Dominican Republic

White sand beaches and turquoise water come to mind when thinking of the Dominican Republic, a country that lies next to the Caribbean Sea. Dominican Republic hotels offer all this and much more. Visitors to this tropical paradise will discover a place with amazing natural landscapes. The country houses 16 natural parks and 67 protected areas they boast landscapes of towering mountains, thick jungle and coasts teeming with marine life. For those holidaymakers who want to plan their holiday especially to enjoy the beach, Punta Cana is the perfect place. The renovated Dominican Republic hotels are located along Bávaro Beach, which was named the best in the Caribbean. Large stretches of soft sand and waves that stretch out until the shore offer an idyllic environment for relaxing and sunbathing, while a glass of local rum in hand is more popular. But as well as its abundant natural beauty, The Dominican Republic also has fascinating cities. Its capital, Santo Domingo, is a clear example of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings dating back to the time of Christopher Columbus.

Punta Cana, an enormous resort area, located at the eastern end of the island, is the destination for visitors who want to spend their days having fun on the beach and in the water. For a look under the waves, Seaquarium offers a unique experience. Another amazing tour features boarding a glass-bottomed catamaran and sailing to the Marinarium, where divers can get up close to stingrays, nurse sharks, and hundreds of fish throughout the clean, crystal-clear water. As an alternative, a boat trip to Samaná Bay will exceed all expectations. Samaná is a peninsula that juts out in the ocean and is bathed by the Atlantic on its north-eastern coast. The terrain is sparsely populated and travelers will be amazed by a lush jungle, high mountains, and a spectacular waterfall. On the same tour you will go to Bacardi Island, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the unspoiled shoreline. For land-based adventures, there is a zip line, quad biking, and horseback riding tours. Bávaro Adventure Park offers all these thrills in one place. Visitors can create their own activities package such as bungee jumping, climbing on a pirate ship, flight simulation, and zorbing (going down a hillside in a padded plastic ball).  

More sedate pass-times include walking through the butterfly gardens of this 1,100-acre park. Anyone not tuckered out by the end of the day will enjoy the nightlife. Mangu Disco has music, dancing and variety shows. Imagine Punta Cana is a club inside a cave; Coco Bongo features breath-taking trapeze artists and gymnasts, plus recreations of famous movie scenes.

The oldest European city in the Americas, Santo Domingo is also the place where it is located the Primada de América Cathedral, the first cathedral in the New World and the Zona Colonial, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most modern Dominican Republic hotels in the financial district offer guests, generally business, services such as Wi-Fi and conference rooms. To relax, guests can travel to the city's fascinating historic landmarks. Ozama Fortress, the first New World military structure, is at the confluence of the Ozama River and the Caribbean Sea. It is a memory of the country's history of occupation and struggle for independence. The Alcázar de Colón Museum, now restored, was the home of Christopal Columbus' son and houses the family's fabulous belongings. Along Calle el Conde, shoppers will find amber, carved wood, ceramics and paintings in the traditional markets. Not to be missed is the Museo de las Casas Reales, with colonial treasures and artifacts from the Taino, the original inhabitants of La Española.