Dominican Republic

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Capital: Santo Domingo
• Currency: Dominican peso (DOP)
• Languages: Spanish
• Main airport: PUJ — Punta Cana International Airport, serving Punta Cana
• Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season and the coolest months; the hurricane season runs June to November

Overview

Occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's most-visited destination, built around large all-inclusive resorts. It combines long beaches with the oldest colonial city in the Americas. It is a separate country from Dominica, which lies far to the southeast in the Lesser Antilles.

Airports

Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) serves Santo Domingo. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) serves the eastern resort area and is the country's busiest gateway. Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) serves Puerto Plata on the north coast, and Cibao International Airport (STI) serves Santiago. La Romana International Airport (LRM) serves the southeast, and Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS) serves the Samaná peninsula.

Main cities

Santo Domingo is the capital and the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas, with the walled Zona Colonial. Santiago de los Caballeros is the second city, in the central Cibao valley. Puerto Plata is the main north-coast city, and Punta Cana-Bávaro is a resort area rather than a traditional city. La Romana and Samaná serve the southeast and northeast respectively, and Jarabacoa is an inland mountain town.

Places to go

The Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo holds the first cathedral and first hospital built in the Americas. Bávaro and Punta Cana beaches form the core resort strip, with Saona Island a common boat excursion. Los Haitises National Park protects mangroves and limestone hills on Samaná Bay, which is also a winter humpback whale-watching area. Pico Duarte is the highest mountain in the Caribbean. The 27 Charcos (Damajagua) waterfalls near Puerto Plata are a popular guided swim, and Jarabacoa is known for waterfalls and rafting. Bahía de las Águilas in the southwest is a long, undeveloped beach, and Lake Enriquillo is the largest lake in the Caribbean.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Dominican Republic, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked