EXPLORE THE
Dominican Republic
With 250 miles of white sand beaches dotted with all-inclusive hotels and luxury properties by the sea, the Dominican Republic is a popular destination for the discerning traveller to unwind and relax. We have three superb partner hotels where guests love relaxing by the pool or sea. But there’s loads to see and do for the more curious, with several national parks on this geologically unique island. There is Los Haitises National Park and Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta, with ziplining and boating a popular way to explore this Caribbean paradise. It may be famous for its stunning bays and lagoons, but the Dominican Republic is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Alcázar de Colón – Colombus Palace – and the Amber Museum so that travellers can absorb some of the country’s culture.
Travelling in Dominican Republic
Ground Transportation
Visitors can navigate the Dominican Republic using ground transportation, including private transfers, rental cars or taxis to explore the island's beautiful beaches and attractions at their own pace.
Weather
Temperatures are lowest in the Dominican Republic at the beginning of the year, averaging around 25-26°C. The year starts with 85mm of rainfall, but the island quickly becomes its driest during February and March.
Best Time for Beach Relaxation and Outdoor Activities
25-26°C
AVG Temperature
8-10 HRs
Sunshine
1-3"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
26°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Temperatures rise in spring and early summer in the Dominican Republic, peaking at 28°C in June. The country experiences slightly more rainfall than the preceding months, averaging 85mm.
Best Time for Water Sports and Exploration
26-28°C
AVG Temperature
7-9 HRs
Sunshine
3"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
26-27°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Temperatures stay at 28°C from summer until September. As the wet season progresses, the rainfall increases from 89mm in July to 129mm in September.
Best Time for Indoor Activities and Cultural Exploration
28°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
3-5"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
27-28°C
AVG Sea Temperature
The temperature begins to fall in autumn, decreasing from 27°C to 26°C by December. The autumn months are still very wet, but the wet season has ceased by December.
Best Time for Lush Landscape Exploration and Mild Weather Activities
26-27°C
AVG Temperature
6-8 HRs
Sunshine
4-4.5"
AVG Monthly Rainfall
27°C
AVG Sea Temperature
Geography
The Dominican Republic occupies just over half of the island of Hispaniola, sharing it with its western neighbour, Haiti. The island of Hispaniola was formed by 11 small island arcs, described as a “tectonic collage”. This unique island formation meant that Hispaniola was made from various rock types, including volcanic, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. The Dominican Republic has some of the most mountainous terrain in the Caribbean, including the Northern Range, home to Diego de Ocampo, the country’s highest mountain at 1,249m tall.
History
The Dominican Republic was first inhabited by the Taino people in 650 AD, who farmed, fished, hunted, and gathered on the island. In the 15th century, like many of those on the Caribbean Islands, the Taino were pushed out by the Carib tribe. Later that year, in his first voyage to ‘The New World’ in 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived at the Dominican Republic, calling the island La Española. The eastern three-fifths of this island is the modern-day Dominican Republic. The country’s capital, Santo Domingo, became the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. By 1821, the Dominican Republic declared independence from Spanish Rule and achieved independence from neighbouring Haiti in 1844.
