Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a favourite for many looking for a great value holiday in the Caribbean. Although there is more than just a beach, with a number of National Parks, diving sites, and historical cities and towns to explore.

Probably the most well-known to the UK, Punta Cana is home to many of the best beach hotels on the island. Made up of a collection of coastal resorts, the greater Punta Cana area – is blessed with 30 miles of white sand beaches – with great options for both couples and families. Brilliant for golfers, with 10 courses, and for divers with multiple shipwrecks to explore.

The capital, Santo Domingo is one of the most modern and dynamic in the Caribbean and was the first European settlement of the Americas. The Colonia City, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 is a pedestrian-friendly maze of narrow streets and architectural wonders.

Like Punta Cana, La Romana has poster-worth Caribbean beaches and world-class golf courses, but its also home to the Cotubanama National Park – with its myriad of caves and fresh water springs.

Santiago de los Caballeros–named after the 30 Spanish aristocrats who followed Columbus and settled here in 1495–was the country’s first capital before it suffered an earthquake in 1562. Today, the Dominican Republic’s second largest city–affectionately dubbed “Ciudad Corazón” or the city in the heart of the Cibao Valley–is a modern and cosmopolitan centre thriving in commerce, finance, education, and services, and pulsating with culture.

Boasting an average elevation of 1,200 meters (4,000 feet), Constanza is the highest altitude town in the Caribbean region. With those impressive heights come cool temperatures, rolling valleys blanketed in thick pine trees, cabins fitted with chimneys for the single digit night temperatures, and an agricultural landscape that reveals a surprising departure from the beach.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

WINTER – Fantastic for some winter sun!

FLIGHT TIME

Around 9 hours from the UK to Punta Cana

TIME ZONE

GMT/BST +5

CURRENCY

Dominican Peso

IDEAL FOR

Looking for a great value beach holiday in the Caribbean.

HOW TO GET THERE

There are direct flights from London with British Airways to Punta Cana – along with regional charter flights from Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick.

LANGUAGE

Dominican Spanish

IDEAL TO COMBINE WITH

Stay on the beach, and then maybe a couple of nights in Santo Domingo, or explore one of the many national parks.