Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is better known for all-inclusive resorts than for the mountains, waterfalls and whale bay that make up its interior and north coast. It has the Caribbean's highest peak and its oldest colonial city. Independent travel is straightforward and much cheaper than the resort strips suggest.

Cities

Jarabacoa

Jarabacoa sits at 500 m in the central highlands, cool enough for pine forest and coffee, and is the base for whitewater rafting on the Yaque del Norte and for climbing Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean. Waterfalls and canyoning fill shorter days. Nights are noticeably cooler than the coast.

Las Terrenas

Las Terrenas on the Samaná peninsula is a beach town of palm-backed sand, small guesthouses and a strong French and Italian expatriate food scene. Playa Rincón and Playa Frontón, among the best beaches in the Caribbean, are a short boat ride away. Humpback whales fill Samaná Bay from mid-January to March.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is the oldest permanent European settlement in the Americas, with the first cathedral, first hospital and a grid of 16th-century streets still in daily use. It is a working capital rather than a resort town, with good restaurants and live merengue. Two days covers the colonial core comfortably.

When to go

See all seasons

• Shoulder: Warm, occasional showers, good value and fewer people.
• Hurricane season: Highest storm risk and humidity; lowest prices.
• Dry season: Sunniest months and peak tourism; humpback whales in Samaná.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.