Dominican Republic

Why Go

Occupying the eastern half of the isle of Hispaniola, holidays to the Dominican Republic enjoy year-round sunshine, some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and a lush interior. Dom Rep holidays boast excellent white sand beaches on the north, south-east and east coasts, as well as beautiful countryside, from mangrove swamps to mountain ranges and waterfalls. Wildlife includes manatees and the famous gathering of humpback whales in the Bahía de Samaná. Add to this its colonial charm, plus the infectious music and Merengue dance, which are at the heart of Dominican culture.

In addition, there are some excellent tourist facilities, eclectic architecture and you are never too far away from a party. The Latin soul also adds a dash of excitement not found in the British and French isles of the West Indies. Add to this heady mix the clearest, most inviting seas you'll ever swim in alongside pure white sand and it's not hard to imagine enjoying yourself on your holidays in the Dominican Republic.

But, for a real taste of the island away from the coastal resorts, explore the back roads, winding past sugar plantations, to ramshackle villages and on to the spirited capital Santo Domingo, in the south, where the very first Christian structures of the Americas can be found

Separating north from south, the backbone of the Dominican Republic reaches its full height at the Cordillera Central, the highest mountain range on the island. Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean, soars to a height of 3175m (over 10,000 ft).

Shopping holidays in the Dominican Republic present all kinds of opportunities. Plaza Central in Santo Domingo is a major shopping development with a Jenny Polanco shop (an upscale Dominican designer whose signature white outfits can be seen in most upscale boutiques) and other high-end stores.

Unique to Dominican  holidays, the mineral Larimar is mined in a volcanic mountain range in the south of the country. Having no use other than ornamentation, the stone is polished to bring out its varied shades of turquoise blue and green - making exquisite beads for necklaces and bracelets beautifully matching the colours of the Caribbean.