Strolling through La Otra Banda
The quest for the perfect photograph will lead you to the village of La Otra Banda. Take a relaxed stroll around and enjoy the colorful houses and laid-back atmosphere.
Underground rivers and caves in Parque Nacional del Este
The south-east of the Dominican Republic mostly consists of a single large chalk plateau. Over millennia, numerous underground rivers and caves have formed in the soft bedrock. The most beautiful caves are located near La Romana and in the Parque Nacional del Este.
Go whale watching
Every year, schools of whales migrate to the Dominican Republic’s northern coast to mate. Departing from the northern peninsula of Samaná, you can go on an adventurous whale watching trip to the Bahía de Samaná every January, February and March. This bay, located in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, is world-famous for the 3,000 humpbacks that regularly school to procreate. You can even witness them playing with their young close to the coast.
Golf
Golf aficionados will find everything they desire at Punta Cana. The central location puts several good golf courses within easy reach: a challenge 9-hole course in Cabeza de Toro, a varied 18 holes in La Romana and an extensive 27-hole course in El Cortecito. Plenty of places to work on your handicap!
Off-road safaris
Many hotels in Punta Cana organize off-road safaris. You tour the country’s interior in 4x4 or 8x8 open-top trucks, along the sugar cane and fruit plantations, through small villages and into the hills. You will often be given the opportunity to buy local products in the village shops, such as coffee, cocoa, vanilla and of course the many popular varieties of rum. Lots of fun, and a great way to collect souvenirs.
Dance the merengue
What began with home-made instruments played by slaves on the plantations has grown into the Dominican Republic’s national music and dance, the merengue. The colorful, joyful annual merengue festival is held in the second half of October. Many local bars (and restaurants) offer the opportunity to give this Latin American dance hip-swinging tryout.
Shop till you drop?
You don’t have to 'shop til you drop' to find an original souvenir in the Dominican Republic. There’s a wide range of typical mementos available here. Amber jewelry - sometimes with embedded insects, leaves or dewdrops - is a national specialty. Larimar, Dominican turquoise, is also frequently used in creating jewelry. Other typical local souvenirs are rocking chairs, woodcarvings, macramé, pottery, Creole dolls, baskets and carved limestone.