Vacations / Caribbean
The widest selection of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.
Destination Overview
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and is the second-largest nation in the Caribbean, with a size and geographic variety that few island destinations can match — from 800-plus miles of coastline to a mountain interior tall enough for pine forests and the Caribbean's highest peak, Pico Duarte. That scale is why the country supports both the region's biggest concentration of all-inclusive resorts and a genuinely deep, historic capital city.
Punta Cana and its adjoining Bávaro coast, on the easternmost tip of the island, are the reason most travelers book: the longest continuous stretch of white-sand beach in the Caribbean, backed by dozens of large all-inclusive resorts, an international airport built to serve them directly, and reliably calm, turquoise, swimmable water. Cap Cana, just south of Punta Cana, is the newer, more upscale extension — gated marinas, golf courses, and quieter beaches.
Beyond the resort corridor, the country rewards a bit of exploring. La Romana and Casa de Campo hold one of the Caribbean's great golf-and-villa resorts and the Mediterranean-style artisan village of Altos de Chavón. Puerto Plata and the north coast — the Amber Coast — mix historic town, windsurfing at Cabarete, and the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua. Samaná, on the northeast peninsula, is wilder and greener, known for humpback whale season each winter. And Santo Domingo, the capital, is the oldest continuously inhabited European city in the Americas, its Zona Colonial a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 500-year-old cathedrals, forts, and cobblestone streets.
What sets the Dominican Republic apart in the Caribbean is value: because the all-inclusive industry here is so large and competitive, travelers routinely get more resort — bigger properties, more restaurants, better swim-up service — for less than comparable islands. That makes it a strong pick for families, wedding groups, and anyone who wants a full resort experience without the price tag of Aruba, the British Virgin Islands, or St. Barts.
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Top Attractions
What to prioritise, why it is worth your time, and roughly how long to allow.
The widest, most developed section of the Punta Cana coastline, lined resort after resort with soft white sand and a barrier reef offshore that keeps the water calm.
Why go: The core reason most people book Punta Cana — reliably swimmable water and miles of beach to walk.
Half day or more
A protected island off the southeastern coast, reached by catamaran or speedboat, usually with a stop at a shallow offshore sandbar called the natural pool.
Why go: The single most popular day trip from Punta Cana — palm-lined beaches, warm shallows, and a beach-buffet lunch.
Full day
The historic heart of the capital, founded in 1496 — cobblestone streets, the Catedral Primada de América (the first cathedral built in the Americas), and the Alcázar de Colón, home of Columbus's son Diego.
Why go: The best concentration of colonial-era history anywhere in the Caribbean, and a genuine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Full day (with flight or drive from Punta Cana)
A master-planned peninsula south of Punta Cana with a marina, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio golf courses, gated villas, and Playa Juanillo — one of the region's most photogenic beaches.
Why go: Quieter and more upscale than central Bávaro, with excellent golf and beach clubs.
Half day to full day
The oldest paved street laid out by Europeans in the Americas, lined with the Casas Reales museum, the Panteón Nacional, and the Fortaleza Ozama overlooking the Ozama River.
Why go: A walkable half day that puts 500 years of history in a few blocks.
2–3 hours
A striking turquoise cenote (sinkhole) fed by underground springs, reached by a short jungle trail inside the Puntacana Ecological Foundation's reserve near the Puntacana Resort.
Why go: A cool, freshwater counterpoint to the ocean, plus zip-lining and cave tours in the same park.
Half day
A network of freshwater lagoons and forest trails inside the Puntacana Resort's reserve, once used by the Taíno people, now open for swimming and hiking.
Why go: An easy, low-cost escape from the resort pool without leaving the Punta Cana area.
2–3 hours
A remote mangrove and limestone-karst park on Samaná Bay, reachable by boat from Samaná or Sabana de la Mar, with sea caves containing Taíno pictographs.
Why go: The country's most dramatic, least-touristed landscape — dense mangroves and mogote hills rising from the water.
Full day
Thousands of North Atlantic humpback whales migrate to Samaná Bay each winter to breed and calve, one of the largest gatherings anywhere in the hemisphere.
Why go: A world-class wildlife event, available only mid-January through mid-March.
Half day, January–March only
A canyoning circuit of natural waterslides and jumps through a series of connected waterfalls near Puerto Plata, climbed and then descended by sliding, jumping, and swimming.
Why go: The most active, adrenaline-driven excursion on the north coast, near Cabarete's kitesurfing beaches.
Half day
A recreated 16th-century Mediterranean village overlooking the Chavón River near La Romana, built in the 1970s with an amphitheater, artisan studios, and a small archaeology museum.
Why go: A striking piece of architecture and craft alongside Casa de Campo, popular for weddings and concerts.
2–3 hours
Send us your dates and travelers and we'll put together a Dominican Republic trip with flights, hotels, and the experiences worth booking ahead.
Things To Do
Grouped by the kind of trip you're planning.
Where To Stay
Location matters more than star rating. Here's what each area is actually best for.
The country's main resort corridor, with the widest range of all-inclusive brands, the closest airport (PUJ), and the longest, calmest beach strip. The default choice for most travelers.
A gated, master-planned peninsula just south of Punta Cana with a marina, championship golf courses, and some of the region's newest luxury resorts and villas.
Home to Casa de Campo, one of the Caribbean's original grand resorts, plus the departure point for Saona and Catalina island tours from nearby Bayahibe.
The Amber Coast — a historic port town, the Damajagua waterfalls, and Cabarete's world-class kitesurfing beach, generally less crowded and more budget-friendly than Punta Cana.
A lush, mountainous peninsula on the northeast coast, known for humpback whale season, Playa Rincón, and Los Haitises National Park — the least developed of the main resort regions.
Recommended Stays
A cross-section by budget. Send us any property — including one you found online — and we'll check our rate before you book.
Luxury
Cap Cana
An elegant, non-all-inclusive luxury property on Juanillo Beach with a marina and golf on site. We check wholesale and preferred-partner rates before you book direct.
Luxury
Cap Cana
Side-by-side all-inclusive resorts — Ziva for families, adults-only Zilara for couples — both on a quieter stretch of beach than central Bávaro.
Family-Friendly
Punta Cana / Bávaro
One of the largest all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, with a casino, water park, and enough restaurants and pools that families rarely need to leave the property.
Upscale
Punta Cana / Cap Cana
Adults-only Secrets properties and family-friendly Dreams sister resorts both offer preferred-club upgrades and swim-out suites — a common choice for weddings and honeymoons.
Upscale
Bávaro
Spanish-brand all-inclusives with strong food and beach frontage; the adults-only Grand tier upgrades service and quiet without changing location.
Best Value
Bávaro / Punta Cana
Large, well-run all-inclusive chains with some of the strongest price-to-resort-size ratios in the Caribbean — a frequent pick for budget-minded families and groups.
Luxury
La Romana
Private villas, three golf courses including the famous Teeth of the Dog, and a marina — the grand-dame resort for golfers and multi-generational family groups.
Hotel suggestions are editorial recommendations based on location and traveler fit. Availability, room categories, and rates are confirmed at the time of quoting.
When To Go
Weather, crowds, and what the season does to pricing.
Weather
Warm year-round, 80–90°F, with a wetter, more humid stretch from May through November and the highest hurricane risk August through October.
Crowds
Peak crowds mid-December through early January and around spring break in March; quietest in September and October.
Pricing
Winter holiday weeks can run well above summer and fall rates for the same resort and room category.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Conditions | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 81°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | Dry, sunny, comfortable humidity | Peak season |
| February | 82°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | Dry and sunny | |
| March | 83°F / 28°C | 69°F / 21°C | Dry, warming | Spring break |
| April | 84°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | Warm, still relatively dry | |
| May | 85°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | Rain increasing, brief afternoon showers | |
| June | 86°F / 30°C | 74°F / 23°C | Hot, humid, short showers | |
| July | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | Hot and humid, hurricane season begins | |
| August | 88°F / 31°C | 75°F / 24°C | Hottest month, peak hurricane risk building | |
| September | 87°F / 31°C | 74°F / 23°C | Peak hurricane season, heaviest rain | Lowest rates |
| October | 86°F / 30°C | 74°F / 23°C | Still hurricane season, frequent showers | Lowest rates |
| November | 84°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | Drying out, hurricane risk fading | |
| December | 82°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | Dry season returns, warm and sunny | Holiday peak |
Temperatures are typical seasonal averages and are provided as general guidance only.
Trip Planning
What each trip length realistically gets you — plus day-by-day plans.
4–5 nights
A classic all-inclusive resort break — beach, pools, one excursion like Saona Island or Hoyo Azul, and time to unwind.
7 nights
The most popular length: full resort relaxation plus multiple excursions (Saona, Cap Cana, a Santo Domingo day trip) without feeling rushed.
10+ nights
Worth it for combining regions — a resort week in Punta Cana plus a few nights in Samaná or Santo Domingo, or a multi-generational family trip.
Day 1
Arrival
Land at PUJ, 20–30 minute transfer to Bávaro, check in, welcome dinner at the resort.
Day 2
Beach day
Full day on the resort beach and pools, sunset drinks, entertainment show in the evening.
Day 3
Isla Saona
Full-day catamaran excursion to Saona Island with a natural-pool stop and beach lunch.
Day 4
Adventure day
Morning at Scape Park for Hoyo Azul and zip-lining, or an ATV/buggy tour through the countryside.
Day 5
Last beach morning & departure
Final swim and pool time, late check-out, transfer to PUJ.
Flights, hotels, transfers, and the tours worth reserving in advance — priced and arranged by a travel professional.
Getting There & Around
Center of the resort corridor, roughly 10–25 miles to most Bávaro/Punta Cana hotels
Typical transfer: About 20–40 minutes to most resorts, depending on location
Serves Santo Domingo, about 2.5–3 hours from Punta Cana by road
Typical transfer: 20–30 minutes to central Santo Domingo
Serves Puerto Plata and the north coast, near Cabarete and Sosúa
Typical transfer: 20–40 minutes to most north coast hotels
Serves the Samaná peninsula
Typical transfer: 30–60 minutes to Las Terrenas or Samaná town
Serves Casa de Campo and the La Romana/Bayahibe area
Typical transfer: 15–30 minutes to most hotels
Resort shuttles & pre-booked transfers
RecommendedThe standard way most travelers move between the airport and an all-inclusive resort — we arrange these for most clients.
Taxis
UsefulWidely available at resorts and airports; agree on a fare in advance since most aren't metered.
Rental car
SituationalUseful if you want to explore Cap Cana, Bayahibe, or drive between regions on your own schedule; resort-only stays rarely need one.
Guagua (local minibus)
SituationalCheap public transport used by locals between towns; workable for adventurous independent travelers, not aimed at tourists.
Motoconcho (motorbike taxi)
SituationalInexpensive and common in towns like Cabarete and Las Terrenas for short hops; not the safest option and best avoided with luggage.
Domestic flights
UsefulShort hops between Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, and Samaná save hours of driving if you're combining regions.
Food & Dining
Most resort dining is included and reservation-based for à la carte restaurants — book specialty dinners early in your stay. If you leave the resort, tap water isn't potable; stick to bottled or filtered water, including for ice off-property.
Family Travel
Family-friendly areas: Punta Cana / Bávaro for the widest choice of family all-inclusives · Cap Cana for a quieter, more upscale family base · Casa de Campo for multi-generational villa stays with golf and beach
Recommended trip length: 5–7 nights suits most families; a week allows a couple of excursion days without cutting into pool and beach time.
Couples & Luxury
Luxury stays
Spa
Special occasions
Practical Information
Currency
Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars are widely accepted in resorts and tourist areas, though change is usually given in pesos
Language
Spanish is the official language; English is widely spoken at resorts, less so outside them
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4), no daylight saving
Plugs & voltage
110V, US-style Type A/B plugs — no adapter needed for US devices
Tipping
A 10% service charge is often included on resort and restaurant bills; an additional 10% for good service is customary
Local transport
Resort shuttles and pre-booked transfers for most visitors; taxis, domestic flights, or a rental car for exploring beyond the resort
Entry & visas
A valid passport is required; most nationalities receive a tourist card automatically included in the airfare or collected at immigration, and many arrivals now use e-gates
Safety
Generally safe within resort areas and organized tours; use standard precautions with valuables, avoid unlicensed taxis at night, and stick to bottled water off-resort
Entry, visa, and health requirements change. Always confirm current rules with the official government sources for your nationality before travel.
Map
Main tourist areas, major attractions, neighborhoods, and the airport.
FAQs
The questions our travelers ask most.
Ready When You Are
Tell us your dates and travelers. We'll handle flights, hotels, transfers, and the details that make the trip work.
Hotels & Resorts
We match the property to the trip — location, room category, and what's actually included. Send us a hotel you found online and we'll check our rate.
Individual property pages for Dominican Republic are added as official hotel media and supplier content is supplied — we don't publish stock photos as if they were pictures of a specific resort. In the meantime, tell us the property you're considering (or ask us to shortlist options) and we'll come back with our rate and honest guidance.
Things to Do
Tours, attractions, excursions, day trips, and family activities — provided and fulfilled by third-party providers.
Tours, attractions, activities, and experiences.
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One Complete Trip
Everything for the same trip, handled in one place.
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