Check the weather city by city, starting with Santo Domingo.
The Dominican Republic brings together the diversity of the Greater Antilles in a single country: Punta Cana and its 23 km of palm-lined beaches, Samaná and its humpback whales (January–March), Santo Domingo's UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone — the first European city in the Americas — and Las Terrenas, the French Riviera of the Caribbean.
Punta Cana is the Caribbean symbol of the all-inclusive holiday: 23 km of palm-lined white-sand beaches, turquoise water at 28°C year-round, and one of the largest resort offerings in the world. Nearby Saona Island is a classic must-do excursion.
Highlights : Bávaro Beach (23 km) — palm trees & white sand, Saona Island — deserted beach by catamaran, Catalina Island — snorkelling & barracudas, Hoyo Azul — blue lagoon in the jungle.
Santo Domingo's UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone is the first European colonial city founded in the Americas (1498). The Primatial Cathedral — the oldest in the Americas — Diego Columbus's palace and Calle El Conde together form a living museum of Hispanic history.
Highlights : Colonial Zone — Calle El Conde (pedestrian street), Alcázar de Colón (Diego Columbus's palace), Primatial Cathedral (the oldest in the Americas), Fortaleza Ozama — seafront colonial fort.
The Samaná Peninsula is one of the Caribbean's most beautiful destinations: humpback whales (January–March) come here in large numbers to breed, El Limón waterfall can be reached on horseback through tropical jungle, and Cayo Levantado (Bacardi Island) is a white-sand paradise.
Highlights : Humpback whales (Jan–Mar) — boat watching, El Limón waterfall — horseback ride through the jungle, Cayo Levantado — intimate deserted beach, Los Haitises — mangroves and Taíno caves.
Las Terrenas is nicknamed the 'Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean': a cosmopolitan French-Italian-Dominican community, wild beaches such as Playa Bonita, surprisingly good food and a laid-back atmosphere without the excesses of all-inclusive resorts. Ideal for independent travellers.
Highlights : Playa Bonita — Las Terrenas' most beautiful beach, Mushroom Beach — coral formations.
The Dominican Republic is affordable — all-inclusive stays can look expensive, but they cover everything. Outside the resorts, prices are very reasonable. Santo Domingo and Las Terrenas offer an authentic local lifestyle on a modest budget.