Reimagining the Dominican Republic: A Destination Rich in Culture, History, Gastronomy & Adventure

Adventure tourism

From the #1 kite-surfing beach in the Caribbean in Costa Norte to white-water rafting, paragliding, and canyoning in the mountains of Jarabacoa, to paddleboarding in the mangroves around the island to horseback riding and sport-shooting at Casa de Campo, the Dominican Republic is a top destination for adventurous travelers!

Whale watching

From mid-January to March each year, you are all but guaranteed opportunities to see North American humpback whales in Samaná Bay (weather permitting).

Fun fact: Approximately 80% of this species of whale is born in this small Dominican bay!

Dance the bachata or merengue

Both the merengue and bachata were born in the Dominican Republic, and they remain very popular!

Bring your dancing shoes to take a class or visit a popular local dance club in Santo Domingo!

Visit a cigar factory

The Dominican Republic is the world’s #1 producer of cigars, far exceeding the world-famous cigars of Cuba. A trip to a local cigar factory or a cigar tasting is a perfect addition to your trip!

Golf

Casa de Campo is home to the Caribbean’s #1 ranked golf course, Teeth of the Dog.

There are also numerous courses around the island to enjoy a round—or to enjoy an entire golf trip!

Enjoy a truly cold beer or local rum

Dominicans take great pride in the manner in which you enjoy your beer! If your beer is not served as “una fria vestida de novia,” or in a glass or bottle covered in frost and nearly frozen in temperature, it is not ready to be enjoyed!

They also produce some of the world’s highest quality rum.

Wellness

The resorts of the Dominican Republic offer countless wellness options for travelers. Many of these are complimentary, from sunrise yoga to meditation, giving you time to truly relax, refresh, and restore your body and mind.

Snorkeling & scuba diving

The Dominican Republic has over thirty scuba diving sites and countless places to snorkel in its crystal blue waters!

Experience the variety of beaches

While the white-sand beaches of Punta Cana are well-known, the Dominican Republic boasts golden sand beaches on its north coast and virgin beaches in Samaná.

Want somewhere truly remote? A short plane ride to Bahia de las Aguilas, where no construction is permitted, allows you to swim at beaches that rival those of the Maldives!

Fishing

The Dominican Republic is also a prime fishing destination, boasting a number of world-class marinas. It is also a top destination for blue marlin worldwide.

Visit a cenote

There are many cenotes all over the Dominican Republic.

Want an extra special experience? At Eden Roc Cap Cana, you can even have a private candlelit dinner in one!

Santo Domingo is known as one of the culinary capitals of the Caribbean. With African, Spanish, Latin, and Taino influences, the layers of flavor are as varied as the Dominican people themselves. Ask your travel or locals for their favorite restaurants!

Wherever you dine, be sure to ask to order Dominican favorites like la bandera dominicana (a dish of stewed beans, white rice, and meat), pica pollo (Dominican fried chicken, often served with fried plantains and a beer or Coke), mangú (mashed plantains) empanadas, croquettes, pastelito, flan, and majarete.

Dining at Eden Roc Cap Cana

Eden Roc Cap Cana is the country’s only Relais & Chateaux resort, which is a designation given to properties in part for their exceptional gastronomy.

If you are visiting the Punta Cana or Cap Cana area, dinner at La Palapa, preferably on Friday’s Social Night featuring live music by the ocean, is a treat!

If you’re staying in one of the bungalows or villas with a private pool, be sure to treat yourself to a floating Dominican breakfast!

Eden Roc Cap Cana also offers extensive kosher dining options and, if you’re in the mood for something casual, some of the best pizza you’ll ever eat!

Dining at Cayo Levantado

At Cayo Levantado in Samaná, there are six outstanding restaurants on property to enjoy.

Dinner at Senda is a must—it is an exceptional fine-dining experience that pays homage to the country’s culinary and historical heritage with a setting and ambiance inspired by Dominican poet Pedro Mir.

Cayo Levantado also offers a number of bars and a coffee café where you can enjoy healthy drinks, coffees, rums, tequilas, and cocktails, many of which have ingredients sourced from their own organic gardens.

Dining at Casa de Campo

At Casa de Campo, dine by the beach at Minitas Beach Club, which offers sweeping views of the Caribbean sea and breathtaking sunsets.

At Altos de Chavon, the Mediterranean-style village property, Chilango Taqueria offers its take on casual Mexican street food, while La Caña offers not only elevated French cuisine but also a lively bar and lounge where guests congregate nightly to enjoy local live music, hand-rolled cigars, and an extensive selection of Dominican rum.

Finally, you can dine at Lago Restaurant overlooking the world-famous Teeth of the Dog golf course—whether it be breakfast at sunrise or a relaxing lunch.

Dining at Amanera

Amanera features exquisite dining at Casa Grande and Beach Club as well as cocktails with panoramic ocean vistas at Lounge Bar.

To round out your culinary experience, be sure to take a hands-on class on the art of preparing ceviche or a Dominican rum tasting class with local chocolate pairings.

Private villas & off-the-beaten-path options

Staying at one of the fully-staffed private villas on the island? Your advisor can assist the villa staff in arranging for you to try all of the local food, drinks, cigars, and more!

Venturing off the beaten path to some of the more remote and lesser-known areas of the Dominican Republic? We love to see it! Your travel advisor can arrange everything from a private beach barbeque in Bahia de las Aguilas to fresh-caught fish tacos in Cayo Arena!