Dominican Republic

About Dominican Republic

Sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean — and for good reason. Punta Cana's palm-lined beaches stretch for miles along the eastern coast, while the north shore's Puerto Plata offers dramatic cliffs and the famous 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest European settlement in the Americas, with cobblestone streets dating to the early 1500s. Beyond the coast, the Cordillera Central rises to Pico Duarte — the Caribbean's highest peak. Samaná Peninsula is a whale-watching hotspot (January–March), and the laid-back fishing village of Las Terrenas draws those seeking authentic Dominican life alongside world-class kitesurfing in Cabarete.

Top Things to Do

• Punta Cana — miles of palm-fringed white-sand beaches
• Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial — oldest European city in the Americas
• 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua — jump, slide, and swim through cascades
• Samaná Peninsula — humpback whale watching (Jan–Mar)
• Los Haitises National Park — mangroves, caves, and Taíno petroglyphs
• Cabarete — world-class kitesurfing and windsurfing