Dominican Republic Holidays
A holiday to the Dominican Republic promises the opportunity to discover one of the Caribbean’s most attractive islands. This colourful, laid back country came late to the tourism party and is now developing itself as a tourist destination. This development has been led by local communities which brings an appeal and authenticity all of its own. A holiday to The Dominican Republic is still uncrowded, even on the most popular beaches, resorts are low-rise in that they are no higher than the palm trees, and streets are lined with small local cafes, bars and restaurants rather than international chains. Visitors to this stunning Caribbean Island can really experience something unique, a rare opportunity that may not last forever.
There are plenty of things to do when visiting the Dominican Republic! A laid back, relaxed vibe runs throughout the island, from the local bars, restaurants and beaches to the resort hot-spots. We highly recommend a visit to Santo Domingo as one of the best things to do on a visit to the Dominican Republic. The historic centre has amazing architecture, world class museums and unique old-world charm. There is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Santo Domingo is not all about history though, it also features great shops and restaurants and is famous for amber jewellery. Check out the Mercado Modelo for some great bargains.
Water sports are very popular and one of the top things to do in the Dominican Republic, with all those beautiful beaches and azure blue waters it’s no wonder! Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP), snorkelling, sea kayaking and diving are popular. There are some well populated reefs around the island with sharks, rays, tropical fish and lots of other colourful marine life to be discovered.
If you feel like taking a little of a more relaxed approach to your water sports, we can highly recommend a boat tour. Enjoy some music and dancing aboard a sunset cruise from Punta Cana. Try some snorkelling in the warm waters then enjoy a drink or two in those same waters as a walk-up bar is set up on a sand bar in the Caribbean Sea. It’s a picture-perfect experience to remember.
Our travel experts are happy to advise you on some excellent Dominican Republic holiday deals. We know the best resorts, places to stay and things to do. We can create the perfect bespoke holiday package for you. Give us a call today for some free expert advice and great holiday deals.
Though the Dominicans like a few drinks, the country is less focused on partying and more on relaxing and chilling out. We can’t imagine it being any other way. When you consider the endless kilometres of idyllic white, sandy beaches and the blissful, warm turquoise sea that surrounds the island – who could possibly want to move?
Dominican Republic All Inclusive
Most holidays to the Caribbean destination are resort-based and many of the packages on offer are all-inclusive options. The Dominican Republic is the most affordable destination in the Caribbean and local standards for luxury are impeccably high, so it’s likely you’ll be able to find a good deal that still feels luxurious and special for your holiday.
The food on the island is amazing, so fresh and tasty, and the myriad of speciality restaurants in the resorts is incredible. Our expert holiday advisors are often able to secure upgrades to ‘Preferred Club’ all-inclusive packages at little or no extra cost. This means waiter service to deliver your favourite cocktail as you relax on the beach, premium spirits, a selection of canapés available all day and rooms in the best locations. An all-inclusive holiday to Dominican Republic really feels exclusive and they offer great value and choice.
Dominican Republic Resorts
Though the Dominican Republic is popular with families, if you’d prefer peace and quiet (far away from kids), there are a number of resorts which cater for adults only, a familiar request from couples looking to relax in the sun.
The Dominican Republic resorts are divided between the Atlantic coastline to the north and the more tranquil waters of the Caribbean coastline to the south. Punta Cana is on the very eastern tip of the island and is the midpoint between the two coastlines. It is one of the most popular beach resorts on the island with over 20 miles of beaches, the white sand shores are as plentiful as they are beautiful. Waters are crystal clear, blue and calm. Punta Cana may be the most popular beach resort but there are others that are just as beautiful such as La Romana on the Caribbean side or Puerto Plate on the Atlantic side of Dominican Republic.
Most four and five star hotel resorts in the Dominican Republic usually have five or six restaurants on-site. Typically, each offers a different style or type of food, thus most tastes are catered for close by.
If you’re looking for a sense of the local produce without moving too far from your hotel, you’re in luck. Local traders usually visit resorts each week to set up their stalls selling local food for you to sample.
Dominican dishes typically blend African, Spanish, Taino and Middle Eastern flavours. If you’re keeping an eye on the budget and are in two minds about dining out for the evening, rest assured knowing that it can be a pretty cheap experience if you stick to the modest-looking local restaurants.
There are also plenty of open-air, high-end markets to choose from, as well as big shopping malls. There are more bargains to be bagged around the island than just cigars and rum!
Run away to a deserted island – Take yourselves to an idyllic, isolated beach like the one at Saona Island. Enjoy even more alone time by taking out a catamaran when making this short trip.
Merengue – Witness, (and maybe even take part in ), the traditional Dominican Republic dance at Tropicalissimo at the Barcelo Bavaro Casino, before trying out some of the resorts’ poolside Merengue classes yourselves for a bit of fun.
Tour the island in a 4×4 – If you’re looking for a break from the beaches, take a tour of the island’s inland sights in a 4×4 road vehicle. Be sure to see the sugar cane fields and the island’s caves.
Shop for amber jewellery – Shopping mightn’t always satisfy the craving to do ‘something different’, but browsing among the Dominican Republic’s famous high quality amber jewellery could see you walking away with a lovely, timeless memento of your honeymoon.
Try a surf camp – Most people make fools of themselves when surfing for the first time, so why not have a laugh at a surf camp and spend some time in the gorgeous turquoise waters that surround the Dominican Republic.
Experiencing the Dominican Republic’s fine resorts first hand is definitely one for the bucket list, but it would be a shame not to see what else the country has to offer. Here’s a few things you won’t want to miss:
The Zona Colonial – Known as the historic heart of Santo Domingo, the Zona Colonial is a maze of pretty streets and shade-covered squares. All the beautiful colonial-era buildings house shops, restaurants and cafes making it a lovely area to pass an afternoon in.
The Dominican Alps – It’s a different world to the Dominican Republic’s beaches in its uplands, but it’s well worth attempting the Pico Duarte (the highest mountain in the Caribbean) if only for the unique views.
Costa Del Coco – A tourist mecca for a reason, the ‘coconut coast’ has over 60km of reef-protected white sandy beaches surrounded by coconut trees. Despite the presence of fellow tourists, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the rest of the world here.
Las Terrenas – A gorgeous little fishing village surrounded by huge groves of coconut trees and clear, warm water.
Jarabacoa – For a little more action, head to Jarabacoa. It’s the home of the Dominican Republic’s only whitewater river, Rio Yague del Norte, for rafting, and its mountainous trails are perfect for biking, hiking or rock-climbing.
The best time to travel to the Dominican Republic is between February and May, with average daily temperatures of 25 to 26 degrees. That being said, the island is warm year-round. Because the Dominican Republic has a Caribbean and an Atlantic coastline there are different ‘wet seasons’ on different parts of the Island. The wet season runs from November to January in the North and from May to November in the South. Rainfall usually comes in strong short bursts with sunshine returning quickly.
Only use the tap water for brushing your teeth and showering – don’t drink it!
A North American plug adapter should do you when it comes to plugging in things like your phone charger and your camera. Bring a mini USB hub to charge multiple devices from your phone’s charging adapter.
The time difference is five hours, with The Dominican Republic being behind Ireland.
The currency is the Dominican Peso and you’ll get roughly 60 pesos for €1 (exchange rate correct as of April 2023).
Clapping when the airplane lands is pretty much required by Dominican law. Dominicans are very superstitious and sometimes you’ll even see some bring out holy water to pass around when the plane lands. We’re not having you on. Just go with it!