Dominican Republic

About Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti, and is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for British holidaymakers. Most visitors fly long-haul directly to the east or north coast and spend their time at a beach resort, but the country also has mountains, waterfalls, national parks and a capital packed with history.

The east coast around Punta Cana and Bávaro is the heart of the resort scene, with long stretches of white sand, calm turquoise water and a wide choice of all-inclusive hotels suited to families, couples and groups of friends. Further south, La Romana offers golf courses and access to Saona Island, a classic day trip by catamaran with sandbanks, natural pools and shallow water perfect for swimming.

The north is quieter and greener. Puerto Plata has a cable car up to a mountaintop viewpoint and a cluster of beach towns nearby, while Cabarete is famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing. The lush Samaná Peninsula is known for its secluded bays and, during the winter months, for humpback whales that gather offshore to breed. Inland, the Cordillera Central rises to Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, and the mountain town of Jarabacoa is a base for rafting, hiking and waterfall walks.

Santo Domingo, the capital, is home to the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO-listed historic quarter with some of the oldest European buildings in the Americas, cobbled streets and lively plazas. Wherever you stay, you will hear merengue and bachata, taste local rum and fresh seafood, and find a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Many travellers combine a few days of exploring with a longer stretch of beach time, making it an easy and varied long-haul holiday.