Luxury Dominican Republic Holidays

Hundreds of kilometres of coastline, stunning mountain scenery, and evocative colonial architecture; everything symptomatic of an island paradise can be found in the Dominican Republic. With myriad watersports, championship golf courses, great spas and luxury resorts, a holiday here is about as relaxing and undemanding as you can get.

The island

Famed for baseball, beaches and a rich heritage of African, Spanish and Taíno Indian culture, the Dominican Republic is vibrant, exquisite and unhurried. This is an island that knows how to party, as can be seen at Carnival celebrations held throughout the country and at each town's own distinctive fiesta. Beyond the capital, much of the Dominican Republic is distinctly rural, with vistas reminiscent of the Alps, and lush rainforests that conceal stunning waterfalls and sparkling spring-fed pools. With 1,000 miles of stunning coastline, the beaches are, of course, the defining feature of the island; white-sand beaches are shaded by rows of palm trees, lined with dramatic rocky cliffs and wind-swept dunes, or even serene mangrove lagoons.

Activities

Thanks to its size, Dominican Republic offers more variety of activities than perhaps any other Caribbean country. Renowned as a leading golf destination in the region, it has many world-renowned courses. On the water, surfing, kite surfing and windsurfing opportunities abound as well as a variety of motorised and non-motorised watersports. Divers and snorkellers will find excellent sites teeming with marine life. Inland, adventure sports enthusiasts can try canyoning, mountain biking and caving or explore the landscape on guided hikes. From December to March, hop on a boat to spot humpback whales.

Dining

Lunch is the main meal of the day for Dominicans; La Bandera Dominicana, a heaping plate of rice and beans, served with meat and a side salad, is the traditional favourite. A unique local drink, known as Mama Juana, is a staple of the island. This concoction of rum, red wine, and honey, soaked with tree bark and herbs, is said to taste similar to port or Amaro, and locals even make claims of its near-mystical healing abilities.

When to visit

The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate that enjoys high temperatures throughout the year. As with most tropical destinations, rainy seasons are inevitable, though rainfall usually comes in heavy showers which clear quickly, giving way to hot sunny days. Sunshine and temperatures are at their best between December and March. The hurricane and storm season is June to November with the most risk from August to September.

Santa Domingo

The hugely characterful capital, Santa Domingo, is a two and a half-hour drive from Punta Cana and is one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities where many of the buildings date back to the early sixteenth century. The atmospheric Zona Colonial is home to a walled and cobblestoned historic core and also the New World’s first cathedral. On the cafe-lined Plaza de Espana is the Alcazar de Colon Palace; now one of the city’s many museums, it has a notable display of superb medieval and Renaissance art.

Altos de Chavon

Built as a centre of culture for the Dominican people, this replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, perched high above the Chavon River, is an architectural wonder of handcrafted stone pathways, decorative ironwork and enchanting buildings. Explore on your own or book a guide for an informative tour.

Saona Island

About one and a half hours drive time from Punta Cana, idyllic Saona Island lies off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic and is easily reached by either speedboat or more leisurely catamaran. As the island is part of a national park very little construction is allowed, and both the powdery white-sand beaches and the palm trees are sufficiently paradisical in appearance. There are shallow sandbanks that extend far from the shore and the aquamarine surf is wonderfully restorative.

Montana Redonda

This dramatic mountaintop viewpoint offers visitors jaw-dropping 360-degree views, as well as some unique photo opportunities. With sky-high swings and hammocks, and a professional photo company on sight, this is an Instagrammer's dream. There’s a shop and restaurant at the top, and thrill-seekers can even paraglide from the summit.

Scape Park and Bavaro Adventure Park

Located in Cap Cana, sprawling Scape Park is a vast green space ideal for experiencing myriad outdoor adventures in a natural setting. Swim in the Hoyo Azul – a stunning turquoise natural pool – hike the botanical gardens on-site and learn about orchids. Zipline past the thick canopy, go horseback riding, or drive buggies through the wilderness. For adrenaline-based adventures hike the El Farallon Cliff, before descending into a vast underground network of caves and tunnels. Eco-friendly Bavaro Park offers many attractions including ziplining, horse-riding trails, flight simulators, paintballing, BMX pump track, climbing gardens, Segway adventures and a beautiful lagoon pool with a stunning waterfall.