7 Best Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country that goes beyond Punta Cana. The country boasts with beautiful beaches, a dense jungle, lovely waterfalls, and even the highest mountain in the Caribbean.
When I booked my flight to this incredible country, I knew I wanted to get to know the culture and see its paradise. I didn’t want to only stay in the resort town of Punta Cana.
Although most of the cities in the country receives quite a bit of tourists, going to the ones less visited is another experience.
It’s not a backpacker friendly country, but you can find ways to make it budget-friendly or you can live the most luxurious experience at one of the many all-inclusive resorts around the country.
The Dominican Republic is full of beauty and worth a visit!
Here are 7 of the best places to visit in the Dominican Republic.
7 Best Places to visit in the Dominican Republic
Table of Contents
7 Places to Visit
Although most visitors head to Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, I highly encourage you to visit other cities and towns in the country where you will get a stronger feel of the culture and find even more beautiful Caribbean beaches.
Getting around the country by public transportation isn’t as easy at is in other countries, but it’s worth the effort getting to these less touristy spots. You will find lots of nature, waterfalls, long-stretches of deserted beaches, and lots of culture.
During my visit to the Dominican Republic, I got an opportunity to visit the following cities and towns.
1. Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is the largest city in the country but definitely worth a visit. It has a beautiful colonial historic center.
La Zona Colonial is full of rich history and historic sites to visit. You find beautiful buildings and lively streets.
Some important sites include Columbus Park, Independence Park, Fortaleza Ozama, Museum of the Royal Houses, and Calle Las Damas.
If you want to get out of the city, you can head to the beaches. Playa Boca Chica is the most popular so there will be lots of tourists. If you want to escape the crowds, you can drive further to Guayacanes Beach and Juan Dolio Beach.
2. Sosúa
Sosúa is a small town not too far from the port city of Puerto Plata in the northeast of the country. Here you will find beautiful beaches and a large strip of restaurant filled beaches. It has a small town to explore restaurants too.
Sosúa is a perfect place for scuba diving or for getting your scuba diving certificate. I got scuba diving certified with Sosua Diving Center and had a great experience. Even if you don’t want to get certified, they also offer snorkeling and scuba experiences.
I will be completely honest and raw, I loved the beaches and enjoyed visiting Sosúa. However, I found it to be full of old foreigner men walking around with young Dominican women. Prostitution is highly visible as you walk around. Therefore, I’m glad I chose to stay in Cabarete instead of Sosúa.
3. Cabarete
If you enjoy laid-back towns, Cabarete is a perfect choice. The town has a bohemian backpacker vibe. It’s small, has a good amount of bars and restaurants, and beautiful beaches.
Mainly, it’s well known for kite-surfing because of the mild windy weather. It’s also a great place for surfing or simply laying by the beach.
I struggled with the decision of staying in Sosúa or Cabarete, but I’m so glad I chose Cabarete. It’s more friendly, small, and easy to get around.
4. Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas was my favorite town in the Dominican Republic. Although it was touristy, it’s far less known than other places in the country. The travelers you find here are more seasoned long-term stay travelers who seem to come spend time in this hidden gem.
There are many Italian and French tourists, many of who seem to call this place home. Tourism isn’t as developed, but you’ll still find it a great place to visit.
My favorite beaches are here and I loved them because you find long stretches of sand with relatively no people. I couldn’t believe how empty the beaches were despite the tourism and high season.
If anyone asks my opinion of where to go in the country, my answer will be Las Terrenas. Things to do include renting and riding ATVs or scooters, surfing and kite surfing, and going Cascada Limon in the province of Samana.
5. Cascada Limon
Cascada Limon in the province of Samaná is a must visit if you go to Las Terrenas or Samaná. From Las Terrenas, it’s only 30 minutes away and you can arrive by ATV or Scooter.
There is a muddy hike with some river crossings or you can pay for a horse to take you. Most guides will tell you it’s nearly impossible to hike it, but if you have the right shoes the hike can be done.
Once there, you will be met with a beautiful waterfall and you can jump in for a dip.
6. Punta Cana
Punta Cana is the place to go if you’re looking for a resort stay vacation. The beach is lined with all-inclusive resorts so you can go relax near the beach.
Outside the resorts there isn’t much to do other than find a few souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants. You can also go on tours, such as a trip to Saona Island.
If you still want to check out Punta Cana, but don’t want to stay in a resort, you can find better prices by staying at a nearby Airbnb. I went during New Years and stayed at an Airbnb and showed up to the beach for a beach party one of the the hotels was hosting.
7. Saona Island
If there is a place you must not miss in the Dominican Republic, it’s Saona Island. It has some of the most turquoise and most beautiful water I’ve seen. This is a small and remote island lined with palm trees and a lovely sea.
It’s near Bayahibe but you can also take a day-trip from Punta Cana. It’s what made my visit to Punta Cana worth it. Tours in the Dominican Republic aren’t cheap, but I assure you the $50-60 you pay to visit Isla Saona will be worth it.
The tour includes transportation, a fun party boat ride, open bar, and lunch. It was a long day but one of the best tours in Punta Cana.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is between the months of December and April when the weather is less rainy and less humid.
Rainy and hurricane season runs from June to November, but I wouldn’t necessarily suggest avoiding this season as it can still be a great time to visit with less crowds.
How to Get Around
Getting around the island is not as easy at is in other countries I’ve visited. Bus schedules to more remote areas are hard to catch and private transportation is expensive.
Renting a car is a great option if you are in a group. It is the best way to get around and reach the less touristy cities. The cost per day can be around $55 a day. However, you must know there are tolls, roads aren’t the greatest, police are out to stop you, and people drive terribly here.
The budget friendly way to get around is by bus. From Santo Domingo, you can get to Puerto Plata or Sosua for under $10.
You can also hire private transportation, but prices run from $200-300 depending on the distance.
Within the cities, you can around on motoconchos which are motorcycle taxis. However, the most public way to get around is on small guaguas (shuttle vans). These are a complete experience as they fill up to the point that you’re almost sitting on top of one another. But they are the cheapest way to get around within the town or two nearby towns such as from Sosua to Cabarete.
What to Pack for Dominican Republic
Here is a list of my favorite items I packed for my trip to the Dominican Republic.
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
Best Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic
