Discovering one of the last paradises on earth
In the heart of the Caribbean, halfway between Puerto Rico and Cuba, lies the Dominican Republic. A land of 48,670 km², it shares its borders with Haiti. Despite its small surface area, the Dominican Republic boasts a landscape of contrasts, where sandy beaches lined with coconut palms give way to agricultural plains and high peaks. The Dominican Republic is renowned for the beauty of its beaches. Beyond the fashionable seaside resorts, there are often picturesque little beaches and fishing villages where life flows peacefully to the sound of the bachata. In the center of the island, the mountainous landscape, dominated by Pico Duarte, lends itself to beautiful nature walks. The farandole of national parks that occupy almost 20% of the territory is testimony to the natural wealth of this Caribbean island. In Enriquillo National Park, for example, you'll discover numerous species of birds and reptiles. The Dominican Republic is not known for its architectural wealth, but what little there is deserves your full attention. Here, you'll find the remains of the first buildings constructed by Spanish colonists on their arrival in the New World. The first cathedral, the first university and the first hospital in the Caribbean can all be found in the Dominican Republic. The Spaniards were not the only ones to leave their mark on the Dominican Republic. The Taino Indians also left their mark, with pictograms and petroglyphs adorning the caves of the Parque Nacional del Este and those of the Parque de Los Haïtes.
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Dominican Republic
Itinerary : Miami, Puerto Plata, San Juan, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Miami
63 other departures
MSC World America
8 d
Inside Stateroom
Miami
11/28/2026
from
771 $CA
Other departures:
30 May 2026
13-27 Jun 2026
11-25 Jul 2026
Other departures
Itinerary : Orlando, Puerto Plata, San Juan
Norwegian Prima
4 d
Inside Stateroom
Orlando
11/12/2026
from
610 $CA
The Dominican Republic is often equated with Santo Domingo , its capital, and for good reason: the city is home to most of the island's major infrastructure. This contrasting city, beaten by the waves, attracts tourists above all for the 300 or so monuments over five hundred years old that it houses in its Zona Colonial. Strolling along the cobbled streets of this district, you'll come across some of the oldest buildings in the New World. The Convento de la Orden de los Prédicadores and the ruins of the Fuerte de Santa Barbara, the oldest fort in the Caribbean, are all must-sees in Santo Domingo.
After Santo Domingo, continue your discovery of the Dominican Republic with a stopover in Cabarete, a seaside resort located in the heart of a bay with shallow waters often swept by regular, strong winds. If you love windsurfing, Cabarete is the ideal place to indulge your passion. Lovers of swimming and lounging should head for the Costa del Coco. Here, no villages or towns interrupt the long stretches of sand, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of the water to the full. When the sun goes down, the beach becomes an entertainment mecca, where the music goes on until the end of the night. At Bahia de Samaná, humpback whales are king. Many of these large cetaceans come to the calm waters of this northern bay to mate. Between the impressive jet of water that the male whales propel out of the water to impress their partners and the aerial leaps of the females and calves, you won't know where to turn. The 1500-metre-high Valle del Tetero is the perfect place to combine a walk in the heart of nature with a voyage of discovery. As you stroll through the lush vegetation, you'll come across rock carvings dating back to pre-Columbian times. You'll also come across rivers ideal for canyoning.
The Dominican Republic enjoys a mild climate all year round, but it's best to wait until the end of the rainy season before visiting the island. The ideal time to stay in the Dominican Republic depends on which part of the country you wish to visit. To make the most of the scenery and beaches in the north of the country, plan your trip between June and September. If you plan to stay in the south of the country, the period from November to April is more appropriate. October is the best time to visit Santo Domingo.
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