Palm trees on a white sandy beach in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic holidays

For the ultimate beach holiday, look no further than the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean destination offers sun, sea and sand in bountiful supply and warm weather all year round. More than 6 million people visit the island each year to experience all it has to offer. Whether you want to spend your time in swimwear or explore the rich culture this incredible country boasts, there’s a little something for everyone. Plan a trek through one of the many forested areas, to witness the island’s stunning flora and fauna up close. Explore the country’s capital city to see its magnificent UNESCO world heritage site castle and cathedral. Plan to stay in the stunning Punto Cana resort area, boasting turquoise waters, palm-tree fringed beaches and the chance to try your hand at numerous water sport activities.

Dominican Republic information

Plane

Average flight time

9h 30m

Clock

Time difference

GMT -4h

Wallet

Currency

Dominican peso

Language

Language

Spanish

A guide to Dominican Republic holidays

Food & drink in the Dominican Republic

Spanish and African influences come together to create the many delicious dishes you can enjoy in the Dominican Republic. Many of the meals feature produce grown locally, from rich ripe tomatoes to sweet and juicy papaya and mangoes. Stews are a popular feature on menus in the country’s restaurants, look out for asopao de pollo which is a tasty chicken and rice stew that should fill you up. Rum is considered to be the spirit of choice and be sure to also try some authentic Dominican coffee which is usually served black and is very strong.

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Beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic

As you may expect, this Caribbean island boasts no end of stunning beaches to soak up the sun for a whole day. Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana is a favourite for locals and tourists alike. Swim or wade in the azure waters to cool off in the warm sunshine and soak up the views of the ocean and the palm tree-lined sand. If you’re staying in the Puerto Plata resort area, Playa Dorada is a hotspot for sun worshippers. Featuring golden sand and stunning mountain scenery to enjoy while lazing throughout the day, it’s the ideal spot for a little respite.

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Things to do in the Dominican Republic

This incredible island has no end of fun activities to get involved with. Whether you prefer to relax during your getaways or seek out adventure, you won’t be bored. Plan to visit Santo Domingo, the capital of the island, to experience its rich history and culture for yourself. Here, you’ll find buildings dating back to the 1500s as well as many restaurants and cafes to take a seat in for the afternoon for a spot of people watching.

Visit Los Haitises National Park: The crown jewel of the Dominican Republic, this stunning national park stretches across 618 square miles and features impressive rock formations and mangroves that grow along the water’s edge. The stunning location was once used as a filming location for the Jurassic Park film and can be reached via boat. Once you arrive, you can either hike through the flora and fauna or hire a kayak to see the incredible mangroves up close.

Head inland to the Dominican countryside: Skip the beach for the day and head inland to Cordillera Central. This stunning area features an incredibly lush green landscape, with rolling hills and fields of orchards growing apples and strawberries. It should be cooler here, especially if you take a walk or bike up the hillside trails to enjoy the breeze and the views once you reach the top. Ready to experience everything the Dominican Republic has to offer? Plan a trip to this stunning Carribean island and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in this slice of paradise.

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Map of Dominican Republic

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