Top 10 things to do in Dominican Republic

Each winter, humpbacks swim all the way from Iceland and Greenland to the warm waters of the Dominican coast. Mother whales use Samana Bay to nurse their young. The best time to visit is between January and March - find a boat that’s been authorised by the Ministry of Environment (look for the yellow flag). Or head to Punta Balandra for sightings. 

A seven-minute cable car ride over lush green valleys takes you to the summit, which is also accessible by car. At the top, you’ll find botanical gardens, shops, a statue of Christ the Redeemer and stunning views over the port. The mountain’s best visited on clear days or in the morning before the clouds roll in. You can get a taxi from Puerto Plata to the base station, or some companies run excursions from the town. 

The ‘city of eternal spring’ and centre of ecotourism, Jarabacoa is just over two hour’s drive from Puerto Plata, in the foothills of the Cordillera mountains. The Caribbean’s highest peak – Duarte – can be accessed from here and the area’s brimming with opportunity for canyoning, rafting, mountain biking and other activities. 

South of the mainland, Saona’s coral reefs, clear waters and powdery white ‘desert island’ beaches are some of the most idyllic in the Caribbean. Pirates once used the island to raid ships from in the 16th and 17th centuries; these days the only inhabited area is the village of Mano Juan, where locals work to protect the sea turtle population. There are stunning coral reefs for divers, and most trips include lunch and flowing cuba libre. 

Accessed from La Romana, this tiddly island is a diver’s dream. Pirates used it as a base to ambush Spanish ships going in and out of Santo Domingo, and the pirate shipwreck of Captain William Kidd is sunk just off shore. The island’s also surrounded by coral reefs, with the Wall being a fabulous snorkelling spot. There’s also a post-card perfect beach to relax on, and you might be able to persuade a tour guide to take you to a quieter beach on the other side. 

The famous stone replica of 16th century Mediterranean village, Altos de Chavon is a popular wedding and day trip destination, with a fabulously arty feel to it. It was built in the seventies by a Paramount set designer and opened with a Frank Sinatra concert in 1982 – since then, numerous big name performers have graced the amphitheatre. Along the cobbled streets, you’ll find shops, restaurants, studios and galleries as well as an archaeological museum and the St. Stanislaus Church. The views of Rio Chavon are incredible. Though it’s part of the Casa de Campo resort, non-guests can book day tickets. 

Located in Scape park and hidden away, deep in the vibrant green rainforest, you'll find Hoyo Azul. This 45 foot deep natural pool is surrounded by a limestone cliff and is host to stunning turquoise waters that are ideal for swimming in and even diving into if you're feeling brave.

Only accessible by a suspension bridge and passed by an orchid garden makes the trek down to Hoyo Azul an adventure in itself.  

To experience this this beautiful place, you'll need to buy a ticket for Scape Park

Visit the historic Zona Colonial – the first European settlement in the Americas, where you can see the New World’s first hospital, cathedral and university. There are museums, shops and parks galore and most excursions take you to all the main sites, including travel to and from La Romana. 

February’s officially carnival month, and every Sunday of the month sees different cities host carnivals filled floats, costumes, masks, dancing and music. There are some smashing parades in Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana and Samana – with the most popular in La Vega.

27 Charcos, Puerto Plata

A phenomenal 27 waterfalls and limestone pools can be found along Rio Damajagua. Delve into the forest and discover natural waterslides and some of the world’s most wonderful wild swimming spots. 

El Limon, Samana 

Pouring down the rock face 52 metres up, the El Limon is one of the natural wonders of the peninsular. It can be reached on horseback in a quarter of an hour or trek (five jungle trails lead here and the walk takes around 45 minutes – take decent footwear as it can get muddy).  Pack your swimmers as you can take a dip in the natural pool at the bottom of the waterfall.