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Paradisus Palma Real Golf&Spa Resort All Inclusive, Dominican Republic

Things to do guide

The best things to do in the Dominican Republic

Updated 1 October 2026 · 13 things to do

Pictured: Paradisus Palma Real Golf&Spa Resort All Inclusive

The Dominican Republic sells itself on beaches, and the beaches deliver: miles of palm-fringed white sand, warm Caribbean water and resorts that make everything easy. But the island of Hispaniola has far more than sunbeds. It's where Columbus's family built the first European city in the Americas, where humpback whales arrive every winter, and where mountain rivers tumble through jungle down to the Atlantic.

The smart move is to treat your resort as a base. Spend a day or two out on a boat to Saona Island, wander the cobbled streets of Santo Domingo, or slide down a waterfall near Puerto Plata. The country is bigger than it looks, so pick one or two excursions near where you're staying rather than trying to see it all.

Don't miss

  1. 1Saona Island
  2. 2Zona Colonial
  3. 3Playa Rincón
  4. 4Los Haitises National Park
  5. 527 Charcos de Damajagua

Beaches and islands

The reason most people come, and still the best of it.

  1. Saona Island

    Day trip

    A beach on Saona Island in the Dominican Republic
    Photo: Danu Widjajanto, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Part of the Parque Nacional del Este, Saona is a low, palm-covered island off the south-east corner of the country, reached by boat from Bayahibe or La Romana. The classic day trip is a catamaran ride, a stop at a shallow natural pool of knee-deep turquoise water, and a lunch on a beach with barely a building in sight.

    Crowds arrive at the same spots at the same time, so choose a trip that leaves early and travels to a quieter beach.

    Tip: Take reef-safe sun cream and a hat. There is little shade on the water.

  2. Bávaro Beach

    Beach

    Palm trees and white sand on Bávaro Beach in Punta Cana
    Photo: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0

    The long beach that made the east coast famous: soft white sand, coconut palms leaning over the shore and calm shallow water, backed by the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana. It's easy, family-friendly and photogenic.

  3. Playa Rincón

    Beach

    Playa Rincón curving around Rincón Bay on the Samaná Peninsula
    Photo: Pierre Mangin, CC BY-SA 2.0

    On the Samaná Peninsula, Rincón is a long, wild arc of pale sand with coconut palms and green hills behind, often described as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. There are a few simple seafood shacks and not much else, which is exactly why people love it.

    Tip: Bring cash for lunch at the beach shacks, and try the fresh fish cooked in coconut sauce.

Colonial Santo Domingo

The oldest European city in the Americas, and a good day out from Juan Dolio or Boca Chica.

  1. Zona Colonial

    Neighbourhood

    Calle las Damas in the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo
    Photo: Desox7x, CC0

    Santo Domingo's old quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a joy to wander: cobbled lanes, pastel townhouses, 16th-century churches and plazas full of café tables. It's where Spain's New World empire began in the early 1500s.

    Walk down Calle Las Damas, said to be the first paved street in the Americas, and let the evening find you at a rooftop bar or a live merengue session.

    Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and go early. The stone streets heat up by midday.

  2. Catedral Primada de América

    Landmark

    The west side of the Catedral Primada de América in Santo Domingo
    Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0

    The Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, on the main square of the old city, is considered the first cathedral in the Americas. Its golden-coloured stone façade, started in the early 16th century, mixes Gothic and Renaissance details.

  3. Alcázar de Colón

    Museum

    The Alcázar de Colón on the Plaza de España in Santo Domingo
    Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0

    A stately coral-stone palace built in the early 1500s for Diego Columbus, the son of Christopher Columbus, who governed the colony from here. Today it's a museum of period furniture and tapestries, overlooking the Plaza de España and the Ozama River.

Nature and adventure

  1. Whale watching in Samaná Bay

    Wildlife

    Every winter, thousands of humpback whales come to Samaná Bay to mate and give birth. The season runs from roughly January to March, and boats leave from Samaná town and nearby. It's one of the great wildlife encounters in the Caribbean.

    Tip: Choose a licensed operator who keeps its distance from the animals.

  2. Los Haitises National Park

    Nature

    Limestone hills and mangroves of Los Haitises National Park seen from San Lorenzo Bay
    Photo: Anton Bielousov, CC BY-SA 3.0

    A boat trip into this park, on the south side of Samaná Bay, takes you through channels of mangrove and past steep, jungle-covered limestone hills. Caves in the cliffs have Taíno rock art, and the bird life is excellent.

    Tip: Most trips start from Samaná or Sabana de la Mar. Bring insect repellent.

  3. El Limón Waterfall

    Nature

    The El Limón waterfall in the Samaná hills
    Photo: AMartiniouk, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Near Las Terrenas, a muddy trail through the Samaná hills leads to a tall, thin waterfall pouring into a forest pool. You can walk or ride a horse to it, and a swim at the bottom is a good reward.

  4. 27 Charcos de Damajagua

    Activity

    A waterfall in the Damajagua canyon near Puerto Plata
    Photo: Funcheta, CC BY-SA 4.0

    In the hills near Puerto Plata, a river drops through a canyon in a series of limestone pools and waterfalls. With a helmet, life jacket and guide, you hike up, then slide and jump your way back down. It's the best adventure day on the north coast.

    Tip: Go early. Wear shoes that can get wet and leave valuables behind.

Eat and drink

  1. La bandera dominicana

    Food

    The national lunch: white rice, red beans, stewed meat and a simple salad, often with fried plantain on the side. The name means "the Dominican flag", and you'll find it in every small restaurant on the island.

  2. Mangú

    Food

    Boiled green plantain mashed into a soft, buttery heap and topped with sautéed red onions in vinegar. It's the traditional breakfast, usually with fried cheese, salami and eggs on the side. Order the full plate, known as the "tres golpes".

  3. Mamajuana

    Food

    The national drink: rum, red wine and honey steeped with tree bark and herbs in a bottle. It's sweet, spicy and strong, and is sold in bottles at gift shops and markets everywhere. Try a small glass first.

Where to stay in Dominican Republic

Not sure which area suits you? Read our guide: Where to stay in the Dominican Republic →

Getting around

Most visitors travel by organised excursion or airport transfer. Taxis are easy to find in resort areas, and a good motorway links Santo Domingo with Punta Cana and La Romana. Agree a price before you set off, and book ahead if you want a driver for the day.

When to go

The Dominican Republic is warm all year. The driest, most popular months run from about December to April, which is also whale season in Samaná. Summer is hotter and more humid, with a higher chance of rain and tropical storms.

Questions about visiting Dominican Republic

What is the Dominican Republic best known for?
Palm-fringed white-sand beaches, all-inclusive resorts, the colonial old town of Santo Domingo and humpback whale watching in Samaná Bay each winter.
Is the Dominican Republic worth visiting?
Yes. It combines some of the best beaches in the Caribbean with the oldest colonial city in the Americas, waterfalls, mountains and a lively music and food scene.
What is there to do in the Dominican Republic with kids?
Calm beaches, boat trips to Saona Island, waterfall adventures near Puerto Plata and big family resorts with kids clubs and pools are the favourites.
How many days do you need in the Dominican Republic?
A week is enough for a beach holiday with one or two excursions. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Santo Domingo and the Samaná Peninsula.
Do you need a car in the Dominican Republic?
Not for a resort stay. Excursions and transfers cover the main sights. A hire car or driver helps if you want to explore Samaná or the north coast independently.

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