Where Is The Best Area To Stay In The Dominican Republic?

Where is the best area to stay in the Dominican Republic?

By Gisselle Frias. August 3, 2023

It’s not hard to see why the Dominican Republic is the most-visited destination in the Caribbean. Endless pearly-white beaches that escape from palm-fringed shore, spilling out into blue waters.

If you’re planning a trip to the Dominican Republic, there are several areas you should consider staying in, depending on your interests. For beach lovers, Punta Cana is a must-visit destination, as it is home to most of the all-inclusive hotels and offers a perfect spot for soaking up the sun.

If eco-tourism is more your style, head to Barahona, located in the south of the island, which is currently booming. Adventure travelers seeking outdoor activities should visit Cabarete and Puerto Plata, which are known as the kitesurfing and surfing mecca of the island. For those seeking adrenaline, Jarabacoa, situated right up the central mountain range, is the place to go.

Nature lovers should head to Terrenas to experience the beauty of the island’s landscapes. Santo Domingo is perfect for history buffs, with a rich cultural heritage and plenty of opportunities for exploration, as well as an active nightlife and excellent dining options. Finally, if you’re looking to unwind and relax on the beach, Bayahibe is the ideal destination.If you are interested in where to stay in Dominican Republic, you may also be interested in where to stay in Puerto Rico, where to stay in Jamaica or where to stay in Turks and Caicos.

Best areas to stay in Dominican Republic

Punta Cana

Beach Lovers / Drinking & Dinning / Nightlife

Punta Cana, located to the east of the country, is the area where the top best all-inclusive resorts and hotel boutiques are. With miles of powder white sand and breathtaking hues of blue secluded beaches, it proves why this area is one of the most popular destinations for families, couples and groups of friends. There are so many family friendly activities to enjoy, such as ziplining, buggy’s, or even playing a round of Golf at Cabeza de Toro Golf Club, and various adventure parks for all ages such as Adventure Park.

The nightlife in Punta Cana is also something to look forward to, top restaurants to dine, wine bars, exclusive discos such as an underground cave-turned disco to Coco Bongo Vegas-style show.

And if that wasn’t all, you can also splurge yourself with a last-minute shopping spree or indulge yourself in one of the many Wellness spas in Punta Cana.

Hotels in Punta Cana

Santo Domingo

History Lovers / Dinning & Nightlife / Young Crowd

The Dominican Republic capital city, Santo Domingo is chaotically beautiful. Here you will find a mix of everything, from a Colonial Zone designated UNESCO Heritage site to a more modern side in the center of the city.

The colonial city is an area with narrow streets and very old architecture buildings which have been turned into museums, hotels, restaurants and cafes. You can either hire a guide who can share the history and culture of the area or rent a bike and wander around the cobblestone paved streets.

For the more active travelers you will find how the city turns into an electric nightlife. From dining in the most exclusive restaurants to dancing the night away in any of the clubs the city has to offer. Famous local art galleries for the art lovers, large shopping malls, restaurants for the gastronomy lovers, you name it, and you will have it.

Hotels in Santo Domingo

Las Terrenas

Ecotourism / Adventure Seekers

Located in the northeastern side of the country, Las Terrenas is a paradisiacal dream. Thousands of Europeans arrived as tourists and became residents here, setting up businesses that give the area its unique cosmopolitan vibe. It boasts of secluded beaches, breathtaking waterfalls and many eco-friendly hotels.

From January to March is when tourists from all over the world come to witness a magical once in a lifetime experience of seeing one of the 2,500 humpback whales that visit Samana Bay every year. Other activities available are kite surfing, hiking, trekking or horseback riding to the famous “El Limon” Waterfall, you can also take a boat to explore “Los Haitises National Park”.

You will also find “El Pueblo de Los Pescadores”, an area of many bars and restaurants with open-air seating along on the beach, which is a perfect place to unwind after a day of outdoor activities in the sun.

Hotels in Las Terrenas

Bayahibe

Young Crowd / Adventure / Solo Travelers

Bayahibe a fisherman town located 40 mins away from Punta Cana. Known for its long stretches of sandy beaches, many restaurants and dive sites. Bayahibe is very popular as it is a meeting point to take catamarans off to the island of Catalina, Saona or Palmilla.

This popular tourist destination is perfect for scuba divers, snorkelers, and adventure seekers. In terms of accommodation, Bayahibe’s upscale hotel chains line the magical coastline of calm and clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. This small fisherman’s village has everything a holiday maker can ask for and scores big with beautiful beach bars and options for outdoor excursions that will keep you busy all day long.

For those wanting to explore more, you can take a walk in del Este National Park along the coastline or trek the Cueva de Chicho where you will end taking a dip in the cool waters inside a cave.

Hotels in Bayahibe

Cabarete

Young Crowd / Nightlife / Sports

Cabarete is a world-famous hub for windsurfing, surfing, and kiteboarding. Located in the northern part of the country, this area was once a booming fishing and farming town, but is now, without a doubt the adventure-sports capital of the country.

An ideal spot to base yourself for exploring the area - located within two hours’ drive of the best that the coast has to offer. This beach town has a very outgoing vibe to it and is booming with condos and hotels chains.

Furthermore, it is a good place to practice your horseback riding- A wide range of trips on horseback along the privileged natural environment of Cabarete is offered here. It must be highlighted that Cabarete is not only an interesting water sports location, but it is also an excellent place for a relaxing stay in a luxury hotel that welcomes families, honeymooners and thrill-seekers from all over the globe.

Hotels in Cabarete

San Felipe De Puerto Plata

Families / History Lovers / Adventure Seekers

The capital of the Puerto Plata province, which lies just off the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic North Coast, also known for its beautiful beaches. Playa Dorada’s beachfront is lined with resorts and an exquisite golf course. This agricultural hinterland is also a major tobacco-producing area, as well as bananas, sugarcane and dairy products.

Jump inside the only cable-car in the country where you can see part of the Atlantic coastline. Less than half an hour from the city, you will find Sosúa which was first settled by Jewish immigrants, also boasting beautiful beaches. For those seeking adventure, you can explore the Damajagua Cascades where you will fuel your adrenaline amid 27 waterfalls all in one place.

Go snorkeling at Cayo Arena in its shallow turquoise waters, the area boasts some of the most abundant marine life in the DR, with beautiful corals all while tropical fishes are swimming around your feet.

Hotels in San Felipe de Puerto Plata

Barahona

Adventure Seekers / Ecotourism

Barahona, nicknamed “La Perla del sur” is located to the South of Dominican Republic. It has the most biodiverse reserves and parks in the country, surfing beaches drawing athletes in search of their next break, freshwater cascade, mountain ranges, and plantations producing some of the country’s finest coffee. It’s no wonder this region has earned its nickname.

One of the many things to do is going Gem hunting inside the Larimar mines located in the heart of Bahoruco’s mountains, these mines are the only place in the world where larimar is found-a semi-precious, turquoise-colored stone.

There are also many beaches to choose from, but you can’t leave without visiting Bahia de las Aguilas, known as one of the best beaches in the world. This diamond-white stretch runs a whopping five miles boasting crystal clear turquoise waters, and a spectacular rocky karst landscape hugs this beach all along the coastline.

Hotels in Barahona

Jarabacoa

Nature Lovers / Young Crowd / Families

Located approximately an hour away from Cibao International Airport and 2hrs and a half from Santo Domingo. It is the perfect place to get away from the chaotic city life and relax up in the mountains as you breathe fresh air.

The most adventurous travelers who reach this unique side of the country arrive at a quest to conquer the tallest peak in the Caribbean: Pico Duarte, standing 3,087 meters (10,125 feet) inside the Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez national parks.

Jarabacoa is for the outdoorsy as it offers many outdoor experiences such as river water rafting, hiking, canoeing or even rappelling down El Salto Baiguate. After all these activities head downtown and explore its surroundings by foot. Jarabacoa is also the only town in the country with an annual flower festival, held in June, celebrating the mountain life culture with horseback parades, flower contests, and folkloric dancing.

Hotels in Jarabacoa

Our recommended hotels in Dominican Republic

Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in Dominican Republic Note: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.