The Dominican Republic may be best known for its sun-drenched sandy beaches and the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana, but with a geographical diversity that spans towering mountains, lush rainforests, desert dunes, and everything in between, there’s no shortage of things to do in the Dominican Republic, especially for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. Home to the oldest European city in the Americas, there’s also plenty of history and culture, where playful days of exploration lead to rum-soaked nights filled with the intoxicating sounds of merengue and bachata.
With warm weather year-round, the Dominican Republic is a place visitors come looking to escape the cold elsewhere. For warm and dry days, visit between December and March. It’s also high season then, so expect crowds and higher prices along with the nice weather. Visit in February for the month-long Carnaval celebrations. Look to late April and May for smaller crowds, lower prices, and still pleasant weather. Hurricane season runs from June to October.
If you’re planning to stick around a resort or local attractions, taxis will be your best bet, with rideshares available in major cities. Minivans (guaguas), shared taxis (conchos), and motor taxis (motoconchos) are ubiquitous and a budget-friendly way to get around, while a network of long-distance buses connect far-flung regions. Those looking to explore different areas of the Dominican Republic should rent a car. Domestic flights, while available, are expensive and infrequent.
A great way to experience the local culture is to watch a baseball game. Dominicans are passionate about baseball and routinely send players to the American major leagues. Baseball season runs from mid-October to late January, with six teams playing in the league. Watch games in Santo Domingo, Santiago de los Caballeros, La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris, and San Francisco de Macoris.
