Almost everyone knows that the Dominican Republic, occupying most of the island of Hispaniola (Haiti), is an ideal place for a romantic getaway, a bronze tan, and swimming in the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean. But not everyone knows how diverse the vacation options on this tropical island can be.
Do you want to ride water slides in a natural water park? Climb mountains or dive to sunken ships? Watch baby whales frolic in the bay? All this and more is available in the Dominican Republic. Our selection features the best resorts in the Dominican Republic, catering to all tastes and budgets. After all, the key investment in a good vacation is choosing the right place to spend it.
Punta Cana
Let’s start with the largest and most popular resort. It is located in the eastern province of La Altagracia and is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The coastline boasts over 30 kilometers of “bounty” beaches, where the azure sky meets turquoise water, the white sand is so fine it resembles flour, and coconut palms photogenically lean toward the ocean. The most famous beach in the resort is Bavaro, protected from ocean waves by a coral reef.
Also noteworthy is Macao Beach, preferred by surfers due to the waves, and the absence of hotels and restaurants makes it a secluded retreat. Before American investors built the first hotel on the coast in the late 1960s, Punta Cana was an impenetrable mangrove swamp. Now it hosts hotels from the most well-known chains (Iberostar, Melia, Princess), with golf courses considered among the best in the world. The resort’s airport, opened in 1984, is the only one receiving flights from Russia.
Recommended Hotel:
- Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino: Punta Cana, 300 meters from Bavaro Beach.
Cap Cana
Speaking of glamour, luxury, and premium class, one cannot overlook Cap Cana. Entrepreneur Donald Trump began developing the future “paradise for the wealthy” south of Punta Cana Airport. He started with the Las Iguanas Golf Club, designed by renowned golf champion Jack Nicklaus. Trump didn’t stop at the club; private villas, bungalows, and five luxury hotels sprang up around the golf course. Everything here is designed not just for the convenience of high-end guests but to catch their every desire instantly.
Private pools, spa centers, fitness clubs, and restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs. The technology and comfort of the marina, accommodating 200 yachts and 200 boats, rival the world’s best yacht harbors. The tranquility of the resort’s residents is strictly guarded, and outsiders cannot enter the territory.
And, of course, the 8 kilometers of white sandy beaches are a pleasant bonus to this far-sighted investment. The newest resort on the island has already been embraced by celebrities of all kinds, with Cap Cana’s popularity among the global elite growing every year.
Recommended Hotel:
- Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana: Punta Cana, animation team and kids’ club.
Santo Domingo
Although Santo Domingo cannot be considered a resort in the strict sense of the word, only by visiting the capital can you get an impression of the island’s historical and cultural heritage. The city, initially named Nueva Isabela, was founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496 and is considered the first city built by Europeans in America. Since there are no beaches here, staying in the capital for the entire vacation is not advisable—better to spend a couple of days exploring local attractions.
Here are just a few interesting places to visit: Alcazar de Colon or Columbus House, the Cathedral of Santa Maria—the first cathedral in America, Ozama Fortress, and Columbus Lighthouse—a mausoleum where the remains of the famous navigator are kept.
The city’s architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque traditions, with a bright Caribbean accent. Among the natural beauties of Santo Domingo are the Park of Three Eyes, the Botanical Garden, and Mirador Sur Park. Needless to say, Santo Domingo has all the conditions for shopping, both in modern shopping centers and in small souvenir shops on city streets. Additionally, diving enthusiasts will enjoy the La Caleta National Park, whose lake system will appeal to diving lovers.
Recommended Hotel:
- Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino: Santo Domingo, drinks and snacks can be ordered in 3 bars.
Boca Chica
To get better acquainted with the republic’s capital, you can choose Boca Chica, located just 40 kilometers from Santo Domingo, as your vacation spot. It transformed from a fishing village into a seaside resort thanks to dictator Trujillo, who built a villa here.
Following his example, the Dominican elite began to nest in Boca Chica. Vacation prices in Boca Chica are more attractive than in Punta Cana or La Romana, contributing to the town’s growing popularity among tourists. The beaches here are excellent: thanks to the large coral reef, there are practically no waves, and the water entrance is gentle.
The Boca Chica bay is essentially a natural swimming pool with seawater, suitable for family vacations with children. Understandably, there are few attractions in the town itself, but the capital is close by. You can admire local natural beauties—the island of La Matica is famous for its mangrove thickets, and Los Pinos for its lack of people and lush vegetation. Boca Chica’s nightlife is vibrant, with numerous bars and clubs inviting guests and compensating for the lack of active daytime leisure.
Recommended Hotel:
- Be Live Experience Hamaca Beach: Boca Chica, all-inclusive system, 4 pools.
La Romana
Under the name La Romana lies the eponymous city and the surrounding beaches on the southeastern coast, washed by the Caribbean Sea. Initially, this was the center of the country’s sugarcane processing industry and extensive sugar plantations, and to this day, the region’s economy is less dependent on tourism than neighboring areas.
Founded by the Spanish as a seaport, the city is conveniently located for cargo exports. It is now a place for relaxing vacations. Hotels here are not as expensive as in Punta Cana, so families often come here.
In addition to relaxing on the beaches of Bayahibe and Dominicus, tourists can visit the artist’s town of Altos de Chavon. This village, built by a Dominican architect and an Italian designer in the Mediterranean style, features numerous art galleries, shops, restaurants, and even an amphitheater. You can take a boat ride on the Chavon River, which divides the resort into two parts, visit the Eastern National Park and Saona Island, and tour the Tabacalera de Garcia tobacco factory.
Recommended Hotel:
- Bahia Principe Grand La Romana: La Romana, animation team on-site.
Juan Dolio
Juan Dolio is suitable for those seeking a peaceful vacation and not willing to spend on more expensive resorts. The town is conveniently located between the capital and La Romana, making it easy to head to Boca Chica for a party or to Santo Domingo for shopping or sightseeing. Juan Dolio is essentially a lagoon with coral reefs, but the water entrance on hotel-free beaches is quite challenging due to overgrown corals, so those who love secluded beaches should bring special shoes.
Nearby, the baseball town of San Pedro de Macoris offers karting, and in the Cueva de las Maravillas Cave, you can view Indian wall paintings. In Juan Dolio, you can also visit a flower farm and a botanical garden. Otherwise, you can spend your time lounging on the beach, visiting local cafes, and relaxing—which any Dominican resort encourages.
Recommended Hotel:
- Emotions by Hodelpa – Juan Dolio: Located on Juan Dolio beach.
Puerto Plata
It is believed that the tourist era in the Dominican Republic began with Puerto Plata, spurred by the construction of the Playa Dorada complex in the 1970s. Puerto Plata sprawls in the north of the island at the foot of Mount Isabel de Torres. The city proudly bears the name “Bride of the Atlantic”—with blooming flower beds and numerous Victorian-era buildings reminiscent of a bride preparing for her wedding in a lace dress. It is a hub for active recreation, attracting tourists with opportunities for surfing, diving, horseback riding, rafting, and jeep safaris.
And that’s not all—Puerto Plata is home to a large number of natural and historical attractions. The Isabel de Torres National Park, with a huge statue of Christ on the summit, accessible by cable car, and the 27 Waterfalls—a natural water park for thrill-seekers, created by nature itself—are notable. Also worth visiting are the oldest fortress in America, Fort San Felipe, the Amber Museum, and the Taino Indian Museum, showcasing the ancestors of Dominicans.
Recommended Hotel:
- Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort: Puerto Plata, food and drink delivery to the room.
Playa Dorada
As mentioned, the Playa Dorada hotel syndicate marked the beginning of the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination. The resort is a collection of about 15 hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis. The hotels are located on the Amber Coast or Costa del Ambar. This part of the coastline got its name due to the Dominican black amber—one of the world’s largest deposits of this precious resin is located here. The hotels in the complex vary in star rating, but they all share a common concept: Playa Dorada offers everything a tourist might need for a full-fledged vacation.
This includes beaches, restaurants, children’s entertainment centers, water parks, casinos, an 18-hole golf course, a horse ranch, a shopping center, and much more. However, man-made structures only highlight the natural splendor of the area: tropical forests, waterfalls, caves, and beaches where the sand is golden rather than white, as it is in the east of Hispaniola.
Recommended Hotel:
- Iberostar Costa Dorada: Puerto Plata, spa center, private beach, and bar.
Cabarete
Not far from Playa Dorada lies the tiny but well-known town of Cabarete, famous among windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts. The town stretches only 800 meters, enough to host the annual World Windsurfing Championship, attracting professionals from around the world. Cabarete gained such popularity among athletes due to its location—there are no reefs common in the Dominican Republic that hinder the power of ocean waves. It’s no surprise that Cabarete is mostly frequented by young people who love noisy parties.
The prices here are not as high as at more upscale resorts, but the service level rivals that of the fashionable Punta Cana. If you have energy left after an active day on the water and an equally active night in local clubs, you can visit El Choco National Park and feel like Robinson Crusoe among untouched forests, lagoons, and majestic waterfalls. It is recommended to do this as part of an organized group, as it is easy to get lost in the Dominican jungles.
Recommended Hotel:
- Viva Wyndham Tangerine: Cabarete, fitness classes for adults and a kids club.
Samana
The Samana Peninsula in the northeast of Hispaniola is the least developed area by humans, suitable for romantics and nature lovers. The peninsula is home to three towns: Sanchez, Las Terrenas, and Santa Barbara de Samana, and three airports, two of which receive international flights. Samana Bay is surrounded by mountains, so there are no hurricanes here, but prolonged rains are frequent. The peninsula has five-star hotels, but more budget-friendly small hotels. The main attraction that makes Samana worth visiting is its amazing fauna. Dolphins and huge manatees can be seen year-round in the bay, turtles can be observed on Colorado Beach, and in February, humpback whales come to the warm bay waters.
To see these amazing animals, people travel to Cayo Levantado Island near the peninsula or set out on one of the boats to spot the spouts of air they release. The peninsula is home to six national parks, the main one being Los Haitises. The 30-meter El Limon Waterfall is also worth visiting.
Recommended Hotel:
- Viva Wyndham V Samana: Samana, outdoor tennis court and spa center.
Rio San Juan
Finally, closing our selection of Dominican resorts is Rio San Juan, a tourist fishing town in the north. It is a paradise for fishing enthusiasts, with all offered excursions including this activity. By specifically contacting the Marlin Chaser club, you can participate in catching blue marlin. Besides fishing, Rio San Juan is famous for the Gri-Gri Mangrove Lagoon, where people ride small boats, watch numerous birds, and admire the mangrove thickets and palms. Tourists will also enjoy jeep safaris through the local forests and gorges untouched by civilization.
If you visit Rio San Juan from February 14 to 17, you can experience the famous Marine Carnival Carnavarengue, held here since 1997. Participants dressed as sea creatures, adorned with seashells, pebbles, shark teeth, and corals, entertain guests with dances and performances and treat them to Creole cuisine dishes. A very interesting experience for any traveler.
We hope this selection was helpful to you, and the choice you make will meet your expectations, allowing you to enjoy the gentle Caribbean breeze, hot summer, and the hospitality of this sunny country.
The resorts have everything needed for the most discerning tourists. Both adults and children can enjoy their vacation here. There are resorts designed for quiet family vacations, noisy youth groups, young couples, and honeymooners. You can engage in windsurfing, diving, or simply admire the stunning surroundings. The resorts are impressively diverse. Being here, it’s hard to resist the opportunity to seclude yourself or arrange a romantic evening. In other countries, it can be challenging not only to find a private moment with your loved one but even to secure a spot on the beach. In the Dominican Republic, such problems do not exist.
The resorts are renowned for their white sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea, and rich underwater world. The service in the hotels is organized at a very high level. The locals treat foreign tourists with kindness and understanding. Naturally, people from all over the world come here. A vacation here will bring admiration and absolute tranquility.