A prized gem of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is a vacation playground of legendary proportions. Situated just two hours south of Miami and less than four hours from New York, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. This lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, 250 miles of the world’s top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation, and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican food, or enjoy ecotourism adventures throughout magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers, and beaches.
A Democratic nation with a population of over 10 million people, the Dominican Republic has a territory stretching 18,704 square miles. That’s just over twice the size of New Jersey, or nearly the size of Costa Rica. Dominicans affectionately call their home Quisqueya, meaning “mother of all lands,” as theirs was the first permanent Spanish settlement in the Americas or the “New World,” with the arrival of Christopher Columbus on his first voyage in 1492. Aside from choosing the Dominican Republic as his sole residence in the region – a land blessed with fertile soil and gold deposits – Columbus and the Spanish Crown used the country as a launching pad for conquests across the Caribbean and the United States. Today, the first city of the Americas, Santo Domingo, is the capital of the Dominican Republic and continues to thrive while preserving its history and original Spanish architecture.
Aside from historic firsts, the Dominican Republic ranks among the most diverse Caribbean countries in geography, nature, and people. Its topography ranges from the highest peak in the region, Pico Duarte, to the lowest body of water, Lago Enriquillo. The country is home to a whopping 6,000 species of flora and 7,000 species of fauna include cacti flowers, endemic hawks, and humpback whales.
Along with its gorgeous coastline, the Dominican Republic is home to verdant mountain towns, fishing villages, and cactus-lined landscapes. Venture inland and you’ll experience the unified passion people here have for music and dance – merengue, bachata, and son – food, baseball, family, and hospitality.
The country overflows with fascinating history, museums, and exciting cultural experiences like music, art, and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, and more. Visitors can choose from 26 designer golf courses amid breathtaking coastlines with mountain backdrops and lush green fairways.
With so many beautiful natural settings like romantic waterfalls, stunning coasts, and idyllic accommodations, it’s no surprise that the Dominican Republic remains a top destination for weddings and romance seekers.
If you’re heading to the DR for the first time, it’s more than likely you’ll be staying in or around the vacation center of the country, Punta Cana. Punta Cana is the quintessential water, sun, and sand escape.
Blessed with one of the Caribbean region’s longest white sand coastlines at 30 miles, punctuated with sky-reaching coconut palms, Punta Cana is the land of rest and relaxation by the sea. Here, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, from the northern tip at Uvero Alto to the southern at Cap Cana, all-inclusive resorts and boutique hideaways offer all the whims and comforts of modern beachfront living.
But it’s not only about fun in the sun, soft sand brushing against your toes, and iridescent, clear water to swim in, go fishing, or dive for underwater life and shipwrecks. Punta Cana is also a golfer’s destination, with 10 courses located all along the strip, a seaside escape with luxurious marinas and fine dining, and a wellness corner home to the country’s top spas, including the only Six Senses in the Caribbean.
Wherever you choose to settle on Punta Cana’s brilliant white coastline, you’ll have 11 Blue Flag beaches to experience for yourself. From the scenic surf-hub of Macao and the hipster beaches of Corales and Cortecito in Bávaro – lined with shops, water sports, and beachfront bars – to secluded Juanillo, there’s so much waiting for you!
Spend a day away from the sand and you’ll find a myriad of inland adventures. Cool off in fresh water azure cenotes and lagoons tucked inside forests at Ojos Indígenas and Scape Park, where the family’s tweens can also enjoy ziplines and caving expeditions. Explore the lush Dominican countryside on an off-road safari, tumbling past roadside meat shops and sugar cane plantations. Along the way, visit the country’s top pilgrimage site at the Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, and feel the DR’s deep spiritual roots.
If daytime activities are abundant, nights are no less vibrant. The young at heart can dance the evening away until their feet tire at the DR’s modern nightclubs, while classy evenings under the stars await at marinas and seaside lounges, with cocktails, bites, and hand-rolled cigars.
If you’re looking for a great day trip from Punta Cana, consider a full-day cruise to Saona Island. Located 12 miles south of the mainland, Saona Island’s picture-perfect beaches attract more visitors than all of the country’s national parks combined. A protected site spanning 42-square miles and part of Cotubanamá National Park, Saona is a dream tropical escape, where long stretches of brilliant white sand and their giant coconut trees seem to melt into turquoise waters.
Saona Island visitors can take day trips to enjoy the beaches, through a myriad of options ranging from speedboat to catamaran. Riding along Saona’s stunning coastline scenery alone is worthwhile. Most trips leave out of Bayahíbe village, from its small waterfront area. Stops in Saona include a swim at Palmilla, a white stretch with a wide natural pool, and at Mano Juan, the only inhabited portion of the island. Saona Island is also the DR’s most important turtle-nesting site.
