The Dominican Republic is the most popular vacation country in the entire Caribbean. From the diverse provinces and magnificent landscapes to ancient cities and endless beaches, it’s easy to see why.
The Dominican Republic sits between the Atlantic and the Caribbean. The climate’s tropical and temperatures range from 66˚F in December to 95˚F in August.
It’s the second largest Caribbean country after Cuba and one of only two on a divided island. The Dominican Republic’s neighbor to the north is Haiti. Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken.
Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World and home to 3 million people. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Dominican Republic has 14 national parks, including the Cave of Miracles and La Caleta Underwater Park.
Family resorts have good private transport to major sites and cities. But this is a big Caribbean country and if you want to explore on your own time, go beyond the beaches, tour national parks and visit several provinces, rent a car. Most historic centers are compact enough to walk around and taxis are an inexpensive alternative for longer distances.