We’ve been lucky enough to be living in and exploring the Dominican Republic for the last 6 months. Of course, there are countless beautiful places to visit across the 48,442 km², but we thought we’d write up our personal favourite spots and give you a few recommendations in each one.
Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
There’s a reason this small village in the Samana Peninsula is considered the Dominican republic’s hidden gem. Whether you’re looking for a lively surf spot, incredible hiking trails, or breathtaking reefs, Las Terrenas has it all.
Top recommendations:
Visit Playa Bonita – This beach has miles of white sand and is dotted with beach bars and restaurants that often have live music or DJs playing. Playa Bonita also has the best waves for surfing in Las Terrenas, we would recommend renting a board or taking a surf lesson with Carolina Surf School.
Go Scuba Diving – The Dominican Republic is a prime destination for divers who want to experience Caribbean reefs and wrecks, There is an enormous variety of diving offered all around the island including Las Terrenas. We did all our dives with The Dive Academy which also offers courses, such as the Open Water Diver course we did with them that will allow us to go diving in other parts of the world.
Eat at El Zapote – If you want a taste of Dominican cuisine that feels home-cooked and fairly priced, El Zapote is the spot for you. This small restaurant in town was recommended to us every time we asked locals where we should go to find good Dominican food and it did not disappoint!
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is known for its resort towns and beautiful beaches, but its capital is a must-visit. Santo Domingo was the first colonial city in the continent of America. Here you’ll find extraordinarily well-preserved structures from the 1500s, old men gathered around a game of dominos sipping on their rum, the first university on the continent, fantastic food spots, and so much more.
Top recommendations:
Zona Colonial – Santo Domingo’s Colonial district was named a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1990, making it one of the most important historic sites in the entire Caribbean. This area is made up of ancient cobblestone streets, century-old buildings, and a very creative arts scene.
Los Tres Ojo National Park – For just 100 pesos (approximately £2) you can explore an expansive cave system including three different freshwater cave cenotes (or the three eyes which give the park its name)
Maraca – Maraca, located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, offers a fusion of Caribbean and Italian cuisine. The prices at Maraca are pricey for the Dominican Republic but the food, drinks, and service were all amazing and definitely worth it.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
With its big waves and laid back vibes, this small beach town is a surfer’s paradise. Located in the Puerto Plata province, it has become a popular location for adventure seekers and ocean lovers – Its breezy conditions have made it a hotspot for surfing and kitesurfing, for beginners and professionals alike. So you can enjoy what nature has to offer by day, and hit the beachfront bars and lively party scene by night. What’s not to love? While I only spent a short 3 days here, this beach town stole my heart in more ways than one.
Top recommendations:
Cabarete Surf Company – A friendly, family run, locally owned surf school in Playa Encuentro. I spent 3 days learning to surf with these guys and cannot recommend them enough. Victor and his team and incredible teachers and even better friends. The time I spent here allowed me to truly slow down, chill out and embody the ‘surfer mentality’.
Playa Encuentro – A long and narrow stretch of beach with a backdrop of lush tropical plants, famous for surfing and kitesurfing. Populated with brunch bars, hammocks, smoothie spots and surf schools, it is easy to spend an entire day here (just watch out for falling almonds from the trees!). Just note, while the strong tides and winds make it perfect for water sports, this combined with the rocky shallows make swimming difficult.
Kibayo Hotel – A unique lodging experience for those seeking something truly special. With the option of booking individual, carefully crafted bedrooms (for individuals or couples) or a villa space (for large groups), you will also have access to their pool and hammock area, a clean shared kitchen space and social area, and the star of the show – their tropical zen garden and lake. I woke up each morning to the groundskeeper offering me fresh coconut water while I read my book and admired the beauty of this place. If you’re looking to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself and nature, this is the place for you.
Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s best kept secret. Río San Juan is a municipality in the María Trinidad Sánchez province of the Dominican Republic that hasn’t yet caught the attention of the majority of tourists visiting the country. This hidden gem is home to (in my opinion) some of the best beaches in the north coast of the island. We got invited here by some friends and spent the most wholesome weekend exploring lagoons, beaches and delicious food spots. There isn’t much of a party scene here, but if you are an adventurer and nature lover, you will want to add Rio San Juan to your bucket list.
Top recommendations:
Laguna Gri-Gri boat tour – This boat tour will take you through striking mangrove passages, through a natural cave inhabited by thousands of swallows, before reaching the Lagoon where you won’t be able to stop yourself from diving into its crystal clear waters
Playa Grande & Playa Preciosa – These were my two favorite beaches in DR (and that is a big statement). Playa Grande is lined with palm trees, beach bars and charming stalls selling everything from jewelry to local art work. The two miles of beach are clean, spacious and not overly crowded. The water is great for surfing and swimming and the vibes here are just top tier. Then just a stone’s throw away, down a small dirt road you will find Playa Preciosa – a smaller and quieter stretch of beach that gives you the feeling of being on a beautiful remote island, despite neighboring the lively Playa Grande.
Vista al Manglar – Two clean and spacious private villas in the heart of Rio San Juan, located just minutes from Rio’s best beaches. Equipped with a pool, hammock and two large en-suite bedrooms, it was the perfect lodging experience for us.
