Colonial streets, long palm-lined beaches and mountains in between.
The Dominican Republic shares Hispaniola with Haiti and has far more to it than resorts. Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Punta Cana and Bayahibe have long white beaches, the Samaná Peninsula has quieter coves, and the central mountains around Jarabacoa rise to Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's highest peak.
Music is everywhere, from merengue to bachata, and meals centre on la bandera of rice, beans and meat, with mangú for breakfast. Guaguas and long-distance coaches link towns cheaply. December to April is the dry season, and humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay from about January to March; hurricane risk peaks around September.
Best time to visit Dominican Republic
January, February, March, April, December.
Places to visit in Dominican Republic
Punta Cana: The Dominican Republic's resort coast, with long palm-fringed beaches, all-inclusive hotels and trips to Saona Island.
Santo Domingo: The Dominican capital, whose Zona Colonial holds the oldest cathedral, fortress and paved street of the Americas.
Samaná: A lush peninsula in the northeast, where humpback whales gather in winter and palm-backed beaches stay relatively quiet.
Essentials
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)
Language: Spanish; English in resort areas
Plugs: Type A / B, 120 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−4
Tipping: A 10% service charge is added by law; another 10% is customary
Getting around: Long-distance coaches between cities; guaguas and taxis locally
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking