Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the larger countries in the Caribbean, though it shares its island with Haiti. Being such a big place, the country has a lot more space for a varied landscape, featuring the typical staples of white-sand beaches and laidback cities as well as stunning mountains, desert scrublands, mangrove lagoons and more. With lovely weather and lots to do, it’s ranked among the most popular destinations in the Americas. 

The main tourist destination in the Dominican Republic is the eastern coastal region of Punta Cana, where you’ll find some of the island’s best beaches and, therefore, the best beach hotels. However, the rest of the country features small local towns and villages, beautiful national parks, secret shorelines and fascinating culture. These make it worth occasionally stepping outside of your resort. Among the highlights is the oldest cathedral in the Americas, as well as the region’s oldest castle, monastery and fortress, all of which are found in Santo Domingo’s UNESCO-rated Colonial Zone.