15 Best Things to Do in Dominican Republic

15 Best Things to Do While Visiting the Dominican Republic

August 25, 2019

Dominican Republic Properties

The Dominican Republic is a paradisiac country located on Hispaniola island, which it shares with Haiti. Being the second-largest country in the Caribbean, it welcomes over 6 million tourists each year. The Dominican Republic is a popular destination known for its mile-long white sandy beaches and its interesting history and architecture. Get to know more about the country’s capital, Santo Domingo, explore its surroundings and discover everything this beautiful country has to offer. 
Here is a list of the top 15 spots you don’t want to miss on your trip: 

Here is a list of the top 15 spots you don’t want to miss on your trip: 

1. Visit AquaMundo Sambil Santo Domingo 

AquaMundo is a unique aquarium located right in the center of Santo Domingo. It is a great place to visit with kids as you can explore and learn more about the diverse marine life that lives in the sea surrounding the Dominican Republic. The aquarium features a coral garden as well as a clear shark tunnel where you can observe the sharks and take wonderful pictures. 

2. Walk Around the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a protected forest reserve that makes up 1,500 acres of land. Enjoy a guided tour around the park and discover its freshwater lagoons, some of which you’ll even be able to swim in. Walk around the reserve and you’ll be able to explore the country’s fauna and flora. What’s more, if you’re a good observer, you’ll be able to spot the 100 different species of birds that live in the park. 

3. Explore Cueva de las Maravillas

The Cueva de las Maravillas National Park, which is situated between La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís, is an incredible underground cave system where you can explore petroglyphs and Taino pictographs that are over a thousand years old. Walk around the cave and discover its beautiful stalagmites, pisoliths, stalactites, and columns.

4. Visit the Amber World Museum 

If you’re a jewelry lover or are simply curious, this museum offers an impressive collection of amber, some of which are directly mined from the Dominican Republic as well as around the world. Book a guided tour and discover the origins of this beautiful fossilized resin as well as its uses. 

5. Discover The Three Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos)

The Dominican Republic’s Three Eyes National Park is located in the capital of Santo Domingo. This reserve is a must-see or all nature lovers. Walk around this cave system and explore the ‘’eyes’’, which are three amazing blue-green lagoons that were created thousands of years ago thanks to the Earth’s seismic activity. 

6. Swim in Hoyo Azul Punta Cana

Hoyo Azul is one of Punta Cana’s top attractions. Take a walk through the rainforest, cross a suspension bridge and make your way through the flora and fauna to find this breathtaking clear blue sinkhole, which is 14 meters deep. Take a refreshing swim in its natural waters and wander at the impressive 75 meters limestone cliff, which surrounds the area. 

7. Enjoy Boca Chica

Located about 30 kilometers away from Santo Domingo on the south coast, Boca Chica is a town famous for its white sandy beaches and protected coral reef. Many visitors take a day trip to Boca Chica to explore the town, enjoy the sun and indulge in a variety of water sport activities such as kayaking, jet-skiing and banana boating. Boca Chica is best known for its fiesta spirit and offers different pub and club options where you can go cool off and dance Merengue. 

8. Go on an Adventure with Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures (Bavaro)

Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures is a Catamaran company that offers exclusive Caribbean excursions to discover Punta Cana.  You can book private or group tours and enjoy a day at large on the crystal blue waters. Your tour includes a delicious seafood lunch and a stop at a wonderful beach where you’ll be able to sip on yummy cocktails. If you’re more adventurous, you can go snorkeling at the Cabeza de Toro reef. 

9. Do Something Different and Book an Excursion with Horseplay Punta Cana

Horseplay Punta Cana is a horseback riding and zip-lining ranch that organizes adventurous day trips around its 300 acres of luscious land, rivers, cacao , and tobacco plantations. Adrenaline seekers can book the Adventure River Tour, which is a full day excursion that includes zip-lining through the lush forest, horseback riding and a visit at the tobacco and cacao plants. If you only want to do one of these activities, other tours are also available. 

10. Visit the Choco Museum 

If you have a sugar toot and are a chocolate lover, you have to stop and visit the Choco Museum in Punta Cana. Apart from tasting delicious chocolate, you will be able to learn all about this treat, where it comes from and how its made. There are even workshops available if you want to make your very own chocolate. 

11. Learn How to Surf at the Macao Surf Camp

If you’re in Punta Cana and want to learn how to surf, you must visit the Macao Surf Camp in the Dominican Republic. The company is owned by three professional surfers who will assist you and teach you how to ride the waves in no time. Lessons are available in various languages and you can rent all the equipment you need. If you’re a pro, you can go out on the sea with your surfboard and get straight into it. 

12 Go Up Mount Isabel de Torres by Cable-Car

Mount Isabel de Torres is located close to Puerto Plata and is one of the most popular attractions in the Dominican Republic as it offers a panoramic view of its sandy beaches and coastline. Go up the mountain by cable-car and enjoy the scenic ride. This is a great opportunity to take out your camera and take beautiful pictures. Once you’re at the top, you can visit the statue of Christ as well as the Botanical Gardens. 

13. Visit Paradise Island and the Mangroves

Paradise island holds its name well, the island is everything you can imagine and more. Apart from its iconic white sandy beaches, the beautiful coral island is home to protected mangrove forests and is filled with wildlife and majestic lagoons where you can swim and snorkel. 

14. Take a Trip to the National Zoological Gardens (Parque Zoologico Nacional) 

The National Zoological Gardens is located in the capital of Santo Domingo so if you’re in the area for a few days this is a great spot to visit. You can explore the zoo by foot or you can hop on the train and discover the many animals of the Dominican Republic as well as other species native from South America and Africa such as tigers and zebras. If you brought your children along, you can have a nice family lunch and take them on a pony ride and to the petting zoo so that they can interact with some of the animals.

15. Discover the Tabacalera de Garcia Cigar Factory 

Whether you enjoy smoking or not, you cannot leave the Dominican Republic without a visit to a cigar factory. The Tabacalera de Garcia Cigar Factory is the largest one on the island and is famous because it manufactures well-known brands such as Romeo y Julieta and the popular Montecristo. Your visit will be enriching as you will learn all the steps that go into preparing, packaging and branding a high-quality cigar.

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