Dominican Republic holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Dominican Republic holiday in North America
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean as you dream it: powdery white beaches, coconut palms, and turquoise waters – from Punta Cana to the Samaná Peninsula. But the country offers much more than all-inclusive resorts: Santo Domingo has the oldest colonial city in the Americas, in Samaná humpback whales breach the water, and in the hinterland, waterfalls and cocoa plantations await.
Capital
Santo Domingo
Language
Spanish
Currency
Dominican Peso (DOP)
Time zone
UTC-4
Flight time from DE
approx. 10 hours
Entry requirements
Passport (visa-free for 30 days, tourist card upon entry)
Deals for Dominican Republic:
Which hotels in the Dominican Republic are recommended?
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in the Dominican Republic — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando
Santo Domingo, Dominikanische Republik
Playabachata Hotel
Bahia de Maimón, Dominikanische Republik
Bahia Principe Escape Samana - Adults Only
Samana, Dominikanische Republik
Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites
Bavaro, Dominikanische Republik
Bahia Principe Escape Ambar
Bavaro, Dominikanische Republik
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana - All Inclusive
Bavaro, Dominikanische Republik
Dreams Dominicus La Romana
Bayahibe, Dominikanische Republik
Grand Palladium Select Bávaro Resort & Spa
Bavaro, Dominikanische Republik
What are the highlights of the Dominican Republic?
The best-known highlights of the Dominican Republic include Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Samaná (Whale Watching), Los Haitises, Playa Rincón.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Punta Cana
Endless palm beaches on the east coast: Bávaro Beach, Hoyo Azul, and the most beautiful resorts in the Caribbean.
Santo Domingo
Oldest European city in the Americas (UNESCO): Zona Colonial with cathedral, Alcázar, and Caribbean nightlife.
Samaná (Whale Watching)
Humpback whales from January to March right off the coast – one of the best whale-watching experiences in the world.
Los Haitises
Karst cliffs, mangrove forests, and Taíno cave paintings – the 'mini Halong Bay' of the Caribbean by boat.
Playa Rincón
Regularly among the top 10 beaches in the world: 3 km of untouched sandy beach surrounded by coconut palms.
Hotels in Dominican Republic
Compare thousands of hotels, apartments and resorts on Expedia – with price guarantee, free cancellation and reward points.
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Reise-SIM für Dominican Republic
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Dominican Republic. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
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Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?
The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is December–April (dry season). In summer: 28–33°C. In winter: 24–30°C.
Recommended travel time
December–April (dry season)
Summer
28–33°C
Winter
24–30°C
How much does a holiday in the Dominican Republic cost?
A holiday in the Dominican Republic costs roughly 35–60€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 60–130€ mid-range and 130–350€ for luxury travel.
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
35–60€
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
60–130€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
130–350€
Boutique hotel, fine dining
How long is the flight from Germany to the Dominican Republic?
From Germany you reach Dominican Republic in approx. 10 hours.
What travel tips are there for the Dominican Republic?
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Outside the resorts, there is authentic, cheap food – Comedores for under 5€
Book whale watching in Samaná from January to March – a highlight of the Caribbean
Public Guaguas (minibuses) are cheap, Uber works well in Santo Domingo
Do not drink tap water – always buy bottled water
Merengue and Bachata are national dances – dance classes are offered everywhere
What do people eat in the Dominican Republic?
Typical dishes in the Dominican Republic are La Bandera, Mangú, Sancocho, Tostones, Chimichurri-Burger, Morir Soñando.
These dishes you must try!
Which regions and places in the Dominican Republic are worth visiting?
7 regions, cities and highlights in the Dominican Republic
Beaches
Bayahibe
Bayahibe is a former fishing village on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic that has developed into the gateway for one of the most beautiful island excursions in the …
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is the all-inclusive paradise of the Caribbean and by far the most popular beach destination in the Dominican Republic. At the eastern tip of the island of Hispaniola, …
Cities
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is the gateway to the spectacular northern coast of the Dominican Republic and a destination that uniquely combines Caribbean beaches, dramatic mountain backdrops, …
Samana
Samaná is the tropical treasure chest of the Dominican Republic - a peninsula in the northeast of the island, featuring unspoiled beaches, dense rainforests, spectacular …
Santiago de los Caballeros
Santiago de los Caballeros — short Santiago — is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and the cultural heart of the Cibao Valley, the most fertile region in the …
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is the oldest city in the New World founded by Europeans — established in 1496 by Bartolomé Columbus, the brother of Christopher Columbus, on the banks of the Ozama …
Complete guide for the Dominican Republic
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
Open guideReady for the Dominican Republic?
Plan your Dominican Republic holiday now with our free tools.
How do I plan a holiday in the Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic is one of the most popular travel destinations in North America, offering Beach, Caribbean, All-Inclusive and much more. The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is December–April (dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 35–60€ (Budget) to 130–350€ (Luxury), Dominican Republic is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic can be excellently explored. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is Dominican Peso (DOP). From Germany, you can reach Dominican Republic in approx. 10 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like La Bandera, Mangú, Sancocho, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Dominican Republic has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Dominican Republic holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Dominican Republic is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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