village of the XVI century; it was built in 1976 and artists use it as a meeting point where they organized art exhibitions and workshops. You can also visit the East National Park and take a walk along the “Padre Nuestro” Ecological and Archaeological Path (“Our Father”) while admiring its beautiful tropical forest. Enjoy an exciting adventure in the Underwater Museums that are located along the coast, forming an ecotourism and underwater route that starts from the shipwreck of Captain Kidd. Besides, do not miss the great variety of events that are offered in La Romana and which take place throughout the different seasons; you can do a little research so that you won’t miss the dates of the tournaments, concerts and saint patron festivities that will be held during your stay.

Other nearby points of interest are the picturesque villages of Boca de Yuma or San Pedro de Macorís, with its lively Pier full of beach bars.

The town of El Seibo will be of particular interest if you want to practice ecotourism or enjoy mountain sport activities. Visit this area and make a stop in the town of Miches, where you will find an authentic Dominican village far from the tourism influence.

In Hato Mayor you will be able to admire the beauty of the Haitises Natural Park and La Arena, el Ferrocarril and San Gabriel caves, which are decorated with samples of pre-Columbian art. If you go to the area of Sabana del Mar in February or March, you will be amazed by the stunning spectacle unfolding in front of you: the arrival of humpback whales. In Cayo Levantado island you will have the chance to taste the local cuisine surrounded by and idyllic landscape and go hiking or by horse to Salto El Limón, where a 40 meters high waterfall forms a natural pool that is perfect for refreshing.

Visit the South Coast, a destination of unique beauty that goes beyond its paradisiacal beaches of warm and crystalline waters, and enjoy its natural and cultural monuments that will make your travel a once in a lifetime experience.

Palmar de Ocoa, Punta Salinas and Playa Larga (Long Beach) are some of the unique beaches that you will be able to visit in the South Coast and which connect perfectly with cities like San Cristóbal, where you can admire the beautiful historical ruins of Resoli Fort, Boca de Nigua and Diego Caballero sugar mills, as well as cultural landmarks such as the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, the Town Hall and the “Estrada Torres” Historical and Archaeological Museum, which is a perfect example of the cultural heritage of the city.

Besides, you will be able to visit the impressive Azua Region and discover the ruins of Pueblo Viejo, the region of José de Ocoa (where the dunes of Baní won’t leave you indifferent) and the Historical Archive Museum of Baní, the perfect place to learn about the cultural importance of this area.

You should not miss the chance to participate in the South Coast’s traditions, thus you will be able to enjoy its patron saint festivities which, together with the great Carnival, are part of a group of festivals that will make your visit to the Dominican Republic a unique experience.

The Southeast of the Dominican Republic will allow you to discover the “sportier” side of the country, because you will enjoy practicing water sports on its wonderful beaches which, together with the stunning mountains, give the territory an astonishing beauty and display great and rich natural landmarks that you will be able to admire.

Therefore, the southeast region is ideal for ecotourism, since you will have the chance to wander around unique places such as Barahona, a region characterized by its natural beauty and which is home to three national parks and Enriquillo Lake, the biggest lake of the Caribbean.

Likewise, you will find a wide range of samples that illustrate the great cultural importance of regions like Bahoruco, where many artists of various subjects live and where you will experience the local culture in its famous Cachúas de Cabral Carnival. Here, you will witness a unique event in the world because you can visit the Magnetic Pole and admire the mysterious magnetic attraction that different materials have towards this place.

All of the above will be accompanied by an unmatchable cuisine, full of Caribbean scents and flavors among which it stands out the perfect mixture of the Barahonda banana and the fruits given away by the sea and the rivers every day.

However, beyond its incredible beaches, the inland of this country has much to offer too. In the Valleys of Cibao and La Vega, you will enjoy all kind of adventure activities including rafting, tubing and canyoning, and you can even dare to go paragliding or on a trip to Pico Duarte, the highest peak of the country. For laid back people, this is also an outstanding place for hiking and taking horse rides.

Do not forget to visit the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, the second largest one after the capital, and where La Aurora Cigar Factory is a must-see place. In Concepción de la Vega you can enjoy going to its Carnival, the most colorful and lively one of all Dominican Republic. Nevertheless, there are still so many places to discover and admire, such as Jarabacoa or “the city of the eternal spring”; the fertile Constanza Valley; the prosper San Francisco de Macorís; the tropical landscape of Monte Plata and the bustling town of Boano.

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