Dominican Republic Sightseeing

The Dominican Republic is home to the oldest city in the New World, so take time to fully discover Santo Domingo and its surroundings. The country is small enough to enjoy a number of sights and cities, so you can choose from resort towns, historic monuments, amber museums, ancient forts or stunning botanic gardens. Coupled with the year-round good weather, the number of sights on offer will ensure a truly memorable trip.

Fort San Felipe

This fort was built in the 1600s by the Spanish to protect the settlement from pirates. It is now a museum which documents its own important role in the history of the Dominican Republic.

Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens

Take the 800 metre cable car ride up to the top of Isabela de Torres, the peak of which overlooks Puerto Plata, and enjoy the stunning Botanical Gardens with their subtropical vegetation and 15 small brooks and streams. You will find countless nature trails which are perfect for the entire family as well as enormous ferns, overgrown flowers, fire-red gingers and giant hibiscus. A visit early in the morning is well worth the early start, as you are guaranteed to catch the best views from the top. 

Jarabacoa

This small town in the Central Mountain range is the gateway to a myriad of adventure sports. The cool temperatures that the town experiences are perfect for all of the activities on offer here, which include hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing and white-water rafting.

Las Américas Highway

This highway runs east along the coast from the capital of Santo Domingo to La Romana and is a 2-hour drive. The highway takes you along a stunning route, passing through some of the country’s most beautiful scenery. Midway, you will find the beach resorts of Juan Dolio and San Pedro de Macoris as well as Higüey, home to a giant concrete cathedral and shrine. East of La Romana, you will find Punta Cana and Bávaro, two beautiful beaches which are perfect for watching the sunrise. As the highway is so short, hiring a car and travelling along it is a must if you really want to experience some of the country’s most beautiful scenery.

Los Tres Ojos de Agua

This stunning cave complex is known in English as the ‘Three Eyes of Water’. Its name derived from the fact that the caves house three turquoise lagoons on three different levels. Each lagoon is fed by an underground river and surrounded by countless stalactites as well as many tropical plants.

Museo Mundo de Ambar

The Dominican Republic has one of the largest amber reserves in the world. This museum, found in Santo Domingo, is home to an impressive collection including both home grown and international amber. Many of the stones have insects in them, with a whole room being dedicated to ants. You will find signs in English detailing the origins of the stones, the mining process and uses. Phone: +1 809 682 3309; website: www.amberworldmuseum.com.

Puerto Plata

This resort town is ideal for those who are looking for a bit of rest and relaxation alongside some active pursuits. You will find the largest number of hotel rooms on the island in this town, which come hand-in-hand with a wide range of activities, parks and entertainment. During the day, visit the enormous shopping centre, the Playa Dorada Plaza, with its stores and movie theatre, or take a walk along the beach, stopping at one of the numerous cafés along the way. At night, try your luck at one the casinos in town or simply enjoy a romantic meal at one of the top restaurants which are located throughout the resort.  

San Cristóbal

This city is where the first constitution was signed on 6 November, 1844. It is home to a number of fascinating historical sights, most of which are in some way linked to the life of Trujillo, the iron-fisted dictator who governed the country from 1930 to 1961. 

Santo Domingo

The Dominican Republic’s capital city is the oldest city in the New World as well as one of the most diverse, and is the first settlement in all of the Americas. It houses the first ever cathedral and the first hospital. History simply oozes out of its streets, buildings and monuments. A perfect way to really get a feel for its historical importance is to wander along its cobblestone streets taking in the Spanish colonial architecture while imagining how things were back in the 1600s. No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and nightlife; there are so many bars, restaurants, cafés and clubs that you will be hard pushed to fit them all in during your stay. The city is also home to the best shopping in the country; spend a day or two browsing the multitude of shops, boutiques and markets to really get a feel for Dominican life.

Climb a mountain

Pico Duarte is the highest mountain in the Caribbean. Hiking and climbing enthusiasts can ascend the 10,160-foot high mountain either on foot or by riding a mule to the summit. The effort it takes to get to the top is well worth it, as you will experience stunning vistas across the whole of the island.

Get wet

Be prepared to get very wet while navigating some of the country’s rapids. White-water rafting is very popular and available on the Río Yaque del Norte in Jarabacoa. Tubing, which is floating along the rapids in large rubber rings, can also be enjoyed on a few rivers.

Sample the nightlife

There are enough nightlife options in the Dominican Republic to keep you busy every night of your trip. You can choose from Las Vegas-style casinos, lively nightclubs, cocktail bars, top-class restaurants, quiet cafés by the sea, beach parties, barbeques and cabaret shows at your hotel. If you would prefer to enjoy some of the country’s culture, head to Santo Domingo, where you will find a number of concerts and other cultural events, which are often held at the Casa de Francia and Plaza de la Cultura.

Swim with dolphins

For many, swimming with dolphins is achieving a lifelong dream. Enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience at Manatí Park, near Punta Cana. You will also find a zoo here, along with beautiful gardens and a recreated tribal village. Website: www.manatipark.com.

Take a stroll

Enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and take a stroll along miles of unspoilt Atlantic coast. The most popular beach in the country is Cabarete Beach, where windsurfing and diving are particularly good.

Take a dive

Experience some of the most diverse scuba sites in the world and take advantage of the abundant reefs, wrecks, caverns and marine life found in the surrounding seas. Popular spots include Cabrera Cave, with its underground lake, and La Caleta National Underwater Park.