Dominican Republic holidays
The wild, natural beauty of the Dominican Republic is everything you want in a tropical Caribbean island. Lines of palm trees lean over stretches of sand, reaching back to where the coast becomes jungle. The string of beach resorts earned the nickname the ‘Coconut Coast’, based on the vision of coconut palms lining the beaches. The country’s tropical scenery creates plenty of attractions of its own, with thick jungles alive with rare birds, sat beside manicured championship golf courses. Whether you’re a beach lover or keen to learn more about the island’s culture, a dedicated golfer or an underwater explorer, you’ll be spoilt for choice on your Dominican Republic holidays.
Things to do
If you're spending your holiday in the Puerto Plata area, you'll find plenty of things to see, from the 16thcentury Spanish fort of Fortaleza San Felipe to the amazing Ocean World Adventure Park. In Santo Domingo, spend some time at the Dominican Republic National Aquarium. Families can also visit the Museo Infantil Trampolín, an interactive children's museum with excellent exhibits on the country’s history, science, ecosystems and culture.
25–28°C
The Dominican Republic is warm and sunny throughout the year, although the mountainous areas of the island are significantly wetter and cooler. There’s a fair amount of rainfall even in coastal areas, although this is normally only brief and light so you should be able to dodge the showers. You’ll find it’s dry, sunny and calm most of the time.
9 hours
Approximately 9 hours from the UK. Fly to Punta Cana International Airport.
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
25-28 (°C)
With an average temperature of 27°C throughout the year, it’s always swimsuit weather in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the highest temperatures at the peak of the summer, from June to October, but be prepared for more chance of tropical rain if you take your holiday at this time. If you prefer cooler weather, book your holiday for winter or early spring, when humidity is lower and temperatures hover between 25°C and 27°C. In Punta Cana, average annual sunshine hours are just over 3,000, which is more than twice what you’d expect in London, and temperatures at the resort rarely fall below 21°C at night. Puerto Plata tends to receive more rainfall, slightly higher daytime temperatures, and somewhat more pleasant night-time temperatures than Punta Cana, with lows of around 18°C from December to March.
Dominican Republic is best for…
Nature enthusiasts: You’ll find beautiful beaches on each of the Canary Islands offering something for everyone, from the pristine sands of Fuerteventura to the hidden coves of Lanzarote.
Beach lovers: The beaches on the eastern coast are among the finest in the Caribbean, with picture-perfect emerald water and white sands overlooked by palm trees.
Bar-hoppers: If you’re choosing Punta Cana for your holiday you can party in its stunning clubs and concert venues.
Fast facts:
Language: The language spoken is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist destinations and hotels, so you’ll have little difficulty getting around. Still, if you’d like to impress the locals with your Spanish, buy a phrasebook or download a language app and start practicing.
Currency: The currency used in the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso.
Local time: The Dominican Republic is 5 hours behind GMT/UK time.
Fly to: Punta Cana International Airport. Transfer time from the airport to the main resort of Punta Cana is about 40 minutes.
Flight time from UK: The flight time to the Dominican Republic is 9 hours.
Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found by clicking here (https://www.godominicanrepublic.com/).
Visa / Health:
Before you travel, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/dominican-republic for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday.
Events
Traditional celebration: In August, the traditional Festival of the Bulls takes place, with long processions complete with cowboys herding cattle.
The legendary Carnival: February sees the Carnival come to town, meaning huge parades, outlandish costumes, and lots of dancing. The Dominican Republic Carnival also includes the country’s Independence Day, on February 27th.
Getting around
By car: Car hire is a good option if you’re planning a lot of day trips, giving you the freedom to come and go as you like. The coastal roads provide wonderful drives, and driving makes resort-hopping a lot easier. Hire car companies are based mainly at the airport.
By taxi: Taxi ranks are on hand at hotels, airports, and some attractions. They are ideal for one-off journeys, although make sure you check the cab fare before you set off.
By bus: The local bus service is the Bavaro Express, a regular service providing an affordable way of getting between beaches. The service also runs between neighbouring resorts like Bavaro and Punta Cana, which is convenient if you’re not planning to hire a car.
Safety and Security:
For up to date advice on travelling to the Dominican Republic, please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/dominican-republic/safety-and-securityThings to do
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in this tropical paradise in the Caribbean, you’ll never be short of things to do in the Dominican Republic. Known as the ‘coconut coast,’ you can easily spend hours relaxing on the beach, where coconut palm trees line the coast and rare birds nest deep within the island’s jungle. But, there’s a lot more to do here than lounge on the beach. You’ll also have an abundance of tropical mangroves, jungle and charming villages to explore. With so much to see and do, it’s difficult to know where to begin. So, here are just a few of the best things to do in the Dominican Republic to get you started:
Things to do
Catalina Island Dominican Republic
Come and visit one of great jewels of the Caribbean. Catalina Island, just off the south-eastern coast of the Dominican RepublicBacardi Island Dominican Republic
This small private island is also known as Cayo Levantado, and inherited its English name after it was featured in a commercial for the famous …Explore the tropical parks near Bavaro
There are lots of fantastic opportunities to see the island’s spectacular, tropical countryside. For an activity away from the beach, explore …Explore the caves near Bavaro
Climb below ground level for the rare opportunity to explore the largest cave systems in the whole of the Caribbean. Join a group and travel to …Punta Cana Nightlife
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and basking in the Caribbean sun, Punta Cana has long been a popular holiday destination.Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park
; The best way to get a real feel for the island is to explore the spectacular sceneries and exotic wildlife. Hike through the green, natural …Currency
