15 Best Things to Do While Visiting the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic Properties

The Dominican Republic is a paradisiac country located on Hispaniola island, which it shares with Haiti. Being the second-largest country in the Caribbean, it welcomes over 6 million tourists each year. The Dominican Republic is a popular destination known for its mile-long white sandy beaches and its interesting history and architecture. Get to know more about the country’s capital, Santo Domingo, explore its surroundings and discover everything this beautiful country has to offer.
Here is a list of the top 15 spots you don’t want to miss on your trip:

Here is a list of the top 15 spots you don’t want to miss on your trip:

1. Visit AquaMundo Sambil Santo Domingo

AquaMundo is a unique aquarium located right in the center of Santo Domingo. It is a great place to visit with kids as you can explore and learn more about the diverse marine life that lives in the sea surrounding the Dominican Republic. The aquarium features a coral garden as well as a clear shark tunnel where you can observe the sharks and take wonderful pictures.

2. Walk Around the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a protected forest reserve that makes up 1,500 acres of land. Enjoy a guided tour around the park and discover its freshwater lagoons, some of which you’ll even be able to swim in. Walk around the reserve and you’ll be able to explore the country’s fauna and flora. What’s more, if you’re a good observer, you’ll be able to spot the 100 different species of birds that live in the park.

3. Explore Cueva de las Maravillas

The Cueva de las Maravillas National Park, which is situated between La Romana and San Pedro de Macorís, is an incredible underground cave system where you can explore petroglyphs and Taino pictographs that are over a thousand years old. Walk around the cave and discover its beautiful stalagmites, pisoliths, stalactites, and columns.

4. Visit the Amber World Museum

If you’re a jewelry lover or are simply curious, this museum offers an impressive collection of amber, some of which are directly mined from the Dominican Republic as well as around the world. Book a guided tour and discover the origins of this beautiful fossilized resin as well as its uses.

5. Discover The Three Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos)

The Dominican Republic’s Three Eyes National Park is located in the capital of Santo Domingo. This reserve is a must-see or all nature lovers. Walk around this cave system and explore the ‘’eyes’’, which are three amazing blue-green lagoons that were created thousands of years ago thanks to the Earth’s seismic activity.

6. Swim in Hoyo Azul Punta Cana

Hoyo Azul is one of Punta Cana’s top attractions. Take a walk through the rainforest, cross a suspension bridge and make your way through the flora and fauna to find this breathtaking clear blue sinkhole, which is 14 meters deep. Take a refreshing swim in its natural waters and wander at the impressive 75 meters limestone cliff, which surrounds the area.

7. Enjoy Boca Chica

Located about 30 kilometers away from Santo Domingo on the south coast, Boca Chica is a town famous for its white sandy beaches and protected coral reef. Many visitors take a day trip to Boca Chica to explore the town, enjoy the sun and indulge in a variety of water sport activities such as kayaking, jet-skiing and banana boating. Boca Chica is best known for its fiesta spirit and offers different pub and club options where you can go cool off and dance Merengue.

8. Go on an Adventure with Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures (Bavaro)

Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures is a Catamaran company that offers exclusive Caribbean excursions to discover Punta Cana. You can book private or group tours and enjoy a day at large on the crystal blue waters. Your tour includes a delicious seafood lunch and a stop at a wonderful beach where you’ll be able to sip on yummy cocktails. If you’re more adventurous, you can go snorkeling at the Cabeza de Toro reef.

9. Do Something Different and Book an Excursion with Horseplay Punta Cana

Horseplay Punta Cana is a horseback riding and zip-lining ranch that organizes adventurous day trips around its 300 acres of luscious land, rivers, cacao , and tobacco plantations. Adrenaline seekers can book the Adventure River Tour, which is a full day excursion that includes zip-lining through the lush forest, horseback riding and a visit at the tobacco and cacao plants. If you only want to do one of these activities, other tours are also available.

10. Visit the Choco Museum

If you have a sugar toot and are a chocolate lover, you have to stop and visit the Choco Museum in Punta Cana. Apart from tasting delicious chocolate, you will be able to learn all about this treat, where it comes from and how its made. There are even workshops available if you want to make your very own chocolate.

11. Learn How to Surf at the Macao Surf Camp

If you’re in Punta Cana and want to learn how to surf, you must visit the Macao Surf Camp in the Dominican Republic. The company is owned by three professional surfers who will assist you and teach you how to ride the waves in no time. Lessons are available in various languages and you can rent all the equipment you need. If you’re a pro, you can go out on the sea with your surfboard and get straight into it.

12 Go Up Mount Isabel de Torres by Cable-Car

Mount Isabel de Torres is located close to Puerto Plata and is one of the most popular attractions in the Dominican Republic as it offers a panoramic view of its sandy beaches and coastline. Go up the mountain by cable-car and enjoy the scenic ride. This is a great opportunity to take out your camera and take beautiful pictures. Once you’re at the top, you can visit the statue of Christ as well as the Botanical Gardens.

13. Visit Paradise Island and the Mangroves

Paradise island holds its name well, the island is everything you can imagine and more. Apart from its iconic white sandy beaches, the beautiful coral island is home to protected mangrove forests and is filled with wildlife and majestic lagoons where you can swim and snorkel.

14. Take a Trip to the National Zoological Gardens (Parque Zoologico Nacional)

The National Zoological Gardens is located in the capital of Santo Domingo so if you’re in the area for a few days this is a great spot to visit. You can explore the zoo by foot or you can hop on the train and discover the many animals of the Dominican Republic as well as other species native from South America and Africa such as tigers and zebras. If you brought your children along, you can have a nice family lunch and take them on a pony ride and to the petting zoo so that they can interact with some of the animals.

15. Discover the Tabacalera de Garcia Cigar Factory

Whether you enjoy smoking or not, you cannot leave the Dominican Republic without a visit to a cigar factory. The Tabacalera de Garcia Cigar Factory is the largest one on the island and is famous because it manufactures well-known brands such as Romeo y Julieta and the popular Montecristo. Your visit will be enriching as you will learn all the steps that go into preparing, packaging and branding a high-quality cigar

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15 WAYS TO ENJOY A MORE FULFILLING VACATION

By Spotzer Spotzer • September 25, 2025

With over 25 years experience in luxury travel industry, we have seen it all. To help you enjoy your next trip to the fullest, the ZenBreak’s team has compiled the best and worst travel experiences and extracted the lessons we learned from the past. Our recommendations applies to business trip, short weekend get away or long escape on the beach. If you like staying in luxury hotels or are planning to go backpacking for a while, any of the following will apply. BOOK AHEAD Yes, there are tons of flight comparison websites, and you’ve just spent the last hour looking for the best deal possible. However you’re not the only one searching and those internet cookies leave crumbs behind. Next time you go back online, the probabilities are that the price you loved today will be higher. Time flies! Book that trip before the price goes up or you might regret it. DON’T BE FLASHY Never underestimate the eyes of pickpockets. Wearing a fancy watch, or even an unnoticeable bracelet might not seem like something to think about when you travel. However, you never know who’s watching you. Being discreet is the best way to avoid embarrassing or unfortunate situations. Don’t show off and remain anonymous. KEEP A JOURNAL Met someone special? Had an interesting or unusual chat? Writing down how you were affected by certain experiences creates a better platform for reflection at a later date. Souvenirs may not always be photos, words carry your emotions much better sometimes. Remember that by writing what you experienced, you drastically increase the probability of remembering what you lived in the future. WRITE THINGS DOWN Just had directions explained to you in a strong hard-to-understand accent? Not sure you’ll remember the details of which way to go? Just write it down. Take that extra minute to recap and make sure you don’t miss the essentials. It may save you, valuable time later on. MORE TIME, FEWER PLACES Would you rather know a limited amount of information about many different places, or really experience and immerse yourself in a few areas? The world is huge and it’s just impossible to go everywhere. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you can only remember how clean or dirty airports or trains were. Try dedicating a full week to explore a large city. I was once forced to increase my stay in Bangkok from 2 days to 7 due to the SARS virus in Hong Kong. It turns out to be one of the best experiences I ever had. ALWAYS ASK HOW MUCH ($) You’ve just got in a cab, and you’re asking yourself if you’ve got enough cash? Don’t put yourself in a situation where you don’t know how much something costs, and don’t be afraid to ask for the price before committing. If it’s too much, feel free to find another option. This applies to taxi, but also to excursions, restaurants, bars and hotels. Many unscrupulous institutions will inflate their prices when a foreigner show up at their door. Be sure not to be the sucker they all remember. If you feel the pressure to commit, just walk out. LEARN SOME BASIC LANGUAGE Hallo! Ciao! Hej! Namaste! Bonjour! xin chào! It may not be the best, but at least you’re making an effort. It may sound rude only speaking your own language, show you are considerate and learn a few simple words on the way to a foreign country. There are no better ways to make friends. PUT YOUR MOBILE PHONE AWAY Why would you travel thousands of miles to stay hooked on your phone? Forget about social media and various apps during your stay and enjoy a little more of the world around you. Rediscover what it is to live disconnected. You may realize you don’t miss your phone at all! TRY THE STREET FOOD Restaurants are nice, but street food is the real deal. Nobody ever died from eating skewers or local specialties from street vendors. Cheap, fast and authentic, eating outside can only do you good. They will leave you with unbelievable memories. DON’T COMMUTE TOO MUCH Yes, you may feel like there is so much to do! And no, unfortunately your holidays won’t last forever. But is it really worth trying to reach every single town of a country you are only just discovering? Take the time to really explore the town you’re in, you can always come back for a future vacation. ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU! Politeness is universal and enjoyed by all. Don’t be rude, even with the insistent seller at the market, culture varies from one place to the other, what may seem like an aggressive sale pitch may just be the norm where you are. Show appreciation to locals, and earn their respect. This may lead to more chances to say thank you! REMEMBER TO CARRY WATER Don’t risk getting ill from tap water because you forgot to pack a bottle in your bag. A little flask is your best friend for hydration. Don’t forget to wash your hand regularly, or if no fresh water is available, to use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. LEAVE REVIEWS Try to leave a short review on commonly used platforms such as TripAdvisor or Google My Business. Do it, whether your experience was incredible, average or poor? Statistics show that those platforms are the number driver when you pick a service or a restaurant. If we don’t leave negative comments to avoid hurting someone, the owner may not find out that you were unsatisfied and the next traveller will not be informed of your experience. On the other end, if your experience really exceeded your expectations, don’t hesitate to mention the individual who provided outstanding service. They may get rewarded. SLOW DOWN, STOP AND OBSERVE Do you feel that you rush around too much in your everyday life? Take the time to look at all the interesting and different things around you. If you enjoy taking pictures, you are sure to find many things to shoot if you slow down a little. Discover the local day-to-day life, this is where the true beauty hides. GET UP EARLY The early bird catches the worm. Rising early gives you more time for exploring, miles traveled and a better overall experience. Early birds enjoy their time off even more! …and finally, to get the best vacation possible, nothing better than saving some money, enjoy the best price guaranteed on your vacation rental with ZenBeak.com

ACCEPT DOGS IN YOUR HOLIDAY HOME ANDINCREASE YOUR BOOKINGS.

By Spotzer Spotzer • September 25, 2025

Did you know that on Airbnb, ‘pet-friendly’ is the fourth most popular request when looking for an apartment or a villa? The top three in order are: Free parking A full kitchen Pool Being dog friendly ranks even higher than wifi. Accepting dogs in your vacation rental will increase your income. For many, dogs aren’t seen as pets but as family members. They are often our best friends, they bring joy wherever they go. No home feels quite right without your pet, so why not bring them with you? 48% of American families own a dog. The number of guests traveling with dogs is increasing every year. According to a TripAdvisor survey, 53% of pet owners take their furry friends on the road with them. However, less than 25% of vacation properties welcome pets with their owners.This ratio plays a big role in favour of those who open their holiday home to dogs. With so many potential customers looking for pet-friendly properties, offering this service is likely to increase your bookings and will allow you to increase your stay costs. Being pet-friendly when renting out your home or villa means that your potential clientele will increase greatly, resulting in a higher occupancy rate. After analyzing the statistics of our partners, such as Airbnb and Homeaway, we found that pet-friendly vacation rentals generated higher rental income and occupancy than those that did not accept dogs – between 10% and 20% more. Accepting dogs will generate repeat rentals from the customers. Paying someone to feed, walk and watch your dog every day can be very expensive for the owner, not to mention the anxiety and stress of separation for both parties. By providing dog-friendly accommodations, you allow patrons to create memories with the whole family, which is likely to generate a return for your visitors in the years to come. Man’s best friend will also allow you to increase the length of the stays of the travelers. When a traveler wants to relocate for a long time, it becomes essential for them to find a property that will accept their faithful companion. Asking their friends and families to keep Fido for a week or two, can work, but when the stay stretches over 3 weeks or more, family and friends become scarce and the cost of institutional care becomes prohibitive. Do not worry about the condition of your property. Worried about the damage that Fido could cause you to your rental property during his visit? Statistics show that tenants of short term rentals that accommodate dogs and those who refuse them show the same cleanliness score and the same house conditions when the visitors leave. Dog or no dog, you won’t tell a difference. You will increase the off-season rental occupation. Looking to fill slow rental periods? Opening your doors to pets will increase rentals during times of low traffic. We found that occupancy rates were much higher in dog-friendly houses during the slow season. Note that guests book more last-minute trips out of season. With a small window between the reservation and the stay, it can be difficult to find a place to keep the dog. Competition for dog-friendly homes is lower at this time of year, guests can both book the perfect accommodation and be accompanied by their dog. In conclusion Open your doors to pets, especially dogs. By accepting dogs in your holiday home, you will increase bookings throughout the year and you will also see increased returns from past clients. The risk of damage is far outweighed by the increase in income, which in addition will not prevent you from increasing cleaning costs when a client reserves with a pet, a practice widely accepted by dog owners. So, make the right decision and increase your income, say: Good boy Fido, good boy!