Wondering about the top places to visit in the Dominican Republic? While many people opt for package tours, there’s so much more to this country than just sun and sea. Step away from your resort and explore a variety of incredible places.
The Dominican Republic offers a wealth of attractions, including colonial neighborhoods, dramatic limestone caves, stunning waterfalls, and diverse national parks. Here’s a guide to some of the best places to visit in the Dominican Republic to help you plan your trip.
Punta Cana is a top Caribbean tourist spot. Known for its pristine white-sand beaches, luxurious hotels, and modern restaurants, it’s perfect for water-based activities and family-friendly resorts. While most tourists come for the beaches, there are plenty of other activities, like swimming with dolphins. Don’t miss Hoyo Azul, a beautiful cenote with clear blue water, located about 15 km from Punta Cana.
Santo Domingo, the capital and largest city, is renowned for its UNESCO-listed historic district, Ciudad Colonial. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlements in the Americas and features some of the oldest buildings. Ciudad Colonial is a top tourist attraction, and while you’re in Santo Domingo, be sure to visit Los Tres Ojos, a stunning limestone cave with three blue-hued lakes.
Damajaqua Cascades, near Puerto Plata, is a complex of 27 waterfalls. It’s like a natural waterpark where you can trek through the jungle, jump into crystal-clear pools, slide down waterfalls, and take in the scenery. This is one of the top activities in the Dominican Republic.
Saona Island, part of Parque Nacional Cotubanamá, is a protected nature reserve famous for its beautiful beaches and idyllic landscapes. It’s a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, with reefs teeming with colorful fish. Its turquoise beaches stretch for kilometers, attracting tourists from around the globe.
Bahia de las Aguilas, an 8 km-long beach on the southwestern coast, is one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in the country. Known for its white sand and turquoise water, it’s a virgin beach with no luxury hotels, accessible only by boat, 4-wheel-drive, or motorbike taxi. The beach is part of Parque Nacional Jaragua and the nearest hotels are in the town of Pedernales.
Los Haitises National Park, established in 1976 on the remote northeast coast, is known for its conical limestone hills, rainforests, sinkholes, caverns, and large mangrove forests. This biodiverse area is popular for ecotourism. Notable sights include the mangroves and limestone outcrops of San Lorenzo Bay, and Cayo de los Pájaros where you can see pelicans and frigate birds.
El Limon waterfall, 52 meters high and located on the north coast of the Samaná Peninsula, is surrounded by lush greenery and cascades into a deep pool. It’s perfect for a refreshing swim. Reachable by a 2.5 km journey through the forest, you can get there on foot or horseback through lush, hilly terrain.