Dominican Republic

Overview

Occupying the eastern half of the isle of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic enjoys year-round sunshine, some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and a lush interior. It boasts 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 and infectious music and dance which are at the heart of Dominican culture. 

But it is not just the country's beauty that makes it worth a visit - the Dominican Republic also has a reputation for having some of the friendliest people in the whole Caribbean, providing a warm welcome and genuine hospitality. In addition there are some excellent tourist facilities, eclectic architecture and you're never too far away from a party. Its 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 and it's not hard to imagine enjoying yourself in the beautiful Dominican Republic.  

Columbus, spotting the island for the first time on his voyage to the New World, declared there to be no more beautiful island in the world. Much of what he saw remains as it did over 500 years ago. Certainly its outline of sweeping valleys and lofty mountains, cloaked in deep green, and its silvery white beaches, have changed little.

Along both the north and south coasts, hotels and holiday villages claim their slices of sand, each offering the requisite array of watersports, relaxing beach bars and Dom Rep hospitality.

The northern, Atlantic coast is where you'll find most tourism developments - especially the 60 km strip between Puerto Plata and Cabarete. But, for a real taste of the island, you should 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 - including the lavish cathedral - amid a smattering of colonial mansions and depressingly poor shanty towns.

Separating north from south, the Dominican Republic's backbone 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).

Watch our 2-minute guide to the Dominican Republic.

Don't forget travel insurance for your holiday to the Dom Rep - buy yours online today.