Dominican Republic

In the hub of tourism, Punta Cana, there is no shortage of high-end luxury resorts. From the large all-inclusive experiences like Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Cap Cana to the boutique brands boasting personalized luxury, you cannot go wrong. In this land of all-inclusives, travelers can expect to find a number of 5-star options, boasting michelin-level cuisines. While you get what you pay for in most cases, travelers can find competitive pricing for excellent 5-star properties.

In the northern areas of Cabarete, Sosua and Las Terranas, the scene looks a bit different from the high-rises and luxury brands. Travelers can expect a more laid-back vibe with small properties and many more apartment-style accommodations. Think of the north as the Tulum to Mexico’s Cancun.

Depending on your plans for your trip, taxis are a great option. Particularly if you are planning to visit only Punta Cana as your home base. If you plan to explore further, renting a car for the day, week or month is also a great option. In our case, we booked a car for one month to give us the flexibility to explore the country as we wish. We also traveled during COVID-19, and therefore, felt it was most appropriate to minimize exposure to others.

The Dominican is a large country and travelers can also take domestic flights.

Outside the standard all-inclusive experiences (aka customary Asian, Italian, French and Mexican cuisines), the restaurants available in the larger towns and cities offer a wide range of options. Travelers can find small boutique coffee shops, like Vagamundo in Cabarete, to excellent Italian restaurants in the sand along the beach.

In the northern areas like Cabarete, for example, prices are incredibly low compared to other Caribbean destinations. For reference, one can purchase a Cold Brew coffee for $1.70 USD and an Avocado Toast for $2.70 USD, compared to the standard $4-5 USD coffee and $10-12 USD Toast.

Between markets and boutique shops, you’ll have more than plenty to do if you’re looking to pick up some items in the Dominican Republic. Prices are incredibly low across the board, giving travelers a great selection of jewelry, bathing suits and clothing at an affordable price. Trinkets and standard tourist items like artwork and the like can be purchased at the many markets in the more touristy destinations of Punta Cana and the like.

In the larger tourist areas an cities, travelers will find the Blue Mall (Santo Domingo and Punta Cana), home to some of the highest-end shops you can find in the DR. Our favorite shops are Aliss, Jumbo and Parfois, when it comes to “big box stores”.

The Dominican Republic is one of the earliest settled destinations in the Western hemisphere by Europeans, giving the country a diverse and global edge. The main language spoken is Spanish and it can often be difficult to find fluent English speakers, especially outside the luxury hotels. Dominican people are known for being friendly, outgoing and very religious. Ladies, expect to hear cat calls from friendly gents consistently.