Must-Visit Destinations in the Dominican Republic

For many travelers, visiting the Dominican Republic means sand, sun and relaxation. And while this welcoming country has all of that, there’s plenty more to see and do. Here’s a list of eight of the must-see places around this friendly and colorful Caribbean nation. 

The bustling capital city of the Dominican Republic is host to 3.5 million people and is considered the oldest city in the Americas. Walk around its UNESCO World Heritage site, Zona Colonial, to experience the culture and architecture here. Or visit the stunning Three Eyes National Park, with its lakes set dramatically amidst a limestone cave.

With a 30-mile coastline of white sand beaches, it’s no wonder that Punta Cana is synonymous with tropical getaways. The area boasts a large, well-connected airport, making travel a breeze. And there are endless lodging options from inexpensive hotels to the most glamorous resort accommodations. Plus, visitors will find a long list of events to introduce them to the local culture.

This resort area is located just to the south of Punta Cana and is considered one of the world’s best areas for fishing and diving. Adventure seekers can also visit here to participate in windsurfing, sailing, and even zip-lining. Or let someone else do the driving, and take a snorkel trip, boat tour, or a balloon tour of the area.

Located along the country’s northeastern coast, Miches is popular for its paragliding and parasailing, but it also boasts plenty of ecotourism. Visitors here can check out Saltos de la Jalda National Park, Round Mountain, and Las Lagunas National Park. Another popular option here is to go whale watching seasonally around Samaná Bay. From January through March, tourists can get up close to humpback whales through a variety of outfitters.

This renowned resort area, at roughly 7,000 acres, it sort of its own city. A popular stop for celebrities from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jordan, the resort is all inclusive and very family friendly. In addition to the pools, spa, and beach, visitors here can take advantage of several golf courses, including Teeth of the Dog, regarded as the best in the Caribbean. 

Up on the country’s northern coast, Puerto Plata (officially named San Felipe de Puerto Plata) is well known for prized golf courses and stunning beaches. But it has more up its proverbial sleeve with the 16th-century Spanish fortress of Fortaleza San Felipe and plenty of history. You can also find plenty of nicely preserved Victorian houses and a museum dedicated to Amber here.

Located about halfway between Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, this beach resort has a gorgeous waterfront, plenty of upscale restaurants, bustling bars, and plenty of arts and crafts to boot. The beaches here are postcard perfect, and you’ll see plenty of surfers plying the waters, along with swimmers. One popular way to get around town here is to rent an ATV, perfect for both the streets and the beach.

Santa Bárbara de Samaná is close to Las Terrenas and is considered a whale watching hub. Visitors here can take whale watching boats out into the water during mating season or visit the Whale Museum in town. Malecón is the name of the city’s bustling waterfront promenade, lined with bars and restaurants. Cayo Levantado, a small island located about a mile offshore, is another popular destination, with lovely white sand beaches.