Dominican Republic attractions

Located in the Anamuya Mountains near Punta Cana, La Hacienda Park is an open-air adventure theme park. You can enjoy a mix of thrilling and cultural activities here, including a chairlift ride, a zipline circuit, a QuickJump freefall, horseback riding, Polaris buggies, a Dominican nature and culture safari, and a Dominican buffet lunch.

Set in the Cibao Valley just east of Santiago de los Caballeros, the town of Moca is known for its agriculture, including coffee, cacao, tobacco, and sugarcane, traditional arts and crafts, and for being the “Village of Heroes.” Off the tourist trail, visitors to the town can enjoy a more authentic experience.

One of the oldest European settlements in the New World, La Isabela was founded by Christopher Columbus in his second voyage in 1493. The remnants of Columbus' time in the colony—meant to establish a Spanish presence in the West Indies—can be seen at La Isabela National Park, which contains a few notable structures and artifacts.

Founded by the Eduardo León Jimenes Foundation, Centro León is one of the top cultural institutions in the Dominican Republic. Housed in a modern building in Santiago de los Caballeros, the museum and cultural center offer exhibitions, educational activities, workshops, live performances, craft markets, and community events.

Located on the Samana Peninsula near the town of Las Terrenas, Playa Bonita lives up to its name of beautiful beach. With a crescent-shaped beach dotted with palm trees and clear waters suitable for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, it’s no wonder Playa Bonita is considered one of the prettiest beaches in the world.

Set within the dramatic landscape of the Dominican Republic’s Los Haitises National Park, Fun Fun Cave (Cueva Fun Fun) lives up to its name by offering horseback riding, cave exploring, and rappelling. Here, look out for massive stalagmite and stalactite mounds, encounter the insects and animals that call the caves home, and swim in the cave’s underground rivers.

This beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is the Caribbean ideal: clear water ideal for swimming and soft white sand backed by palm trees where you can chill out to your heart’s content.

Opened in 1956, Santo Domingo’s Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes) is one of the Dominican Republic’s premier cultural institutions. The large neoclassical structure is home to the National Gallery of Fine Arts, three theaters, and several art schools, making it a must-see for any culture vulture in the capital.

Part of the Casa de Campo Resort, Minitas Beach (Playa Minitas) is a private beach in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. With pretty white sand, turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees, it’s an idyllic spot for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports.

Cabo Cabrón National Park (Parque Nacional Cabo Cabrón) offers visitors a taste of the wild side of the Dominican Republic—a place before resorts, tourists, and development touched down on this tropical island. With uninhabited coastlines, rocky cliffs, and rugged trails, this protected forest is one of the most remote locations in Samaná, attracting both divers for scuba expeditions and adventure-seeking tourists.

Located just southwest of the Colonial Zone, the Gazcue neighborhood is one of the oldest in Santo Domingo. The residential area is home to fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture, plus the National Palace, the Plaza de la Cultura, the Palace of Fine Arts, and a stretch of the waterfront Malecon.