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Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean's most geographically diverse countries, with stunning mountain scenery, desert scrublands, evocative architecture and beaches galore.

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Montaña Redonda

Punta Cana & the Southeast

This dramatic mountaintop viewpoint has been discovered by the Instagram generation – Dominicanos flock here on weekends to take photos swinging in sky…
Playa Grande

North Coast

A long, broad, tawny beach with aquamarine water on one side and a thick fringe of palm trees on the other. Stark white cliffs jut out into the ocean in…
Catedral Primada de América

Santo Domingo

The first stone of this cathedral, the oldest standing in the Western hemisphere, was set in 1514 by Diego Columbus, son of the great explorer (the ashes…
Centro León

Santiago

This large, modern museum, built with the tobacco wealth of the León Jimenez family, is a world-class institution with an impressive collection of…
Museo Alcázar de Colón

Santo Domingo

Designed in the Gothic-Mudéjar transitional style, this was the early-16th-century residence of Columbus’ son, Diego, and his wife, Doña María de Toledo…
Museo Memorial de la Resistencia Dominicana

Santo Domingo

For those interested in the details of one of the darkest periods of Dominican history, this austere memorial honors Dominicans who fought against the…
Casa Museo General Gregorio Luperón

Puerto Plata

The life and times of native-born son and independence leader Gregorio Luperón are impressively fleshed out inside this beautifully restored, pale-green,…
Playa Los Mino

North Coast

This sweet little stretch of sand must be one of the DR's best village beaches, easily accessible from the road under Bahía Blanca. White sand, a green…

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Top picks from our travel experts

Top things to do in the Dominican Republic from casinos to whale watching

Curated by Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

Catedral Primada de América

Santo Domingo

The first stone of this cathedral, the oldest standing in the Western hemisphere, was set in 1514 by Diego Columbus, son of the great explorer (the ashes…
Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

Bávaro & Punta Cana

Imagine Las Vegas with a Caribbean sea. This den of decadence and cool sits atop Punta Cana’s list of bold and beautiful resorts. The lobby feels like a…
Isla Saona

Punta Cana & the Southeast

There’s a reason why boatloads of tourists descend upon this island every day. The powdery, white-sand beach doesn’t seem real from afar, and a dip in the…
Teleférico

Puerto Plata

A cable car takes visitors to the top of the enormous flat-topped Pico Isabel de Torres. On clear days there are spectacular views of the city and…
Gordito's Fresh Mex

Cabarete

A California transplant opened this immediately popular Dominican version of Chipotle, and they're now discussing plans to expand to new locations in the…
Altos de Chavón

Punta Cana & the Southeast

While a trip to a faux-16th-century Italian-Spanish village created by a Paramount movie-set designer won’t exactly give you a window into Dominican…
Bliss

Cabarete

It may not be on the beach, but sitting around the small, crystal-blue pool with a top-shelf glass of wine in your hand, you can be forgiven for not…
La Casita de Papi

Cabarete

An institution in Cabarete, this homey beachfront restaurant does a great garlic shrimp paella dish as well as lobster and grilled fish, under twinkling…
Fortaleza Ozama

Santo Domingo

This is the New World's oldest colonial military edifice. The site, at the meeting of the Río Ozama and Caribbean, was selected by Fray Nicolás de Ovando…
Montaña Redonda

Punta Cana & the Southeast

This dramatic mountaintop viewpoint has been discovered by the Instagram generation – Dominicanos flock here on weekends to take photos swinging in sky…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

There’s more to the Dominican Republic than fabulous beaches.

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Transportation

The people of the Dominican Republic love exploring their island and it's easy to join them by bus, car or motorcycle. Here are the best ways to get around.

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Visa Requirements

With its crystalline waters and sugary white sand, the Dominican Republic is the vision of the tropics. Here's everything you need to know about visas.

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Best Road Trips

From sandy shorelines dotted with palms to mountainous views, here are some of the best road trips in the Dominican Republic.

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