Throw yourself into Santo Domingo's nightlife by dancing down-and-dirty to the merengue with the locals. The city's Malecón boardwalk has a number of lively options, and there are several steamy nightclubs in the Zona Colonial which offer live jazz and Latino beats.

Jump on a whale watching boat and search for magnificent humpback whales, thousands of which make their annual winter arrival off the Samaná headland, on the northeastern tip of the island. The season for witnessing this thrilling spectacle, generally stretches from mid-January to mid-March. You can find organised boat trips in the little port of Santa Barbara de Samaná. Punta Cana is another great location to witness the beautiful humpback whales spring above the surface, in the attempt to mate with the female species. The Dominican Republic law enforces strict .....protection and guidelines for whales. Show less

Most visitors spend days lounging on the beach in the Dominican Republic, but if you can tear yourself away from the soft sands and warm waters, the country has many fantastic options on offer. At the top of the list is Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, a World Heritage Site made up of 16 square blocks. This area can lay claim to having America’s first cathedral, hospital, palace, university and even paved street. You can join a walking tour and check out all the principal monuments. Alternatively, you can go .....mountain biking in the country’s mountainous interior. Show less

Our entrance fees to the City Walls, Rector Palace, Franciscan Monastery, Dominican Monastery and the Cathedral were provided by Sandra Milovcevic from the Dubrovnik Tourist Board.  Croatia Tourism is booming and visiting the Dubrovnik Tourist Board at the start of your time in Dubrovnik will help you plan your time wisely. We thank Sandra and her team for their assistance during our stay in Dubrovnik.  As always our opinions, are our own. Disclosure: Certain links in this post are affiliate links. This means that should you make a purchase via our link, .....we will receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay.   www.totraveltoo.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. If you enjoyed our post on Dubrovnik you may enjoy our other posts: Why Croatian Wines Won Us Over 3 Good Reasons to Visit Ston in Croatia Sun Gardens – A True Resort Experience in Dubrovnik Chairlift and Dinner at the Panorama Restaurant Day Trips from Dubrovnik     amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "totraeltoo-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "b91527a9e13dca5d1f20efd868f37529"; amzn_assoc_asins = "1631213237,1465410368,B01457LFU2,1743214022,1780056842,1631213016,B00EHK3YB6,1101878037"; Show less

International flights to Santo Domingo are probably the cheapest ones you can get to the Dominican Republic. The other cheapest flights will bring you to Punta Cana. A 20-minute drive from the Santo Domingo international airport will bring you to Boca Chica, a cute little town by the Caribbean Sea. For young families, this destination is great because the crystal clear aqua sea is shallow, and the beach is powdery white. By the way, if you are looking for the cleanest stretch of beach in Boca Chica, book at the Boca .....Beach Residence. This brand new hotel also has a super fun pool and spacious apartments that will be a haven for your family. To do in Boca Chica: walk the beach and sit at one of the cute little restaurants for a snack! You can also rent a pedal boat equipped with a slide: your kids will love it! We paid the pedal boat rental 350 DOP for 1 hour. From Boca Chica, you can also go back to Santo Domingo for a discovery tour of the Dominican Republic capital, and come back at night to rest in your quiet and peaceful hotel. Also, as you’ll spend time on Boca Chica’s stunning beach, you’ll be approached by a lot of tour vendors all offering the same packages to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. We wanted to visit Isla Saona, so we inquired for their best price. At first, the all-inclusive, full day tour was $70 per adult and $25 for our 5-year old girl. After negotiating a little bit, the vendor was selling his tour at $55 per adult, and it was free for our little girl. Then, since we had our own car, we thought we might as well use it and avoid paying for the transfer. So early one morning we drove all the way to Playa Bayahibe, which is a nice 1h10 minute drive. Playa Bayahibe is where all the excursion boats are leaving to Saona Island. As soon as our car approached the drop-off spots for the transfer buses, a man waved at us and offered us the same all-inclusive day tour at $45 per adult, still free for Emma-Kate. Then we bargained again a little bit and made a deal with him at $30 per adult. The all-inclusive day trip to Saona Island is fun. We left Playa Bayahibe on a speedboat and then stopped at a natural swimming pool where we snorkeled. Once we’ve made it to Saona Island, we enjoyed time on the beach and a good barbecue-style lunch. Please take note that there are bathrooms on the island, but there was no soap to wash our hands. And there are a lot of lounge chairs to enjoy your afternoon. On our sailing catamaran ride on the way back to Bayahibe, there was an open bar on board and dancing on the deck. Hotel suggestion: While in Boca Chica, we stayed at the Boca Beach Residence, which is a contemporary brand new apart-hotel that offers 5-star amenities. We loved their spacious, modern and quiet apartment, as well as their gorgeous pool and private white-sand beach. You can read more about our amazing stay at the Boca Beach Residence here. Show less

The highlight of not only the peninsula, but of Dominican Republic was Cascada El Limon; a beautiful waterfall falling 52 meters down from the pristine jungle and into a waterhole. Don’t fall for the mass of tourist scams, which they will put in your face quite aggressively. Simply put it, protect the horses, save money and adventure alone by taking the DIY hiking approach at El Limon like we did. We took a Gua Gua from Las Terrenas to the entrance. We hiked the track alone, huffed and puffed the humid .....air, got muddy feet from the sludgy terrain and zig-zagged across the river in knee deep water. The view along the path was outstanding and worth the pain our totally unfit bodies endured. The jewel at the end of this exhausting but scenic hike was a stunning waterfall with water gushing down from high into the jungle. Our sweaty bodies had been dreaming about this moment since our first hill. The water certainly was refreshing, and jumping off the cliffs into the churning water was such a thrill. Show less

Arguably the most authentic Dominican souvenir on the market, amber is widely available at reasonable prices. The northern coastline is known for producing some of the finest amber in the world. You can visit an amber museum (www.ambermuseum.com) in Puerto Plata, or tour the mines in the hills of La Cumbre (about 43km/28m from Puerto Plata). Keep a look out for blue amber which is found only in Dominican Republic. You can purchase them raw on the mining sites and get them polished, carved and set in jewellery later. However, be mindful of fakery.

While driving through the coast of Cabarete, you will be amazed by the hundreds of kite-surfers soaring through the sky like a flock of migrating birds. Cabarete provides some of the best kitesurfing conditions in the Caribbean due to its warm climate and consistent thermal trade winds. There are a number of beaches suitable for various levels of kiteboarding: Kite Beach, Cabarete, Bay, Encuentro, and La Boca to name a few. There are also many schools – the prices are relatively similar across the board so don’t go price shopping but .....rather find an instructor that you feel comfortable with! Show less

Lunch is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day here, just like in Spain – think stewed or boiled meats served with rice, accompanied by passion fruit juice and followed by a tasty batch of fried plantains. The Dominicans love their coffee too – they have a caffeine culture that goes back over two centuries and they produce nearly 500,000 bags of rich, sun-soaked Arabica every year. Why don’t we see much of it in the UK, we hear you ask? Well, less than 20 percent of the beans .....are actually exported because the locals drink so much of it. Santo Domingo boasts many restaurants where you can sample all of the above and more. Try La Briciola for some European flair, Pura Tasca for tapas and sangria by the bucket-load, and Pat’e Palo for their ‘Rum Experience’ menu. Show less

Visitors to the Dominican Republic don’t generally go for shopping, but they’re missing a trick. The country may not have a wide range of wares to choose from, but it does have an abundance of amber that’s thought to be some of the best in the world. This semi-precious stone looks stunning when set in jewellery and, because it’s sourced here, it won’t break the bank. Chunks of amber with insects fossilised inside are sometimes sold by local miners for just a few pesos, but do be wary of fakes, .....especially at street-side souvenir shops. The Amber World Museum in Santo Domingo and a similar museum in Puerto Plata can help you identify any knock-offs, but your best bet is to opt for a reputable store, like Harrisons. It has outlets all over the country and prices are still 50 percent of what they are in the UK. Show less

The lure of Punta Cana’s crystalline waters or the call of coastal Santo Domingo’s history may be too much to resist, but those who head for the interior instead will be rewarded with a truly local experience. In particular the Cordillera Central, the Caribbean’s highest mountain range, cuts right through the country’s centre and is ripe for hiking. Take a few days to discover the towering twin peaks of Pico Duarte and Le Pelona. Spare the time to visit Santiago too; it’s the second biggest city in the Dominican Republic .....and is fringed by a collection of fertile farming valleys, tobacco fields and thunderous waterfalls.  Show less

Sunrise hot air balloon rides near Punta Cana are available from Dominican Balloons for $275 per person for a group. Prices for other rides vary. From arrival through breakfast, the time commitment of approximately 4 hours is worth every minute. We were the guests of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. All opinions of the fantastic and peaceful are our own. The champagne toast photo is courtesy of Nick Argires on behalf of GoDominicanRepublic.com.

Close to Puerto Plata on the north coast, Mount Isabela de Torres provides awesome views of the ocean and surrounding national parks. If you feel adventurous you can climb to the top in a few hours, if not the cable car will whisk you up in minutes from Monday to Saturday. A replica of Rio de Janeiro's Christ Redeemer statue stands on the peak; there's also a botanical garden.

Tamsui is at the end of the red line. From Xi Men Ding to Tamsui, the journey takes around 1 hour. During the journey, you will pass by several famous tourism stations. If time allows, we suggest you visit Yangming Mount and Beitou where they are famous for natural hot spring.

Riverside Park河滨公园 One of the recommended way to travel around Tamsui is cycling. There are bike rental service available (100nt -200nt / day) in the Riverside Park where you can also enjoy pleasant sea breeze while strolling. As we were famished, we decided to go find a restaurant first. Old Street 淡水老街 The famous old street is just nearby – walkable distance. The street reminds me of Hong Kong where there are also a lot of small shops and stalls selling a large variety of stuffs from street food to clothes. Mackay Street 马偕街 At just the other .....side of the old street, you can find the Mackay Street. It’s an old street where the buildings were all made up of red bricks. Sometimes, you may also find some couples having their wedding photos shoot there. Show less

Known as the second capital, Santiago will far exceed your likely small expectations. A short hour and a half bus ride via Caribe Tours or Metro from either Puerto Plata in the north or Santo Domingo in the south, Santiago bodes the new and upcoming style of the younger population while maintaining the traditional eating and social culture of the older residents. With many places to experience a local quipe or empanada, try a traditional cafeteria style lunch at Cocina de Dona Mary in the neighborhood of Los Cerros de Gurabo, .....a short taxi ride from the Caribe Tours bus stop in Los Jardines. If museums are for you, check out the Centro León (free admission on Tuesdays!) that boasts local Dominican art, new and old, and an enormous display dedicated to taking it’s visitors on a journey through the history of the island, from the Taino civilizations to it’s modern day baseball culture. End your visit with an ice-cold Presidente in the center’s café. In the downtown area, where in years past was vacant of nighttime activity, there is now a small but exciting bar scene that is bringing hip (slightly more expensive) cocktails and artistic vibe to the city. On Wednesdays, like most bars in Santiago, Dao al Pecao offers Ladies Night cocktails, upbeat music, and an atmosphere that mixes the romance of outdoor dining with the fast pace of city life. Having transformed an old home on Calle Benito Minción in downtown Santiago, its popularity seems to be growing quickly. If you are looking to eat and drink for an evening with a view of Santiago’s famous monument, Puerta del Sol in the neighborhood of La Zurza is constantly bustling with great people watching, music, and yummy food paired perfectly with a rum and sprite. For dessert, do not hesitate to indulge with a slice of their Cuatro Leche cake. Show less

Who wants to cook while on vacation? Not many parents do! There are onsite restaurants for any palette, young or old.  Enjoy the Gourmet Marche and Oceanside, two buffets, and poolside restaurants for breakfast or lunch,  dinner options. These spots include Grazie Italian Trattoria, Hunter Steakhouse, Zen Teppanyaki, Rio Rodizio for Brazilian cuisine, and C/X Culinary Experience, which is a more luxurious culinary experience with personal selections from the chef. There’s also a food truck on site, which kids will gravitate to, as it’s new and offers kid-friendly foods.

Step out to see the ocean on Bavaro Beach as soon as possible. The sea’s deep blue color will blow your mind, and you’ll want to spend as much time possible on the beach. The sands are white, clean, and extremely inviting for morning and evening walks. The kids can look for seashells, build sand castles, and jump the waves in the warm, ocean water. If your kids were born to snorkel, head to reception and inquire about a half-day snorkeling trip. The coral reefs are brimming with beautiful, colorful .....fish. You can also grab some chairs on the beach, order lunch, and spend the whole day having fun in the sun. Show less

Royalton Bavaro is a five-star, luxury resort, yet it really caters to traveling families.  The resort is always offering ways to make the trip more affordable for families. Find the lowest rates at Royalton Bavaro on Booking.com They’re usually good for a minimum of four nights. If you don’t see any, call your travel agent and inquire about options. At the time this article, the price was $606 a night for a family suite this summer, but there was little availability until the fall.

Enjoy nightly entertainment for all ages.  Locations vary from the beach to particular restaurants and bars. The entertainment also runs the gamut from a circus-style show to Latin dancing, live singers, and dancers or even a big party with music. At SCORE Sports Bar and Lounge, families can grab drinks and food, and watch televised games. Kids can also enjoy a lively excursion into the town of Punta Cana.  Just inquire at reception, or if you’re in the Diamond Club, ask your butler to explore entertainment options.

Photo by: Royalton Bavaro If you want an even more upscale experience for your family vacation, then join the Diamond Club.  Diamond Club members enjoy primo perks like 24-hour room service, a private pool, members-only beach areas, a lounge serving snacks all day long, and an always stocked mini-bar.  You also get a butler to help with dinner reservations or packing and unpacking your luggage (a dream for a mom!).     Lead image by: Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa Disclosure: The writer was hosted by the Royalton Bavaro. However, all opinions are her own.  

8 La Romana is one of the Caribbean’s premier vacation resort areas located at the southeast end of the Dominican Republic. Famous for its sugar cane, golf, beaches, outdoor adventures and diving, La Romana ranks as the Dominican Republic’s youngest, smallest and most wealthy province. The area’s most famous attractions are located within Casa de Campo, the spectacular 7,000-acre resort. The golf courses here are widely acclaimed to be the best in the Caribbean. Visit the largest cigar factory in the world, Tabacalera de Garcia, owned by Altadis, the largest cigar company in the world. .....For many, it’s one of the best places to visit in Dominican Republic. Show less

9 The magnificent National Park of the East (Parque Nacional del Este) located at the heart of the La Romana – Bayahibe area is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist destinations – most famous for its crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches. This beautiful National Park, a nature reserve since 1975, covers 791.9km², of which the main landmass is a peninsula covered with Subtropical Rainforest and Subtropical Dry Forest, an area once inhabited by the Taino Indians. The most popular area of the park is Saona Island. Here the .....clear aquamarine Caribbean ocean gleams in the sunlight, you can relax on one of the many beaches, dive the reefs that line the shore or fish its bountiful waters. Mano Juan, as Saona Island’s only settlement, is a typical Dominican village where approximately 500 inhabitants live off fishing and tourism. Traditional and brightly colored “casas tipicas” (traditional wooden houses) line the sandy main street, where you will be greeted with characteristic Dominican hospitality and the opportunity to buy Dominican arts and crafts – as well as visit the turtle sanctuary. Source: explorelaromana Show less

A very scenic 2hr drive on the Autopista del Nordeste (#7) will take you from Boca Chica to Las Terrenas. The vistas along the way are breathtaking, and the road conditions are perfect. Please take note that this highway has a couple of expensive tolls to pay, a small fee to pay to get amazing driving conditions. Las Terrenas is a super cute town located on the Samana Peninsula, in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic. We loved the vibe there, and we are sure you will love it too! There .....are 2 different waterfront areas: one with brand new restaurants designed to please the international travelers, and another one with small local eating venues to sit and enjoy the Dominican home cooking. The most popular day trip from Las Terrenas is to get to El Limon waterfalls. This is a 30-minute drive if you have your own car, but don’t worry if you don’t because almost all locals know someone who can offer you the tour. Almost everyone going at El Limon waterfalls will do horseback riding. You can hike too, but they don’t recommend it, because the trail can be very muddy, especially if it has been raining the day before. Stubborn as we are, we hiked! It took us 40 minutes to get to the fall, and Emma-Kate (5-years old) walked the whole trail. This is an easy walk. It was quite muddy, but there was always a way to go around the mud and even though I was wearing flip-flops (which I don’t even recommend lol), my toes were super clean after the return hike! By the way, if you’re going on a horse, you’ll still have to hike the last part of the trail! There are a lot of people at the waterfall, unfortunately, so it’ll be hard to take a shot without strangers… unless you wait until the tour groups leave and then you get the whole area all to yourself, which happened for us around 3 PM. You can swim in the fall, but beware the water is quite chilly. Another cool activity to do in Las Terrenas is to rent a quad, and we recommend Jessie Car Rental. The owner is French and friendly J. There is nothing like driving a quad in paradise! With the quad, we drove all the way to Playa Moron, which we had all for ourselves. It was amazing! The last stretch of the road is a dirt road, but that’s when driving a quad is the most fun! Hotel suggestions: Your accommodation options in Las Terrenas are plenty, but we recommend 2 places. If you want a mix of contemporary and luxury, book at the Puerto Plaza Hotel. You’ll stay at the coolest place in town: a hotel that’s shaped like a cruise ship! The apartments are so spacious, with incredible views and the best location in town! Your other best option is Hotel Alisei, where you’ll get all the luxury resort amenities with a local twist. Their pool was Emma-Kate’s favorite, and the spa and restaurant were mine! Read more about our incredible experience at the Puerto Plaza Hotel and Hotel Alisei here. Show less

You really don’t need as much travel gear as you may think for a trip to the Dominican Republicand it’s always best to travel light whenever possible.  That said, the gear you do bring on your trip should be the very best option available for you and that doesn’t always mean the most expensive. Jetset Bunnies around the globe are always discovering the latest  travel gear for women and this is where we share our fabulous finds with you. Shop our top picks of travel accessories, luggage, clothing, cosmetics, shoes and tech. Or .....just hop straight on over to Bunny Bling … YOU DOMINICAN REPUBLIC JETSETTER! Show less

In a natural phenomena spanning back centuries, the humpback whales of the North Atlantic make their way to the Dominican Republic’s province of Samaná to mate and give birth to their young. The whales are expected in Samaná in late January and they will typically stay until March. Each year more than 3000 humpbacks visit Bahia de Samaná, Samaná Bay and Cayo Levantado, making the Dominican Republic one of the best places in the world for people hoping to catch a rare glimpse of these mighty sea creatures. In fact, .....there is no better opportunity for whale watching since at this time the humpbacks are at their most active and the males can often be seen smashing their tales against the waves, breaching (dramatically launching themselves into the air before crashing back down into the water), and flippering (rolling on their sides and slapping their giant flippers together)…or in human terms ‘showing off’… in a ploy to attract a female mate. Excursions to see Samaná’s humpback whales frequently depart from Samaná Harbour, and people come from all over the Dominican Republic with the sole purpose of getting that once-in-a-lifetime experience of watching these magnificent gentle giants in their natural setting. Show less

If you are a citizen of Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Peru, South Korea and Uruguay – lucky you, you don’t need a visa or pay tourism entry tax (previously known as a tourist card) to visit the Dominican Republic. From April 2018, if you are from the United States, United Kingdom or any EU member countries, you don’t need a visa, but you will need to pay tourism entry tax. The tourism entry tax has a US $10 fee which is included in your airfare. If you bought your flight .....before April 2018, you can pay the fee on arrival. The Dominican Republic welcomes citizens from a whopping 95 countries to visit without a visa (although the US$10 fee is still required). To see the complete list of countries, as well as the exemptions, please visit the Dominican Republic visa and passport requirements page. Show less

This colossal cross-shaped monument to Christopher Columbus on the south coast was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of South America. It projects a cross-shaped beam of light into the sky, visible from as far as neighbouring Puerto Rico. Today, you can visit the 'lighthouse', which doubles as a museum, whose exhibits include a sarcophagus supposedly containing Columbus' remains.

The country's mountainous interior makes for a great biking terrain, with the Cordillera Septentrional being a particularly popular choice. The scenic Constanza and the forested Valle Nuevo National Park are also preferred by cyclists. Specialist agencies like Iguana Mama run cycling tours to the countryside with bikes and equipment included. The best time to go mountain biking is during the dry season, from May to September.

The city of La Vega bursts into life on every Sunday in February for its annual carnival, El Carnaval de la Vega. This pre-Lent festival has parades featuring costumed characters including a limping devil (Diablo Cojuelo). Although La Vega is known for the carnival, other cities hosting unique parades include Santiago, Santo Domingo, Montecristi, Bonao, Puerto Plata, Río San Juan, and Barahona.

The Museum of Dominican Man (Museo del Hombre Dominicano) is Santo Domingo's best museum, devoted to the country's anthropology. Its sculptures and artefacts offer a fascinating insight on the Tainos, the island's earliest settlers. You can also see colourful carnival costumes and masks here, as well as exhibits of the Voodoo cult religion that once dominated the Caribbean.

Populated by countless flocks of tropical birds (and a healthy population of crocodiles), Lago Enriquillo is an enormous saltwater lake near the Haitian border, and largest lake in the Caribbean, which you can go on boat trips to explore. Its flora and fauna are protected within a combined national park: the Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve.

There is something magical about horseback riding in a natural environment. Whether you are experienced or not, you will enjoy this activity. The organizers will guide you and ensure the safety of everyone. You will move between the mountains and the beach making a few stops on the way, and you will probably not want it to end  😉 We recommend: wearing long pants and running shoes and putting on bug spray + sunscreen

Isn’t it everyone’s dream to be on a deserted island once in a lifetime? On this perfect daytime activity, you will leave Punta Rucia (1 hour from Puerto Plata) and aboard a high-speed boat to go to Cayo Arena. You will discover a white sand paradisiac beach and a coral reef right in the middle of clear turquoise water. You’ll have time to do some snorkeling, eat lunch (included) and rest on the beach. We recommend: putting on sunscreen and bringing a hat or anything to cover up since there is no shade on this island

A top spot for a family vacation, the kids will especially have a good time here. The resort rests on Bávaro beach and lush tropical gardens surround it. You can even choose to reserve a family suite with a private garden, or you can get a swim up room that connects to one of the pools. The experience for a kid feels magical. Meanwhile, the dining shifts between the delightful Caribbean and international cuisine. You have five different bars and restaurants to choose from, and you can de-stress with a .....deep-tissue massage. Explore the beach either by kayak or by snorkeling. Show less

An exclusively adult luxury resort, this sanctuary becomes the perfect romantic weekend for two. You can pick out the best romantic dinner from one of the nine different restaurants. If you don’t feel like going out, stay inside with the 24-hour room service. Every meal at the Sanctuary Cap Cana will have exquisite flavor. This location also spices itself with disco nights and bonfires. If you choose, you can don a harness and get ready for a zip line eco-adventure. Experience the wilderness in all its glory.

One of Samana Bay’s prettiest attractions is Avenida de la Marina: a charming 2km stretch of colorful houses along the waterfront. It is the perfect place to walk around or catch golden hour on the benches along the promenade. This is easily the heart of Santa Bárbara de Samaná and you’ll see locals and tourists enjoying the lovely views. There are many shops and souvenir shacks, too!

El Choco National Park is the heart of Cabarete. Just minutes away from the beach,  you can embark on a plethora of hikes, mountain biking, swimming in fresh water lagoons and exploring caves. You can expect to see a wide variety of animals from birds to lizards and the luscious forest is home to fresh cacao, medicinal plants and caves!

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, Km. 17 Carretera de la Costa, Bahoruco- Barahona, Dominican Republic. Tel: 809 540 5908 / 1 800 961-5133 Website: https://casabonitadr.com Email: [email protected] Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is in the heart of Barahona province; about a 3-hour drive from Las Americas international airport Santo Domingo or the centre of Santo Domingo city. Type of Hotel: 4-Star Luxury Boutique Lodge Number of Rooms: 12 rooms and suites Price Band: Medium with double rooms starting from £191 including breakfast. Insider Tip:  Escape to the huge cavern known as Cueva de la Vergen with its emerald coloured pools .....and two chambers. You find it by hiking for about 30 minutes through the rainforest. It’s truly magical. Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10 Author Bio: Judith Baker is a London-based freelance travel writer. Photographs courtesy of Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge Show less

FOR THE THRILLS – Teeth of the Dog: Casa de Campo Luxury Resort in La Romana Frequently cited at the Caribbean’s must-play course, Teeth of Dog features seven ocean-hugging holes and derives its name from the jagged rocky outcrops that resemble canine teeth. It’s one of three distinct championship courses – all designed by golfing supremo Peter Dye – located within the 7,000-acre Casa de Campo luxury resort in La Romana; the others being Dye Fore and The Links. For more information: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/golf/golf-courses/teeth-of-the-dog/ FOR THE VIEWS – Punta Espada: Cap Cana Estate in .....Punta Cana Having hosted the PGA Champions Tour, another favourite among top golfing echelons is Jack Nicklaus designed Punta Espada. Set in the luxurious high-end Cap Cana estate, the par-72 course boasts bluffs, beaches, lagoons and jungle foliage as backdrops. Many of its fairways are flanked by stretches of white sand with eight holes right by the sea – including the 17th, which requires players to hit their tee shot right over a bay. For more information: https://www.puntaespadagolf.com/course FOR CELEBRITY SPOTTING – Corales and La Cana: Punta Cana Resort & Club Popular with visiting celebrities and a regular host of the PGA Tour, the Punta Cana Resort & Club has two oceanfront courses – the 27-hole La Cana (comprising three nine-holes) and the newer 18-hole Corales.  Designed by the acclaimed Tom Fazio, Corales incorporates cliffs, bays, coves, inland lakes and canyons. And, as a challenging three-hole finale, players have to navigate the oceanfront ‘Devil’s Elbow’. For more information: https://www.puntacana.com FOR THE PRESTIGE – Playa Grande, Costa Verde Regarded as the Dominican Republic’s most exclusive course, Playa Grande occupies a scenic spot on the northern Atlantic coast within a private, mainly residential community that also includes the bold, contemporary-styled Amanera hotel. Nicknamed the ‘Pebble Beach’ of the Caribbean (even though it has 10 ocean front holes – one more than the Californian great), the course was originally designed by Trent Jones Sr before being renovated by his son Rees Jones. It is surrounded by palm trees and spreads out along cliffs to the west of Playa Grande and Playa Precioso. For more information: https://www.playagrande.com For more information regarding golfing opportunities: godominicanrepublic.com/golf Show less

Upon arriving in the Dominican Republic, American citizens must purchase a tourist card, which allows them to enter the country. The card does not need to be applied for in advance, though it can be if desired, and can be paid for in cash using U.S. dollars. Tourist cards are valid for 60 days after they're issued and can be used to enter and reenter the country multiple times before they expire, according to the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United States.

As you can tell, I had a wonderful and highly memorable experience on my Dominican Republic Fathom Cruise. This sailing is at the top of my experiences cruising the seas – I’ve sailed on over 10 cruises to date. This cruise is great for solo travelers, couples, friends, siblings, retirees, or families. We saw several families with young children. What an enriching experience to give back as a family on vacation! The impact activities make a difference. While it isn’t quite on par with a complete volunteer program on land for .....an entire week or more, it serves as a fantastic introduction to social impact programs. It exposes the idea of volunteering while traveling to many people who might not have considered it before. After spending time with the joyful women of RePapel, I knew that we were improving their lives. Upon viewing the hundreds of seedlings we planted in an otherwise garbage-filled stretch of beach, I imagined the amount of trees planted over the months of travelers participating in the same activity. Fathom Cruises paired a tropical vacation on board a luxurious cruise ship with the idea of impacting the places we visited in a positive way. It’s the difference between a tourist and a traveler; a trip and a journey. It’s a more socially responsible way to travel, and something that I hope is the future of tourism. Looking for more photographs from my trip on board the Fathom Adonia? Check out my entire Fathom Cruises photography album!  PIN this image to your Pinterest board for future reference! Click the top left corner. Show less

7 Playa Dorada, consisting out of approximately 12 all-inclusive resorts, is located 5 km (3.1 miles) east of Puerto Plata and attracts the largest number of all-inclusive resort tourists to the north coast of the Dominican Republic. If it is an immaculate beach you are after, Playa Dorada surely is the right place for you. It is perfectly possible to spend your entire vacation without leaving the Playa Dorado resort since everything you need is taken care of.

  My plan in visiting the Dominican Republic was to only spend 2 days in Punta Cana (since baking on the beach isn’t really my thing) and then head to Cabarete. I chose Cabarete because I wanted to surf and also learn how to kitesurf. And after much research, I discovered that Cabarete was one of the cheapest places in the world to take kitesurfing lessons. If you’re also a more active traveler and Punta Cana isn’t your style, you’ll fit in great in Cabarete. Not only do they have surfing and .....kitesurfing, but also windsurfing, diving, stand up paddleboard (SUP), and yoga. Show less

Samana Bay boasts beautiful transparent blue waters, miles of unspoiled beaches, and dozens of caves, and is, therefore, a wonderfully romantic paradise. This breathtakingly pretty village was first settled by American slaves in the early 1800s, however, nowadays it's better known as one of the best places to spot humpback whales as they pass by in huge numbers during their winter migration.  

This is a picture-perfect sandy bay with shallow turquoise waters and a palm-fringed beach. The beach is overlooked by lush tropical greenery and rolling hills, making this a terrific base for a tranquil and relaxing stay.   The Dominican Republic has all the elements required for a paradisiacal holiday: soft sandy beaches, shallow turquoise waters, lush tropical greenery and outstanding natural beauty. Add to that year-round hot weather and a friendly welcome, and you can see why the Dominican Republic is becoming a more and more popular holiday destination every year.