Top 10 things to do in the Dominican Republic ~ North America Travel Tips

The Dominican Republic is a fantastic destination for holidaymakers as there is so much to see and do. Below is a list of the top 10 tourist attractions, sites and activities that we think you simply must do!

Get your groove on!
The Dominican Republic offers a fantastic array of nightlife options where you can drink, socialize, dance, gamble or revel in one of the many festivals that take place throughout the country. Options range from smaller beer/pool halls, frequented predominantly by Dominican men, to large banging nightclubs where thousands of tourists, foreigners and locals come together to bump and grind to live bands or DJ's late into the night. In addition although a good time can be had at most hotels and restaurants who offer casual bar/lounge settings whilst playing internationally recognized music and offering a range of local and international drink selections, for a real Dominican experience head to one of the locally owned bars to sample locally produced drinks and lose yourself in the rhythm of Merengue or Bachata music. You will find out there that Dominicans really know how to party!

Visit Ocean World in Puerto Plata
A visit to Ocean World in Puerto Plata is a must. As well as snorkeling in the Tropical Reef Aquarium and enjoying the sea lion, dolphin, shark and bird shows, the opportunity to dance and swim with dolphins is something you really should take advantage of. During your 30-minute encounter you'll get up close and personal with a dolphin. Dancing, hugging, petting and swimming with these most magnificent of creatures. Its a fabulous experience and the highlight, a spectacular dorsal fin tow is sure to be something you will remember for a long time!

Watch the sunrise on top of the Pico Duarte
Reigning over the spectacular Cordillera Central range at an elevation of over 3000m high, the magnificent Pico Duarte is the highest peak in all the Caribbean islands. At 23.1 km (14.4 miles) to the summit, with a total elevation change of 1,977 meters the trail is a bit of a trek to the top, (the easiest access is from the town of La Ciénega, near Jarabacoa). But once you are there the view of the sunrise over the ocean is something that will make the hairs stand up all over your body.

Get Married
Who wouldn't want to get married in Paradise? With a range of fantastic all inclusive 4 and 5 star resorts to choose from, all of which specialize in organizing and hosting fantastic weddings and the magnificent backdrop of an idyllic palm tree lined beach of fine white sand and the deep blue ocean, the Dominican Republic is definitely one of the best locations in the world to get married in. Throw in a ready made honeymoon destination, the gorgeous weather and the fact that a wedding at home is likely to be twice the price then your dream Caribbean wedding suddenly becomes very much affordable.

Go see a Baseball Game
As well as being the National Sport, baseball in the Dominican Republic is practically a religion. Brought to the country by Cuban immigrants in the 1870s, the game is now so popular that there are more Dominican players in the minor and major American leagues than all other Caribbean nationalities combined. In fact all major league teams run training camps in the Dominican Republic, to scout and train players for professional potential. So no matter where you travel to in the country you are likely to find at least one Baseball Park close by. If you happen to visit during the official baseball season between October and February be sure to catch a game as the electric atmosphere and the incredible passion the Dominican people have for the sport is something that has to be seen to be believed!

Go Whale-Watching along the Península de Samaná
At approximately 40km long and 15km wide the Península de Samaná is a small sliver of land that features rolling mountains, protected beaches and picturesque coves. It is a beautiful place in itself but the opportunities it provides for whale watching are simply breathtaking. Each year, between January and March, upwards of 5000 humpback whales return to the area to give birth and mate. The sight of these magnificent creatures sky-rocketing, tailoring, flippering and merrily cavorting through the water is quite awe inspiring. You won't be along whilst watching it. More than 45,000 people head to the Península de Samaná each year to view it. But the experience is so profound you'll feel like you are.

Take a Catamaran Cruise
Be a millionaire for a day and set sail on a luxury catamaran along the Dominican Republic's North Coast. From the Bay of Playa Dorada to the magnificent Sousa Bay let the wind carry you to wonderful, remote isolated coves bordered by crystal clear waters and pristine white sandy beaches. Most hotels and tour companies offer Catamaran cruises and when combined with a spot of snorkeling and a fabulous buffet lunch, on a bright sunny day, it turns into an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy a round of Golf
The Dominican Republic is a paradise for golfers with its great year round sunny weather, tropical setting and beautifully designed courses. Some of the resorts like the Barcelo Bavaro Golf and Casino Hotel and the Tortuga Bay at Punta Cana Resort & Club have 18 hole courses located directly on the hotel's property, while a raft of designer courses are scattered around the country. If you only have time to play on one course make it the Teeth of the Dog course at the Casa de Campo resort. Ranked number one in the Caribbean and 34th in the ‘Top 100 Best Golf Course' in the world by Golf Magazine it is a fantastic course that is a joy to play on and has been known to attract the best professional and amateur golfers currently in the game.

Snorkeling/Scuba Diving
With over 1000km of coastline the Dominican Republic offers fantastic opportunities for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving. There are many locations to explore the underwater world such as along the coast, in mangrove forests, in the bays, and in caves and the chance to see all kinds of tropical fish, plant life, coral, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and wrecks is something you should really take. The most popular locations include Bayahibe where you can see sea grass beds, conserved coral reefs, and mangrove forests, as well as eagle rays, dolphins, lobsters, turtles, manatees, sharks, and whales, and Boca Chica which houses fine colonies of pillar, soft coral, horn coral and underwater creatures such as moray eels, trumpet fish, and stingrays. A world away from the one your reside, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Dominican Republic is a fabulous experience that will stay with you forever.

Relax on the Beach
If all these activities are too energetic for you why not just throw down a towel and ease your stresses away on one of the Dominican Republic's many awesome beaches? Distinguished by long stretches of fine white sand, tall shady palm trees and crystal clear waters there is something quite spiritual and therapeutic about soaking up the rays on a Dominican Republic Beach. There are many great ones to chose from and opinion is divided on which is the best but the Playa Grande is widely acknowledged as being right up there.