Dominican Republic travel guide
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and is one of the Caribbean's most visited countries, with white-sand beaches around Punta Cana, the oldest European-built city in the Americas in Santo Domingo, mountains in the interior and humpback whales in Samaná Bay. It suits beach holidays and families, but also travellers who want history, merengue and bachata, and outdoor adventure.
Places worth the trip
Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
The UNESCO-listed old city founded by the Spanish in the 1490s, with the first cathedral in the Americas, the Alcázar de Colón palace built for Christopher Columbus's son, and the cobbled Calle de las Damas. Evenings bring music and outdoor dining to the plazas.
Punta Cana and Bávaro
The eastern tip of the country has long beaches of soft white sand lined with coconut palms and resorts. Reefs, catamaran trips and golf courses are close by.
Saona Island
An island in the Parque Nacional del Este, reached by boat from Bayahibe, with palm-fringed beaches and a shallow natural pool where starfish lie on the sand.
Samaná Peninsula and whale watching
Humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay each winter to mate and calve. The peninsula also has the El Limón waterfall, reached on foot or horseback, and quiet beaches around Las Terrenas.
Los Haitises National Park
Limestone hills covered in forest rise from mangrove-lined bays across from Samaná. Boat tours pass bird colonies and visit caves decorated with Taíno rock art.
Puerto Plata and Cabarete
On the north coast, a cable car climbs Mount Isabel de Torres above Puerto Plata, and the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua offer jumps and slides through a river canyon. Cabarete is a well-known kitesurfing and windsurfing beach.
Jarabacoa and Pico Duarte
The cool central mountains are a world away from the beach resorts, with rafting, waterfalls and coffee farms. Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean, can be climbed on a guided trek of a few days.
Lago Enriquillo
A large salt lake in the south-west that lies well below sea level, home to American crocodiles, rhinoceros iguanas and flamingos.
Interesting facts about Dominican Republic
- Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas, and has the first cathedral built in the Americas.
- Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean, while Lago Enriquillo is the lowest point in the region, both in the same country.
- Merengue and bachata both come from the Dominican Republic and are listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Larimar, a pale blue semi-precious stone used in jewellery, is found only in the Dominican Republic.
- The Dominican Republic and Haiti share Hispaniola, the second-largest island in the Caribbean.
Best time to visit Dominican Republic
December to April is the dry season and the most popular time to visit, with sunny days, lower humidity and peak prices. Humpback whales are in Samaná Bay from roughly mid-January to late March. May to November is hotter and more humid, with short heavy showers. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk usually from August to October, so check forecasts and travel insurance then.
Getting around
Comfortable intercity bus companies link Santo Domingo with Puerto Plata, Samaná, Punta Cana and other cities. Local minibuses called guaguas and shared taxis called carros públicos are cheap but crowded. Santo Domingo has a metro and cable car. Ride-hailing apps work in the main cities and tourist areas. Renting a car gives flexibility, but driving can be fast and unpredictable, so many visitors prefer drivers or organised transfers.
Practical details
- Capital
- Santo Domingo
- Currency
- Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars are accepted in many tourist areas
- Languages
- Spanish
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 120 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911 for all emergencies
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Restaurant bills include a legal service charge, but an extra tip for good service is customary. Tip guides, drivers and hotel staff too.
Staying online in Dominican Republic
Mobile coverage is good in cities, tourist resorts and along main highways, with 4G widely available. Signal can be patchy in the central mountains, in national parks such as Los Haitises, on boats and islands, and in rural parts of the south-west. Resorts, hotels and cafés usually offer Wi-Fi, though in large resorts it can be weak away from the lobby. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Dominican Republic eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Dominican, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Dominican, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Dominican, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Dominican, V2
Useful apps
- Uber: Widely used in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
- Google Maps: Directions between towns and beaches; download offline maps for the mountains.
- WhatsApp: The standard way to contact drivers, guides, tour operators and guesthouses.
- Google Translate: English is common in resorts but much less so elsewhere.
Dominican Republic travel FAQs
No. The Dominican Republic is the Spanish-speaking country on Hispaniola. Dominica is a small, English-speaking island in the eastern Caribbean. Double-check flights and bookings.
Dollars are accepted in many resorts and tourist areas, but paying in pesos usually gives better value in local shops, restaurants and taxis. Cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts.
Yes. Coverage is good in cities, resorts and along main roads, but weaker in the mountains and remote areas. A travel eSIM gives you local data while your home number stays active.
Yes. Santo Domingo's colonial city, Samaná's whales and waterfalls, and the mountains around Jarabacoa show a very different side of the country, and most are easy to reach on day trips or short stays.