Luxury Dominican Republic Holidays

When you visit the Dominican Republic you may not think of a city and beach holiday combination. If you are visiting, a few nights in Santo Domingo is a must - it's a thriving cosmopolitan with gleaming skyscrapers, shopping malls neighbouring 15th century cathedrals, fortresses and plazas. Recognised for its heritage, we recommend spending a few nights in this fascinating city exploring before heading to the beach resorts of Punta Cana or Playa Bayahibe for a relaxing end to your trip.

The Dominican Republic is known for its stunning white sand coastline, however it is also home to a wide selection of natural beauty that is just waiting to be explored. From the mountains in the east, the humpback whales that migrate pass, to tiny islands dotted along its coastline - there is so much to see and do across this vast country.

Take a day trip to an island that is postcard perfect, board a catamaran and depart from Playa Bayahibe and head across the waters. As you approach you will see the inviting white sands and towering palm trees. A trip here is a day of relaxation, enjoy a massage on the beach, a cocktail that comes inside a pineapple or swim in the crystal blue waters. Part of the protected East National Park, it is government protected ensuring this stunning island is protected for generations to come.

Like all islands in the Caribbean, the Dominicans are passionate about their food. If you are in downtown Punta Cana, Bavaro or Santo Domingo, venture into a family-owned and run restaurant and try one of their signature dishes such as la banderaa. The cobbled streets of Santo Domingo are home to some of the best restaurants in the country, take a stroll and see if you can make the difficult decision of which restaurant to eat in - there are so many great ones to choose from.

The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s largest exporters of dried coconuts, so it’s only fitting that the island should have a festival to celebrate the fruit. The National Coconut Festival celebrates the gastronomical, economical and environmental qualities of the coconut. Every November you can join in the celebrations. There are stands filled with coconut-themed products, coconut art and crafts, tasty coconut-based cuisine as well as fun beach activities.

Every Friday and Saturday you can enjoy a free outdoor show with Dominican folk dancers at the Plaza de Espana in Santo Domingo. In December, the event will be held in different locations throughout the city due to the Christmas festivities. 

Cabarete is a small town on the north coast of the island. It has become a hotspot for kitesurfing drawing professionals and beginners alike to its shores.  Celebrating watersports and the ocean, this week-long annual festival is filled with kitesurfing, surf sessions and sunset music on the beach. A highlight of this July festival is seeing some of the world’s best kiteboarders compete.

This is a very rich and thick meaty stew made from seven different types of meat and mixed with root vegetables and plantain. Its flavour is unlike anything you’ve ever tried before! 

Chicken is a popular meat in the Dominican Republic and Pollo Guisado is tender fall-off-the-bone chicken served in a strong delicious sauce. The chicken’s tenderness is a result of braising - where the meat is lightly fried and then stewed over a low heat.

These are made from twice-fried flattened plantains slices and usually served as a side dish to meat and fish dishes.