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- Dominican Republic
Holiday deals for the Dominican Republic: Dreamy beaches, coconut trees & azure seas
Experience pure Caribbean joie de vivre during a vacation to the Dominican Republic. Relax on the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and get to know the culture and the interior of the island. The north is a mecca for kite-surfers while in the south the Caribbean Sea invites you to swim.
For many Americans, a trip to the Dominican Republic is one thing above all else: a vacation with sandy beaches and plenty of sunshine. But don't lay your beach towel down too soon - this archipelago has so much more to offer.
Information about the Dominican Republic
With its beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea, the DR is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. Coupled with the tropical climate and year-round warm temperatures, the Dominican Republic is a perfect destination for a beach holiday. The northern zone around the city of Puerto Plata will thrill adventurous travellers. On the beaches of Playa Dorada or Playa Cofresi, a constant cooling breeze blows, creating ideal surfing conditions. The Samana peninsula in the east feels like paradise. The landscape is characterised by the beautiful sandy beaches, the mangrove forests, and colourful coral.
The Dominican Republic is an island nation in the Caribbean with over 1,500 kilometers of sandy beaches and several high mountains in the interior.
The "República Dominicana" comes in at about 50,000 square kilometers. Of the 10 million inhabitants, 3 million live in the capital, Santo Domingo, which is the most populous city in the West Indies.
The Dominican Republic lies between the Atlantic and the Caribbean, the east of the island of Hispaniola. The state of Haiti is in the western part of the island.
Destinations in the Dominican Republic
Exciting destinations can be found along the length of the coast. However, almost 80 percent of all tourists end up in Punta Cana at the easternmost tip of the island. This is not surprising given the high number of dreamy beaches and luxurious hotels. But take a chance to explore other areas, listed below:
Cabarete has developed from a fishing village to a fashionable seaside resort town and is an ideal base for water sports and exploring the north coast.
Las Terrenas is located in the northeast on the Samana peninsula. You can spend all day laying on sandy beaches, some of which are completely undeveloped.
A culture trip and beach vacation can be combined into one in the lively town of Puerto Plata in the north of the Dominican Republic. The beaches at Sosua are particularly idyllic. While there are some beach resorts, smaller hotel villas and apartments prevail in the way of accommodation.
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll find the markings of older generation blending with modern Caribbean life. The salsa and merengue bars are well-known and popular. Santo Domingo also has great beaches just outside the city.
An insider tip: the northwestern town of Samana in the bay of the same name is a great option. The beaches are less spacious, but just as beautiful as in Punta Cana, the bay is protected, and there are fewer large hotels. Samana is located on a peninsula, whose northern side includes more bays, beaches, and small towns such as Las Galeras. Those who want to see the paradise with their own eyes should take the dirt roads to Playa Rincon.
Excursions in the Dominican Republic by region
The north of the Dominican Republic
The north of the Dominican Republic is particularly well suited for active travellers and nature lovers who are looking to do more than relax on the beach. You can explore the beautiful forests of the DomRep on horseback or go diving in crystal-clear waters. Adventurous types will get their money's worth mountain biking, windsurfing or kiteboarding. This isn't to say adventurers can't chill on the beach, because the north coast, also called the Amber Coast, has plenty of gorgeous beaches. The best destinations for excursions are Playa Dorada, Cabarete, and Puerto Plato.
The south of the Dominican Republic
At the south of the DR, you are sure to deal with crowds, as it is the base of the capital and largest city of the country, Santo Domingo. Of course, there are many attractions to discover in such a well-known city, but the rest of the south should not be underestimated. For example, here you will find the Parque Nacional del Este, a wonderful national park, or places like La Romana (our top pick for the south), Boca Chica, and Guayacanes, which are ideal for a beach trip.
The west of the Dominican Republic
The west of the country is less developed for tourists, but for some that may make it an even more worthy destination. If you're feeling adventurous, you'll find a huge mountain range, interesting wildlife, and delicious cuisine with lots of fresh fish and seafood.
Attractions in the east of the Dominican Republic
The east of the Dominican Republic is probably the most popular region in the country, especially the small town of Punta Cana. And how could it be otherwise? This region is ideal for active holidays: opportunities for surfing , windsurfing, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, speedboat driving, and diving abound. Even if you are not a water sports enthusiast, there are plenty of activities for you, such as jeep tours, climbing, horse riding, and, of course, walking along Punta Cana's 30 kilometres of sandy beaches.
The most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic
Palm-fringed, dreamy beaches boasting white sand and turquoise blue waters—that's probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a vacation in the Dominican Republic . And rightly so, as the DR has hundreds of picturesque beaches. But with so many too chose from, how do you know which beach to visit? We're here to help with our list of the top 10 beaches in the Dominican Republic.
Playa Rincon, Las Galeras
Bahía de las Águilas
Cayo Levantado, Samana
Isla Saona
Bávaro Beach
Playa Frontón, Las Galeras
Playa Cosón, Las Terrenas
Punta Rucia
Lanza del Norte, Las Galeras
Playa Grande, Río San Juan
Practical tips for your holiday in the DR
Vaccinations for the Dominican Republic
Before traveling to the Caribbean, the Robert Koch Institute recommends that you have a series of vaccinations or booster shots. These include vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria. Consult your doctor in plenty of time and make sure that you are up to date on the appropriate vaccinations.
Avoid falling ill by drinking only bottled water. You should always boil tap water.
Currency and official language
In the Dominican Republic, you pay with either major credit cards or Dominican pesos (the main currency unit of the country). In some places you can also pay with US dollars. If you choose to pay this way, remember to pay attention to the exchange rate, because its usually cheaper to pay in local currency!
The official language of the DR is Spanish, but there are a high number of immigrants from Haiti, which is why several hundred thousand people speak Creole here. In most of the tourist hotspots you should be able to get by with English.
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