Dominican Republic — Top 10 Best Things To Do
📸Valentin Valkov
The Dominican Republic is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands, along with Saint Martin, that are shared by two sovereign states.
The Dominican Republic is the second-largest country in the Antilles by area at 48,671 square kilometers (18,792 sq mi), and third by population with 10,349,928 inhabitants at the 2020 census. In the Dominican Republic, visitors can find an array of activities to fill their days, from exploring ancient ruins to relaxing on the beach. Here are ten of the best things to do in the Dominican Republic.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and was the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World. The city’s Colonial Zone, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is full of historic landmarks such as the Alcázar de Colón, the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, and Fortaleza Ozama. Visitors can also stroll along the cobblestone streets, do some shopping at the local markets, and try traditional Dominican dishes such as sancocho and mangú.
The Dominican Republic is home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, such as Playa Rincón in the province of Samaná, which was named one of the “10 Best Beaches in the World” by USA Today. Other popular beaches include Playa Grande in the north coast town of Cabrera, Playa Bonita in the resort town of Puerto Plata, and Playa Las Terrenas on the Samaná Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and deep-sea fishing.
No time to plan your trip? Tourisfair creates a tailor-made activity trip plan for you and takes your age, budget, and preferences into consideration. Get your free plan today.
Go on a Safari in the Dominican Republic’s National Parks
The Dominican Republic is home to a number of national parks, such as the East National Park, which is the largest protected area in the Caribbean and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. Other national parks include the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Jaragua National Park, which is home to the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. Visitors can go on safari tours, hiking and adventure trips, and horseback riding excursions.
📸Jaragua National Park
Take a Cable Car Ride up to Pico Duarte
Pico Duarte is the highest mountain peak in the Caribbean at 3,087 meters (10,128 feet) and is located in the Jaragua National Park. Visitors can take a cable car ride from the town of La Ciénaga up to the summit, which takes about an hour, or they can hike up the mountain, which takes two to three days. From the summit, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
The Cueva de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders) is a cave network located in the San Cristobal province of the Dominican Republic. The cave system is made up of several chambers with stalactites and stalagmites, and is home to a number of Taino Indian rock art paintings. Visitors can take a guided tour of the cave system, which takes about an hour.
The Los Tres Ojos national park is located in the Santo Domingo province of the Dominican Republic and is home to three natural lakes, which are connected by underground caves. The lakes are surrounded by lush vegetation and are a popular spot for swimming, picnicking, and bird watching. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lakes, which takes about an hour.
No time to plan your trip? Tourisfair creates a tailor-made activity trip plan for you and takes your age, budget, and preferences into consideration. Get your free plan today.
The Dominican Republic is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching, as the country is located in the migratory path of the humpback whale. Visitors can take a whale watching tour from the town of Samana, which takes about three hours. During the tour, visitors can see humpback whales breaching, slapping the water with their tails, and singing.
Las Terrenas is a beach town located on the Samana Peninsula in the northeastern Dominican Republic. The town is known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and lush vegetation. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, and deep-sea fishing.
El Limón waterfall is located in the El Limón national park in the province of Samaná. The waterfall is 70 meters (230 feet) high and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Dominican Republic. Visitors can take a dip in the pool at the base of the waterfall, which is refreshingly cool.
Puerto Plata is a resort town located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and exciting nightlife. Visitors can also go zip-lining in the Puerto Plata Cable Car, which is the longest zip-line in the world at 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles).
Planning activities and finding the best attractions for upcoming trips can be time consuming and frustrating. Tourisfair creates a tailor-made plan for you and takes your age, budget, and preferences into consideration. Get your free plan today.
