Is the Dominican Republic worth visiting?
Famous for its tropical beaches and year-round perfect weather, the Dominican Republic has always been a solid choice for travelers who are looking for a slice of the good life.
However there’s much more on offer here than just the beaches, where you can go hiking through the jungle as well as visit some really unique attractions too.
In this article we’ll list the seven best reasons to visit the Dominican Republic, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is the Dominican Republic worth visiting?
Quick answer: The Dominican Republic is a perfect choice for those who want a tropical lifestyle, whilst also getting to visit some authentic gems too.
The capital of Santo Domingo offers a lot, where you can stay in the Zona Colonial which is full of picturesque buildings, castles and historic museums (this was after all the first place that Christoper Columbus made landfall in Latin America all those years ago).
If you’re after beautiful beaches then you’ll be spoilt for choice too. Often named as one of the best beach countries on earth, most just head to Punta Cana for relaxation (which whilst is pretty fun, it is very touristy).
The Samaná Peninsula is known for its incredible white-sand beaches, with the town of Las Terrenas being one of the very best.
The Dominican Republic is also home to a wild and wonderful culture, and you’ll eventually get sucked in eating Mangu for breakfast and catching rides on local motorcycles!
One of the most interesting gems you can visit is the Ámbar Museum, which is located in Puerto Plata and is home to perfectly-preserved lizards and insects from over 50 million years ago!
Where is the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic is located in the middle of the remote Caribbean Ocean.
It borders Haití to the west, and together these countries collectively make up the island of Hispaniola. Given its geographical position, the climate here is hot year round (although some parts can be cooler, such as in the mountains around Pico Duarte).
As well as having some truly gorgeous beaches here, the Dominican Republic also has many unique natural formations such as the cenotes which are common in the Yucatán Península of Mexico.
Is the Dominican Republic Safe?
The honest answer is Yes and No, and it all depends on where you head (as well as what you get up to of course).
Santo Domingo can be safe within the Zona Colonial, as well as in other touristy neighborhoods. However other areas of the city can be pretty seedy, where robbery and violence are issues.
Always stick to recommended areas when in the capital, and avoid heading out alone in unknown areas (if you must then use Uber to get around).
Many of the touristy beach towns are pretty safe as a whole, including those of Punta Cana, Cabarete, Sosúa and Las Terrenas. However this isn’t a license to take unnecessary risks, given pickpocketing can happen anywhere in the right conditions.
Also a heads up for the guys – be careful as prostitution is common in many of these towns, which often include scams and other not-so-fun strings attached.
Another issue is traffic accidents, and especially on motorbikes with the Dominican Republic being amongst the highest on the globe with these types of incidents. If you are going to hop on, then always wear a helmet.
7 Reasons to Visit the Dominican Republic
Are you still wondering if the Dominican Republic is really worth the visit? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this sizzling Caribbean nation.
1. Go Hiking through the Dominican Jungle
Whilst most trips focus just on the beaches and good life, we tend to forget this island is also covered in a beautiful, lush jungle too.
It’s easy to visit from several cities and towns such as Puerto Plata and Constanza (the latter is a jumping off point for visiting Pico Duarte – the highest peak in the country).
However one of the very best experiences you can have is from within the Samaná province, which is a region that juts-out from the extreme north-east of the island.
The town of El Limón is a great starting point, where you can hike through the tropical jungle to reach El Limón Waterfalls (it takes around an hour).
Whilst much smaller than other popular cascades such as the Salto de La Jalda, it was one of our favorite highlights here where you can enjoy the relaxed setting and take a dip under the cool falls.
You can also head here with this all-inclusive trek from Punta Cana (which includes lunch, all drinks and round-trip transportation).
2. Go Snorkeling on Saona Island
As you are flying into the Dominican Republic you’ll realize just how these turquoise waters are, which are amongst some of the most transparent and beautiful in all of Latin America.
And whilst we can find great places to snorkel all over the island, one of the absolute best has to be Saona Island.
Located roughly 19 km south of the mainland, it’s an easy stop to make from Punta Cana. In these waters we can spot everything from Reef Sharks and Turtles to Angel Fish and Eagle Rays.
You’ll find a whole range of tours heading here from both the capital and elsewhere, however we suggest heading on this day tour from Punta Cana.
Here you’ll have plenty of time to wade in the waters in places like The Piers, as well as getting to enjoy a typical Dominican lunch on the beach. You’ll also have round-trip transportation and all snorkeling gear included too.
3. Explore the City Highlights of Puerto Plata
Now we head up to the north coast of the Dominican Republic, which can be quite a nice refresher from the more touristy Santo Domingo and Punta Cana in the south.
Puerto Plata is quite a big city, however it’s both safe and has tons of character. Here we can first explore the Parque Central Independencia, which is home to a beautiful colonial cathedral as well as being close to various photo-worthy streets (such as Paseo de Doña Blanca and La Calle de las Sombrillas).
Another more interesting gem worth visiting is the Ámbar Museum, which ended up being my (George’s) favorite destination on the entire island!
Located just a few blocks south of the Parque Central Independencia, here we can see this fossilized resin in all its glory (some of which is over 50 million years old).
Even more incredible is the fact that small lizards and insects from the prehistoric times have been perfectly preserved inside – giving us a real picture into how life was like all those years ago.
4. Chill out on White Sandy Beaches
Of course if you’re heading to the Dominican Republic, then you’re going to want to spend some time chilling out on its world-class beaches.
Similar to the Colombian island of San Andrés, here we’ll find gorgeous white sands all over, so it really depends on what kind of vibe you’re looking for.
Those who love a more festive atmosphere with lots of bars, restaurants and entertainment will want to head to Punta Cana.
If you’re after a more local Dominican-style hotspot, then Samaná is a great place to choose.
Others like Cabarete, Sosua and Las Terrenas are somewhere in-between, where there’s quite a lot of tourism however still with its cultural roots in-tact.
If possible, we recommend visiting one of each on your trip, given they all offer something different and will help you get an overall better perspective of the Dominican Republic.
5. See Humpback Whales
One of the great things about a trip to the Dominican Republic is the sheer variety of wildlife you can encounter here.
From swinging monkeys in the jungle to snorkeling with Reef Sharks, it’s all possible here!
Another awesome experience is to see Humpback Whales, which are found in the north of the island (mostly around the Samaná province).
It’s actually one of the best places to spot these beautiful beasts, where it’s reported that all humpback whale populations living within the Atlantic Ocean visit here every year.
It’s important to note that they are only in these waters from December until March (as part of their annual migration).
If seeing Humpback Whales is a must for you too, then we suggest booking your spot on this Whale Watching day tour. Departing from Samaná, you’ll head out to the bay where these whales frequently cross where you will get up and close with them. You’ll also spend some time at Bacardi Island as well as having lunch included too.
6. Live it up in Santo Domingo
The Dominican capital is a really heated city, and we don’t just mean the temperature (although it does get really hot – so keep reapplying that sunscreen!).
Here we’ll find a vibrant and loud culture, and even on random street corners you’ll find some dancing or rum-drinking going on. The nightlife is also really great too, and we recommend basing yourself in the Zona Colonial which is close to all of the best spots.
Santo Domingo also has lots of awesome historical attractions to visit too. These include the Alcázar de Colón, Fortaleza Ozama and the Parque Colón.
A really good idea is to join this guided city bike tour, where your guide will show you the best attractions as well as some really cool hidden spots too. You’ll have plenty of bottled water included, however remember to keep reapplying sunscreen as it can get really hot out there.
7. Head to the Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos
This is a must for those who love natural landscapes and awesome rock formations.
Just a short taxi ride from the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, we have the Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos.
Here we can find a total of four different limestone caves, which are really similar to the cenotes found near Tulum in Mexico.
Here we can find some truly mesmerizing bright green and blue waters too, which make for a perfect snap.
Unfortunately you can’t swim here (which would have been perfect given how hot it gets), so it’s a good idea to bring lots of water to stay hydrated when exploring this underground national park. We recommend visiting early in the morning to enjoy the site before it fills up with tourists later in the day.
Got travel insurance for the Dominican Republic?
Is the Dominican Republic worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit the Dominican Republic.
Whilst located within the turquoise blues of the Caribbean, this nation is truly Latin at heart and is a really memorable one to travel.
Here you can relax on world-class beaches, enjoy sizzling atmospheres as well as have some truly unique experiences here too.
Be sure to read our Dominican Republic Itinerary for more ideas on where to visit in this memorable Caribbean nation.
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