last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in the Dominican Republic
Location Map of Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
Open the interactive map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Dominican Republic has one site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Colonial City of Santo Domingo (1990)
This is the historic district of Santo Domingo. Its Spanish colonial buildings, the oldest in the Americas, are remarkably well preserved.
This is the historic district of Santo Domingo. Its Spanish colonial buildings, the oldest in the Americas, are remarkably well preserved.
Capital Region
Bani
Not far from the capital, the town and its surroundings are home to some beaches, salt marshes, and dunes that are quite "unique" in the Caribbean.
Not far from the capital, the town and its surroundings are home to some beaches, salt marshes, and dunes that are quite "unique" in the Caribbean.
Boca Chica
Thanks to its proximity to the capital, Boca Chica is a popular beach resort. It is known for its beaches, diving, and especially its nightlife.
Thanks to its proximity to the capital, Boca Chica is a popular beach resort. It is known for its beaches, diving, and especially its nightlife.
Juan Dolio
One of the country's oldest beach resorts, located between Santo Domingo and La Romana. While it enjoyed its "heyday" in the 1990s, the devastation caused by Hurricane Georges in 1998 and competition from other destinations like Punta Cana have significantly slowed its activity.
One of the country's oldest beach resorts, located between Santo Domingo and La Romana. While it enjoyed its "heyday" in the 1990s, the devastation caused by Hurricane Georges in 1998 and competition from other destinations like Punta Cana have significantly slowed its activity.
Santo Domingo
The Dominican capital—and the oldest city in the Americas—boasts a stunning UNESCO-listed historic centre and several museums well worth a visit.
The Dominican capital—and the oldest city in the Americas—boasts a stunning UNESCO-listed historic centre and several museums well worth a visit.
The East
This is the region of Punta Cana, Bávaro, Bayahibe, and all-inclusive resorts in general.
Altos de Chavón
On the outskirts of La Romana, this site is a replica of a medieval European village. It also serves as a venue for concerts.
On the outskirts of La Romana, this site is a replica of a medieval European village. It also serves as a venue for concerts.
Bavaro
This long white-sand beach lined with coconut palms, part of the Punta Cana municipality, is now home to countless all-inclusive hotel complexes.
This long white-sand beach lined with coconut palms, part of the Punta Cana municipality, is now home to countless all-inclusive hotel complexes.
Bayahibe
A small fishing village that transformed into a beach resort with the accompanying developments. It's also the departure point for excursions to nearby Saona Island.
A small fishing village that transformed into a beach resort with the accompanying developments. It's also the departure point for excursions to nearby Saona Island.
Boca de Yuma
This small village at the mouth of the Yuma River, near the gates of Del Este National Park, is quieter than the surrounding beach resorts. The area offers beautiful beaches, caves, and boat trips in the bay.
This small village at the mouth of the Yuma River, near the gates of Del Este National Park, is quieter than the surrounding beach resorts. The area offers beautiful beaches, caves, and boat trips in the bay.
Higüey
It is a pilgrimage site. For tourists, the city's main attraction is its cathedral, the "Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia," built in the 1950s.
It is a pilgrimage site. For tourists, the city's main attraction is its cathedral, the "Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia," built in the 1950s.
La Romana
The country's third-largest city and a major all-inclusive tourism hub, with numerous hotel complexes, facilities, and water activities. The city's port also welcomes many cruise ships.
The country's third-largest city and a major all-inclusive tourism hub, with numerous hotel complexes, facilities, and water activities. The city's port also welcomes many cruise ships.
Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic's main beach resort, like its neighbours, caters to guests who stay almost exclusively in all-inclusive resorts. Visitors come for its long beaches (including Bavaro Beach), water activities and attractions, and nightlife.
The Dominican Republic's main beach resort, like its neighbours, caters to guests who stay almost exclusively in all-inclusive resorts. Visitors come for its long beaches (including Bavaro Beach), water activities and attractions, and nightlife.
Natural Heritage
Catalina Island
Opposite La Romana, this spot attracts visitors (including cruise ships) for its beautiful beaches and snorkeling.
Opposite La Romana, this spot attracts visitors (including cruise ships) for its beautiful beaches and snorkeling.
Saona Island
A stunning small island, partly a nature reserve, just a few kilometres off the coast. Its magnificent beaches, diving spots, and boat access make it one of the most popular—and unmissable—tropical islands for tourists.
A stunning small island, partly a nature reserve, just a few kilometres off the coast. Its magnificent beaches, diving spots, and boat access make it one of the most popular—and unmissable—tropical islands for tourists.
Del Este National Park
This is the park located opposite Saona, to which the island is connected. Just as pleasant with its beaches, caves, and waterfalls, the area is home to various bird colonies and Taíno petroglyphs.
This is the park located opposite Saona, to which the island is connected. Just as pleasant with its beaches, caves, and waterfalls, the area is home to various bird colonies and Taíno petroglyphs.
Los Haitises National Park
This is one of the country’s most famous parks, visited by boat from nearby small villages. It offers beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous birds, turtles, and reptiles.
This is one of the country’s most famous parks, visited by boat from nearby small villages. It offers beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous birds, turtles, and reptiles.
Samaná Region
One of the island's most beautiful regions, around Samaná Bay.
Las Terrenas
The town is loved for its wild beaches and, apparently, for its quality of life, as several thousand Europeans (many of them French) and North Americans have settled here.
The town is loved for its wild beaches and, apparently, for its quality of life, as several thousand Europeans (many of them French) and North Americans have settled here.
Samaná
Samaná is a major tourist destination in the Dominican Republic. In addition to its beaches, the area is renowned as the departure point for whale watching, with whales visiting the bay from January to March.
Samaná is a major tourist destination in the Dominican Republic. In addition to its beaches, the area is renowned as the departure point for whale watching, with whales visiting the bay from January to March.
Natural Heritage
Los Haitises National Park
This is one of the country’s most famous parks, visited by boat from nearby small villages. It offers beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous birds, turtles, and reptiles.
This is one of the country’s most famous parks, visited by boat from nearby small villages. It offers beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous birds, turtles, and reptiles.
Salto del Limón
A stunning waterfall well worth the detour, just a few kilometres from Las Terrenas. It’s a highly popular excursion for visitors to this part of the country.
A stunning waterfall well worth the detour, just a few kilometres from Las Terrenas. It’s a highly popular excursion for visitors to this part of the country.
The Northwest
This is the northern part of Santo Domingo, around Puerto Plata and bordering Haiti, as well as the country's mountainous area.
Bonao
It's a city surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, nature, and a number of related activities.
It's a city surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, nature, and a number of related activities.
Constanza
A small agricultural town perched at 1,200 m and surrounded by forests, giving it a distinctly different feel from the rest of the country.
A small agricultural town perched at 1,200 m and surrounded by forests, giving it a distinctly different feel from the rest of the country.
Jarabacoa
While the town itself has little to offer in terms of tourism, its location in the heart of the Cordillera makes it an excellent base for exploring the region and enjoying outdoor activities (hiking, rafting, canyoning).
While the town itself has little to offer in terms of tourism, its location in the heart of the Cordillera makes it an excellent base for exploring the region and enjoying outdoor activities (hiking, rafting, canyoning).
Puerto Plata
This renowned beach resort, famous for its beaches (including Playa Dorada), is also a city with some historical ruins, museums, an amusement park ("Ocean World"), and a funicular that takes you to the summit of Pico Isabel de Torres (793 m), which overlooks the city.
This renowned beach resort, famous for its beaches (including Playa Dorada), is also a city with some historical ruins, museums, an amusement park ("Ocean World"), and a funicular that takes you to the summit of Pico Isabel de Torres (793 m), which overlooks the city.
Rio San Juan
A quiet fishing port on the north coast with pretty beaches nearby and a mangrove to explore on boat trips.
A quiet fishing port on the north coast with pretty beaches nearby and a mangrove to explore on boat trips.
Santiago de los Caballeros
With over half a million inhabitants, Santiago is the country’s second-largest city. For visitors, it offers several museums and monuments, including the "Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración," which towers over the city.
With over half a million inhabitants, Santiago is the country’s second-largest city. For visitors, it offers several museums and monuments, including the "Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración," which towers over the city.
Natural Heritage
Damajagua
A series of 27 waterfalls that can reach up to 13 metres high. You can go canyoning here. The site is half an hour from Puerto Plata.
A series of 27 waterfalls that can reach up to 13 metres high. You can go canyoning here. The site is half an hour from Puerto Plata.
José Armando Bermúdez National Park
This large forest park in the center of the country is a "classic" for hiking in the Dominican Republic.
This large forest park in the center of the country is a "classic" for hiking in the Dominican Republic.
Monte Cristi National Park
On the border with Haiti, this park is rarely visited. However, it offers some beautiful coastal landscapes with high cliffs and beaches here and there.
On the border with Haiti, this park is rarely visited. However, it offers some beautiful coastal landscapes with high cliffs and beaches here and there.
The Southwest
This is the rarely visited region between the capital and Haiti.
Barahona
Or more precisely Santa Cruz de Barahona. It is the largest urban area in the southwest. Like the rest of the province, it is not very touristy, but it does have beautiful beaches and a cathedral.
Or more precisely Santa Cruz de Barahona. It is the largest urban area in the southwest. Like the rest of the province, it is not very touristy, but it does have beautiful beaches and a cathedral.
Natural Heritage
Lake Enriquillo
This highly saline lake is the natural habitat of crocodiles and flamingos. At its center lies the small Isla Cabritos park, and on its southern shore, the Sierra de Baoruco National Park, a mountainous area famous for its blue rocks (larimar).
This highly saline lake is the natural habitat of crocodiles and flamingos. At its center lies the small Isla Cabritos park, and on its southern shore, the Sierra de Baoruco National Park, a mountainous area famous for its blue rocks (larimar).
Jaragua National Park
Far from tourist areas, the site is rarely visited even though it is one of the largest parks in the Caribbean. It is renowned for its stunning deserted beaches (including Bahia de las Aguilas) and its bird colonies, particularly flamingos. There are also several pre-Columbian decorated caves.
Far from tourist areas, the site is rarely visited even though it is one of the largest parks in the Caribbean. It is renowned for its stunning deserted beaches (including Bahia de las Aguilas) and its bird colonies, particularly flamingos. There are also several pre-Columbian decorated caves.
José del Carmen Ramírez National Park
This park is home to Pico Duarte. Like it, it's a trekking destination.
This park is home to Pico Duarte. Like it, it's a trekking destination.
Pico Duarte
At the heart of the Central Cordillera, this is the highest peak in Santo Domingo, as well as in the Caribbean, at 3,098 m. Its ascent, along with the two adjoining parks, is a classic hike in the Dominican Republic.
At the heart of the Central Cordillera, this is the highest peak in Santo Domingo, as well as in the Caribbean, at 3,098 m. Its ascent, along with the two adjoining parks, is a classic hike in the Dominican Republic.
Must-see & highly recommended
Saona Island
★★★★ A stunning small island, partly a nature reserve, just a few kilometres off the coast. Its magnificent beaches, diving spots, and boat…
Colonial City of Santo Domingo
★★★★ This is the historic district of Santo Domingo. Its Spanish colonial buildings, the oldest in the Americas, are remarkably well preserved.
Recommended
Del Este National Park
★★★ This is the park located opposite Saona, to which the island is connected. Just as pleasant with its beaches, caves, and waterfalls, the…
Los Haitises National Park
★★★ This is one of the country’s most famous parks, visited by boat from nearby small villages. It offers beautiful landscapes, as well…
Salto del Limón
★★★ A stunning waterfall well worth the detour, just a few kilometres from Las Terrenas. It’s a highly popular excursion for visitors to…
Santo Domingo
★★★ The Dominican capital—and the oldest city in the Americas—boasts a stunning UNESCO-listed historic centre and several museums…
Worth a look / Other
Barahona
★★ Or more precisely Santa Cruz de Barahona. It is the largest urban area in the southwest. Like the rest of the province, it is not very…
Bayahibe
★★ A small fishing village that transformed into a beach resort with the accompanying developments. It's also the departure point for…
Boca Chica
★★ Thanks to its proximity to the capital, Boca Chica is a popular beach resort. It is known for its beaches, diving, and especially its…
Boca de Yuma
★★ This small village at the mouth of the Yuma River, near the gates of Del Este National Park, is quieter than the surrounding beach resorts…
Damajagua
★★ A series of 27 waterfalls that can reach up to 13 metres high. You can go canyoning here. The site is half an hour from Puerto Plata.
Catalina Island
★★ Opposite La Romana, this spot attracts visitors (including cruise ships) for its beautiful beaches and snorkeling.
Las Terrenas
★★ The town is loved for its wild beaches and, apparently, for its quality of life, as several thousand Europeans (many of them French) and…
Jaragua National Park
★★ Far from tourist areas, the site is rarely visited even though it is one of the largest parks in the Caribbean. It is renowned for its…
José Armando Bermúdez National Park
★★ This large forest park in the center of the country is a "classic" for hiking in the Dominican Republic.
José del Carmen Ramírez National Park
★★ This park is home to Pico Duarte. Like it, it's a trekking destination.
Pico Duarte
★★ At the heart of the Central Cordillera, this is the highest peak in Santo Domingo, as well as in the Caribbean, at 3,098 m. Its ascent…
Puerto Plata
★★ This renowned beach resort, famous for its beaches (including Playa Dorada), is also a city with some historical ruins, museums, an…
Rio San Juan (Dominican Republic)
★★ A quiet fishing port on the north coast with pretty beaches nearby and a mangrove to explore on boat trips.
Samaná
★★ Samaná is a major tourist destination in the Dominican Republic. In addition to its beaches, the area is renowned as the departure point…
Altos de Chavón
★ On the outskirts of La Romana, this site is a replica of a medieval European village. It also serves as a venue for concerts.
Bani (DR)
★ Not far from the capital, the town and its surroundings are home to some beaches, salt marshes, and dunes that are quite "unique" in the…
Bavaro
★ This long white-sand beach lined with coconut palms, part of the Punta Cana municipality, is now home to countless all-inclusive hotel…
Bonao
★ It's a city surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, beautiful landscapes, nature, and a number of related activities.
Cabarete
★ Tourism-wise, Cabarete is renowned for its beaches and windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Constanza
★ A small agricultural town perched at 1,200 m and surrounded by forests, giving it a distinctly different feel from the rest of the country.
Higüey
★ It is a pilgrimage site. For tourists, the city's main attraction is its cathedral, the "Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia,"…
Jarabacoa
★ While the town itself has little to offer in terms of tourism, its location in the heart of the Cordillera makes it an excellent base for…
Juan Dolio
★ One of the country's oldest beach resorts, located between Santo Domingo and La Romana. While it enjoyed its "heyday" in the 1990s, the…
La Romana
★ The country's third-largest city and a major all-inclusive tourism hub, with numerous hotel complexes, facilities, and water activities…
Lake Enriquillo
★ This highly saline lake is the natural habitat of crocodiles and flamingos. At its center lies the small Isla Cabritos park, and on its…
Monte Cristi National Park
★ On the border with Haiti, this park is rarely visited. However, it offers some beautiful coastal landscapes with high cliffs and beaches…
Punta Cana
★ The Dominican Republic's main beach resort, like its neighbours, caters to guests who stay almost exclusively in all-inclusive resorts…
Santiago de los Caballeros
★ With over half a million inhabitants, Santiago is the country’s second-largest city. For visitors, it offers several museums and…
Sosúa
★ The town is known for its beaches and water activities, including diving.