Holidays to the Dominican Republic thus include soaking up the sun and swimming, hiking and walking through rainforests, and visiting its charming small towns. The Dominican Republic occupies half of the Hispanola island in the Caribbean region. The island was named by Christopher Columbus during the first of his four voyages to the Americas in 1492 because it reminded him of Spain due to its diverse terrain. You can learn more about the country’s history by taking a guided tour. Punta Cana is one of the most popular places in the country, with stretches of powdery white sand. Luxury Dominican Republic holidays often include a stay at this resort town which lies on the easternmost coast of the island. You can go parasailing, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, or kayaking here. Still, a Dominican Republic holiday is not just about beaches.

One of the places to visit is the 16th-century Fortress of San Felipe de Puerto Plata, which was built as a defence against pirates. On the northern side of Samana Bay, there is a historic town to be found and explored. This was the last stop Columbus made in the New World. Nevertheless, the place is most popular for whale-watching. Beach lovers should stop by the resort of Cabarete, Playa Dorada, or Las Terrenas, while nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Eastern National Park. The latter holds the vast coral reef system popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. If you are interested in golf, La Romana resort on the southwest side of the country offers some of the best courses in the entire Caribbean.