Dominican Republic Holidays

Top attractions

There's an endless variety of things to do in the Dominican Republic. Once you’ve explored the old streets of Santo Domingo and taken in its rich culture, you should investigate the natural beauty of the country. From the compact luxury in Costa Dorada to the quaint beauty of Samana, or the beaches at Bavaro in Punta Cana, there's plenty for you to do and see on your 2020 Dominican Republic holiday.

Samana, on the north east coast, looks over Samana Bay, where hundreds of whales descend during mating season. Puerto Plata, located close to Costa Dorada, is one of the most popular resorts in the Dominican Republic. Its two most famous beaches, Playa Dorada and Bahia Maimon, have to be seen to be believed... they're really beautiful!

Discover Punta Cana

Punta Cana is home to two of the Dominican Republic's best resorts, Uvero Alto and Bavaro. Uvero Alto is a great place to stay if you're looking for a laid back family resort, while Bavaro's magical white sand beaches offer an intoxicating combination of sun, sand and sea.

If relaxing makes you tired, you might fancy some windsurfing, scuba-diving, sailing and parasailing, jet-skiing or deep-sea fishing! Or you could take a diving trip, where you’ll uncover a whole menagerie of marine life beneath the ocean. If you’re looking to expend some excess energy, both tennis and golf are available, as well as ziplining in the nearby forest, and dune buggies for a real thrill!

Hikers will find wonderful mountain views and rushing rivers on the island's interior, with lush jungles and beautiful waterfalls away from the road. Get your adrenaline fix as you go white water rafting, ride inflatable tubes along rapids, or go cascading in the island's waterfalls!

Eating out

Dominican Republic food has a rich history; explorers from all over the globe descended on the island's shores over the centuries. Foods and recipes from other Caribbean nations made their way to the island, coming together to create the Dominican Republic's delicious, modern cuisine. Some of the most popular foodie favourites to explore include:

• Empanadas and Pastelitos - small pastries stuffed with various fillings such as meat, cheese or vegetables
• Lorico - a combination of rice and meat, stewed in a tasty sauce
• Chivo - a tasty delicacy consisting of stewed goat meat, a favourite Dominican dish
• Sancocho or seven-meat stew - uniquely Dominican, and one of the island's most popular dishes, this delicious stew features seven types of meat cooked with root vegetables
• Mangu - a typical breakfast dish of mashed plantains, usually served with eggs and fried cheese
• Morir Sonando - a local iced drink of mixed orange and milk, and very refreshing
• Rum - produced in the Dominican Republic and very popular throughout the Caribbean. Popular brands include Brugal, Barceló and Bermúdez, commonly known as the 3 B’s.

Local Punta Cana food is one of the resort's best attractions. Fresh fish is caught daily, and the Dominicans incorporate a fantastic selection of produce into their dishes, such as mangoes, tomatoes and papaya. Here you can sample sancochos and delicious empanadas, baked plantains, and traditional seafood. One of the best restaurants in Punta Cana is the Toc Beach Bar and Restaurant on Bavaro beach. It has an amazing seafront view, with a wide choice of local and international cuisine.

Nightlife

As you might expect from a laid back, relaxed and happy destination, Dominican Republic nightlife is second to none. The island’s party calendar is vibrant and busy, with festivals, parties, bars and clubs open all the year round. If you’re after a fun, lively drink that doesn’t involve getting hot and sweaty, pull up a stool in a beach-side bar and you’ll be sharing a drink with the locals before you can say ‘Calabash Rum Cocktail, por favor!’

Boca Chica nightlife is concentrated around Duarte street. This main strip is closed to traffic after 7pm and is full of bars, restaurants and discos. It's vibrant and colourful, with live music from pop to house, salsa, merengue and bachata. In Boca Chica bay, there is a new Luxury Disco and casino.

There's a thriving nightlife scene at Punta Cana too, with a large array of lively bars and nightclubs located between the beach and the coastal road. Relax and sip cocktails as you watch the sun go down at one of the many beach bars, before heading out for a boogie at a nightclub later in the evening.

If you prefer a chic atmosphere, then you can start your night at one of the bars lining Bavaro beach. Several modern nightclubs throughout Punta Cana can be found playing the latest electronic hits, if you're looking to dance the night away.

Family holidays

Family holidays in the Dominican Republic are a fantastic choice! We have plenty of cheap and all inclusive family holidays on offer. Not only are there endless sandy beaches on the island, but the hotels are oases of relaxation that everyone will love.

Many top hotels include a wide range of activities for the little ones. Looking for an ocean cruise? Why not take the family to Punta Cana's Bavaro for a trip aboard a catamaran? The whole family can snorkel, swim or dive into the ocean's blue waters off the boat. Migrating humpback whales can be seen at many of the Dominican Republic's coves and bays, and you can watch from the shore... or get up close and personal on a boat or catamaran. Whatever you choose, your family will have a holiday to remember in the Dominican Republic!

Couples holidays

Santo Domingo is a romantic escape full of old colonial buildings; just the spot to take a beautiful evening stroll along the city's streets. A deservedly popular region of the Dominican Republic is Punta Cana, and there are plenty of hotels here to accommodate you. The area has several five-star resorts and spas that allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy the panoramic coastal views of the ocean.

We have a great range of adults only all inclusive holidays to the Dominican Republic on offer. The all inclusive holidays here will provide you and your loved one with everything you need, so you won't even need to leave the resort if you don’t want to! The Bayahibe region makes for an idyllic holiday spot for couples of all ages, and many resorts in this region come with their own pool area, spa and fitness centres. Some even have their own nightclub and casinos. Try the exclusive resort area of Costa Dorada, or go for some palm-fringed beach relaxation in Samana.

Culture

Even with great all inclusive hotels, where you never need to leave to have a fantastic time, holidays to the Caribbean should be about getting out and exploring. The Dominican Republic isn't just about beaches, although they are amazing; it's also about the astonishingly beautiful cultural heritage.

Santo Domingo is the starting point for any holiday in the Dominican Republic. Known as the "first city of the Americas", Santo Domingo is the oldest European city in the Americas and rich in history. You'll have an amazing time exploring this incredible capital; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes the Alcazar de Colon, a must-see opportunity for history lovers. It's the oldest palace in the Americas and offers up plenty of educational insights to visitors. Get your fill of culture and history as you enjoy colonial buildings, churches and engrossing museums - the perfect warm up before your outdoor adventures!

Top Dominican beaches

The Dominican Republic is all about beaches and laid back lifestyles. Whether in a five-star luxury hotel or self-catering digs that are more wallet-friendly, holidays in the Dominican Republic come with accommodation to suit everyone. Fall asleep to the crashing of waves and wake up to sunshine and glorious temperatures in places like Bavaro, Punta Cana.

If you're looking for the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, Boca Chica is a complete knockout. It's all endless white sand shorelines and sapphire blue waters. Settle down on the sand, on a sun lounger or in a beachside bar, sipping on a fruity cocktail in the shade. If you have children, Boca Chica has safe, shallow waters for the whole family to enjoy.

Puerto Plata has perfect palm-fringed beaches, clear waters and fascinating offshore reefs. It's a prime location for swimming or snorkelling. The beaches on the northern coast have the ideal winds and waves for windsurfing, while the undeveloped Barahona is a great spot if you just want to escape the crowds.

Other popular beach resorts in the Dominican Republic include Samana, Punta Cana and the lovely Bayahibe. This is a top beach destination, as Bayahibe Beach is a little less frequented by tourists and makes for a lovely romantic spot to enjoy the sunset.