Top 20 Things to Do in the Dominican Republic in 2020
1. Hike the Damajagua Falls and be brave – jump from the top of the falls to the freshwater pools beneath
2. Wander the insta-worthy streets of the too often overlooked Colonial Town of Puerto Plata
PC: @pasaportete
3. Sleep in a Treehouse and wake up to natural waterfalls at eco reserve Rancho Platon in Bayahibe
4. Rent a small fishing boat in Los Morales and explore Playa Rincon. While there, Order fresh fish from any Beach Vendor - chances are they will catch it and grill it while you wait
PC: @vanespinal
5. Visit one of the many “Colmadas” around the DR and get an ice cold Presidente in a paper bag to walk with. In the DR, they like beer with a “wedding dress” - their word for a nice frosting of white on the bottle
6. Stay in one of the renovated colonial houses in Santo Domingo’s vibrant colonial zone called “ Casas del XVI”
PC: @casasdelxvi
7. Drive the “Ruta de Café” and visit some of the beautiful coffee plantations in the mountains
8. Santo Domingo - period. It’s a fun city of 3 million with a nightlife and restaurants on par with New York and London, if you know where to look. The new SBG restaurant is superb
PC: @sbgrd
9. Go horseback riding at Casa de Campo. They have over 200 well cared for healthy horses and excellent instructors for riders of all levels. The hotel remains excellent value and allows you to rub shoulders with the jet set villa owners who frequent the resort
10. Take in a polo game at Casa de Campo
11. The DR has some amazing cigar stores and you’d crazy not to bring some home. All the best cigar makers left Cuba and came to the DR post revolution. At the Puerto Plata Cigar Club, they will patiently invite you in to the walk in humidor and make recommendations for any budget
12. Go Whale Watching in Samana – and the amazing peninusula town in itself. The views are spectacular
PC: @tripmoz
13. Leave the stunning beaches behind and visit Bannister historic plantation hotel. Just a few rooms and an elegant world away from what you might expect in this beachy destination
14. Check in to the Six Senses spa in Punta Cana Resort for some world class pampering
PC: @helenblandino
15. Visit the funky, vibey beach town of Las Terrenas where there are lots of little restaurants and local bars
16. Take surf lessons in Cabarete – home of the “Masters of the Ocean” annual extreme sports competition – the only one in the world to include surfing, Kite Surfing, wind surfing and paddle boarding. The competition takes place in February each year and it worth it to go just as a spectator
PC: @godomrep
17. Sample the excellent local rum – anywhere. Brugal, Barcelo and Bermudez are all locally made, and the country offers some of the finest rums in the world. International Rum Day is in August each year. You can also visit the Brugal rum factory in Puerto Plata. Try to find some of the finer quality sipping rums – on par with great brandy and excellent with a local cigar
18. Sample great Dominican food everywhere you go. Do not leave the country without trying Tostones (fried plantain) sancocho (a pork based soup) or mofongo (plantain with fish, vegetables and meat mixed in
PC: @leslieyip0911