The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean gem, where natural beaches, landscapes, and fascinating culture make a bang. The country offers visitors a vibrant mix of adventure, and relaxation – with plenty of points of interest, outdoor activities and natural parks. Oh, and let’s not forget the cultural attractions that immerse you in the local history. Among endless excursions and activities, here are six of our favorites. Six top things to do in the Dominican Republic 1. Connect with colonial charm in Santo Domingo The capital city, Santo Domingo, is where history and culture come to life. Here is where you’ll find the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colonial City, with its cobbled streets and colonial architecture – and, it’s the oldest settlement founded by Christopher Colombus upon his arrival in the Americas. Modern Santo Domingo is a lively surprise, buzzing with young people, bars, and restaurants where tasty local eats are always on the menu. 2. Chill at Punta Cana’s beaches Punta Cana is pure relaxation bliss. Its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters are where you’ll want to spend your days sunbathing and taking long, refreshing swims. If you’re the adventurous type, you’re in the right spot. Windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing are all on the agenda, offering a thrilling connection with the Caribbean Sea. 3. Get your adrenaline pumping in Puerto Plata Head to the northern part of the island and you’ll find Puerto Plata, the ultimate destination for heart-pumping thrills. Cabarete’s windy shores are a surfer’s paradise – and great for kite flying too. In Damajagua’s natural pools, you can slide down waterfalls, and over at Sosúa Marina Park, you can enjoy snorkeling. When the sun goes down, Puerto Plata heats up, with Cabarete and Sosúa among the top nightlife hotspots in the Dominican Republic. 4. Go snorkeling at Saona Island Saona Island is a little slice of heaven nestled within the National Park of the East. It’s famous for white beaches, swaying palm trees, and waters that practically beg you to jump in. It’s the ideal place for a day of pure relaxation. And, you can hop on a boat to explore the natural pools and rich marine life that surrounds the island. 5. Explore the wild beauty of Los Haitises National Park Calling all nature lovers – this one’s for you. Los Haitises National Park is a lush coastal reserve located in the northeast of the country. Here, you’ll find some of the last remaining rainforests, mangrove forests, and natural caves with ancient pictographs and rock carvings. If you join a boat tour, you’ll be able to explore the park’s hidden islets, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and exotic birds too. 6. Fly high on a zipline adventure The Dominican Republic is home to some of the Caribbean’s most thrilling ziplines, offering unbeatable views of the wild tropical landscapes below. It’s the perfect way to test your courage while soaking in the scenery. Whether you’re soaring through Punta Cana’s adventure park – offering multi-level courses – zipping through the mountains of Jarabacoa, or flying high above Puerto Plata’s lush forests, this high-flying adventure is guaranteed to get your heart racing.
Activities and attractions in Dominican Republic
Punta Cana - Punta Cana Evening Buggy Tour with Dominican Dinner
This experience has adventure stamped all over it. Off-road buggy or safari truck rides, traditional Taino ceremonies and swimming in underground pools make for an adrenaline-pumping evening from Punta Cana. Juan, one of our local guides, says ‘Caves and cenotes played an important role in the indigenous Taino culture. Despite looking so tempting with their cool aquamarine water, the Taino people never swam in the cenotes or used the water because of their belief that they were a gateway to the underworld.' Plus, you'll enjoy a Dominican dinner and an open bar followed by live music.To kick off your all-action evening, you'll power through the Dominican countryside, zoom along dirt tracks and watch as the landscape transforms from day to night. Guided by torchlight, you'll continue your journey to take a swim in a natural cave pool, known as a cenote, with atmospheric lighting. And if you choose the safari truck option, you'll also get to visit the eerie depths of Yara Cave.With flaming torches lighting the way, you'll make your way back to base for a well-earned drink and a tasty dinner of local cuisine. The restaurant staff pride themselves on creating classic Dominican dishes, freshly prepared with seasonal produce from the island. Rounding off the evening is a traditional Taino dance show and the chance to join in with a boogie or enjoy the open bar under the stars.
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Punta Cana - Dominican Rural Safari with Higüey and Tastings
Discover a new side to the Dominican Republic on this safari tour. With a knowledgeable guide in tow, you'll explore lush landscapes, visit local plantations, and taste traditional delights like Mamajuana. Experience everyday rural life with a visit to a countryside home and a stop by a local school. You'll also head to Higüey to see the basilica and bustling markets. End your jam-packed day with a scenic photo stop at one of Punta Cana's best beaches.
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Puerto Plata - Monkey Land & Damajagua Waterfalls
Feeling adventurous? On this tour, you'll slide and jump through seven waterfalls set against limestone cliffs and turquoise waters - perfect for family snapshots. Then, get up close to friendly squirrel monkeys in their natural habitat, where these curious creatures freely interact, climb, and jump on guests. Don't miss the chance to feed them and capture them on camera, all while enjoying the scenery of the tropical mountains.
Punta Cana - Punta Cana Coral Reef Restoration & Snorkelling Experience
Dive into a world of difference with this eco-conscious tour in Punta Cana – a perfect blend of fun, learning, and hands-on action to help save our seas. Not only will you get to snorkel through the colourful underwater world, but you'll also play a pivotal role in coral restoration efforts, making every moment of your adventure count towards marine preservation. Maria, one of our local guides, says, 'You're not just a tourist here; you're part of the solution. Under the guidance of our expert team, you'll learn about and participate in cutting-edge techniques aimed at rehabilitating and restoring coral reefs'.Kick off your experience by joining our experts at the Scientific Interpretation Centre and Coral Lab, where you'll learn about coral gardening through methods like microfragmentation. This hands-on activity guided by our knowledgeable guides will help you to discover the intricate beauty and vital importance of these ecosystems. It's an eye-opening experience that highlights the urgency of protecting these underwater treasures.After doing your part for the planet, strap on your snorkel gear and plunge into two distinct coral gardens on a guided snorkelling tour, filled with tropical fish and sea creatures. Wind down your impactful day with some chill time at Coco beach, where refreshments like the ‘coco loco' – an ice-cold coconut drink – are as cool as the ocean breeze. As a part of your adventure, receive a digital certificate from the Bavaro Reef Foundation, cementing your contribution to marine conservation and making this trip a splash hit.
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Punta Cana - Punta Cana Adventure Tour with Ojos Indigenas Eco Park
Ready for a non-stop adventure that's both fun and environmentally friendly? Hop in an electric go-kart and speed between a selection of the Dominican Republic's top experiences. Emma, one of our guides, says it's a privilege to lead the tour, ‘I feel more like a tourist than a guide – it's that much of a pleasure to be part of.' You'll visit a local farm to try organic fruit and honey, see exotic animals at a sanctuary, and explore Ojos Indigenas Park – a protected bio-reserve that was sacred to the nation's indigenous tribes. And after a barbecue lunch, it's all topped with a catamaran cruise on the Caribbean Sea.Aboard a nippy little eco-vehicle, you'll speed from one exciting experience to another. Emma says, ‘In a private conservation area, we'll get up-close to iguanas as I explain about the plants and animals that thrive here. We'll see how organic honey is collected and try some, too. And I love visiting the organic plantation. This is where we grow all kinds of local Dominican produce. Taste exotic spices and sample sweet papaya plucked fresh from the tree.'As the day heats up, cool off with a swim stop on Punta Cana beach. Then, go karting along the dirt tracks and trails of Ojos Indigenas Ecological Park. Bask in the beauty and silence of the reserve, once home to the ancient Taino people, and take a dip in the mirror-like lagoon. And after a sizzling barbecue lunch, we round off with a relaxing catamaran cruise complete with an open bar.
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Punta Cana - Domitai Park Tour
With a host of thrill-pumping activities, Domitai Park tops the leaderboard for an action-packed day out. Experience Dominican culture at the recreated Taino village, take a sensory-fuelled tour of the Aroma Museum and cool off with a dip in a cave. Then, the fun continues after lunch with ziplining, buggy rides, horseback rides and even a trip to the park's chocolate factory.
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Punta Cana - Punta Cana Caribbean pirate cruise
Say ‘ahoy' to your next adventure at sea, which sees you embarking on an epic treasure hunt. You'll snorkel with sharks, interact with stingrays at Shark Island, explore the coral reef and brace for possible attacks from rogue pirates. It's a swashbuckling day of action with a few surprises thrown in just off the coast of Punta Cana.Walk the plank to board the Hispañola where it's time to get stuck in and learn the ropes. You'll cast off into the danger-ridden seas to a place where you can snorkel amongst a colourful coral reef before it's time to get down to work.Back on board, a snack and soft drinks are served, while tensions rise within the crew of old pirates. Nevertheless, the hunt must go on, and the ship will soon reach Shark Island. There, a treasure hunt will take you to swim with nurse sharks and interact with stingrays. But beware – rogue pirates may hinder your quest. Prepare for fierce sword fights, stunts and take part in pirate life. You'll celebrate your victory with a party on the way back.
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Punta Cana - Full-day Punta Cana Ecological Reserve ATV and water bike tour
Buckle up for a full-day adventure at Punta Cana Ecological Reserve on this guided tour. You'll kick things off with an ATV tour, tackling twisting trails while your guide tells you about its history. The first inhabitants of this area were the Taino people, who lived here from around 1200 AD until the early 1500s. Afterwards, switch gears and get behind the controls of a water bike and head out into the Caribbean Sea, where you might be able to spot turtles and maybe even manta rays in their natural habitat.
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Punta Cana - Full-day tour in Punta Cana with buggy ride and catamaran cruise
Buckle up for an adrenaline-pumping off-road adventure on this full-day tour, featuring buggy and catamaran rides. You'll start your journey zooming through a deserted mine on your buggy, before heading into a Dominican village. Here, you'll refuel with a traditional lunch, then set out towards a waterfall pool – the perfect spot to unwind and find your zen. Next, you'll hop aboard a catamaran and sail along Punta Cana's coast, with unlimited drinks, tasty snacks and onboard entertainment all thrown in for good measure.
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Punta Cana - Full-day catamaran cruise with snorkelling and a beachside lunch
Hop aboard a double-decker catamaran on this full-day cruise. You'll sail along Cap Cana's coastline, drop anchor for a snorkelling session at Buccaneers Reef, and then stop at a shallow sandbar – perfect for lounging in the refreshing water. On board the boat, you can make the most of the open bar, and sip free-flowing drinks as you relax on deck. Then, tuck into lunch at Juanillo Beach Club, followed by free time on the sand. To wrap things up, you'll journey into the jungle to a hidden cenote for a dip.
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Punta Cana - Sunset cruise to Bavaro Beach with surf ‘n’ turf dinner
Set sail on this evening dinner cruise and see the sunset over the Caribbean. As the sun goes down, glide over the waves on your way to the white sands of Bavaro Beach, where an expert chef will prepare your surf 'n' turf meal, which will be served alongside your favourite drink. To top it off, there'll be live music performances as you dine by the sea.
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Punta Cana - 4x4 jungle adventure at Bavaro Adventure Park
This evening at the Bavaro Adventure Park is one to remember. To start, you'll hop in a 4x4 buggy after dark and head into the jungle to one of the park's natural pools, following moonlit trails that weave through the greenery. You'll arrive at cocktail hour, where you can take your pick of a range of drinks as live music and dance performances hit the stage. Next comes dinner, which is a surf-and-turf affair that comes with unlimited drinks. Then, the party under the stars kicks off, so get ready for plenty of dancing.
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