A Solo Traveller's Guide To The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has the highest concentration of visitors of any Caribbean country and with a diverse culture, made from a mixture of Spanish, Creole, and Taíno, it has a vast amount of activities to offer that’s hard to find anywhere else in the world. Here are some of the best things the Dominican Republic has to offer.

What to Do & See

Zona Colonial

This area has tremendous historical importance to Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic. Filled with the oldest colonial buildings of the New World, this area is also home to some of the best restaurants and shops in the entire country.

Santo Domingo

The capital city of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, is the most-visited city in the entire Caribbean. Here, visitors will be able to experience the island’s diverse culture as well as top-class restaurants, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and indigenous wildlife that are hard to find elsewhere.

Humpback Whales in Samana

Every year between December and March, about 2,000 humpback whales come to mate and give birth in Samana’s waters. Known as the Sanctuary of the Humpback Whales, it is believed that at least 85% of Atlantic humpback whales were born in these waters. They then return here to mate and give birth, making it the greatest collection of humpback whales in the world.

Where to eat

Passion

A AAA 4-Diamond restaurant found at the Paradisus Palma Real Resort, internationally-acclaimed chef Martin Berasateguithis runs this restaurant. Known for serving seafood-heavy Spanish cuisine, Berasategui’s goal is to make it an unparalleled dining experience. This restaurant serves only dinner, so plan accordingly.

Eze Bar & Restaurant

Found in Cabarete—the windsurfing town of the Dominican Republic—Eze Bar & Restaurant is an Italian-owned, beach-side restaurant and bar set under open palm tree. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and their menu ranges from fruit smoothies and green-veggie drinks to Italian cuisine.

Where to stay

Paradisus Palma Real Resort

Paradisus Palm Real Resort Golf & Spa Resort is a five-star resort located in Punta Cunta, Dominican Republic. Located on the beachfront of Bavaro Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this resort offers an all-inclusive hotel with a Wellness Center, Royal Service, fine dining, three pools, a casino, and more.

Tortuga Bay Resort & Club

Tortuga Bay is the only AAA Five Diamond-awarded resort in the Dominican Republic. Tortuga has miles of white-sand beaches, two seaside championship golf courses, the only Six Senses Spa in the Americas, natural springs, 11 tennis courts, and several water sports. Tortuga also offers several island excursions that allow tourists to explore the island. Lastly, Tortuga offers a VIP service that will escort visitors through customs, drive them to the resort in a private car, get them checked in, and provide them with a golf cart for travel throughout the resort.

Practical Tips

When visiting the Dominican Republic, make sure to take the temperature into consideration. The Dominican Republic has an average temperature 28°C in the summer and 25°C in the winter. Bring cool clothing, wear adequate sunscreen, and carry water around to ensure you stay cool and hydrated.

When travelling in such a busy tourist center, make sure to take tours and only do business with reputable companies. With so many unfamiliar visitors, there are bound to be people trying to take advantage of tourists’ ignorance of the country and terrain. Doing a quick Google search of the company name may save visitors from a lot of hassles, so be sure to double check who you plan on touring with, the cabs you may take, and the places you may book to stay in.