We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Guest Post by Chris of Punta Cana Travel Blog
Many people know the Dominican Republic only as a destination for all-inclusive holidays, but there is so much more to explore. Endless pristine beaches, amazing waterfalls, undiscovered areas – there are so many hidden gems in the Dominican Republic that it would be a shame to just stay in your resort. To be better prepared for your holiday in the Dominican Republic – it doesn’t matter if you’re planning an extensive road trip in the Dominican Republic or a lazy beach holiday in Punta Cana – this Dominican Republic Travel Guide sums up all the information you need to know before traveling to the most affordable holiday destination in the Caribbean.
Travel Guide for the Dominican Republic
Why visit the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is not without a reason the most popular country in the Caribbean. Endless beaches (and – what many people don’t know – most of them completely pristine), wild jungle, amazing waterfalls, super welcoming people and very reasonable prices are just some of the reasons why you should put the Dominican Republic on your bucket list for your next trip.
Furthermore, it offers something for everyone. Adventurers can head on an amazing road trip itinerary in the Dominican Republic and experience world-class outdoor activities, families find some of the best family resorts of the Caribbean in Punta Cana and those preferring the slower and more sustainable tourism but don’t want to forego beautiful beaches, will feel like in heaven when visiting smaller beach towns such as Las Terrenas, Las Galeras or Cabarete.
What’s unique about the Dominican Republic?
To show you that these words at the beginning of this Dominican Republic Travel Guide are not only a better version of the typical marketing speech, here are a few reasons that really set the Dominican Republic apart from other countries in the Caribbean or elsewhere in the world:
- the Dominican Republic is home to the highest mountain in the Caribbean (Pico Duarte, approx. 10000 feet high, which can be summited in a 3-day hike)
- it is the most affordable country in the entire Caribbean
- the Dominican Republic has the best flight connections in the entire Caribbean
- most of the natural attractions in the Dominican Republic can be visited free of charge (beaches, waterfalls, lookout points, hiking trails)
- the entrance fee to most national parks is very low (usually 5 USD maximum)
- Punta Cana offers the biggest choice of all-inclusive resorts in the entire Caribbean, among them many top-class luxury hotels
- outside of Punta Cana, you often have all the natural wonders and things to see in the Dominican Republic on your own, as tourism is not as developed in the rest of the country
- the combination of the warm hospitality of the Dominicans and the omnipresent rhythms of popular Bachata, Salsa and Merengue results in a wonderful combination you will love every day
How to get to the Dominican Republic?
Thanks to excellent flight connections, it is pretty easy to travel to the Dominican Republic. The country officially has eight international airports, even though only 2 or 3 of them will be important for you:
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ):
The busiest airport in the Dominican Republic with direct flights from more than 35 (!) cities in the US and Canada. It is the perfect airport if you’re planning an all-inclusive vacation and want to relax in one of the many resorts in Punta Cana.
Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ):
The second busiest airport with many connections from Europe, North America and South America. This is the best airport if you are planning a road trip in the Dominican Republic, want to visit the Colonial Zone of the city or prefer a beach holiday in Samaná.
Cibao International Airport in Santiago (STI):
Located close to the north coast of the Dominican Republic, with excellent flight connections to New York (more than 10 non-stop flights daily (!) ), but besides this, the airport only has a limited offer
The other international airports La Romana (LRM), Puerto Plata (POP), Samaná (AZS) and Santo Domingo-La Isabella (JBQ) feature only very limited flights. The airport of Barahona (BRX) is even completely closed.
Is a visa required for the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is easy to visit for most nationalities. More than 100 countries can enter visa-free. The only thing you need – which is super important, as the airline won’t let you board otherwise – is the Dominican Republic E-Ticket. This is kind of a travel authorization, replacing the typical paper forms distributed on the plane before. The E-Ticket is free and should be filled out approx. 1-2 weeks before your trip. You will receive the confirmation – a QR code – immediately. Make sure to either print the QR code or save it on your phone.
Accommodations in the Dominican Republic
Hardly any country in the Caribbean can offer so many different accommodation options like the Dominican Republic. Let’s have a look at some of the best and most unique options you can find.
Resorts
When thinking of the Dominican Republic, most people immediately think of a resort holiday in Punta Cana. Indeed, 95% of all visitors are staying in a resort, which doesn’t surprise considering the incredible array of amenities you can enjoy there: multiple pools, daily entertainment, sports activities, bottomless drinks 24/7, buffets, à-la-carte restaurants, modern rooms and direct beach access. What more do you want?
The following three resorts in Punta Cana are definitely worth having a closer look at:
– Hyatt Ziva/Zilara: considered to be the best resort in Punta Cana, Hyatt Ziva (for families) and Hyatt Zilara (for adults) are offering a top-notch resort experience in the luxurious community of Cap Cana
– Lopesan Costa Bavaro: one of the best resorts if you’re looking for a little bit of everything without breaking the bank. The Lopesan Costa Bavaro resort is family and adults-friendly and features a marvelous beach and super modern rooms.
– Hard Rock Punta Cana: if you’re looking for constant entertainment (yet not massive parties) and/or would like to play golf on a world-class golf course, this resort with an impressive room count of 1800 is a great choice
Beach hotels
If you don’t like the resort vibe and prefer a calm and laid-back beach holiday in a B&B hotel, here are some recommendations:
- Las Terrenas, for example Hotel Playa Colibri or Alisei Hotel
- Cabarete, for example, Hotel Villa Taina or Velero Beach Resort
- Las Galeras, for example, 21 Palms or Todo Blanco Hotel
Eco-Lodges
As mentioned, the Dominican Republic is also a perfect country when you want to explore the countryside and the many hidden gems, either on a road trip or with your private driver. There are some amazing accommodations out there where you can completely connect with nature and get a first glimpse of the diversity of this country. There is only space for a few of them here in this Dominican Republic Travel Guide, but if you’re into these kinds of stays, make sure to check out the following eco-lodges in the Dominican Republic.
El Valle Lodge (El Valle):
El Valle is a remote location with a wild yet fascinating beach, which only received its first tourists a few years ago. El Valle Lodge is the most comfortable option among the few lodges in this amazing nature destination.
Paraiso Cano Hondo (Los Haitises National Park):
If you’re looking for a unique eco-lodge not too far from Punta Cana, this is your place to go. With its unique design, its natural swimming pools, the location right next to several waterfalls and amidst the stunning vegetation of Los Haitises, this is a top choice among the unique accommodation in the Dominican Republic.
Villa Pajon Eco-Lodge (Valle Nuevo National Park):
Getting here is already an adventure, but staying here is even more. Being the highest accommodation in the Caribbean at an altitude of approx. 8000 feet, you will love those rustic cabins which are equipped with fireplaces and terraces with marvelous mountain views.
Regions and places to visit
When exploring and traveling the Dominican Republic, the country can be roughly grouped into eight regions.
Punta Cana:
As already explained above here in this Dominican Republic Travel Guide, Punta Cana is mainly known for its fabulous all-inclusive holiday and its resort tourism.
East of the Dominican Republic:
The east is a mostly flat area between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo with just a few hand-selected attractions, such as Los Haitises National Park, Bayahibe and popular Isla Saona, an island resembling the perfect paradise.
Santo Domingo:
This is the most important historical area in the entire Caribbean and the melting pot of all the different cultures and vibes the Dominican Republic has to offer. Particularly the Colonial Zone is a must-see attraction in the Dominican Republic for all kinds of reasons: for culture, for history, for nightlife, for people-watching and everything else you can imagine.
The Southwest:
The Southwest is the most undeveloped area in the country and perfect for those looking for an adventurous vacation in the Dominican Republic. Particularly the area between Barahona and Pedernales is full of natural attractions (Laguna Oviedo, Sierra de Bahoruco), amazing views (panoramic road from Barahona to Oviedo) and unique experiences (Cueva de la Virgen, various cenotes) and is also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Bahia de las Aguilas.
The Cordillera Central:
The Central Mountain Area of the country marks an ideal stop on the way from either Santo Domingo or the Southwest to the northern areas of the country. Jarabacoa and Constanza are the two major tourist destinations here – but still very low-key with only very few selected hotels.
The Northwest:
The Northwest is usually off the beaten path for most travelers and less interesting than the Southwest, but with 2-3 amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic, among them unique Cayo Arena (a sandbar in the ocean with the best snorkeling in the country) or the iconic El Morro (mountain and scenic ocean bay).
The North Coast:
The North Coast is perfect for road trips along the coast, as there are a nearly endless array of beaches and beach towns. Cabarete is famous for its surfing conditions and the Cordillera Septentrional, the
North Coast Mountain Range, offers some of the most turquoise rivers, endless outdoor activities and some incredible waterfalls.
Samaná:
The best destination for an easy-going beach holiday combined with some family-friendly activities. Furthermore, you have amazing and absolutely pristine beaches here to discover (among them Playa Jackson, Playa Lanza del Norte, Playa Las Canas, Playa Ermitaño), which are some of the best in the Dominican Republic. Las Terrenas and Las Galeras are the top beach towns here and absolutely recommendable, also for a 1-week or 2-week holiday in the Dominican Republic.
Most unique attractions and experiences in the Dominican Republic
You can already see from the diversity of the available regions and their attractions that the Dominican Republic offers an extremely wide array of highlights and things to see. Therefore, it is also difficult to pick some particular places to visit for your Dominican Republic trip, but we’ll try. 😉
Here is a selection of must-see experiences and things to see in the Dominican Republic for different types of travelers.
Beach lovers and experiences for a relaxing holiday
Isla Saona (East of the Dominican Republic):
Saona Island approx. 2 hours away from Punta Cana (1 hour by bus + 1 hour by boat) is the most popular place to visit in the Dominican Republic – and not without a reason. The scenery here is incredibly gorgeous and the turquoise and shallow water adds to this perfect experience. Most people book their excursion from Punta Cana to Saona, but you can visit the island on your own as well if you like it the adventurous way.
Playa Esmeralda (East of the Dominican Republic):
If staying in Punta Cana it is hard to find a pristine beach section, but just less than an hour away you can find world-class pristine beaches which you will have absolutely on your own. Playa Esmeralda is the most beautiful among them, but Playa La Vacama or Playa Limón are other possible options.
Montaña Redonda (East of the Dominican Republic):
Montaña Redonda which translates to “round mountain”, is an easy-going family excursion to a place not far away from Punta Cana’s hustle and bustle, which is still not overly touristy. This unique lookout point features not only a stunning panorama but also giant swings for unique photo opportunities.
Virgin beaches of Samaná (Samaná):
If you’re staying in Samaná you shouldn’t miss one of those virgin beaches up there. It is hard to imagine that you can have 1 or 2 miles of beach completely on your own. Playa Lanza del Norte and Playa Las Canas are some of the best examples and if you want to get a bit more active, a hike to Playa Ermitaño is another highly recommended option.
Getting to know the country (culture, history and way of living)
Colonial Zone (Santo Domingo):
As already mentioned above, the Colonial Zone is a must-do when it comes to places to visit in the Dominican Republic. Rich in culture and history, you can not only explore during the day some unique treasures of the past, but the evening and night are also highly recommended, as the Dominicans love to stroll through the historic alleyways and visit the several small bars and restaurants here.
Road-Trip through the country:
In general, the best way to get to know the Dominican Republic in an authentic and immersive way is a road trip through the country. You will see the daily life on nearly every corner and pretty fast will take over the rhythm of the Dominicans: loud and bustling, but always with a lot of love and music.
Samaná:
If there is just one region you want to pick for your visit in the Dominican Republic while avoiding the typical resort tourism, Samaná is your place to go. Samaná feels like a world on its own. The cute fishing villages, endless beaches and easy vibes will definitely enchant you.
Dominican Republic for the outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers
Salto de la Jalda (East of the Dominican Republic):
The highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic is an absolute hidden gem in the Dominican Republic, hardly anyone is going there – probably because the hike is too long. With around 5 miles one-way it is one of the longer hiking adventures in the Dominican Republic, but absolutely worth it. You can combine this with a resort holiday in Punta Cana as well.
La Rejolla (North Coast):
For an easier but not less fascinating hike, check out La Rejolla. This is a series of 4 waterfalls and each one of them is a natural beauty on its own. While the first waterfall is pretty easy to reach (approx. 1 hour from the trailhead in Camu), the other ones are trickier. Make sure to go with a guide.
Magic Mushroom (North Coast):
The best canyoning experience in the Caribbean and a must-do activity in the Dominican Republic for adventurers. This waterfall is only accessible by canyoning and therefore exclusive to those people who are brave enough to participate in this extreme tour. Cabarete is the best point to base yourself on this trip.
Canyon de Arroyo Frio (North Coast):
Another unique hiking adventure in the Dominican Republic, as this tour leads you through a canyon with more than 50 cascades, waterfalls and natural swimming pools. Most of the time you’re swimming or floating through the river, but there are some hiking parts as well. Going with a guide is mandatory.
7 Beaches Hike (Samaná):
If you like outdoor adventures with less water (at least less water underneath your feet), you can check out the 7 beaches hike in Samaná, a wonderful experience along the coastline of Samaná with many beautiful views and little secret hidden beaches. You can start in Las Galeras and end your tour at Playa Rincón.
Possible Dominican Republic Itineraries
To finish this Dominican Republic Travel Guide, let’s have a look at some possible itineraries for the country. As you can find a lot of information about the best experiences and places to visit in the Dominican Republic above, this part will only focus on some general ideas to show you which regions and experiences are easy to combine.
Four possible Dominican Republic itineraries are:
Dominican Republic Itinerary for a relaxing holiday in Punta Cana:
- fly to Punta Cana
- book a resort for the number of nights you’d like to stay
- book excursions to Saona Island, Montaña Redonda and optionally to Los Haitises National Park
- alternatively rent a car and explore the east of the Dominican Republic on your own
- fly back from Punta Cana
Dominican Republic Itinerary for 1 week resort + adventure combination
- fly to Punta Cana
- book 3 nights in a resort in Punta Cana
- rent a car for the remaining days
- book 2 nights at the unique eco-lodge Paraíso Caño Hondo at Los Haitises National Park
- book 2 nights in Santo Domingo or at Bayahibe (with an optional adventure night on Isla Saona)
- fly back from Punta Cana
Dominican Republic Itinerary for 1 week: an adventure in the Southwest
- fly to Santo Domingo
- book 2 nights in the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo
- rent a car for the remaining days
- book 2 nights in Barahona, Los Patos or the surrounding area
- book 2 nights glamping at Cabo Rojo (Bahía de las Águilas)
- head back towards Santo Domingo and book 1 night in Baní, close to the dunes
- fly back from Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic Itinerary for 2 weeks: getting to know the entire country
- fly to Santo Domingo
- book 2 nights in the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo
- rent a car for the remaining days
- book 2 nights in the Cordillera Central, Constanza or Jarabacoa
- book 2 nights in Punta Rucia (for Cayo Arena)
- book 4 nights in Cabarete for plenty of outdoor adventures
- book 4 nights in Samaná (Las Terrenas or Las Galeras) for pristine beaches
- drive back to Santo Domingo
- fly back from Santo Domingo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
If you’d like to know more about Chris and his second home country, the Dominican Republic, check out his website Punta Cana Travel Blog. After traveling through all parts of the world, he is living part-time in this beautiful and underrated country since 2015 – mostly in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. Chris knows all the pristine beaches and secluded waterfalls you can explore in Punta Cana and the entire country and loves it if visitors leave their all-inclusive resort to discover the beauty, diversity, Caribbean smiles and Latin vibes the Dominican Republic has to offer. On his blog, you can find all the useful information and personal recommendations for a unique holiday in Punta Cana & beyond. Chris also offers travel coaching and can set up a personalized itinerary for your vacation in the Dominican Republic.
Check out these other related posts:
Save this “Dominican Republic Travel Guide” for later – pin it and share it!
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.