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Dominican Republic✨ 10 best things to do in Dominican Republic

Things to do in Dominican Republic

1. Stroll the Colonial ZoneWalk the oldest streets in the Americas, past the first cathedral and the Alcázar de Colón.
2. Watch humpback whalesJoin a boat trip in Samaná Bay in winter to see whales breaching and singing.
3. Relax on Punta Cana's beachesLaze on soft white sand fringed by coconut palms along the island's eastern tip.
4. Climb the 27 waterfallsScramble, swim and jump down a series of natural rock pools at Damajagua near Puerto Plata.
5. Dance merengue and bachataTake a dance class or join locals in a colmado or club on a weekend night.
6. Hike Pico DuarteTrek to the highest summit in the Caribbean through pine forests in the Cordillera Central.
7. Visit Isla SaonaTake a catamaran to a postcard island of turquoise water and natural pools.
8. Kitesurf in CabareteCatch the steady trade winds on the north coast, one of the Caribbean's best kitesurfing spots.
9. Catch a baseball gameJoin the noisy, joyful crowds during the winter professional league season.
10. Cool off in JarabacoaGo river rafting, canyoning or waterfall hiking in the country's mountain heartland.

Dominican Republic🗺️ Where to visit in Dominican Republic

Where to go in Dominican Republic

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  Santo DomingoCapital · colonial historyA busy capital with the UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, museums and a lively waterfront Malecón.
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  Punta CanaEast coast · beachesThe country's main beach destination, with long sandy shores and calm, clear water.
• 
  Samaná PeninsulaNortheast · whales & beachesLush hills, wild beaches like Playa Rincón and seasonal whale watching.
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  Puerto PlataNorth coast · history & adventureA cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres, Victorian houses and the nearby 27 waterfalls.
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  JarabacoaCordillera Central · mountainsCool air, rivers and pine forests make it the country's adventure-sports base.
• 
  CabareteNorth coast · watersportsA laid-back town known for kitesurfing, windsurfing and beach bars.
• 📍
  Isla SaonaSoutheast · islandA protected island with palm-lined beaches and shallow sandbars.
• 📍
  Bahía de las ÁguilasSouthwest · remote beachA pristine, undeveloped beach in Jaragua National Park, worth the long journey.

Dominican Republic🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Dominican Republic

Best time to visit Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is tropical and warm all year, with highs around 29-32°C on the coast. The mountains of the Cordillera Central are noticeably cooler, and the north coast gets more winter rain than the south.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Santo Domingo (approximate averages).

Dominican Republic🎉 Festivals & events in Dominican Republic

• February
  CarnivalWeekend parades all month across the country, with the famous devil-masked 'diablos cojuelos', peaking around Independence Day on 27 February.
• Summer (dates vary)
  Merengue FestivalSanto Domingo celebrates its national dance with concerts and dancing along the waterfront.
• June
  Puerto Plata Cultural FestivalMusic, dance and crafts celebrate the north coast's Afro-Caribbean heritage.
• March–April
  Semana SantaHoly Week brings religious processions and crowded beaches as Dominicans take holidays.

Dominican Republic🧭 Dominican Republic itinerary ideas

How many days in Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic🎒 Backpacking Dominican Republic – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $40–70 a day

• Use guaguas (shared minibuses) for cheap local travel and comfortable intercity coach companies for longer journeys.
• Stay outside the all-inclusive zones: Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, Cabarete, Las Terrenas and Jarabacoa have hostels and guesthouses.
• Eat 'la bandera' – rice, beans and meat – at local comedores for a filling and inexpensive lunch.
• Motoconchos (motorbike taxis) are cheap for short hops, but agree the fare first and ask for a helmet.
• Learn some Spanish, as English is less common outside tourist areas and even a few phrases go a long way.

Dominican Republic🛡️ Safety & money in Dominican Republic

Emergency: 911 police, fire & ambulance

Dominican Republic🛬 Getting to Dominican Republic

Punta Cana International Airport is one of the busiest in the Caribbean, alongside Las Américas near Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Santiago. There is a land border with Haiti, and cruise ships call at several ports.

✈️ Cheap flights to Dominican Republic: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Dominican Republic💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Dominican Republic

• Santo Domingo is home to the first cathedral built in the Americas.
• The Dominican Republic has produced more Major League Baseball players than any country outside the United States.
• Pico Duarte is the highest mountain in the Caribbean.
• Lago Enriquillo is a salt lake below sea level and home to American crocodiles.
• Merengue and bachata, both now danced worldwide, were born in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic❓ Dominican Republic travel FAQ

Dominican Republic travel questions