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Destinations

Dominican Republic

Caribbean beaches, colonial streets and merengue.

beachesrelaxationhistorynature
Plan your trip to Dominican RepublicSee the top things to doPick your cities
11.4 millionPeople
Santo DomingoCapital
SpanishLanguage
DOPCurrency
7 to 12 daysIdeal stay
$120-200Typical day

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and is the Caribbean's most visited country. It suits travellers who want beach resorts, nature and music. It is known for Punta Cana resorts, the colonial zone of Santo Domingo and whale watching in Samaná. Mountains in the centre offer cooler air and adventure.

Where to start

Top 15 things to do

Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.

  1. Punta Cana has long white beaches lined with resorts. Bávaro is the most famous stretch.

    3 to 5 daysTime needed
    Public beaches free; resorts privateCost
    yes, resortsBook ahead
    Tip. Explore beyond the resort for local food.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  2. The colonial zone has the first cathedral and fortress in the Americas. Cobbled streets are full of cafés.

    1 to 2 daysTime needed
    Free to walk; museums paidCost
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Walk Calle El Conde in the evening.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  3. Saona is a protected island with palm beaches and natural pools. Boat tours run daily.

    1 dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Choose tours that respect the park.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  4. Humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to breed in winter. Boat tours follow rules.

    Half dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Choose operators that follow sanctuary rules.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  5. Los Haitises has limestone islets, mangroves and Taíno cave art. It is reached by boat.

    Half dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Combine with whale season.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  6. El Limón is a waterfall reached by hiking or horseback. A pool sits below.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Wear shoes for muddy paths.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  7. Las Terrenas is a relaxed beach town with an international feel. Playa Bonita is nearby.

    2 to 3 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Rent a scooter only if experienced.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  8. Jarabacoa is a mountain town for rafting and hiking. It is cooler than the coast.

    2 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Raft the Yaque del Norte.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  9. Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean. Treks take two to three days with guides.

    3 daysTime needed
    yes, guidesBook ahead
    Tip. Go in the dry season.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  10. Visitors climb and slide down a series of waterfalls with guides. Helmets and vests are provided.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Go early before groups.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  11. A cable car climbs Mount Isabel de Torres above Puerto Plata. The summit has gardens and views.

    Half dayTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Go on a clear morning.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  12. Cabarete is a kitesurfing and windsurfing hub. Its beach bars are lively.

    2 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Take a kite lesson.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  13. Bahía de las Águilas is a remote unspoiled beach in the southwest. Boats take visitors from Cabo Rojo.

    1 to 2 daysTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Plan for a long drive.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  14. Altos de Chavón is a replica Mediterranean village above a river. It has an amphitheatre.

    2 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead
    Tip. Combine with Saona trip.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access

  15. Hoyo Azul is a blue cenote at the foot of a cliff. It is in a nature park.

    Half dayTime needed
    yesBook ahead
    Tip. Arrive early.
    See on the map
    TOURSTours and tickets are shown to Hodolog members. Request access
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins from OpenStreetMap search; check a place before you go.
Not on the map: Los Haitises National Park, 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua.
Make it yours

Turn Dominican Republic into your plan

Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.

Plan day by dayAdd any place here to a day of your trip, with times and costs.
Bookings from emailForward flight and hotel confirmations. They land in your trip.
Weather for your datesForecast and usual weather for your exact days, in your units.
Share with your peopleInvite family or friends, split costs, keep one plan.
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Pick your bases

Cities to visit

Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.

Punta Canahttps://www.flickr.com/photos/uira/, CC BY-SA 2.0
4 nights suggested

Resort beaches.

beaches · Open the city guide
Santo DomingoJose Juan C, Public domain
2 nights suggested

Colonial capital.

history, culture · Guide coming
Las TerrenasUR3IRS, CC BY-SA 3.0
3 nights suggested

Samaná beaches.

beaches · Guide coming
JarabacoaTreeman, Public domain
2 nights suggested

Mountains.

adventure · Guide coming
Puerto Platahttps://www.flickr.com/photos/scubabix/, CC BY 2.0
2 nights suggested

North coast.

beaches · Guide coming
Cabaretehttps://pixabay.com/en/users/tavarez88-204143/, CC0
2 nights suggested

Watersports.

adventure · Guide coming
SamanaAnton Bielousov, CC BY-SA 3.0
3 nights suggested

Whales, waterfalls and quiet beaches.

nature, whales · Guide coming
La RomanaBalou46, CC BY-SA 4.0
2 nights suggested

Gateway for Altos de Chavon and Saona.

day trips, resorts · Guide coming
Santiagoderivative work: Fogster (talk) [2]: ChezSant, CC BY-SA 3.0
1 nights suggested

Dominican second city for culture and cigars.

culture, food · Guide coming
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Know the map

Regions

East coast

Resort beaches and islands.

Punta Cana, Saona, Bayahibe

Santo Domingo

Capital with colonial heart.

Zona Colonial, Los Tres Ojos

Samaná Peninsula

Green, whales and beaches.

Las Terrenas, El Limón, Los Haitises

Central mountains

Cool peaks and rivers.

Jarabacoa, Pico Duarte

North coast

Beaches and adventure.

Puerto Plata, Cabarete

Central highlands

Cool mountains with rivers and the Caribbean's highest peak.

Jarabacoa, Pico Duarte, Constanza

Short on time?

Ready-made routes

Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.

  1. Santo Domingo, 2 nightsColonial zone.
  2. Punta Cana, 5 nightsBeaches and Saona.
Plan your dates

Seasons and weather

Best: December to April. Dry, sunny and pleasant.

Hurricane season runs June to November, and humpback whales visit Samaná from about January to March.

Busy and pricey. December to April. High season: crowds and the highest hotel prices. Book ahead.
Shoulder. May, November. Good weather with fewer people and better prices.
Quiet and cheaper. June to October: hot, rainy, hurricane risk. Low season: lowest prices and few crowds, but shorter days and some places closed.

January. Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Usual weather in Punta Cana

Temperature

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

0.00.81.62.43.1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

80°F daily high, 79°F average, 1.5 in

  • Warmest month September (84°F)
  • Coolest month February (78°F)
  • Wettest month November (3.1 in)
  • Driest month February (1.0 in)

Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.

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Know before you go

At a glance

3/5
Safety

US State Department Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for crime; resort areas are calmer than cities at night.

3/5
Getting around

Buses link cities, but many visitors use transfers or rental cars.

3/5
Value

All-inclusive resorts can be good value; independent travel is moderate.

Good to know

Entry with your passport

Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.

Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.

EntryCheck current visa and entry rules on the entry requirements page of the Dominican Ministry of Tourism (godominicanrepublic.com), and your own government's travel advice, before you book, as rules change.
PlugsType A, B; 110 V, 60 Hz
Tap waternot safe
TippingA 10 percent service charge is added; extra tips are customary.
PaymentsCards accepted in resorts; carry pesos elsewhere.
Emergency911 general (coverage is not complete outside Santo Domingo; tourist police Politur also help)
EtiquetteDominicans are friendly and music is everywhere. Bargain politely in markets.
What to wearCover shoulders and knees in churches.
DrivingOn the right
Between citiesCaribe Tours and Metro Tours buses link main cities. Rental cars and private transfers are common for resorts.
Main airportsPUJ, SDQ, POP, AZS
Ride appsUber
Taste it

What to eat

La banderaMangúSancochoTostonesHabichuelas con dulceMamajuanaMangu (mashed plantain)Fresh seafood in coconut sauce

A short history

The Taíno people lived on the island when Columbus arrived in 1492. Santo Domingo became the first permanent European city in the Americas. The country won independence from Haiti in 1844 and endured the Trujillo dictatorship from 1930 to 1961. Today it is a democracy with a fast-growing tourism economy.

Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Dominican Republic