Best Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic: you’ve in all probability heard of it, possibly heard of the baseball gamers it has given Main League Baseball. Perhaps even been there already, however it doesn’t matter what you recognize (or don’t), the Dominican Republic is a spot with somebody for everybody from solo vacationers to these with households. So whether or not you’re on the lookout for a soothing seashore, an evening out within the metropolis or kite boarding in probably the greatest locations on Earth, there are numerous unbelievable locations to go to within the Dominican Republic.

Earlier than we delve into what you are able to do within the Dominican Republic, you first must know when is the most effective time to go to. The Dominican Republic is a tropical island, situated simply south of the Tropic of Most cancers. This implies the summers may be heat and brutally humid, whereas the winters dip all the way down to the right, low-humidity temperatures for having fun with the whole lot it has to supply.

See additionally: Tips for Travel to the Dominican Republic

When to go to the Dominican Republic

Summers (verano e infierno – summer season and hell) within the Dominican Republic aren’t as heat as you would possibly anticipate, with averages reaching round 80-85˚ F (27-29˚ C), however the humidity can attain as a lot as 90-100% making being outdoor tough at instances. Nevertheless, you need to notice that the majority locations to remain will provide air-con. As a nation within the Caribbean, the DR can be underneath Hurricane Watch from June-November and whereas it has been spared from giant hurricanes lately, it’s one thing to keep in mind in your journey planning. All of that mentioned, the months of March – October are the off-season within the Dominican. Nevertheless, costs of lodging and aircraft tickets drop off and it’s nonetheless an exquisite time to be within the nation!

Winters within the Dominican run from roughly November by means of March when humidity reaches far more manageable ranges, whereas temperatures stay within the low to mid 80’s. That is the perfect time to go to the Dominican, although be warned, it’s additionally “excessive” season when costs for lodging, aircraft tickets and the whole lot else peak. But, you’ll nonetheless be capable of discover nice offers on locations to see and issues to do through the Dominican winter.

Getting across the Dominican Republic

Getting across the Dominican Republic is finest finished by automotive. All the main automotive rental corporations are current within the DR and driving there, whereas intense, can typically be finished with ease. While you’re driving within the Dominican, particularly in cities, you’ll want to concentrate to motos (folks on motorbikes) as they will take over the roadways, particularly exterior Santo Domingo. You may also should have a eager eye out for potholes. Go away a significant roadway and potholes might find yourself being the bane of your journey. There are pace limits, that are principally obeyed by different drivers as are cease lights and indicators. In the event you’re snug driving usually, you’ll be a lot snug right here. 

Greatest locations to go to within the Dominican Republic

Though there are numerous extra locations to go to within the Dominican Republic, a few of that are extra “off the crushed path”, we’re focusing right here on a number of the locations within the Dominican Republic which may be higher identified, or simpler to entry due to having worldwide airports, and providing you with some choices of issues to do exterior of the standard seashore trip most individuals have a tendency to consider the Dominican Republic for. 

Let’s begin with Santo Domingo, the primary metropolis of the Americas, for these of you who assume you may’t see something “previous” on this facet of the world.

1. Santo Domingo

Attending to Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is barely second to Punta Cana in airline site visitors. Relying on the place you might be, it could be kind of simple to discover a direct, reasonably priced flight, however it’s definitely not unimaginable. The airport code for Santo Domingo is SDQ. 

Flights to Santo Domingo usually come from the next locations: 

From North America

Most of the largest cities on the East Coast of the US, resembling New York, Boston, Altanta, and Washington, D.C. provide nonstop flights to Santo Domingo. To get to Santo Domingo from the West Coast, you’ll need a layover someplace within the East to hop down. The three largest US-based airways (Delta, American, United) all provide nonstop flights to Santo Domingo from the East Coast, along with a number of the main lower-cost airways (Spirit, JetBlue). 

You too can fly nonstop to Santo Domingo from Toronto, Canada, and Mexico Metropolis, by means of their flagship airways.

From Central and South America

There are every day nonstop flights from Bogota, Colombia, and Panama Metropolis, Panama. Panama can be a terrific layover choice in case you’re flying from the West Coast, because it’s solely a two hour flight to Santo Domingo from there. 

From Western Europe

You may fly nonstop to Santo Domingo from Madrid, Paris, and Frankfurt. From Europe, nevertheless, you could have a a lot higher provide of flights in case you fly to Punta Cana as an alternative, which is a two and a half drive to Santo Domingo.  

You too can go to Santo Domingo as a part of a Caribbean cruise itinerary. Main cruise traces resembling Carnival, Ponant, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Seaborn are stopping on the Santo Domingo Port in a few of their itineraries, which permits you, most often, at the least sufficient time to go to the Colonial Metropolis. As the primary metropolis within the Americas, the Colonial Metropolis is the crown jewel of Santo Domingo. In the event you solely do one factor within the metropolis, do that.

The Spotlight of Santo Domingo: the Zona Colonial

Based in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus (Christopher Columbus’ brother), Santo Domingo was the founding capital of the Spanish Empire within the Americas. As such, it boasts a lot of “the firsts” of its variety when it comes to authorities buildings and infrastructure, together with the primary fort, the primary courthouse, the primary hospital, and the primary cathedral. The entire Colonial Metropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. 

Simply walkable regardless of the cobblestone streets, the Zona Colonial options remarkably preserved examples of Gothic and Renaissance structure, most notably current within the Catedral Primada de America. 

Begin your journey on the Colonial Zone at Plaza España, an open sq. dealing with the port, which supplies you entry to landmarks such because the Alcazar de Colon (the Palace of Diego Columbus), and the Calle Las Damas, the place many of those “first of the Americas” buildings are. Give your self at the least a morning to discover and revel in one of many a number of cafes or eating places unfold throughout the totally different streets of the Zone.

A Seasonal Spotlight: Winter Baseball

Whereas many, if not most, folks don’t go to the Dominican Republic to observe baseball, it is without doubt one of the most enjoyable actions you are able to do whereas visiting. Baseball is the nation’s nationwide sport, one thing evident by the big variety of Dominican gamers that find yourself taking part in professionally. Operating from late October to mid-January, the video games are held in venues across the nation. Tickets are extraordinarily reasonably priced and also you’ll have the prospect to see some huge names from the MLB come down and play winter baseball in addition to glimpse future up and coming stars. In contrast to video games within the US, baseball video games listed below are a bit wild with an enormous array of drinks and cheerleaders. That’s proper, cheerleaders! All in all, Dominican video games are a spotlight when visiting the nation and in case you get the chance, it’s one you need to take. Weekday video games are normally within the night and weekend video games begin within the late afternoon. 

2. Punta Cana

In case you are acquainted with the Dominican Republic, or have been earlier than, likelihood is you visited Punta Cana or that got here up as an choice in your trip. And whereas Punta Cana is the prime vacation spot for resort holidays within the Dominican Republic, there’s extra to it.

Attending to Punta Cana

Punta Cana is definitely the Dominican’s high vacation spot. With the island’s busiest airport (and 2nd busiest in all the Caribbean), getting there may be not tough. Punta Cana has year-round flights from everywhere within the Western Hemisphere; you would possibly need to arrive from both jap North America, South America, or Europe. With a brand new freeway constructed, Punta Cana can be solely a brief 2.5 hour drive from the capital – Santo Domingo must you select to hire a automotive.

What to do in Punta Cana

Punta Cana is the Dominican’s high vacation spot, boasting most of the finest actions and lodging on all the island and presumably in all the Caribbean. Punta Cana boasts all-inclusive resorts in addition to themed resorts, such because the Nickelodeon Resort, the place the whole lot, from the rooms to the eating places and rides, is themed after a few of Nickelodeon’s hottest reveals. You may even keep in a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed pineapple suite, which is a townhouse formed like a pineapple on the surface. Or the Hard Rock Hotel, which hosts a number of the high concert events and reveals within the nation, together with world-famous Cirque du Soleil lately. 

Punta Cana additionally boasts pristine, intensive seashores for each seashore style. Listed below are some examples: 

• Macao Seashore is the popular vacation spot for these on the lookout for journey in Punta Cana, with its buggy rides and surf-friendly waves. 

• Juanillo Seashore in Cap Cana, a postcard-perfect seashore of white sand sprinkled with palm timber, is ideal for swimming and water sports activities like kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), in addition to lounging underneath excellent blue, breezy skies. 

• Cabeza de Toro is a seashore space northeast of Punta Cana the place you may exit fishing and snorkeling. This space of the nation typically sees aggressive fishing tournaments, so fishing is a number of the finest you are able to do. You may e-book a fishing, snorkeling, or crusing tour by means of most resorts. 

Final however not least, the Ojos Indigenas Reserve in Punta Cana is a welcome respite from the beach-heavy atmosphere Punta Cana can carry throughout at instances. The Ojos Indigenas Reserve consists of 12 freshwater lagoons in 1500 acres of land. The reserve consists of species endemic to the Dominican Republic and intends to protect the pure habitat of the world because it was skilled by the Taino folks, the indigenous inhabitants of the island. 

3. Dominican Republic’s North Coast

Subsequent, let’s discuss concerning the authentic vacationer vacation spot of the Dominican Republic: the North Coast. The north coast is house to most of the hottest locations to go to within the Dominican Republic.

Attending to the Dominican Republic’s north coast

The North Coast of the Dominican Republic presents an exquisite reprieve from the resorts of Punta Cana and the enterprise of Santo Domingo.  Getting there may be as simple as flying into Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperón Airport with various seasonal flights from the jap US, Europe and Canada in addition to a number of yr spherical flights from the US East Coast and Canada. Puerto Plata is a couple of 10 minute drive from the airport, whereas Cabarete is a couple of 20 minute drive.

Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is the Dominican Republic’s largest metropolis within the north, with a inhabitants of round 330,000. Based in 1502, Puerto Plata presents a complete host of websites to see and do. You may go to Fort San Felipe (accomplished in 1577) as the primary colonial remnant on the North Coast of the DR.

You too can take a cable automotive up Mount Pico Isabel de Torres to see a smaller Christ the Redeemer Statue than Rio, however a taller mountain and soak up resplendent views of the town and ocean. In case you are there on the finish of February to early March, you may as well take pleasure in Carnivál in Puerto Plata when Dominicans exit and have a good time with masks, parades, and far more.

High attraction in Dominican Republic’s north coast: The 27 Waterfalls

One of many fundamental sights within the space, nevertheless, are the Damajagua Falls or 27 Waterfalls (Veintisiete Charcos), however take note you’ll have to be 12 or older. If visiting within the winter when water ranges are increased, you may go to this glorious pure marvel and revel in a really expertise. You’ll have a guided tour and two choices to make your manner up. You hike (faster and simpler) or swim and climb up by means of deep, beautiful caverns. You may go as much as the primary stage (7 waterfalls), 2nd stage (12 waterfalls) or the third and most tough stage, all 27 waterfalls, however be warned it’s a tough swim up. Upon reaching your vacation spot, you’ll be capable of leap and slide your manner again down with falls touchdown from 5 ft as much as round 15-20 foot jumps. In the event you’re keen and in a position, the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua may be one of many highlights of your journey!

When planning, you’ll discover a host of lodging for everybody from boutique resorts to all-inclusive resorts. Choices throughout the metropolis can be found for these on the lookout for a extra low-key, genuine Dominican keep, however all-inclusive resorts across the metropolis and surrounding space. In the event you’re unfamiliar, all-inclusives cost by individual (not room) and embrace room, meals, and drink. We advocate doing all of your analysis as a number of the all-inclusive have seen higher days.

4. Cabarete

A brief drive from Puerto Plata and about 20 minutes from the airport, yow will discover your self in Cabarete, a thriving seashore city the place many younger folks and snow-birds alike find yourself. Cabarete is without doubt one of the high kiteboarding places on the planet and simply west of the city (1-2 miles) you’ll discover a whole lot of surfers within the winter months.

Cabarete has many nice meals choices together with a complete slew of great seashore bars. There are fewer resorts out there right here, however loads of wonderful choices on the town and subsequent to the seashore. Many locations out there to remain have full kitchens out there as nicely and the grocery retailer is stocked nicely sufficient to fulfill all vacationers. Cabarete can be one in every of, if not the, finest spot on the island to seek out giant sweets for boogie boarding and browsing. Like in every single place else within the Dominican Republic, Cabarete has one thing for everybody: seashores, out of doors actions, and nice foods and drinks. 

5. Samaná Peninsula

Persevering with on the Atlantic coast, Samana is a particular change of tempo from what we see within the largest resort locations within the Dominican Republic.

Attending to Samaná Peninsula

Whereas probably the most stunning elements of the Dominican Republic, it will also be one of many tougher to reach at Samaná does have an airport with a number of yr spherical flights (all from Canada – Toronto & Montreal and Europe – Madrid) with seasonal flights from these similar locations, however Miami within the US. As such, many vacationers hire a automotive and drive. From Santo Domingo it’s a 2.5 hour drive on simple going roads. There are a number of tolls alongside the way in which, however the different route isn’t value avoiding these prices because the roads are far worse and it takes far longer. 

Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas is one the primary locations you’ll need to go to on the Samaná Peninsula. With a inhabitants hovering round 15,000, it has turn out to be a go-to spot for expats, particularly from France, on the lookout for a extra relaxed life-style. Regardless of its measurement, nevertheless, Las Terrenas has a lot to supply for everybody! Like many locations to go to within the Dominican Republic, Las Terrenas is surrounded by stunning seashores. In the event you’re staying within the metropolis, the seashores are only a quick stroll away. Playa Las Terrenas and Punta Pops are proper there and supply loads of shade with crystal clear blue waters. In contrast to different locations within the Dominican Republic, the seashores listed below are going to be far much less crowded as Las Terrenas offers a quieter time (although nonetheless with a terrific nightlife, extra on that later!).

In the event you’re staying exterior the town, the seashores aren’t almost as huge, however are much more peaceable with loads of locations to calm down and benefit from the heat waters, whether or not its Playa Carolina Portillo to the east or Playa Bonita to the west. Playa Cosón, a brief drive additional east from Playa Bonita, presents vast swaths of beautiful golden sand seashores, with towering palms. It is usually as remoted a seashore as chances are you’ll ever discover. 

Whereas Las Terrenas isn’t as full of life as say Cabarete or Punta Cana, it nonetheless presents an thrilling nightlife. A row of eating places and bars alongside the waterfront in downtown Las Terrenas presents a slew of locations to go for households and singles alike. As with the seashores, simply exterior the town to the East and West, many small bars and eating places additionally exist, many as a part of resorts for these on the lookout for a quieter night time out.

Remaining ideas

That is, not at all, an exhaustive journey information on the Dominican Republic. Hopefully, it provides you some concepts in your subsequent trip. Due to its pure magnificence and wealthy historical past, the Dominican Republic is a major Caribbean vacation spot for all vacationers. Able to go?