While it’s tourist hotspots like Punta Cana that have put the Dominican Republic on the world map, travelers are constantly discovering exciting new destinations with fewer crowds and more adventure.
As travel to the Dominican Republic soars this year, Here’s why travelers are adding these hot destinations to their itineraries.
Despite its reputation as a sun and beach destination, the Dominican Republic offers travelers much more than meets the eye. Home to some of the oldest cities in the Americas, the tropical island is teeming with culture and life, and many destinations are slowly beginning to open up to mass tourism.
Many of the trendiest cultural destinations this year in the Dominican Republic can be found in the interior regions of the country, characterized by lush rainforests, towering mountains, and beautiful valleys dotted with humble villages bustling with life.
Offering countless opportunities to explore the country’s verdant wilderness and diverse wildlife, these destinations are popular with adventurous travelers but are also increasingly attracting casual visitors.
Cocoa plantations make up a whopping 10% of the Dominican Republic’s green area and are an invaluable part of the country’s identity and culture. Cocoa Tours in the province of Cibao has been making waves in recent years as one of the best family farms in the tropical nation.
The company offers several popular tours that allow travelers to explore one of the country’s top exports with all their senses. The Classic Cocoa Tour teaches participants the basics of chocolate production, including stages such as harvest, fermentation and drying.
Of course, travelers can try samples of some of the world’s highest-rated chocolate. Costing just $63 per person, the tour is competitively priced.
Santo Domingo, the vibrant capital of the Dominican Republic, is experiencing a resurgence in tourism after authorities completed a massive renovation of the city’s old town. The 16th century building Our Lady of the Incarnation Cathedral in the colonial city of Santo Domingo, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Colonial city (Ciudad Colonial) has some of the oldest structures in the continent.
Travelers in Punta Cana can book a variety of top-rated Old Town tours, including this $96 per person full-day tour, which covers all the must-see attractions. Travelers receive a complimentary lunch while taking in the historic sights, and air-conditioned transfers are included.
The Dominican Republic is gaining popularity among nature lovers thanks to several regions that offer untouched nature, spectacular scenery, and eco-lodges that are beautifully integrated with lush surroundings.
One of the fastest growing destinations in Jarabacoa, located in the geographical heart of the Dominican Republic. A hotspot for adventure-seeking travelers, the mountainous region is famous for its crystal-clear rivers and dense vegetation.