Dominican Republic: The Ultimate Caribbean Bucket-List Destination
Travelzoo data from late 2020 showed the Caribbean as the top-searched international region, thanks to its warm turquoise waters—accessible from the U.S. yet offering a true escape. The premier choice? The Dominican Republic.
Expect swaying palms, sugary sands, and crystal-clear seas, plus ancient attractions like Santo Domingo’s UNESCO-listed 500-year-old Colonial Zone and modern perks like the country’s free health plan covering COVID-19 exposure for visitors. Highlights include whale watching in Samaná, paragliding in Constanza, and island-hopping from Punta Cana.
Discover the top reasons to visit, then review current traveler protocols to plan your trip.
Endless Aquatic Adventures Await
Boasting 1,000 miles of coastline, the Dominican Republic is a water lover’s paradise with countless stunning swim spots. Its renowned reefs and marine life draw snorkelers and divers to Catalina and Saona islands in the southeast. Saona is also a protected turtle nesting ground, hosting hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles from November to March.
For kitesurfing enthusiasts or beginners, head to Cabarete on the north coast, a world-class spot with ideal conditions for all levels. Windsurfers, surfers, and stand-up paddlers flock here too.
Prefer staying dry? Enjoy transparent kayaks in Punta Cana or angling charters from Bayahíbe’s fishing village. The ultimate boat experience—humpback whale watching—gets its own spotlight below.
Humpback Whale Watching: A Guaranteed Spectacle
From December to April (peaking January-March), thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to mate, calve, and nurse. Book soon for the season.
The Marine Mammal Sanctuary, protected since 1986, limits boats for optimal viewing. Spot playful calves, protective mothers, and breaching 40-ton males. Multi-day naturalist-led cruises to Silver Bank even offer regulated swim encounters—a true bucket-list thrill. ABC’s Ginger Zee spotlighted it on Good Morning America in 2019; watch the video for inspiration.
Social Distancing in Paradise
Even bustling Punta Cana—a top 2021 search with direct U.S. flights—offers space along its iconic 30-mile coastline.
For seclusion, try Dominican Tree House Village in Samaná province: treehouses linked by rope bridges, with netted beds, hammocks, and outdoor showers. Amenities include a pool, fire pit, and yoga pavilion; excursions cover ziplining, snorkeling, and horseback waterfall tours.
With 25% of the country in national parks, escapes abound—from Pico Duarte’s misty peaks (Caribbean’s highest at 10,100+ feet) to Lago Enriquillo’s flamingos and alligators (lowest point at -150 feet).
Skip Pico Duarte’s multi-day hike? Base in Jarabacoa for mountain biking, rappelling, rafting, or relaxation in the Dominican Alps.
Puerto Plata’s Mount Isabel de Torres offers cable car access to lush views, plus botanical gardens, Charcos de Demajagua waterfalls, and Cayo Arena snorkeling.
A Journey Through History
Beyond new resorts, the Dominican Republic’s heritage shines. It holds some of Earth’s oldest amber fossils, including a 20-million-year-old salamander at Puerto Plata’s Amber Museum—home to the Jurassic Park-inspired mosquito.
Housed in a 19th-century mansion, it reflects Puerto Plata’s preserved Victorian architecture.
Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial, the Americas’ oldest city (founded 1498), features UNESCO-recognized firsts: cathedral, hospital, university. Wander its grid-pattern streets, Cathedral, Calles Las Damas, and Fortaleza Ozama.
New Resorts and Refreshed Favorites
In Punta Cana, Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort by Best Hotels debuts with all-inclusive luxury on Cabeza de Toro Beach, including swim-out rooms.
Renovated classics like Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, Puerto Plata’s Hotel Casa Colonial Beach and Spa, and Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo add pools, spas, water parks, and contactless tech.
The Dominican Republic’s warm hospitality welcomes you safely.
