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)
Top hotels & accommodations in Dominican Republic
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Dominican Republic — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Live Aqua Punta Cana - All Inclusive - Adults Only
Uvero Alto, Dominikanische Republik
Viva V Samana by Wyndham, A Trademark Adults All Inclusive
Las Terrenas, Dominikanische Republik
JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar
Bavaro, Dominikanische Republik
Serenade All Suites - Adults Only Resort
Punta Cana, Dominikanische Republik
Barcelo Bavaro Beach - Adults only
Punta Cana, Dominikanische Republik
Senator Puerto Plata Hotel
Bahia de Maimón, Dominikanische Republik
Ocean El Faro - All Inclusive
Punta Cana, Dominikanische Republik
Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana
Punta Cana, Dominikanische Republik
Top 5 highlights in Dominican Republic
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
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Dominican Republic
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Dominican Republic. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Dominican Republic
Recommended travel time
December–April (dry season)
Summer
28–33°C
Winter
24–30°C
How much does a holiday in Dominican Republic cost?
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
5 travel tips for 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
Food & drink in Dominican Republic
These dishes you must try!
Discover Dominican Republic
7 regions, cities and highlights in 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 entire Caribbean. From here, boats depart for Isla Saona, a paradise island in Parque Nacional del Este, which embodies what most people imagine as the perfect Caribbean beach with its picture-perfect beaches, turquoise shallow waters, and coconut palms. Isla Saona is the jewel of this region. A boat ride through the crystal-clear sea first leads to a natural sandbank, the Piscina Natural, where you can stand knee-deep in the warm, turquoise water, surrounded by starfish on the seabed - a surreal experience. On the island itself, visitors are greeted with endless white beaches under coconut palms, freshly grilled fish, and the rhythm of Merengue and Bachata. It is the perfect combination of natural beauty and Dominican joie de vivre. Despite the growing tourism, Bayahibe has retained its village character. Colorful fishing boats line the small beach, local restaurants serve the catch of the day, and the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed than in nearby La Romana. The village edge is surrounded by coral reefs, offering excellent snorkeling and diving right at your doorstep. The Padre Nuestro Cenote system in the nearby national park is a hidden gem for divers - underground freshwater caves in a tropical forest. Parque Nacional del Este, which encompasses the entire southeastern tip of the island and the offshore islands, is one of the largest marine national parks in the Caribbean. In addition to Saona, the smaller Isla Catalina is also part of the park, known for its coral reef as one of the best snorkeling areas in the region. Dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees inhabit the protected waters. Bayahibe is accessible via Punta Cana Airport in about 45 minutes or from La Romana in 20 minutes. The region offers a good mix of all-inclusive resorts and smaller boutique accommodations in the village. The best travel time is from December to April, but the south coast is generally drier than the north and is suitable for a beach holiday almost year-round.
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, over 50 kilometers of powdery white sand beaches stretch, lined with coconut palms that sway gently in the trade winds. Playa Bávaro, the heart of the region, has been repeatedly chosen as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world – turquoise, shallow water, fine sand, and a coral reef that breaks the waves and creates natural swimming pools. The hotel zone of Punta Cana is a universe unto itself: dozens of mega-resorts offer all-inclusive packages that include everything from unlimited cocktails to gourmet restaurants, water sports, spa services, and evening entertainment. For German vacationers who simply want to unwind, this concept is ideal – check in, put away the phone, enjoy. Those seeking adventure will find excursions to Saona Island with its natural pools in the open sea, zip-lining through the tropical rainforest in Scape Park, or buggy tours through the sugarcane fields. There are direct flights from Germany to Punta Cana with a flight time of about 10 hours. The time difference is minus 5 to 6 hours depending on summer or winter time. German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days, only a tourist card, which is available upon entry. The best travel time is between December and April, when the hurricane season is over and pleasant temperatures of 28 to 32 degrees prevail. Punta Cana is perfect for couples, families, and honeymooners looking for Caribbean flair without complications.
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, and Victorian architecture. The city, whose full name is San Felipe de Puerto Plata, was founded by Columbus in 1502 and was the most important port of the island of Hispaniola for centuries. Today, it is the cultural and economic center of the northern coast - more authentic, rugged, and less polished than the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana, but with significantly more character. The landmark of the city is Pico Isabel de Torres, a 793-meter high mountain in the tropical landscape, topped by a statue of Christ - a small counterpart to the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro. A cable car, the only one in the Caribbean, glides over the tropical rainforest and offers breathtaking views of the city, the coast, and the deep blue sea. At the top, visitors are greeted by a botanical garden with tropical plants and butterflies. The old town of Puerto Plata surprises with lovingly restored Victorian wooden houses in pastel colors, a lively malecón by the sea, and the San Felipe Fortress from the 16th century, the oldest fortification in the New World. The Amber Museum, housed in an elegant Victorian house, showcases one of the largest collections of Dominican amber in the world, including pieces with trapped insects that are millions of years old. Playa Dorada, a vast golden sand beach just a few minutes west of the city, is the tourist center with hotels, a golf course, and water sports offerings. However, the real treasures lie further out: Cabarete, the kite surfing capital of the Caribbean, Sosua with its multicultural history and coral reefs, and the spectacular 27 Charcos de Damajagua - a cascade of 27 natural waterfalls and pools in the rainforest that can be explored by swimming, jumping, and sliding. From Germany, it takes about ten hours to fly to Puerto Plata or alternatively to Santiago de los Caballeros. The best travel time is from December to April during the dry season, but summer also offers warm weather with short, refreshing rain showers. Puerto Plata is significantly cheaper than Punta Cana and offers a more authentic Dominican experience.
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 waterfalls, and one of the world's most significant whale watching opportunities. While Punta Cana attracts the crowds, Samaná has preserved its paradise-like character and is considered the most authentic and unspoiled destination in the country. The absolute highlight is whale watching in the Bay of Samaná. Every year between January and March, thousands of humpback whales gather in the warm, protected waters of the bay to give birth and mate. The whales leap out of the water, slap their fins, and sing their famous songs - a natural spectacle that is among the most impressive in the world. Boats depart daily from the port of Samaná, respectfully bringing visitors close to the marine giants. Salto El Limón is a 52-meter-high waterfall, hidden in the tropical rainforest of the peninsula. The journey there is made on the backs of mules or on foot through dense jungle, past cocoa plantations and tropical birds. At the foot of the waterfall, one can swim in a natural pool while the water thunders and butterflies flutter around - an unforgettable experience. Playa Rincón, at the northern tip of the peninsula, is regularly chosen as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A kilometer-long arc of white sand, framed by coconut palms and tropical forest, with crystal-clear water in all shades of turquoise. The beach is only accessible by boat or via a bumpy gravel road, which has kept it from becoming overcrowded. Playa Frontón, reachable only by boat, impresses with a vertical 90-meter-high limestone wall directly behind the beach. Cayo Levantado in the Bay of Samaná, also known as Bacardi Island because the famous commercial was filmed here, is a tropical postcard scene with palm trees, white sand, and turquoise water. From Germany, Samaná can be reached via the international airport El Catey in just 20 minutes by car or via Santo Domingo in about three hours. The best travel time is from December to May, with whale watching only possible from January to March.
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 Caribbean. While most tourists head straight to the beaches, Santiago offers an authentic Dominican experience away from mass tourism. The city is the center of Merengue music: This is where the rhythm was born that permeates the entire Caribbean. The Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración — an impressive white monument on a hill — overlooks the entire city and the lush green Cibao Valley up to the mountains. The Centro León is one of the best museums in the Caribbean with an impressive collection of Dominican art, history, and ecology. The Calle del Sol is Santiago's vibrant main street with shops, restaurants, and the heartbeat of Dominican daily life. Santiago is also the center of the Dominican cigar industry — the second largest in the world after Cuba. Visitors can tour factories and buy hand-rolled cigars directly. The surrounding region offers rafting on the Río Yaque del Norte, the longest river in the Caribbean, and hiking in the Cordillera Central.
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 River. The Zona Colonial (UNESCO World Heritage) preserves an unparalleled density of 'firsts': the first cathedral, the first hospital, the first university, and the first paved street in the entire Western Hemisphere. Here began, for better or worse, the European colonization of America. The Catedral Primada de América (1521) is the architectural jewel: a mix of Gothic and Renaissance in honey-colored coral stone, where Columbus' remains (allegedly) rest. The Calle de las Damas, the first paved street in the Americas, is lined with palaces and fortress walls that demonstrated the power of the Spanish crown in the Caribbean. The Alcázar de Colón, the palace of Diego Columbus (Christopher's son), overlooks the river and today houses a museum with furniture and artifacts from the colonial era. The Faro a Colón, a cross-shaped mausoleum, projects a giant light cross into the sky at night, visible from large parts of the city. Beyond the colonial zone, modern Santo Domingo pulses: The Malecón, a 14-kilometer-long waterfront promenade along the Caribbean Sea, is the meeting point for joggers, Merengue dancers, and rum drinkers at sunset. The city is the birthplace of Merengue and Bachata — two dance styles that come alive on every corner, in every bar, and at every party.
Complete guide for Dominican Republic
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in 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 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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