Dominican Republic

Overview

What could be better than 60 km of white sand beaches and crystal blue waters? This is Punta Cana, where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea meet. This is also one of the busiest tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic. You’ll find nine different beach areas here with more than 80 beachfront hotels and resorts, including the famous Dreams, Bahia Principe, Iberostar and Hard Rock properties. You’ll also find championship golf courses, luxurious spas, superior restaurants and enough outdoor activities to keep you thoroughly entertained for your whole vacation. Explore the colourful reef, learn to surf, go fishing, take a “flying” boat ride or relax in a hammock. It’s all here.

Just west of Punta Cana is the southern city of La Romana. Here, fields of coffee, sugar cane and cocoa can be seen (and smelled) growing in the distance. On the coastline, the coral reefs are ripe for exploring and the warm waters beckon swimmers, surfers and snorkellers alike. Like Punta Cana, this is a Dominican destination where guests come to relax and get pampered. Spas, golf courses and historical sites can all be found within a short drive of each other. There are also plenty of caves, mangroves and parklands to explore. Before you go, visit the designer shops at Casa de Campo and be sure to take a lesson or two in merengue.

Across the Dominican, along its northern Atlantic coast, you’ll find the beautiful beaches of Puerto Plata – a vacation destination ideal for travellers seeking beautiful waterfront hotels and villas and a vibrant nightlife. Puerto Plata also offers unique attractions, such as Isabel de Torres National Park, Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina and Casino and some of the best seafood restaurants in the country. Of course, Puerto Plata also offers many fantastic scuba diving, windsurfing, and kiteboarding spots. And who could forget the packed nightclubs and bars with dance floors that remain full into the early morning.

But if you prefer to venture off the beaten path, away from the resorts and nightlife of other Dominican destinations, the Samana Province may be just the spot for you. This is the authentic Dominican Republic experience, complete with quiet coves of golden sand beach and a laid-back island lifestyle.

Located at the northeastern edge of the country, Samana is home to the Sierra de Samana mountain rage and hundreds of wide open spaces covered with dense foliage and colourful flowering plants. Small fishing villages dot the coast but much of the interior region is uninhabited. The main towns of Santa Barbara de Samana, Las Terrenas and Sanchez offer guest houses and independent hotels. As for entertainment, Samana offers some of the region’s best whale watching, gorgeous natural waterfalls and plenty of outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkelling and horseback riding.