I spent six days soaking up the sun across several of the top 10 places to visit in the Dominican Republic and had a blast swimming on unspoiled beaches, eating delicious local food, and taking in the island's history and unique culture! This Dominican Republic travel guide is filled with itinerary ideas and insights from my most recent solo trip to DR.
If you're interested in how to plan a trip to Punta Cana with visits to Saona Island, Santo Domingo, Miches, and more, you're in the right spot.
Wondering what to pack? Check out my women's packing list for the Dominican Republic!
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When to Visit
The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate with warm, humid weather year-round. You can likely have a great trip just about any time of year, but the best travel times are considered to be from December to April, aka the dry season. The seasons in DR are not divided by temperature, but rather by rainfall.
The wet season along the southern coast of the country, where popular spots like Punta Cana and Santo Domingo sit, runs from May to November, with a break in July and August.
And the wet season along the northern coast, which is home to destinations like Samana Bay and Puerto Plata, runs from November through January. Hurricane season is officially from June through November. I experienced very little rain while visiting Dominican Republic in September.
Pro Travel Tip
Dominican mango season is April through November--don't say I never gave you anything!
Read my best budget travel tips, including how to take advantage of last-minute flight deals!
Getting There
For US citizens visiting the Dominican Republic for leisure and for fewer than 30 days, the only travel requirements are that you have a valid passport at least six months from expiring. If you're staying for longer than 30 days, you'll need a tourist visa.
With or without a visa, you'll need to complete a form with declarations of what you're bringing into the country, where you'll be staying, etc. It's available in both English and Spanish, and an immigration agent will compare the form and your travel documents against the entry requirements at the airport. In my experience, that line is long, especially during the high season!
I traveled to the island via United Airlines from Houston, Texas, in the United States, and received the required entry form and exit form while in-flight.
How to Get Around
What to expect when traveling to the Dominican Republic depends a bit on what kind of trip you're taking. If you plan to stay around your Punta Cana resort, you can get by with taxis, rideshares like Uber, and/or pre-arranged shuttles.
I had more of a Dominican Republic road trip itinerary, and drove from Punta Cana to Miches (where I shared the road with livestock!) and Santo Domingo, took an excursion with transportation to Bayahibe, and a boat to Saona Island.
Even at the airport, car rental agencies in Punta Cana have pretty poor reviews, so I went through a private broker, Abreu Rent Car, and had a great experience.
Read my visitor's guide to driving in the Dominican Republic!
Where to Stay
Although Punta Cana was mostly a base camp for my DR trip, I spent just enough time at the Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar resort to have a negative experience. Between bugs in my room and some of the restaurants, sandy linens, and a pretty nasty response from their customer service team when I brought these issues to their attention, I cannot recommend this property.
There's no shortage of beautiful beachfront, all-inclusive resorts in tourism hot spots like Punta Cana and La Romana. These are the most highly rated by my fellow travellers:
- Casa de Campo Resort and Villas for its private beach and upscale amenities
- Dreams Flora Resort & Spa for its expansive restaurant selection and full-service spa
- Secrets Cap Cana for an adults-only property with dedicated butler service
Dominican Republic Six-Day Itinerary
Arrival + Resort Dinner
I made it through the seemingly never-ending customs lines at PJU, exchanged my USD for RD$, and checked into my accommodations for the next few days.
Dinner at the resort was nothing to write home about: a Japanese hibachi-style meal. Although the food was forgettable, the service was fantastic!
Punta Cana
Playa Macao - After a buffet breakfast, I headed out to Playa Macao to soak up the sun, sand, and saltwater. It's described as one of the best beaches in Punta Cana and very accessible--about a 20-minute drive from Bavaro.
I found lots of amenities at this beach, including a restaurant, chairs, and showers--for a fee, so bring pesos!
Authentic Local Lunch - If you're looking for authentic Dominican food in Punta Cana, go to La Casita de Yeya downtown. I still think about their canasticas camarones and passion fruit juice. Huracan Cafe also came recommended for good Dominican coffee and hot tea, but I didn't get a chance to stop in.
Beach Photoshoot - I booked a professional photoshoot in Punta Cana during golden hour and would recommend this experience, whether you're traveling by yourself or in a group. I take most of my travel photos myself, but working with professionals really helps memorialize a trip from a different perspective, and they know how to pivot. We got rained out, but still got great photos!
Here are my best tips for booking photoshoots while traveling!
Santo Domingo Day Trip
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and a must-visit for history buffs. I made the 2.5-hour drive from Punta Cana on a Monday morning, for a day of solo travel in Santo Domingo filled with cultural and historical landmarks, as well as ancient natural beauty.
Decolonial Tour - The Historia Oculta Decolonial Walking Tour was my primary reason for visiting Santo Domingo. Our expert guide, Ruth, took us through Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial with an emphasis on the hidden West African and Taino history left out of most other tours.
Read my full review of the Historia Oculta Decolonial tour!
Lunch at El Conuco - Ruth recommended El Conuco for authentic Dominican food, and it did not disappoint! This was my favorite meal of the entire vacation, and they even have live music and dancing if you go around dinnertime.
Parque Los Tres Ojos should be on any Dominican Republic adventure itinerary! Climbing into the subterranean caves felt like entering another world.
The sparkling underground lakes and crystalline structures reminded me of cenotes in the Yucatan region, and have been featured in movies like Jurassic Park and Jumanji. Here's everything you need to know before going to Los Tres Ojos.
Use this list of Santo Domingo things to do to make the most of your time!
Saona Island
This beautiful, partially inhabited island off the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic is home to several gorgeous beaches. I visited as part of the only Saona Island small group eco tour, and would absolutely go back!
Mano Juan - We started the day with a beach breakfast, shopping with local artisans, and learning about local conservation efforts in the town of Mano Juan.
Beach Hopping & Snorkeling & Bayahibe - The rest of the itinerary for the day included Playa Abanico, Playa Toro, Playa Palmilla, Starfish Lagoon, and snorkeling in Bayahibe. A fun-filled and delicious bucket list experience! Get the best price on this Saona Island excursion.
Read my full review of visiting Saona Island!
Miches
Just about an hour from Punta Cana, Miches felt a world away from the crowded commercialism of a resort development. It was calm, picturesque, and more residential with a slower pace.
Playa Costa Esmeralda felt like a private beach since I got there first thing on a weekday with nobody else around! It's an unspoiled, largely undeveloped beach, which means no amenities, but also no trash, crowds, or salespeople. No seaweed either! The water was bright blue and warm, and I was so grateful for the solitude.
Lunch at Parador Felicia was one of my favorite meals of the trip, with fresh fish fried to order and multiple cups of passion fruit juice. I drank passion fruit juice almost every day in DR, and Parador Felicia's was the best.
Montaña Redonda provided breathtaking panoramic views, including beaches, lagoons, and the town of Miches. I spent a few hours lounging, snapping incredible pics, and buying fresh fruit and Mama Juana from the gift shop stand.
Check out more things to do in Miches, Dominican Republic!
Pool Day + Departure
My last day in town was spent having brunch poolside and picking up some last-minute gifts for friends and family, like Dominican coffee and rum. I got to the airport early to return my rental car, which was thankfully painless!
And the Punta Cana International Airport lounge has a pool overlooking the tarmac, so I was all over that while waiting to board.
I use the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to earn points on all my travel and get into airport lounges like this one all over the world!
Notes for Solo Travelers
I didn't think twice about taking a solo trip to the Dominican Republic because solo travel is just my default. Now, I'm not typically one to blab to anyone who will listen that I'm in a foreign country alone, but when I did converse with other travelers and Dominican people, they seemed so surprised that I was a party of one.
I definitely know other women who have done solo female travel to Dominican Republic, but maybe they just weren't chatty. 😂 I did have a guy at Playa Macao ask me if I was there "working" in a creepy way, but never felt unsafe or uncomfortable.
Traveling to the Dominican Republic While Black
In late 2022, the United States Embassy issued a travel advisory to "darker-skinned" Americans to take precautions and carry passports at all times when visiting DR. This is related to Dominican officials stopping and questioning Black people based on their skin color in order to potentially deport them to Haiti.
Colorism (discrimination based on skin color) is a bit of an open secret in the Dominican Republic. While I was often mistaken for being Dominican while there or called la morena--sometimes affectionately, sometimes matter-of-factly, and sometimes with disdain--I did not have any issues with harassment from officials. That said, it's probably a good idea to keep your identification on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
In my experience, yes. Take the same precautions you would take in any other destination or in your hometown.
It depends on how you travel. If you are on a budget, I recommend visiting during the low season for off-peak pricing on flights, accommodations, and activities.
More Favorite Caribbean Island Destinations
Now that you know how to plan a trip to the Dominican Republic, I hope you have the best time. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
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