The Dominican Republic is the land of pearly white beaches, historic charm and the vibrant merengue. Located in the Caribbean Sea, it is an underrated travel destination and has so much more to offer than the resorts in Punta Cana. You can explore impressive national parks like Los Haitises, go whale watching in Samaná, or immerse yourself in culture and history in Santo Domingo. Planning a trip to this tropical country? Here are the best things to do in the Dominican Republic!
What to do in the Dominican Republic
Many travelers often limit their trip to the Dominican Republic to visiting the capital city Santo Domingo or the tropical Punta Cana. After making a two-week road trip ourselves, we discovered that the country has so much more to offer. The best way to discover the Dominican Republic is by renting a car, as public transportation is limited. Here you can read about the 10 best things not to miss when traveling to the Dominican Republic!
1) Whale watching in Samaná
Samaná is a peninsula in the north of the Dominican Republic and has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Besides that, it is also the best place to spot whales and dolphins! From January to March you can see the humpback whales migrating in the Bay of Samaná and have almost a 100% chance of seeing these gentle giants. And with some luck, you’ll also see dolphins jumping out in front of your boat. This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the Dominican Republic! Book your whale watching tour in Samaná ahead of time here!
2) Soaking up culture in Santo Domingo
The capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, takes you back to a time of explorers and Spanish colonial history. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was once the first city in the Americas, founded by Christopher Columbus’ brother. Wander the centuries-old streets filled with colonial buildings such as the Catedral Primada de América and Alcazar de Colón. At night, the city really comes alive in atmospheric plazas like Parque Colon, where locals and tourists gather and live music is often played.
3) Visit Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises National Park is located near Samaná and is one of the Dominican Republic’s most impressive natural areas. The park is known for its dramatic limestone formations rising out of the water, dense mangrove forests, and caves decorated with ancient petroglyphs. The scenery may even look familiar: parts of the movie Jurassic Park were filmed here. It’s well worth booking a full-day excursion including lunch to explore Los Haitises and enjoy the beauty of this unique landscape.
4) Relaxing on Isla Saona
Isla Saona is the tropical dream brought to life: powdery white beaches, swaying palm trees heavy with coconuts, and crystal-clear water where you can watch colorful fish glide by. From the coastal town of Bayahibe, you can join a day tour (including lunch) to this slice of paradise. On the way, you’ll pass through Cotubanamá National Park and make a few scenic stops before arriving at Isla Saona for a delicious Dominican lunch by the sea.
If you’d like a more authentic and peaceful experience, consider staying overnight in the small fishing village of Mano Juan, where you’ll encounter far fewer tourists. You can sleep at Saona Lodge, a charming thatched wooden guesthouse set right on the beach.
5) Explore Los Tres Ojos National Park
Another, no less impressive, national park in the Dominican Republic is Los Tres Ojos National Park. The name refers to the three, azure lagoons found in the park’s semi-open cave. Because the cave is open, all sorts of tropical plants grow between the lagoons and lianas hang down which creates a beautiful picture. There is even a fourth lagoon that you can only reach by boat. Here you get on a floating pontoon after which the boatman uses a rope to pull you across. The park is just a 15-minute drive from the center of capital city Santo Domingo.
Opening hours Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos : daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Admission: $200 DOP per person
6) Have a Bacardi on Cayo Levantado
Can’t get enough of the bounty beaches and tropical atmosphere? Then you should also visit Cayo Levantado. Also called Bacardi Island, this island off the coast of Samaná is one of the most beautiful sights in the Dominican Republic. It gets its name from the commercials that were shot here in the 90’s for Bacardi. Now you can still find one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. During the day it can get quite crowded with daytrippers. If you want to experience Cayo Levantado without the crowds, consider staying in Cayo Levantado Resort, the only hotel on the island.
7) Beach hopping in Las Galeras
Beautiful beaches, in the Dominican Republic you will find plenty of them! One is even so paradisiacal that it is among the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. That’s Playa Rincón, located near the cozy fishing village of Las Galeras on Samaná Peninsula. Near Las Galeras you will also find other beautiful beaches such as Bahia de Las Galeras, Playa Madame and Playa Frontón. The latter is only accessible by boat, and its remote location makes it just as unique. In Las Galeras you will find plenty of boaters willing to take you to Playa Fronton.
8) Hike to El Limon waterfall
At 52 meters, the Salto El Limon Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic. You can reach this impressive waterfall on foot or on horseback. We very much advise against doing the latter, as unfortunately the horses are poorly treated. Besides, trekking through the jungle on foot is a cool experience and it is only a 30-minute hike to the waterfall. Be sure to bring sturdy sandals and your swimwear so you can take a refreshing dip in the waterfall on the spot! You can park your car for free at the restaurant Parada la Manzana and start the hike from here. Afterwards you can join at Parada la Manzana for a delicious buffet full of Dominican, local dishes.
9) Dance the merengue in Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas is a friendly coastal town on the Atlantic Ocean. After a day of relaxing on the beach at Playa Bonita or even surfing at Playa Coson, you can get ready for a night out. At night, you will find plenty of cozy restaurants where you can eat on the beach such as the freshly caught fish at Restaurant Luis and Coson. Afterwards, you can join the merengue or bachata dancing at one of the many cool bars and club like the El Mosquito Art Bar or ETNO Beach Club.
10) Explore the underwater world
Finally, the Dominican Republic has a very diverse underwater world. If you are a diving enthusiast or like to go snorkeling, that is something you should definitely do in the Dominican Republic. You can still find plenty of beautiful reefs, corals and also a lot of wrecks that you can sink to. From Punta Cana, you can take a diving excursion to Catalina Island. But the coast off Puerta Plata is also a suitable place, where you can see barracudas, octopus and seahorses.
Do you have any suggestions to do in the Dominican Republic? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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