Dominican Republic

If you’re looking for a Caribbean hot-spot that offers so much more than just glorious beaches, holidays in the Dominican Republic will tick all the boxes.

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, between Florida and Venezuela, the Dominican Republic has become increasingly popular in recent years, as word spreads about its diverse beauty.

It would be harsh to describe the Three Eyes National Park as ‘the’ jewel in the crown, as there are simply so many stunning sights, but it’s certainly not to be missed. Three lagoons are nestled here in limestone caves, giving the park near Santo Domingo its name. As you can’t swim in the lagoons, a stunning place for a dip can be found in the Northern Corridor mountain range. Damajaqua Cascades (or 27 Waterfalls), is a perfectly accurate description for this beauty spot.

A great area to see humpback whales in their natural environment is Samana on the northern coast. Between December and March, around 2000 whales will descend on the region to reproduce in the warm waters, so you’re almost guaranteed a sighting or two. For more wildlife, Gri Gri lagoon not only boasts crystal clear waters but is home to turtles who enjoy the nearby springs.

Family holidays in the Dominican Republic leave you absolutely spoiled for choice in terms of activities for the whole clan. Sirenis Aquagames in the popular Punta Cana area covers more than 12,000 square metres, so it’s the perfect spot to wear the kids out on the slides and in the pools!

And of course, being in the Caribbean, the beach holidays in the Dominican Republic are stunning too. Surfers will want to check out Cabarete to catch some great waves, while Bavaro Beach is the creme de la creme, thanks to its white sand, turquoise waters and great water sports opportunities.

Now, we told you Dominican Republic holidays have a bit of everything, and we weren’t exaggerating. You can even go sand surfing on the sand dunes in Dunas de Bani. In reality, these are just west of Santo Domingo, but could easily be mistaken for a desert in Africa.