Dominican Republic attractions

Built in the early 16th century, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América) is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the New World. Located in the Colonial Zone, the cathedral is one of Santo Domingo’s most famous religious sites, and contains a large collection of woodcarving and religious artifacts.

Hidden in a lush Dominican Republic jungle, Damajagua Falls (27 Charcos) contain a series of 27 cascading waterfalls that only became popular with visitors in the 1990s. Located in the midst of sugarcane fields in the Northern Corridor mountain range, today the falls provide a natural water park where you can slide, splash, and jump into natural pools.

Once a sleepy fishing village, now a beach town, Bayahibe has maintained its laid-back vibe and distinctive Dominican flavor despite rapid development on other parts of the island. The walkable downtown area features a colorful collection of seafood restaurants and craft shops, while the beach is known for white sand and clear water.

Sculpted in stone, the Mediterranean-inspired village of Altos de Chavón showcases how the Dominican Republic might have looked in the 16th century. Built in 1976 by a team of local artisans, the La Romana village houses restaurants, shops, an archaeology museum, and a 5,000-seat amphitheater.

Located in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo, this 16th-century Spanish fortress is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. History buffs can explore Ozama Fort (Fortaleza Ozama)—which is the oldest European-style military building in the Americas—to learn about how the old-school castle once guarded the entrance to the Dominican Republic’s capital city.

Calle Las Damas is one of the most picturesque destinations in Santo Domingo’s historic neighborhood, known as the Colonial Zone. The cobblestone street—said to be the first ever in the New World—is lined with classic Spanish-style houses and beautiful European churches that are a nod to the city’s ancient past. It’s named for the ladies—including local dignitaries—who took evening strolls along the street each night.

Considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the Dominican Republic, the National Palace was designed in the Neoclassical style. Built in the 1940s under the brutal reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo, the ornate and expansive building houses the offices of the President and Vice President and is a functioning seat of government.

Located between Puerto Plata’s resorts and the surf town of Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, Sosúa Beach(Playa Sosua) is a pristine stretch of sand famous for excellent diving and snorkeling. With white sand fringed with trees and calm waters ideal for swimming, it’s a relaxing spot popular with families and day-trippers.

Dominican amber is considered to be some of the finest and clearest in the world. Housed in a Victorian-era mansion that once belonged to a wealthy local family, Puerto Plata’s Amber Museum (Museo Del Ámbar) has an extensive collection of the semi-precious gemstone.

Located in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, near the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (Catedral Primada de América), Columbus Park (Parque Colón) is one of the most popular squares in the city. It’s best known for its large central statue of Christopher Columbus.

Discover the Dominican Republic’s deep roots at the Museum of the Royal Houses (Museo de las Casas Reales) in Santo Domingo. These two 16th-century structures—the South and North buildings—were designed to house the Spanish-appointed governor’s royal court, offices for the justice tribunal and treasury, and living quarters for military captains.

Samana Bay is the largest bay in the country, located in the northeast Dominican Republic, with the Samana Peninsula to the north and Los Haitises National Park along its southern shores. Known for migrating humpback whales in the winter, Samana Bay provides access to pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and Taino archeological sites.

Often called Paradise Island, Cayo Paraiso is an uninhabited island off the Puerto Plata coast in the Dominican Republic. Dotted with rattan huts, this tiny stretch of sand on a coral reef is a popular stop on snorkeling and catamaran tours. Monte Cristi National Park is near Cayo Paraiso and is often included on island tours.

One of the largest rivers in the Dominican Republic, the Chavón River (Rio Chavón) runs from the interior of the country to the Caribbean Sea near La Romana. The filming site of several famous movies—including Apocalypse Now, Rambo, and Jurassic Park—it’s a popular stop on tours or river cruises.

Located along the Dominican Republic's Amber Coast, Dorada Beach is one of the Puerto Plata area's most popular beaches. Also known as Golden Beach, it's ideal for windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, and parasailing. Its crystal clear waters and shallow, sloping beach makes it a favorite with families. Numerous major resorts line its shore.

There’s a reason this pristine stretch of white sand has been rated one of the top beaches in the world. The scenic shores of Rincón Beach are some of the Dominican Republic’s most idyllic and captivating. And because of its limited accessibility, visitors say it’s not uncommon to have the crystal blue waters and open expanse of ocean all to yourself.

Mt. Isabel de Torres stands 2,600 feet (793 meters above the city of Puerto Plata and the sea. It is topped by a massive statue of Christ (a replica of the one in Rio de Janeiro, a small botanical garden, and spectacular views of the city below. This scenic mountain is also home to the only aerial cable car (teleférico in the Caribbean.

The trails that lead to El Limón Waterfall (Cascada El Limón are towered over by mountains, and lined with coffee and cocoa plants. If the picturesque Caribbean landscape isn't enough, a crystal-clear natural pool at the foot of the falls provides a place to cool off after a mountain hike.

The Indigenous Eyes (Ojos Indígenas) Ecological Park and Reserve is designed to protect the natural habitats of the Dominican Republic’s plants and animals. Formerly called the Punta Cana Ecological Reserve, it was renamed for the 12 freshwater lagoons found here, which the native Taino people called eyes because of their distinctive shape.

Off the northwest coast of the Dominican Republic, Cayo Arena, also known as Cayo Paraiso or Paradise Island, is a tiny sliver of a coral island and sandbar, barely measuring a 10th of an acre (a 20th of a hectare). Undeveloped, aside from a few thatched-roof huts, it’s surrounded by clear waters that are teeming with marine life.

The historic fishing village of Las Galeras is stationed along the east coast of the Dominican Republic’s Samaná Peninsula. Travelers venture to this quiet town for its idyllic palm-lined beaches and easy access to Rincon Beach via the Las Galeras jetty. The village is close to Playa Fronton, another popular beach home to some of the Dominican Republic’s best snorkeling.

Cueva de las Maravillas is a natural attraction near La Romana that takes visitors underground into a deep cavern. This cave is estimated to be more than 100,000 years old but wasn't discovered until 1926. Inside its walls, you'll find fascinating rock formations, elongated stalactites, and stalagmites resembling icicles. These were formed due to mineral buildup caused by the cave's constant moisture.

Part of the Punta Cana Resort and Club, La Cana Golf Club features 27 holes across three nines and includes 14 holes with ocean views. Designed by P.B. Dye, La Cana Golf Course was called the number one course in the Caribbean by Golf Magazine, which has also compared it to Pebble Beach golf course.

The National Park of the East (Parque Nacional del Este) is one of Dominican Republic’s most biologically diverse land reserves. From the sandy beaches of Saona Island to the tropical forest and limestone landscape of the mainland, the park is home to more than 500 species of plant and hundreds of species of bird, insect, and fish.

Scape Park at Cap Cana is a massive theme park that blends natural attractions with adventure activities, including everything from off-road buggies and ziplines to cenote experiences and cave explorations. Located on the Dominican Republic’s eastern coast, the park covers 247 acres and offers more than 10 adventure activities, making it a perfect destination for a full-day excursion from Punta Cana.

Bávaro Adventure Park is a sprawling outdoor amusement park in Punta Cana—a lush, idyllic space home to jungle flora and fauna and crystal-clear waters. Its 110 acres (44 hectares) are a one-stop shop for fun-filled outdoor pursuits, with numerous activities and installations available. Visitors can enjoy all-terrain-vehicle tours, ziplines, horseback riding, paintball, cenotes, and a natural river lined by limestone cliffs.

Located in the Cibao Valley, Santiago de los Caballeros is the Dominican Republic’s second-largest city—and one of its oldest. Surrounded by mountains, the city stands in sharp contrast to the many beach resorts found in other parts of the country. Known for agriculture and industrial businesses, Santiago is also rich in art and culture, sports, and nightlife.

Punta Rucia (Punta Rusia) is a cape-end beach and fishing village in the Dominican Republic province of Puerto Plata. It’s near the town of La Isabela in the Bay of La Isabela, and diving and snorkeling are popular pastimes. The shallow cove is serene and a good spot to see colorful fish without needing to venture too far from shore.

Located in Altos de Chavón (a re-creation of a 16th-century Mediterranean–style village) in La Romana, this archaeology museum showcases artifacts and artwork from the days when the Dominican Republic and Haiti were known as Hispaniola. It houses thousands of pieces from this pre-Columbian era, many of which were excavated from the nearby region that borders the Chavón River.

Swap out another afternoon on the undeniably beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic for a day of fun at Cap Cana’s El Dorado Water Park. The huge park has more than 20 attractions across four zones—you can float down the lazy river, zipline over the water, swim with mermaids (real ones, honestly), snorkel through limestone caves, and more.