Dominican Rep - Punta Cana holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Outback Jeep Safari
A firm favourite, taking in the island’s real tastes, sights and way of life by open-top jeep, you’ll scramble through villages and tropical scenery before boogie-boarding at a beautiful beach. With an open bar all day, this is non-stop fun.

North Coast from approx. £39pp (adult); £19pp (child)
Bavaro from approx. £42pp

Helicopter Rides
A sightseeing tour in the sky, this is an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The best way to see the island, you’ll spot turquoise waters, picture postcard beaches and dancing palm trees with a bird’s-eye view of Punta Cana or Puerto Plata.

North Coast from approx. £37/£103pp (adult)
Bavaro from approx. £37pp (adult)

Ocean World Dolphins
Making friends with Ocean World’s playful dolphins is the experience of a lifetime: you’ll feed them, hug them and even steal a kiss. A memorable day, you’ll also see acrobatic sea lions, fearsome sharks and a white tiger taking a dip.

North Coast from approx. £57/£77pp (adult); £42/£64pp (child)

Saona Island
To taste the real Caribbean, a trip to Saona Island is perfect; you’ll cruise in a catamaran, chill on soft white sands, swim in crystal waters and zoom across the sea in a speedboat, in true James Bond style.

North Coast from approx. £126pp (adult); £107pp (child), including flight across island
Bavaro from approx. £48pp

Please note: for further details, please speak to your Representative in resort. This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Highlights

• Swimming with dolphins at the Manatí Park in Bávaro, Punta Cana, feeling their nose brush against your cheek and getting up close to these playful creatures
• Watching clever dolphins, parrots and sea lions perform in amazing shows and visiting the Taino Village at Manati Park for the wonderful dance rituals
• Discovering the Dominican Republic’s amazing wildlife and natural beauty at Eastern National Park (Parque Nacional del Este), one of the largest in the Caribbean
• Feeling like a tropical castaway on Saona Island, its stunning beaches the setting for the famous Bounty adverts
• Seeing sea turtles nesting on the beaches at Eastern National Park, as well as other marine animals, like manatees and bottlenose dolphins
• Visiting Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital and the New World’s oldest city, with its stunning colonial architecture, cathedral and lighthouse commemorating Christopher Columbus
• Enjoying a round of golf at Teeth of the Dog in La Romana, voted one of the top 100 courses in the world by Golf magazine, with its tricky shots and stunning sea views
• Jumping on a bus and heading to Higuey, a charming old town where you can explore little streets, barter in the local market and visit the historical cathedral
• Cheering on the home team, La Romana Azucareros, at a baseball game at the Michelin Baseball Stadium in La Romana.
• Wandering through the Japanese garden, orchids and exotic plants at the Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens, the largest in the Caribbean.

Food and drink

Native Dominican cooking mixes Spanish influences with local produce, with favourites like pork, goat meat, rice and beans regular ingredients. You’ll also live the island life enjoying plenty of fresh fish and seafood; tomatoes, papaya, mangoes and passion fruit.

Tuck into local dishes including La Bandera, meaning ‘the flag’, made of white rice, red beans, stewed meat, salad and fried plaintain. Or try crispy pork rind known as Chicharrones, fried yucca, and Sancocho, a tasty stew with as many as 18 ingredients.

If you’re used to a morning pick-me-up, the strong native coffee is very good, as is the local beer and rum, which is cheaper than imported alcohol.

Evening Flavour

There are plenty of after dinner spots full of Caribbean character, where you can move your feet to reggae and merengue, the Dominican Republic’s famous national music and dance.

For a great night out, head to the Bávaro Beach Resort disco, the busy main dance bar, which opens at 11pm, fills up by midnight and keeps going until 5am.

If you want to do your partying with sand between your toes, you’ll love the weekly Stargazing Rock n’ Roll Party in Punta Cana. Dance to live music, gather round the bonfire and look at the stars through telescopes on the beach for a holiday evening to remember.

Shopping

If it’s bargains you’re after, Bávaro Plaza, the largest shopping area in Punta Cana, is a great place. Mingle with the locals and get bartering for impressive discounts on local crafts, ceramics, hand-made souvenirs and silver; cigars and rum.

Wander the cobbled paths and pick up some special souvenirs in Altos de Chavon, a colourful village showcasing the Dominican Republic’s arts and crafts. You can browse the workshops, galleries and shops selling bright, traditional tapestries, clay apothecary jars and silk-screened T-shirts.

Dates for the Diary

Vibrant carnivals, with colourful floats, performers and dancing, hit the cities throughout the year, with best in Santo Domingo in late February celebrating Independence Day.

For the Family

• Let the kids take a dip with the dolphins and catch a sealion show at Manati Park.

• Get up close with the nesting sea turtles at Eastern National Park.

• Set your sights on a snorkelling tour and explore the east coast’s coral reefs and colourful fishes.

• Rumble through the jungle on an exciting jeep safari and finish up with a spot of boogie-boarding on the beach.

• Hop on a horse for a canter along the Costa del Coco – it’s a top-notch stretch of sand for beginners.

Information

Language: Spanish. Currency: Dominican Peso. US Dollar travellers cheques are recommended. Credit cards are accepted. Credit cards and Cirrus cards can be used in a number of cashpoint machines. Standard GMT: - 4 hrs. Dominican Republic Tourist Office: 18-21 Hand Court, High Holborn, London WC1V 6RZ. Tel: 020 7242 7778. www.dominicanrepublic.com

For essential information on visas, departure taxes, vaccinations and other issues {please read page xxx} click on info at the top of the page.

Travel money

Peso

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.

Travel foundation

Supporting farmers in the Dominican Republic

When you book a holiday with us we’ll ask you to make a small donation to the World Care Fund. With your donations, we’re setting up links between hotels and local food producers in this Caribbean country so you can enjoy fresh, local produce and support the farmers at the same time.



Our World Care Fund project partner, The Travel Foundation, is an independent sustainable tourism charity that works in close partnership with the UK travel industry to fund these projects.