Luxury holidays to Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Palm-fringed beaches, rainforest valleys, mountain trails and the spirit of the Dominican Republic

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Dominican Republic with True Travel

From Samaná whales to Santo Domingo streets

There’s more to this island than its picture-perfect beaches. Beyond the palm trees and turquoise waters, you’ll find lush jungle, misty mountains, hidden waterfalls and historic cities alive with music and colour. Watch humpback whales off the Samaná Peninsula, explore the cobbled streets of Santo Domingo and venture into the wild interior, before retreating to five-star hideaways dripping in laid-back luxury. This is the Caribbean with an adventurous alter ego.

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to the Dominican Republic, or speak to a Specialist on 0203 930 3998

Specialist Tip

Don’t leave without trying lechosa. The word means ‘milky’, but in the Dominican Republic it refers to papaya. Sweet, juicy and found everywhere from roadside stalls to hotel breakfasts, it is one of those small local quirks that is useful to know.

Evie Oswald, Latin America Programme Manager

Journeys we love

Luxury Dominican Republic holidays

Each of our journeys starts from a conversation. Every detail, from the route to the hotels, is built and rebuilt around you until it fits. To provide you a taste of what True Travel can create, our team of global destination specialists have created a selection of suggested journeys, from our recent travels. Get in touch to start planning your next adventure.

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Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic: Culture, Rainforest & Caribbean Shores

The Dominican Republic comes together through its food, music, wildlife and wild landscapes on a 12 day journey from Santo Domingo to the Caribbean coast. In the capital, explore the…

EXPLORE THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Places in the Dominican Republic

Our Favourite Places Samana Samaná occupies a forested peninsula on the Dominican Republic's Atlantic coast, its beaches backed by dense tropical greenery rather than the built-up strip found further south. The region is best known internationally for the humpback whales that gather in its bay between January and March, one of the more reliable whale-watching seasons in the Caribbean. Outside that window, it remains a quieter, wilder alternative to the country's more developed coastlines.

HOW WE TRAVEL DIFFERENTLY

True Experiences in the Dominican Republic

Explore a selection of our hand-picked experiences our Travel Designers can build into your holiday, from humpback whale watching to a private criolla cooking class.

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Dominican Republic

Bachata dance lesson

Learn the rhythms of bachata in a private dance lesson with a local instructor. Pick up the basic steps and styling before putting them together to the music, discovering the Dominican Republic’s most famous dance in a relaxed, personal setting.

Dominican Republic

Humpback whale watching

Set out into Samaná Bay in search of humpback whales during their seasonal migration. From the boat, watch these powerful animals surface, breach and interact in the warm Caribbean waters while learning about their annual journey from an experienced naturalist.

Dominican Republic

Comida criolla cooking class

Learn to prepare traditional Dominican comida criolla in a hands-on cooking class, using fresh local ingredients and time-honoured recipes. Cook alongside a local host before sitting down to enjoy a generous home-style meal.

Dominican Republic

Kitesurfing in Cabarete

Try kitesurfing in Cabarete, one of the Caribbean’s best-known destinations for wind and watersports. With an experienced instructor, learn the fundamentals or build your skills on the water while enjoying the reliable trade winds and lively beach atmosphere.

Dominican Republic Accommodation

A Taste of Where We Stay

Where you stay can become one of the most memorable parts of a journey – a beautiful room overlooking the courtyard of a converted colonial estate in Santa Domingo, a jungle casita with a clifftop view over Playa Grande. We seek out the places that have a sense of their own, from quietly luxurious retreats to extraordinary properties in remarkable settings. Each has been chosen for its character, setting, service and the experience it creates. Discover some of our hand-picked luxury accommodation, known to us through our travels and trusted relationships from our little black book.

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Casas del XVI

Tucked away in the cobbled streets of Santo Domingo's UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, the oldest European settlement in the Americas, lies Casas del XVI. Choose between unique houses with a personal mayordomo attending to every stay, and rooms that open directly onto hidden courtyard pools, just steps from the Catedral Primada de América and Plaza de España.

Amanera

On a clifftop above Playa Grande, opt for Amanera's jungle casitas, for private plunge pools, for a private championship golf course along the Dominican Republic's north coast. Join a guide foraging through the surrounding forest before cooking what you find, or spend days surfing, kitesurfing or simply looking out over the Atlantic from your terrace.

Eden Roc Cap Cana

The only Relais & Châteaux hotel in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc sits inside the private, 30,000-acre enclave of Cap Cana, its boutique suites and villas each with their own pool. Right nextdoor play on the Caribbean's decade-long number one golf course. After a round on the course, enjoy a private dining experience in an underground cave, zip-line through the forest, or simply lay beach-side at the Blue Flag-certified beach club.

Aerial view of Sublime Samaná resort among palms on the Dominican Republic coast

Sublime Samana

Whitewashed casitas with rooftop hot-tubs line Playa Cosón on the Samaná Peninsula's north coast. The Coconut Whispers Spa draws on the peninsula's own palms for its treatments, just steps from the sand. Watch for humpback whales offshore, or ride out to the thundering El Limón waterfall by horseback.

True Travel Journal

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From finding the right guide to unlocking hidden doors along Rome’s cobbled streets, to knowing which room offers a front-row view of Patagonia’s mountains at first light, or where to find Kyoto’s best counter seat, our journals are filled with the kind of insight that comes from years of travelling, planning and exploring.

Explore destination guides, travel news and stories from our specialists’ travels around the world, from new hotels and destinations to the experiences worth seeking out. Discover fresh ideas and insider knowledge to inspire your next trip.

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What our guests say

From the travel and transfers to the lodging, it was the most magical and perfect trip that we will remember for the rest of our lives. The hotels were beautiful and luxurious, with the most amazing staff. Every day was 10/10, and the trip was so well balanced with adventure and relaxation.

Amy, UK

It was one of the best trips I've ever done, and 95% of that was down to True Travel and their team. The organisation was perfect, as was each destination and guide. I hope I can travel again with them soon.

Fatima, Spain

True Travel arranged all our internal flights and transport, which ran like clockwork. Each accommodation was lovely, as was being able to explore Ecuador's varied regions and amazing people, culture and animals. As usual, True Travel delivered a seamless trip.

Jane, UK

My sister and I spent 12 days in Cambodia, planned by True Travel. Everything went perfectly. We stayed in four different amazing locations, had wonderful guides and drivers, and did so many different activities. The team at True Travel were really easy to deal with and great at communicating.

Jill, USA

Best trip ever. This trip was awesome. We were treated like royalty. We were taken care of from beginning to end. We saw everything we expected and then some. The accommodations were fabulous. I could go on forever, but just to say everything was planned to perfection to the finest detail. I hope to use them again and will recommend True Travel to everyone. A trip we'll never forget.

Jean, USA

The True Travel team provided excellent service throughout, from initial planning and finalising the details to support during the trip. They were extremely knowledgeable about Australia, including off-the-beaten-path destinations, boutique hotels and restaurants. Their local partner was always on hand to help with any issues or changes. Using True Travel meant I could relax and enjoy the trip without worrying about the logistics or small details.

Liza, USA

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Quick Answers

Common Questions

Is it worth leaving the resort grounds, and is it safe to explore beyond an all- inclusive?

Yes, and it’s genuinely worth doing, since the all-inclusive resort model here is so extensive that some visitors never leave the grounds at all, missing out on excursions to places like the Samaná Peninsula or Santo Domingo’s colonial old town. Reputable tour operators, easily arranged through your resort or specialist, make exploring beyond the resort straightforward and safe rather than something to approach cautiously.
What currency is used in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Peso (DOP) is the local currency, and US dollars are also widely accepted, particularly at resorts, though Pesos are more practical for local shopping, taxis and markets outside the resort itself. ATMs are readily available in Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.
What language is spoken in the Dominican Republic?

Spanish is the national language, and English is spoken confidently within the resort industry, though it becomes noticeably less reliable once you’re exploring beyond resort grounds. A few Spanish phrases go a long way with local guides and shop owners on any excursion.
What time zone is the Dominican Republic in?

The Dominican Republic operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) year-round, with no daylight saving changes. This differs from several neighbouring Caribbean and Central American destinations, so it’s worth checking specifically if your itinerary combines the Dominican Republic with another regional stop.
Can I drink the tap water in the Dominican Republic?

Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in the Dominican Republic, including Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. Bottled or filtered water is provided as standard at all resorts and should be your default throughout, including on any inland excursion.
Should I carry cash or are cards widely accepted?

Cards are accepted at resorts and larger establishments, but local markets, motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) and smaller shops outside the resort typically expect cash. Dominican Pesos in small denominations cover these situations more comfortably than relying on cards.
Is tipping expected in the Dominican Republic?

Tipping is customary and genuinely appreciated across resort staff, drivers and guides, generally around 10 to 15 percent or a set cash amount for resort services. Many all-inclusive packages already build a service charge into the overall price, so checking what’s included before adding further tips avoids doubling up.
What plug sockets are used in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic uses Type A and Type B sockets, the same flat two or three-pin design used in the US, running at 110V. This applies consistently throughout the country, so US travellers can generally use their own devices without an adapter.
What's the difference between merengue and bachata, and which originated in the Dominican Republic?

Both merengue and bachata originated in the Dominican Republic, with merengue the faster-paced, more formally recognised national dance and bachata a slower, more romantic style that began in rural areas before gaining global popularity. Both are a genuine source of national pride, and locals are typically delighted rather than dismissive of visitors attempting either on a night out.
Should I be prepared for hurricane season if travelling June through November?

Hurricane season runs from June to November, and while a direct hit during any specific week is relatively unlikely, this period does bring a higher chance of heavy rain and short-notice disruption to flights and excursions. Building some flexibility into an itinerary timed for these months, rather than planning back-to-back activities, is a sensible precaution your specialist can help arrange around.
Is it true Larimar, a blue gemstone, is found only in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, Larimar, a striking blue variety of the mineral pectolite, is found in only one significant deposit worldwide, located in the Dominican Republic’s Barahona province, making it a genuinely unique souvenir rather than something you could find at the same authenticity elsewhere. Buying from established jewellers rather than informal beach vendors is the more reliable way to ensure genuine stone quality.

Dominican Republic Palm-fringed beaches, rainforest valleys, mountain trails and the spirit of the Dominican Republic

From Samaná whales to Santo Domingo streets

Dominican Republic With Us

Luxury Dominican Republic holidays

Dominican Republic: Culture, Rainforest & Caribbean Shores

Places in the Dominican Republic

True Experiences in the Dominican Republic

Bachata dance lesson

Humpback whale watching

Comida criolla cooking class

Kitesurfing in Cabarete

A Taste of Where We Stay

Casas del XVI

Amanera

Eden Roc Cap Cana

Sublime Samana

Read all about it