Dominican Republic resorts are trying to attract tourists with clean beaches and a variety of leisure activities. Even cities and villages with their own distinctive features are targeted at a wide audience. Everywhere guests will be offered excursions to neighboring settlements and islands. There are fishing tours, as well as establishments like clubs and restaurants that offer to brighten up the evening.
Not without diving, where there are reefs, and windsurfing, where there are none. Punta Cana is the most popular resort in the country. He meets the requirements of one and all. Cap Cana is geared towards wealthy people. There are also exclusive offers, for example, Santa Barbara de Samana, a humpback whale watching center, and only in San Felipe de Puerto Plata blue amber is found.
Popular beach resorts in the Dominican Republic
List of top destinations for a Caribbean beach holiday in the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana
The main resort of the Dominican Republic, developing in different directions. They want to please any tourist here. Most of the hotels are 5-star and all-inclusive. Some of them are aimed at families with children, others are aimed at young people. There are bars, clubs and hotel spas. Guests are offered to go fishing, diving, surfing, visit adventure parks and dolphinariums, go on a jeep safari. The beaches are snow-white and framed by palm groves.
Cap Cana
Most of all, the young resort attracts the rich, as recreation here is expensive. A port has been built, where private yachts are anchored - a real collection of luxury boats. Leisure activities include golf, spa treatments and Michelin-starred restaurants. Juanjo Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The coastline stretches for 8 km. The main excursion destinations are the island of Cayo Levantado and the Manati reserve.
Bavaro
Formally, the resort can be attributed to the suburb of Punta Cana. The main attractions are natural: caves, lagoons, 3 national parks, distinguished by types of exotic vegetation. There are over 30 hotels in Bavaro. There are inexpensive, suitable for families, and there are fashionable ones with additional services. There is a coral reef not far from the coast, which holds back wars. At the same time, the entrance to the water is convenient and there are no depth differences.
Bayahibe
The resort is considered calm and imposing, more suitable for lovers of relaxing in the sun than having a rave. The local small yacht port is the starting point for excursions to the islands of Saona and Catalina. The beach of the same name is covered with fine light sand, and the sea water is so clean that schools of fish can be seen swimming right up to the shore. Two national parks are required to visit - "Parque del Este" and "Los Aitis".
Uvero Alto Macau
The resort has been actively developing over the past 15 years. The modern infrastructure quickly made Uvero Alto Macao popular with young people. Wild beaches are a place for romantic get-togethers. The sand is different from the neighboring resorts: it has a golden hue. There is no coral reef nearby, so there are great windsurfing opportunities. Punta Cana Airport is about 45 minutes by car.
Santa Barbara de Samana
Located on the northern coast of the Samana Bay. The main center for humpback whale watching in the Caribbean. Most of the resort lies on hills surrounded by a valley. Architectural landmarks - Catholic and Evangelical churches. The beaches are white and the water is clean and transparent. Fishing is the second important component of the economy after tourism. Guests are offered different types of fishing, including from yachts on the high seas.
Cayo Levantado
The island is located at the outlet to the Atlantic Ocean from the bay. Despite its modest size, Cayo Levantado boasts a hotel and other tourist infrastructure. At the beginning of winter, it is good to watch humpback whales here, the giants stay nearby until mid-March. Natural landmark - Lemon waterfall. Sport fishing is flourishing. And the local bars are teeming with different types of rum.
Las Terrenas
Located on the east coast of the Samana Peninsula. An excursion tour has been developed that allows you to visit all the beaches of the area. Tourists are transferred from one to another by boat. Whale watching, cliff jumping, hiking, scuba diving are the main attractions for holidaymakers. There are places for camping, which are not found in all resorts in the Dominican Republic. For those who like to have fun at night, there are also clubs and bars.
Las Galeras
The resort is part of the Samana of the same name. The tourist area is separated by the Cordilleras mountain slopes. Birdwatching in LosHaitises National Reserve. And humpback whales swim right up to the coast from January to March. Adventure lovers cannot pass by Cayo Levantado - a real pirate island. The territory is covered with dense tropical vegetation, which gives it color.
San Felipe de Puerto Plata
Occupies part of the northern coast, there is an international airport nearby. It bears the name "Amber Coast". Amber is found everywhere, especially the deposits of this stone with a blue tint attract connoisseurs - this shade is not found anywhere else. With the help of the only funicular in the Dominican Republic, you can climb Mount Isabel de Torres. One of the local beauties is a copy of the statue of Christ from Rio de Janeiro.
Playa Dorada
The resort is adjacent to San Felipe de Puerto Plata. It includes 13 hotels of varying degrees of comfort, casinos, numerous bars and restaurants, clubs and discos, water parks. The infrastructure is partly outdated, but everything looks decent, and the prices are affordable. Nearby attractions: Isabel de Torres, the old fort, a long promenade, waterfalls, rainforests and caves.
Costa Dorada
The hotels in this resort provide guests with a top level service. The most in demand is Iberostar Costa Dorada, where the best rooms are booked several months in advance. Snow-white beaches, in addition to relaxing in a hammock or on a sun lounger, offer a lot of entertainment. Among them are kayaking, deep sea fishing, windsurfing. There are bars, and directly by the water, a golf club, as well as spa centers at hotels.
Cabarete
Belongs to the northern coast, the road to the airport by car takes about 20 minutes. The resort has repeatedly been included in the ratings of the best places for active recreation for young people. Surfing, diving, tennis, horse riding and clubs working almost round the clock are what makes Cabarete guests happy. It hosts the official windsurfing world championship and several other lower ranked tournaments.
Sosua
Located in a calm bay on the northern coast, partially sheltered from the winds. Most of the hotels are concentrated in the El Batey quarter, once founded by Jewish settlers. The only synagogue in the country was built here, as well as the museum of the fight against Nazism. There are many natural beauties in the vicinity of Sosua, but the reserve "27 waterfalls" stands out especially. Cockfighting takes place on Los Charmicos Beach.
Juan Dolio
Location - south coast, 20 km to the international airport. Most of the hotels are 3 and 4 stars. Restaurants serve both local and European cuisine. Tourists are offered snorkeling, diving, fishing and sports games so as not to get bored. But you can be a little lazy in a sun lounger on the beach. Juan Dolio is suitable for those who plan their vacation on their own and do not want to depend on a guide or tour operator.
Boca Chica
From here to the capital is about 30 km. A coral reef protects the lagoon from strong waves. Prices are lower than at many resorts of similar quality: the focus is largely on the local population.Entertainment - water skiing, windsurfing, diving, sailing, fishing. Boat trips to nearby islands. The most popular of them are La Matika and Los Pinos.
Casa de Campo
Belongs to the province of La Romana. Like celebrities and businessmen. There is only one hotel, more often villas are rented here than rooms. The resort has polo and golf courses, a yacht club, swimming pools, restaurants and bars, and a horse ranch. The main attraction is Altos de Chavon - the city of artists. It is small, stylized in the Middle Ages and offers visitors a lot of museums and workshops to explore.
La Romana
From this resort it is convenient to get to both the capital and Punta Cana. Boats sail regularly from the fishing village of Bayahibe to explore the neighboring islands. Tourists ride on yachts along the entire coast. There is also a cruise port where ships of impressive size enter. La Romana is a paradise for diving fans: not only reefs, but also sunken ships are available for inspection.
Los Melones
A small girl with a minimal set of services and infrastructure is located in the south of the Dominican Republic. In addition to the usual cafes and shops, there are sports grounds and a picturesque park. Los Melones is modest in itself, but sits between other popular resorts. Like Dominicus and Bayahibe. Visitors come here during excursions, and those who want to be away from the noise and other vacationers also stop.
Dominicus
The lagoon and the beach of the same name have repeatedly received the Blue Flag award for cleanliness and compliance with environmental standards. There are no analogues in the Dominican Republic. The sand is white and the water is highly transparent. The length of the beach is about 20 km. Such an impressive length is a guarantee that any vacationer will find a place: there are traditionally crowded areas, and there are also secluded ones. Scuba diving is a popular leisure activity.
Mano Juan
This is the name given to the fishing village and the beach. They are located on the island of Saona and are part of the National Park of the East. Most of the tours are all inclusive. Leisure activities are varied, snorkeling, beach volleyball, and hiking are especially popular. In the evenings, there are themed shows and events for all tastes. There are excursion programs with trips to other parts of the country.
Rio San Juan
Located in the north of the country. It is a fishing village turned into a resort. One of the unusual entertainments is group fishing for blue marlin. Tourists do not miss the opportunity to take a boat ride on the Gri-Gri mangrove lagoon or arrange a jeep safari. A colorful nautical carnival is held in mid-February. The rest of the time is worth spending in modern tourist complexes, where the pool to the sea is just a stone's throw away.
Punta Rusia
In the past, Russian sailors lived in this area, who survived the shipwreck. The lagoon of the same name is surrounded by mangrove trees, and sea cows live here. And the caves on the coast are covered with drawings by local aborigines. There are more than 300 sunny days in Punta Rusia a year. The main attractions are snorkelling at a long coral reef, as well as a visit to the uninhabited island of Cayo Arena.
Cabrera
City in the province of Maria Trinidad Sanchez. The Cape of the Old French National Park is close to Cabrera. The best beach is called Big. The coast is divided into separate sections, very different in terms of service and entertainment. Many natural attractions including rivers and exotic plants. While tourism in the city is booming, the main source of income is agriculture.
Barahona
The resort belongs to the southwestern territories of the country. Natural landscapes change in contrast: for example, a desert and a dense forest are half an hour away from each other. The best beaches are Paraiso, Los Patos, San Rafael. Some of them are pebbly, but most are covered with white fine sand. There are pink flamingos and turtles in the surrounding area. It is worth visiting Enriquillo, one of the few salt lakes where crocodiles are found.
Jarabacoa
Located in an area called the "Dominican Alps". The resort is visited mainly by wealthy residents of the country. The pine forest makes it stand out among many other holiday destinations. The location makes the days hot and the nights cool. While hiking in the mountains, you can admire the waterfalls. Legends of love are associated with the Central Park of Jarabacoa, so people come here hoping to meet a couple.
Constanta
Agricultural center of the country. Has an informal name - "Switzerland of the Caribbean". The valley stretches on the island of Cordillera Central among the mountain range. The city of the same name has good hotels, restaurants with traditional cuisine, an airport. Tourists come to relax in the bosom of nature, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and also to look at the 150-meter Aguas Blancas waterfall.
Miches
Stands on the northeast coast. Ecological tourism is flourishing in the district. The virgin nature is multifaceted: from wild white beaches to tropical forests. Travelers often come to Miches from other resorts as part of eco-excursions. Rest here is suitable for families, as well as for lovers of regularity. Since the infrastructure does not yet reach Punta Cannes and similar places, the prices are not high.
Higuey
One of the tourist centers is located in the east of the country. The proximity to the famous resort of Punta Cana - about 50 km. Adds to the attractiveness of the city. The main attraction is the Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia Cathedral, built in 1971. Higuey has attracted Catholic pilgrims before, and with the advent of this 80-meter temple, there are even more of them.
Santo Domingo
The city is associated with the history of conquering and exploring the New World. It is called the “gateway to the Caribbean”. The Osama River divides the resort into two parts. The lighthouse and the remains of Columbus resting in it are the central attraction of the resort. Other beauties: Mirador-Sur park, aquarium, botanical garden. Lovers of architecture have something to see - the colonial style is presented in all its glory.