Dominican Republic holidays

The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, but this Caribbean nation has a singular identity. A holiday to the Dominican Republic offers glorious white-sand beaches, a vibrant Carnival season and 29 national parks to explore. And with some of the best coffee, chocolate and rum on the planet, this is a holiday to forget your diet, celebrate decadence and appreciate life to the fullest.

Top destinations in Dominican Republic

Punta Caña

Go for the white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters, then discover the dancing, dining and natural spectacles that make Punta Caña a world-class Caribbean destination.

Explore destination

Santo Domingo

In one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities, salsa music mingles with sizzling street food against a backdrop of Spanish Colonial buildings. Say hello to Santo Domingo.

Puerto Plata

Dreamy beach getaways await in Puerto Plata. Beyond its vast shorelines, climb panoramic mountains, visit historic forts and trek through jungles to find secret swimming holes.

Dominican Republic: fast facts

Language

Spanish

Currency

Dominican peso ($)

Time zone

UTC-4 (AST)

We scan 100 billion prices, so you don’t have to

Compare prices to bag a cheap holiday to Dominican Republic

Book your holiday to Dominican Republic, all in one place

Dominican Republic holiday highlights

Dominican Republic

Get to the beach

One of the most popular things to do in the Dominican Republic is visit its idyllic beaches. Punta Caña features a 50-kilometre stretch of white sand, palm trees and the bright blue water of your dreams. When you need a day off from sunbathing, check out the nesting turtles at Saona Island or go snorkelling at Playa Frontón.

Brush up on history

Founded by Spain in 1496, the capital city of Santo Domingo boasts the first university, cathedral, castle monastery and fortress in the ‘New World’. Take a walk down the whitewashed Calle Las Damas for a peek at the past. For a more modern experience, grab a ‘chimi’ (street burger) and shop at Mercado Modelo, a huge market that sells Caribbean crafts.

Try something sweet

You’ll never look at a rum and Coke the same way again after you’ve tried ‘mamajuana’, a spiced rum that originated with the Taino, an Indigenous people of the Caribbean. Make sure you try the many unique blends of Dominican coffee to find your favourite. And don’t miss the Dominican Republic’s cacao farms, factories and museums.

Things to do in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic

Top attractions

With palm trees and soft white sands, Playa Macao is considered one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Wander through history within the Gothic halls of the Catedral Primada de América in Santo Domingo. Completed in 1540, its museum contains sacred relics. Don’t leave the island without visiting its rich sealife — Bayahibe Beach has some of the clearest snorkelling conditions.

Beaches

Boca Chica has everything you could want in a beach town — turquoise water, diving, fishing and a thriving restaurant scene. For beautiful sunsets, visit Bayahibe. And if you need a beach with some shade, there’s Playa Cofresi. If you’re looking for a little peace and quiet, try Playa Los Mino in Rio San Juan, with its clear waters and laid-back vibes.

Nature

Nature buffs are spoilt for choice, with 29 national parks to pick from. Los Tres Ojos is a series of interconnected caves and lakes, while Los Haitises is a refuge for manatees and bottlenose dolphins. Exotic birds and sea turtles call Jaragua home, and Sierra de Bahoruco encompasses a mystical cloud forest. Take time to see all 27 waterfalls of Damajagua, near Puerta Plata.

Culture and museums

The museums in the Dominican Republic showcase everything from coins and tapestries at Museo de las Casas Reales to baseball at Bartolo Colón Stadium. The Museo Arqueológico Regional Altos de Chavón features artefacts from the island’s Indigenous people. Visit the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata to see specimens of the stunning tree resin, some of which contain fossils of insects.

Cuisine

The restaurants in the Dominican Republic display their patriotism on the plate. The national dish, ‘La Bandera Dominicana’, is made with rice, beans and meat and is meant to resemble the colours of the Dominican flag. Don’t miss ‘sancocho’ (a delicious meat stew) or ‘mangu’ (mashed green plantains), two popular menu items here.

Family friendly

Explore the Cave of Wonders, where ramps and lighting make it easy for kids to admire ancient petroglyphs and rock formations. Spend a day at Bávaro Beach, where you’ll find calm waters, snorkelling and family-friendly lunch spots. Then hop on the Teleférico Santo Domingo for a scenic gondola ride with sweeping ocean views.

Find the best time to visit Dominican Republic

Weather in Dominican Republic

May – November: The humidity picks up, and crowds thin out during the wet season. Expect frequent but brief thunderstorms this time of year. The weather stays hot, so beach days are still on the itinerary. Go snorkelling or diving to beat the heat. Keep your eyes on the forecast, as August to October is peak hurricane season.

December – April: Winter welcomes balmy temperatures that are perfect for long beach days and other outdoor fun. This is also the best time to visit the Dominican Republic for whale watching — humpbacks cluster off the coast from January to March. Count on higher prices and crowds, and plan ahead to score your ideal accommodation.

Events in Dominican Republic

Carnival (February): The island comes alive with parades and parties all month, leading up to a grand finale around Dominican Independence Day on 27 February. Santo Domingo hosts one of the biggest celebrations in the country.

Isle of Light Music Festival (March): This Santo Domingo event brings together local talent and international stars, with past performers like Bad Bunny, Incubus and Phoenix. The Caribbean Sea provides a stunning backdrop for the shows.

Master of the Ocean (September): Top athletes head to Cabarete to compete in surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and more. Days of high-energy competition wrap up with lively beach parties and electronic music after dark.

Know before you go

Local etiquette

Dominicans observe a siesta in the afternoon, so get on island time and plan ahead for businesses to be closed from noon until early afternoon. Haggling is often welcome when shopping, but be polite and carry pesos. Be sure to change out of your beach clothes when visiting churches or towns. And always ask before taking photos of locals.

Health and safety

Many countries recommend vaccinations for hepatitis A and B and typhoid before visiting the Dominican Republic. In mosquito-prone areas, wear long sleeves and use repellent to minimise your risk of Zika, malaria and dengue. It’s also best to avoid tap water — stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.

LGBTQ+ travel

Same-sex relationships are legal in the Dominican Republic, but same-sex marriage isn’t — and attitudes can be conservative. That said, Santo Domingo offers a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with popular gay bars, drag shows and a Pride parade every June. While the capital is more open, it’s good to be mindful of local customs in other areas.

Budget

It’s easy to plan a cheap holiday to the Dominican Republic. You can enjoy an inexpensive meal for about 400 Dominican pesos ($) and pair it with a domestic beer for about $150 or a coffee for less than $125.

FAQs about Dominican Republic holidays

Is it safe to travel to the Dominican Republic?

Consult your local government for travel advisories in the Dominican Republic. Be aware of petty theft in tourist areas, and always keep your personal items in a safe place. Road safety and traffic can be a problem, so consider taking an airport-authorised taxi service when exploring.

Is the Dominican Republic expensive?

The Dominican Republic has a long lineup of expensive, glitzy accommodation options to choose from. But there are solid budget hotels here too. And many of the activities, such as visiting the beach, snorkelling and hiking, can be enjoyed for little or no cost.

What is the currency in the Dominican Republic?

The local currency is the Dominican peso ($), but you can use US dollars or euros in most tourist areas, and especially in hotels. It’s never a bad idea to have pesos on hand for public transport, tipping and shopping. Keep in mind that ATMs only offer pesos.

What is the language in the Dominican Republic?

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. If you’ve taken Spanish in school, you’ll be able to get by with the basics like ‘dónde está el baño’ (where’s the bathroom). But be prepared to use a language app or guidebook if that’s the extent of your ‘español’.

When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?

The best time to go to the Dominican Republic is May to June, when you’ll find fewer crowds, nice weather and lower prices. Visit in February for Carnival, a month-long festival with colourful costumes, merengue music and unforgettable characters like ‘Diablo Cojuelo’ (Limping Devil) and ‘Roba la Gallina’ (Steal the Chicken).

Where is the best area to stay in the Dominican Republic?

Head to Punta Caña for a perfect beach holiday with lots of family-friendly options. Or base yourself in Santo Domingo for more urban excitement and nightlife. Puerto Plata is your go-to for scenic wilderness.