Sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is not your typical Caribbean destination. Endowed with the idyllic beaches and aquamarine waters that the archipelago is famous for, its unique geographical and cultural features are what set it apart. From its vibrant, rhythmic merengue music and warm, hospitable people to its lonely desert lowlands and ancient Taino rock art, it certainly keeps travellers on its toes with its diverse offerings. There's so much to do, see and explore here: sunbathing on exquisite beaches, snorkelling, scuba diving and whale-watching along the coast. Experience the island's fauna and flora on ecotourism tours, dance the night away at clubs in the many cosmopolitan cities, enjoy fabulous local cuisine, and play golf on world-class courses.
If your dream holiday involves pristine palm-lined beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the warm Caribbean Sea, then you won’t be disappointed by the magnificent coastal region of Punta Cana. With its string of sugar white beaches stretching 56 kilometres, Punta Cana has developed a well-earned reputation as one of the friendliest destinations in the Caribbean, thanks to the Dominican Republic's lively, Spanish-influenced culture and music. Visitors can enjoy a range of exhilarating land and water based activities including parasailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, snorkelling, diving, and even golfing at one of the area’s five world-class golf courses. Punta Cana’s countless luxury resorts are surrounded by numerous fascinating cultural and historical sites as well as some spectacular natural scenery featuring lush tropical forests, intriguing caves, endless sugarcane fields and some extraordinary regional wildlife.
Located on the Samana Peninsula, Las Terrenas is a charming seaside resort town on the northeast coast of the Dominican Republic. This tropical paradise is affectionately known as the ‘Perfect Beach Haven’, boasting scenic landscapes of white-sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. There are numerous beaches to enjoy, including the pristine central Las Terrenas Beach, Bonita, Coson and Las Ballenas beaches. Visitors can look forward to discovering an underwater wonderland amidst the cays and caverns off the coast, enjoying delicious meals at one of the many open-air restaurants, cafes and bars, and exploring Pueblo de los Pescadores, the old fishermen’s village.
Situated along the north coast of the beautiful Dominican Republic, set in the heart of the Caribbean, the remote Playa Grande area features a pristine eponymous beach, which stretches for over a kilometre along the stunning coastline, the small beach town of Cabrera, and over 160 hectares of spectacularly scenic protected wilderness. It also comprises a word-class golf course offering stunning views overlooking the ocean, a wilderness lodge, secluded coves, and an array of thrilling adventure activities. Visitors can look forward to a number of wonderful options including: guided nature walks and hikes, excellent bird watching, scuba diving amidst colourful coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks, as well as a variety of other wonderful watersports such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, deep sea fishing, and boating. Don’t miss the nearby Samana Peninsula for a perfect day trip, offering spectacular humpback whale watching.
