The Dominican Republic may be best known for its sun-drenched sandy beaches and the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana, but with a geographical diversity that spans towering mountains, lush rainforests, desert dunes, and everything in between, there’s no shortage of things to do in the Dominican Republic, especially for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Home to the oldest European city in the Americas, there’s also plenty of history and culture, where playful days of exploration lead to rum-soaked nights filled with the intoxicating sounds of merengue and bachata.
With warm weather year-round, the Dominican Republic is a place visitors come looking to escape the cold elsewhere. For warm and dry days, visit between December and March. It’s also high season then, so expect crowds and higher prices along with the nice weather. Visit in February for the month-long Carnaval celebrations. Look to late April and May for smaller crowds, lower prices, and still pleasant weather. Hurricane season runs from June to October.
If you’re planning to stick around a resort or local attractions, taxis will be your best bet, with rideshares available in major cities. Minivans (guaguas), shared taxis (conchos), and motor taxis (motoconchos) are ubiquitous and a budget-friendly way to get around, while a network of long-distance buses connect far-flung regions. Those looking to explore different areas of the Dominican Republic should rent a car. Domestic flights, while available, are expensive and infrequent.
A great way to experience the local culture is to watch a baseball game. Dominicans are passionate about baseball and routinely send players to the American major leagues. Baseball season runs from mid-October to late January, with six teams playing in the league. Watch games in Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris, and San Francisco de Macoris.
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There are hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, along with all-inclusive resorts, warm tropical weather year-round, and a diverse landscape of rugged mountains, lush rainforests, and desert dunes. It’s also home to the oldest European settlement in the Americas and has rich culinary, music, and dancing traditions, including merengue and bachata.
...MorePunta Cana is the most popular part of the Dominican Republic. Located on the southeastern end of the island, it’s home to numerous resorts and nearly 20 miles of white sandy beaches, clear waters, and plenty of beach and water activities. Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, Puerto Plata, and La Romana are also popular.
...MoreFor a quick beach getaway, two to three days is enough time. But to experience a few different areas and many of the things to do in the Dominican Republic, you’ll want at least a week to visit historic Santo Domingo, a beach resort town such as Punta Cana or La Romana, and the mountainous Cordillera Central.
...MoreThere’s no shortage of cultural activities and things to do in the Dominican Republic. Explore the UNESCO-listed Zona Colonial as well as more than a dozen museums in Santo Domingo. Learn to dance the merengue, salsa, and bachata, or take a cooking class. Visit the plantations and factories to learn about some of the country’s top exports, such as chocolate, cigars, and rum.
...MoreNo, the Dominican Republic is not part of the United States. It is a sovereign nation located on the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola (shared with Haiti). The US has had close diplomatic relations with the Dominican Republic since 1884 and staged several interventions and occupations in the country during the 20th century.
...MoreExpect the best weather between December and March, with warm and dry days. Winter also brings humpback whales, and the month-long Carnival in February. It’s also peak tourist season, so expect crowds and higher prices. For the best weather and smaller crowds, visit in April and May. Hurricane season runs from June to October.
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