Things to See & Do in the Dominican Republic

Explore the 83 protected areas of natural beauty: 19 national parks, six scientific reserves, 32 natural monuments, 15 natural reserves, two marine sanctuaries and nine protected parcels of islands also called panoramic views.

Browse galleries, antique shops and artist colonies in Santo Domingo, the charming Colonial capital city of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city in the New World, where Columbus’ remains are housed only blocks away from designer boutiques and gourmet restaurants.

Climb Pico Duarte which is the highest mountain in the Caribbean and a hotspot for adventurous travellers.

Take a guided tours through the jungle, canyons and 18 waterfalls of this stunning country.

Watch the thousands of humpback whales near Cabarete which arrive between January and April every year to breed and care for their calves.

Go fishing - recognised by fisherman as one of the best hideouts for dozens of species of prized fish the Dominican Republic hosts several international billfish tournaments each year, and many world records for mammoth fish have been broken in the waters surrounding the country. Off the coast of La Romana, the 50-pound tackle world record for Atlantic blue marlin was set with an 850-pound catch. To fight a marlin or reel-in a toothy barracuda, several charters are available throughout the country.

Ride the waves and take advantage of the strong surf and powerful winds at Cabarete, considered to be one of the best locations for surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Follow in the footsteps of former US presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush and tee off on some of the 21 spectacular golf courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo with oceanfront fairways and dogleg lefts around swaying coconut palms.

Go sightseeing in Puerto Plata and discover the historic fort, Fuerte de San Felipe, the Brugal Rum Distillery, where you can take a guided tour of how they make their rum, the Amber Museum, and the Malecon or boardwalk, where you can find typical Dominican restaurants and enjoy views of the port and Atlantic Ocean. Take a cable car to the top of nearby Mount Isabel de Torres to see the botanical gardens and statue of Christ the Redeemer and have a spectacular view of Puerto Plata and surrounding areas.