The Dominican Republic encompasses much of what makes the Caribbean such a popular holiday destination.
Here, pristine white sands lapped by stunning turquoise waters abound. resorts and beautiful natural landscapes, plus a delightfully relaxed lifestyle.
But this country is also unique in many ways, with a host of charming fishing villages and pretty mountain towns complemented by a fascinating capital and a fusion of cultures .
Santo Domingo remains the country's most important city, a historic place full of remnants of colonialism alongside modern Dominican culture, but tourism means destinations like Punta Cana and La Romana are more vibrant than ever.
The resorts on these magnificent stretches of coast offer a variety of holidays, from an all-inclusive family trip to a romantic couple vacation or a party-filled getaway with friends. Below, we've selected some of the best flight and hotel packages for seven sun-soaked days.
La Romana at the end of the high season
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If the crowds of Punta Cana don't appeal to you, visit the less touristy region of La Romana. TO British Airways Holidays allows you to settle in Casa de Campo Resort, one of the most luxurious in the country. It spreads over 7,000 acres on the coast and offers modern, sophisticated rooms with large terraces, a private section of beach with a beach club and three spacious pool areas for guests to spend the day.
The resort is home to three championship golf courses, an 18,000-square-foot spa, and 12 tennis courts, and offers additional activities such as water sports, fishing, and horseback riding. The bars offer evening entertainment and excursions to Santo Domingo are organized.
La Romana is located on the south coast, about an hour from Punta Cana. It offers a more relaxed atmosphere with fewer crowds, but is still known as a luxury destination, with beachfront resorts and numerous golf courses. One of the main attractions is the Altos de Chavón, a recreation of a 16th century Mediterranean town.
Prices from £2,619 per person, including seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick and one piece of checked luggage per passenger. Departure on April 15, 2024.
Punta Cana at Christmas
Dominicans also celebrate Christmas on the night of December 24
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Christmas in the Dominican Republic means spend days sunbathing on white sands, with a unique fusion of celebrations, culture and Latin and Caribbean cuisine. Daytime temperatures will be in the low to mid 20s, and Punta Cana will be inundated with nighttime parties and Christmas celebrations hosted in hotels.
British Airways Holidays offers an all-inclusive stay at the adults-only Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort for one week starting December 19. Guests can spend the days leading up to Christmas on palm-fringed beaches, at the nearby Cocotal Golf Club or engaging in sports and wellness activities, while all meals are served at the hotel's three restaurants (offering continental and American breakfast, Vietnamese gastronomic cuisine and international buffet).
The hotel is centered around a large outdoor pool, where there are a handful of cabanas dotted among the sea of palm trees that leads to the beach. The rooms are spacious and modern, with simple but elegant décor and large outdoor terrace areas.
Prices from £2,183 per person, including seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick and one piece of checked luggage per passenger. Departure on December 19, 2024.
Bayahibe in May
Bayahibe was founded as a small fishing village in 1874
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Tourists can escape the chaos of Punta Cana while enjoying lively evenings and entertaining days at Bayahibe resorts. The package Thomas Cook for the Catalunya Royal places guests right on the beachfront, just 400 meters from Dominicus Beach, in a tropical paradise hotel with serene outdoor pools.
The rooms have large terraces and each pool area has plenty of seating and cabanas. Five restaurants serve cuisine ranging from Italian and Asian fusion to Peruvian dishes, while guests can also enjoy access to two nearby golf courses and make the most of activities including diving courses and evening entertainment.
Bayahibe is located about 10 miles east of La Romana. Many resorts carry the La Romana name in their titles, but the area around the beaches of Bayahibe and Dominicus is home to the most hotels. These two stretches of sand are the focal points of the area, with popular activities including excursions to Saona Island and diving around the shipwrecks off the coast.
Prices from £1,424 per person, including seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation and return flights from London Gatwick. Departure on May 9, 2024.
Punta Cana in low season
The low season in the Dominican Republic runs from June to November
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Although Punta Cana may be famous for its lively peak season, avoid the crowds and save some money by visiting in June. This time of year you may experience some rain, but it usually only comes in short bursts and you can expect plenty of sunshine and clear skies.
The Tui all-inclusive package For the Grand Bávaro Princess resort, located less than 30 minutes north of the city with a prime location right next to Cortecito Beach (a popular water sports destination) is excellent value for money. The resort consists of a series of whitewashed buildings that house a casino, a full-service spa (with massages, hydrotherapies and facials), four bars and 10 restaurants. You'll probably spend your time on the nearby beach (there are shuttle services to further beaches) or at any of the three pools, while you can try a different restaurant each night with a selection of international, Italian, Indian and Japanese buffets. kitchen (among others).
The rooms at the Grand Bávaro are contemporary, if a little simple, with a spacious terrace and king-size beds. The hotel also offers numerous activities, from volleyball and tennis to dance classes and kayaking.
Prices from £1,355 per person, including seven nights' all-inclusive accommodation, return flights from London Gatwick, one piece of checked luggage per passenger and airport transfers. Departure on June 2, 2024.
A visit to the capital
Santo Domingo was one of the first cities of the New World
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Many providers only serve the country's beach resorts, but Expedia offers dozens of options for visiting Santo Domingo, the lively capital of the Dominican Republic. Stay at the Casas del XVI for a vacation suitable for such a historic city. A collection of 16th-century houses form a hotel complex, where the villas have retained many period features (think original brickwork and vaulted ceilings), but have been updated to offer modern luxury, with swimming pools, renovated patios and stylish interiors.
When you leave the hotel, you will find yourself right in the middle of the 'Colonial Zone', home to Santo Domingo's best medieval monuments, lively squares such as the Plaza de España and the vibrant Malecón boardwalk area.
Prices from £1,479 including seven nights' accommodation, return flights from London Heathrow or Gatwick and airport transfers. Departure on April 14, 2024.
Late winter sun in Punta Cana
March is the end of the high season in Punta Cana
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The package Thomas Cook at the AC Hotel by Marriott offers guests a week-long stay at one of the few hotels that offers “room only” options, meaning guests are free to explore the delights of Punta Cana instead of spending the Most of your time and all your meals are at the resort (although there is a casual restaurant open late into the night).
Rooms are sleek and stylish, as are the interiors throughout the hotel, and AC's centerpiece is an outdoor pool and terrace surrounded by landscaped gardens. Various local activities are offered, from rounds of golf and spa visits to snorkeling cruises and day trips to the island. A visit to Punta Cana in March will allow you to avoid the worst crowds while still being able to enjoy fantastic weather and beautiful natural sites like the Blue Hole.