The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Haiti, which is part of the Greater Antilles archipelago. It was here that Christopher Columbus made his first stop in the New World in 1492. Later, the first capital of the Spanish Empire on the American continent was located on the island, and an ample evidence to it can be found here. Now tourists enjoy this heavenly place and come here to relax on the magnificent beaches and do water sports. But it’s not just beaches the country is famous for… We have chosen the best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic, which are simply a must for your bucket list.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: bucket list
Las Terrenas
A small, isolated village of fishermen and farmers, located along with the white sand beaches, surrounded by picturesque landscapes, gradually turned into a resort. The old fishing huts were slowly being transformed into bars, restaurants and shops.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: Jarabacoa
Also known as the Land of eternal spring, it is essentially a summer mountain resort. Rich Dominicans and Europeans like to come here for holidays. Tourists visit these place because of its unique, Alpine-like beauty and in search of active rest. Jarabacoa is great for kayaking, rafting, paragliding. rock climbing, mountain tourism, equestrian sports. The mountainous area is rich in waterfalls.
Playa Rincon
Rincon is one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world, according to Condé Nast Traveler tourist magazine. And National Geographic, ranking the best places in the Caribbean, gave Playa Rincon in the Dominican Republic the 3rd position out of 24. Travelers confirm: this is an incredible corner of unspoiled nature: white sand, turquoise waters of the bay and hundreds of coconut trees strewn with fruits.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: El Limón Waterfall
El Limon is formed by the waters of the Arroyo Chico stream falling from the cliff. The height of the waterfall is 46 m, and at the bottom of it there is a small pool you can swim, but the water is rather cool. Locals believe that if you swim in it, you can become richer, and at the same time fulfill any cherished desire. If you dive under a stream of water falling into the lake, you can find yourself in a small grotto. From the pool at the foot of the waterfall, the eponymous Limon River also begins.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is not only the capital of the Dominican Republic, but also an important historic city of the New World. Bartolomeo Columbus founded the oldest settlement in America on the site of Santo Domingo in 1496. Due to its long history and rich heritage, the area has many monuments and museums.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: Cabarete
Cabarete is one of the best kite spots in the world! Kitesurfing here is what gave birth to the city and what makes it live today! It’s hard to believe, but just about 20 years ago, no one heard of this town. There were several shacks in which local fishermen lived, until it was decided to make it the world capital of water sports!
Samaná
Samaná is a beautiful historic city located in the northern part of the bay of the same name. Once upon a time, in 1493, Christopher Columbus made here the last stop before returning to Spain. Nowadays, tourists come here to watch humpback whales swimming in the bay.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: Bayahibe
Bayahibe’s trump card are its white sand beaches. The town itself boasts a small cozy beach opposite the main road. This one is not crowded during the day, as most tourists go on excursions to the nearby small islands. After five o’clock in the evening, the beach comes alive – cafes, bars and restaurants are filled with people. Tourists and locals enjoy their cocktails while waiting for the amazing beauty of the sunset over the sea.
Sosúa
In 1938, the president of the country granted an asylum to hundreds of thousands of Jewish refugees. They settled in Sosúa, received land and founded a dairy and cheese factory. Sosúa is now popular among diving enthusiasts who enjoy calm waters, reef formations and a wide variety of fish species.
Best tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic: Punta Cana
Where the Caribbean Sea merges with the Atlantic Ocean, the main Dominican resort of Punta Cana is located. The resort, which today is rightfully considered one of the most prestigious holiday destinations, is very young: just a few decades ago it was a desert jungle with forests of coconut palms and mangroves. Palm groves still stretch for many kilometers along the coast.
Where is Punta Cana located:
