The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the lush tropical island paradise boasts nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 km) of coastline, 250 miles (402 km) of the world’s top beaches, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options.
I've just returned from a family holiday with my husband and teenagers and it really was a perfect destination for all of us.
Exploring the miles of beautiful coastline - there are over 2000 beaches, many of which remain uncrowded and undeveloped.
Take a boat trip to Saona Island - a tropical island located off the south-east coast. It is a government-protected nature reserve known for mangroves and coral reefs. The island’s shallow waters are home to starfish. Mano Juan is a laid-back fishing village near Flamingo Lagoon, with colourful shacks and a turtle sanctuary.
Scuba diving and snorkelling - Bayahíbe is most probably the best location for scuba diving in the Dominican Republic with more than 20 official dive sites, including three shipwrecks: Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco. Crystal clear, calm Caribbean waters make it a perfect spot for diving and snorkelling in this area.
Golf - Renowned for having the most magnificent golf courses in the Caribbean and Latin America, the Dominican Republic is the undisputed leader of golf in the tropics. At least seven of the DR’s courses have consistently topped Golf Week Magazine’s Top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Santo Domingo - for a change of scenery and a bit of culture, visit the country's capital. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 this historic area consists of a pedestrian-friendly maze of narrow streets brimming with 16th to early 20th century architectural wonders. They lead toward colonial buildings turned museums, shops, hotels, restaurants and cafes.
The friendly Dominican welcome, the stunning beaches and of course the rum cocktails! There were also plenty of water sports and activities that the teenagers enjoyed.
It's a year-round destination! For ideal weather conditions we would look to plan your trip between November and April during the dry season, where you can expect clear blue skies and abundant sunshine. It can also be great value to travel between May and August - we travelled in August and we had a couple of afternoons with a short downpour of rain (temperatures remained high) and then back to glorious sunshine.
A number of airlines offer direct flights to Punta Cana from Gatwick and Manchester, currently 4 days per week.
