*By Charmaine Noronha*
Coastlines scalloped with coral sand in hideaway coves, miles of sun-kissed walkable beach strand, lush jungle-swathed mountains, and lively, colourful cities are just a handful of reasons that made 2022 a banner tourism year for the Dominican Republic. The Caribbean island that borders Haiti welcomed a record number of tourists with over 750,000 visitors. The trend is continuing into 2024, with a large majority of those tourists fleeing frigid winters for Punta Cana. However, the island’s appeal stretches far beyond this resort region.
With new airlines launching direct flights to the popular island, it’s now easier to travel there to explore all that the Dominican Republic offers. Book that flight and then hit the grounding running with these must-see suggestions!
Must-See Places To Visit In The Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, The Captivating Cobblestoned Capital
First stop: the bustling, cobblestoned capital, Santo Dominigo, a UNESCO world heritage city with a rich history, colonial architecture, and 16th-century monuments.
Santo Domingo, or ‘La Capital’ as it’s typically called, is one of the Caribbean’s oldest cities with buildings that date back to the 1500s, including the first cathedral and the oldest surviving European fortress built in the New World. This colonial town, founded in 1498, was laid out on a grid pattern that became a model for town planners in the New World. Centuries later, the historic neighborhood’s colonial buildings have been turned into museums, shops, hotels, restaurants, and sidewalk cafés. Explore the San Francisco ruins, the Plaza de Espana, Plaza Reloj del Sol, Calle las Damas.
One notable museum worth checking out is the Naval Museum of the Royal Atarazanas (MAR) located in one of the island’s oldest buildings. While it’s a naval museum, it tells the history of the Dominican Republic. Peruse the collection of naval and maritime objects and artifacts, including models of ships, paintings and weapons.
And if all that touring and perusing has left you famished, stop into KahKow, a chocolate factory that looks as good as it smells! With cocoa farms located on the island, the factory is the first in the world to produce certified organic chocolate at the place of origin. I encourage you to take a tour of the site to learn about how the cocoa is grown, harvested and then produced into silky smooth delectable chocolate. And the best part, you’ll get to make your own chocolate to take home!
Where to stay: Gran Hotel Europa Santo Domingo, Trademark by Wyndham
Located in the central historic hood of Santo Domingo, this within walking distance of iconic attractions like Plaza de España, First Cathedral of the Americas, and Alcázar de Colón and is close to Agora Mall. Grab a sunset cocktail on its rooftop bar and enjoy the urban views.
Peeping Puerto Plata, The Port Of Silver
Next stop: Puerto Plata, one of the oldest cities in the Dominican Republic. Referred to as Port of Silver, from the glistening silver color of its coast at sunset, this northern region boasts beautiful white-sand beaches like Punta Cana, but is less commercialized, which lends itself to a more authentic, serene, island experience.
Explorer Christopher Columbus saw gold deposits when he glimpsed at Puerto Plata from his ship in 1492. Drawn by Puerto Plata’s vast blue shoreline, he named the area the “Silver Port” and settled in La Isabela with a mixed community of Tainos–original inhabitants of the area–and Spaniards.
Puerto Plata boasts more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) of beaches lining multiple coastal villages, rivers, falls, and the largest collection of preserved 19th century Victorian-style houses in the Caribbean.
While here, wet your whistle with the local staple: rum of course! Macorix House of Rum offers tours of their rum site, and will regale you with the history and evolution of the brand, as well as rum in The Dominican Republic. Have a few swigs of the award-winning rum in their Insta-worthy tasting room before stepping into the gift store to snag a bottle to take home.
Wander over to Malecón De Puerto Plata, Spanish for “The Boardwalk,” to enjoy the street performers, food stalls, bars and restaurants that line this oceanfront entertainment precinct. The popular pedestrian zone runs alongside George Washington Street, which is famed for its palm tree-lined parks, fine-dining restaurants and lively bars.
And you can’t head to Puerto Plata without a stop at Playa Dorada. Its serene white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters and colorful reefs make this beach one of the most well-known tourist destinations on the island. Certain sections of the beach are reserved for patrons of nearby beachfront resorts, but other parts remain open to the general public. Pull up a beach chair, swim in the warm sea and indulge in bliss.
Where to stay: Viva Heavens By Wyndham
This beautifully designed resort will make it hard to leave the property. Take a dip in its expansive pools or sink your toes into the soft golden sand of Playa Dorado Beach, connected to the property. Enjoy cooking classes, outdoor sports, and live entertainment.
Samana
Samaná, known for its pristine white sand beaches and lush, mountainous interior, is a nature lover’s dream. The region’s rolling mountains and valleys form crystalline rivers that feed into the Atlantic. The peninsula’s rocky coastline provides a breathtaking backdrop on scenic drives. And, if you’re a beach bum who wants to avoid the cookie-cutter beach resorts that populate the beachfront along Punta Cana, look no further. As an added bonus, every year, from January to March, hundreds of humpback whales migrate from all over the north Atlantic and come to Samaná Bay to mate and birth calves, which coincides perfectly with snowbird travel to the island to view the majestic beauties.
Where to stay: Viva V Samana by Wyndham, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive
This dreamy adults all-inclusive is a perfect place for the ultimate relaxation. Snag a bungalow with a private plunge pool or slide into the resort’s infinity pool and wash your worries away. Its all-inclusive vacation package includes all meals and snacks, unlimited premium beverages, cocktails and wine, and a selection of land and water sports, theme nights, and entertainment.
A huge thanks to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for hosting us on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are entirely our own.
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