Where to go in Dominican Republic

The places worth building a trip around

Each of these has its own page with timing, budget and getting-around notes.

• Punta Cana & Bávaro (Coast) — The country's resort capital — long east-coast beaches and the main international airport.
• Santo Domingo (City) — The capital, with the Zona Colonial — the oldest permanent European-founded city in the Americas.
• Samaná Peninsula (Region) — Green peninsula of quieter beaches, waterfalls and the winter humpback whale season.
• Puerto Plata & Cabarete (Coast) — North Atlantic coast: cable car, Victorian-era town and the country's kite- and windsurfing hub.
• Jarabacoa & the Cordillera Central (Mountain) — Cool mountain town for rafting, waterfalls and the climb to Pico Duarte.
• Bayahibe & Saona Island (Island) — Small south-coast fishing town, dive base and departure point for Saona's sandbars.
• Barahona & the southwest (Region) — Wild, little-visited southwest: pebble beaches, Lago Enriquillo and Bahía de las Águilas.

Pairing them up

Beach week: One resort base plus a boat day and a city night. Route — Punta Cana & Bávaro → Bayahibe & Saona Island.

What the country is strongest for

Dominican Republic rates highest for beach, family, nightlife, adventure, which is a good sanity check before committing.