Top 10 Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic: Unmissable Attractions and Hidden Gems

Top 10 Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic: Unmissable Attractions and Hidden Gems

The Dominican Republic, second-largest country in the Caribbean area, offers diversified landscapes, soaring mountains, wild beaches, lagoons and even more typical fauna like pink flamingo or crocodile. Also, you can take part in activities deep sea fishing and whale watching, or to the Carnival festivity in Santo Domingo. In your travels to this country you should visit these Top 10 Places to Visit in the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo

It is the capital of the Dominican country, modern and at the same time with outstanding historical sites, but also shopping, music and nightlife. It is the oldest city in America since 1496. It is interesting to visit the historic hospital and the first university and Cathedral of the New World. Very famous is the cafes of the seaside boulevard Malecon´s Breezy, where the tourists can go to casinos. Nearby there are restaurants and botanical gardens. The Carnival represents an important cultural festivity in the Hispanic country, it takes place around Independence Day. The night before Carnival Santo Domingo shines with a bright light, all homeowners turn on the lights in their homes, illuminating the whole city.

On the next day, the Carnival Parade is set in the Avenue Malecón, alongside the Rio Ozama river, a crowd of tourists and locals crowd in the avenue to watch the parade. It is a competition to vote for the best Country´s costume and dancing troupe. The boats in the river flow full of eggs, oranges, and scented water. You can get lost in the madness of the event when eggs throw away, confetti clouds the sky, children play and adults drink and dance.

Bayahíbe

It is a public beach located 10 miles away from La Romana. The Hammer serves embarkation for excursions boat to the island Saona Island, inhabited and with outstanding beaches in a national park. Most of the amazing resorts are located on Dominicus beach. Full of restaurants where you can enjoy delicious international dishes. The swimming area is safe because the boats berth a safe distance. The seabed is sandy and the water is crystal clear and calm, but of course, it depends on the weather, winds and currents.

Monte Plata

Monte Plata is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream with its lush forests and hidden waterfalls in national parks. An hour’s drive north of Santo Domingo, Monte Plata has a stunning waterfall at Salto de Socoa with an emerald plunge pool near the shore. The nearby Salto Alto is even more impressive with a 75-foot waterfall and safe pool to explore, plus other park areas with plenty of picnic tables. If you’re not a true beach fanatic, Monte Plata is an ideal day trip to the Dominican countryside for an amazing adventure.

The Samana Peninsula’s Beaches

Dominicans will agree that some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic are those found along the rugged coastline of the Samana Peninsula. From Las Terrenas à Las Galeras, the beaches here are wild, dramatically framed by darkness and palm trees as far as the eye can see. Las Galeras boasts stunners such as Playa Rincon, accessible by boat, while Las Terrenas has Playa Coson and Playa Bonita easily accessible. There are also secluded beaches that have few tourists, including Playa del Valle and Playa El Moron.

Puerto Plata Province

Affordable all-inclusive resorts are the norm around Puerto Plata. Take a cable car to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres, attend a concert in an amphitheatre facing the Atlantic Ocean, and visit the 16th-century San Felipe Fortress. Explore nearby Damajagua Falls, snorkel off the beautiful island of Cayo Arena, or play golf in spectacular surroundings. Then discover the nearby towns of Cabarete, a kitesurfing centre, and Sosúa, a quaint seaside town.

Parque Nacional Armando Bermúdez

Tucked in the centre of the Dominican Republic, Parque Armando Bermúdez is the most accessible departure point to a two-day overnight expedition to Pico Duarte—the highest summit in the Caribbean at 10,105 feet. The park also offers numerous daytime trails for those who wish to immerse themselves in nature, swimming in the Yaque del Norte River, which flows directly from the peak. It’s a great spot to spend a day out in the mountains while visiting the mountain resort town of Jarabacoa.

Constanza

Constanza is a complete departure from what you would expect to find in the Caribbean, which is exactly why you would want to visit. Hidden at 4,000 feet above sea level, it is the highest inhabited centre in the region. It is also the heart of agriculture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Drive along with fields of chayote, potatoes and even strawberries. Stop at a local colmado or convenience store and order a strawberry milkshake or batida. Go hiking or biking up the hills to breathe the fresh mountain air.

One of the most spectacular national parks and birding sites in the country is found here, in the Nuevo Valley National Park. Stroll its paths, lined with pine trees and giant ferns, and warmed by the cold temperatures by a fireplace fire in the evening in a mountain retreat.

Lago Enriquillo

If you are a fan of crocodiles and iguanas, you will find them at Lago Enriquillo in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. Take a boat trip on the lake to spot American crocodiles lurking beneath the waters of this gigantic, part-salt, part-freshwater lake. Lago Enriquillo is also the largest lake in the Caribbean, located at the lowest elevation in the country below sea level. In the dry forest of the park, endangered green iguanas thrive and will greet you as soon as you enter. in the parking lot. You may even see them crossing the street.

Parque Nacional Jaragua

This national park has a lagoon that is home to a colony of flamingos, among many other bird species. There are several trails, easily accessible after paying a single entry fee, whether guided or on your own, as well as caves, mangrove shores and secluded beaches. Climb aboard a boat at Laguna Oviedo to see more birds and take in the natural scenery.

Barahona

The province of Barahona was created for the adventurous traveller looking for road trips, casual cultural encounters and a rustic and grand setting. This less-visited province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has scenic roads, with winding roads between spectacular mountain landscapes and iridescent turquoise seas. The beaches are mostly pebbly and the sea is too rough to swim far, but there are pretty river parks, where freshwater streams come down to join the sea and create ideal pools.