Personalized trips to the Dominican Republic
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Introducing the Dominican Republic

Discover the best of the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is known for its beautiful beaches and a multitude of resorts, but it's also one of the most diverse destinations you can visit and one that remains culturally rich. You'll want to dance the bachata and merengue, listen to live music, and speak with its hospitable people. Head outdoors for a land brimming with cacao and coffee trails, national parks with hiking trails and mountains, and tropical forests. From colonial cities to beach towns, offshore islands to lagoons, there's more to see and do than you can fit into one trip. 

When is the best time to visit?
The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate with high temperatures throughout the year. There is a dry and a rainy season, although even the wetter months see plenty of hot sunny days and rainfall usually comes in heavy showers that clear quickly. Generally, the best time to visit is between December and April when sunshine and temperatures are milder and rainfall is lowest. 

How many days do you need?
While it's possible to have a fun trip to one of the Dominican Republic's cities over a long weekend, we recommend at least 5 days if you really want to experience much of what the country has to offer. 

If you have 10 days, you could almost see the entire island from north to south on an adventurous trip that includes visiting the Las Terrenas beach area, Los Haitises National Park, the colonial city of Santiago, and Santo Domingo. 

Getting Around the Dominican Republic
Most travelers fly into Santo Domingo and then travel around the island by private transfer. If you're up for it, you could also rent a car and discover the island in a more personalized way.  

Ready to start planning your trip to the Dominican Republic? Get started by telling us a bit about your ideal trip, and we will connect you to a local specialist to work out all the details.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days · 14 days

The Dominican Republic Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
A view of Los Tres Ojos National Park, Santo Domingo
Map of Ultimate Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Cabarete & Samaná - 10 Days
Ultimate Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Cabarete & Samaná - 10 Days

This 10-day itinerary takes you beyond the Dominican Republic's famous beaches to discover an island of diverse landscapes and exciting adventures. Your journey begins in the historic capital of Santo Domingo, where you'll tour America's oldest European settlement. Visit the nearby caverns of Los Tres Ojos, take your pick of watersports in Cabarete, and hike to waterfalls on the Samaná Peninsula.

Beautiful Sunny Beaches
Map of Dominican Republic Adventure: Santo Domingo & Samaná - 7 Days
Dominican Republic Adventure: Santo Domingo & Samaná - 7 Days

If you are looking for an adventurous trip to the Dominican Republic, this itinerary is for you! Visit Santo Domingo on a bike tour and explore Santiago de los Caballeros. Finish your trip in Las Terrenas with its enchanting white sand beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters.

Aerial view of the beaches on Saona Island
Highlights of the Dominican Republic - 5 Days

If you have less than a week to travel to the Dominican Republic, this is your trip. It's a five-day journey around the island that includes a guided bike tour of historic Santo Domingo, visiting the white-sand beaches at Bayahibe, learning about fine cigars at the VegaFina Cigar Factory, and much more. You'll get to know the real Dominican Republic with the help of the best local guides accompanying you on each activity.

The beauty of the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic Adventure: Santo Domingo to Punta Cana – 15 Days

Escape to a paradise of turquoise waters and white sand beaches on this unforgettable 15-day journey through the Dominican Republic. Tour the oldest colonial city in the Americas at Santo Domingo, explore underwater worlds in Sosúa, and head to the pristine Samana Peninsula to discover towering waterfalls, hidden beaches, and the spectacular Los Haitises National Park. End your trip in the tropical haven of Punta Cana, where you'll unwind at the beach in between adventurous excursions.

Palm-lined beaches surround Las Terrenas
Dominican Republic Self-Drive Adventure – 12 Days

This relaxed 12-day road trip checks off the best of the Dominican Republic's historic cities, idyllic beaches, and stunning national parks. Cycle through colonial history in Santo Domingo, explore breathtaking dive sites in Sosúa, discover the pristine beaches of the Samaná Peninsula, and kayak through the mangroves and islands of Los Haitises National Park.

Santo Domingo's Columbus Park
Map of Family Trip to the Dominican Republic - 7 Days
Family Trip to the Dominican Republic - 7 Days

Enjoy the family trip of a lifetime over seven days on the Dominican Republic's south coast. You'll do it all, from snorkeling around offshore islands to visiting mysterious caves to off-roading around some of the most stunning white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. You'll also get active on a bicycle tour of Santo Domingo's historic sights, go starfish spotting in natural pools, and even spend time with playful squirrel monkeys.

Make the Most of Your Time in the Dominican Republic

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit

The Dominican Republic Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest the Dominican Republic Content

See the best of the Dominican in two weeks
Map of The Dominican Republic from North to South - 14 Days
The Dominican Republic from North to South - 14 Days

Lose yourself in the spectacular beauty and natural wonders of the Dominican Republic. The highlights of this two-week adventure are many, beginning on the north coast with relaxing beach days, waterfall hikes, horseback rides, zipline adventures, and more. Then head south and finish the trip in the capital of Santo Domingo, a bastion of colonial history unrivaled in the Americas.

Take a refreshing hike to the waterfall of El Limón
Map of Explore the Beaches, Mountains & Waterfalls of the Dominican Republic  - 14 Days
Explore the Beaches, Mountains & Waterfalls of the Dominican Republic - 14 Days

Get ready for two weeks of adventure and excitement in the Dominican Republic. It starts with tours of the colonial landmarks in Santo Domingo, followed by a trip to the highlands for horseback riding in Jarabacoa. Continue to the north coast and the tropical paradise of Samaná, where you'll laze on white-sand beaches, go snorkeling at offshore islands, and spot humpback whales.

Check out lesser-visited locales and explore beautiful Bahia de las Aguilas (Eagle's Bay)
10 Days in the Dominican Republic - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Visiting two to four destinations is ideal for 10 days in the Dominican Republic. For a nature and culture-focused itinerary, you'll want to see the white-sand beaches around Samaná and the highlands of Jarabacoa. Adventurers should head north to the coast to Haitises National Park to do some caving and kayaking, while travelers wanting to beach hop should hit Punta Cana and Bayahibe. To get off the beaten path, opt for hiking excursions from Barahona to the nearby national parks and Lago Enriquillo.

the Dominican Republic Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
the Dominican Republic map: 7 Days in the Dominican Republic - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
7 Days in the Dominican Republic - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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the Dominican Republic map: 5 Days in the Dominican Republic - 5 Unique Itineraries
5 Days in the Dominican Republic - 5 Unique Itineraries
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the Dominican Republic map: Ultimate Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Cabarete & Samaná - 10 Days
Ultimate Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Cabarete & Samaná - 10 Days
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Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan

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Trip Reviews for the Dominican Republic

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Amazing trip to the Dominican Republic
the Dominican Republic | Apr 20 - Apr 25, 2023

Arlette
Arlette V.
Lutz, FL | Reviewed on May 02, 2023

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing thanks to Kimkim and our local travel specialist Marina. The trip was well-planned and customized appropriately to our needs and wishes. This service allowed us a stress-free trip preparation experience and enabled us to enjoy traveling to a country where we we not fluent in the language. All of our accommodations, drivers and excursions were awesome! We got the authentic travel experience we wanted, and learned so much about Dominican history... read more

Our trip to the Dominican Republic was amazing thanks to Kimkim and our local travel specialist Marina. The trip was well-planned and customized appropriately to our needs and wishes. This service allowed us a stress-free trip preparation experience and enabled us to enjoy traveling to a country where we we not fluent in the language. All of our accommodations, drivers and excursions were awesome! We got the authentic travel experience we wanted, and learned so much about Dominican history and culture during our stay. We much appreciated the included meals, which featured nutritious, locally grown products, and enabled us to sample Dominican cuisine.

An important note to mention however is, if you are like us, and want to support small local businesses, it is good to come prepared with a mindset on what you want to purchase or how much you can spend prior to entering shopping spaces, and being prepared to negotiate on price (or even politely say no). Although the majority of the vendors we encountered were easy-going and helpful, several of the vendors at Tres Ojos National Park were overly aggressive and tried to overcharge for their products. Being prepared for this and having basic level Spanish helps the traveler immensely in these situations. This was a minor issue however, and did not detract from what was an overall great trip to the stunning Tres Ojos limestone caves.

Our most memorable excursion was the hike adventure to El Limon Waterfall, where the views were breath-taking. We were fortunate to have a wonderful guide Andres, who took great care of us on this challenging trek through the forest and rocky landscapes.

Our day trip to Playa Rincon and Caño Frio was also memorable for the natural beauty of the Samana region and our knowledgeable guide Frank, who gave us a wealth of information on Dominican life. This was a relaxing way to spend the last day of our trip.

On the last morning of our trip, we encountered a problem when our driver had car trouble and was not able to pick us up for transport to the airport. It was a simple process for us to contact our travel specialist Marina, who came through for us and arranged for an alternate driver (Cabayeron), who was diligent about getting us to the airport safely and on time. Kudos to Marina for exceptional local travel specialist support during this trip. We love the Kimkim business philosophy and would definitely use Kimkim again for future trips. We whole-heartedly recommend Kimkim to other travelers.

Hotel Reviews
Hodelpa Caribe Colonial
Santo Domingo

Great hotel for a stay in Santo Domingo. It is conveniently located in the Colonial Zone area with many restaurants and historic places to visit within walking distance. Our room was clean and comfortable. Hotel front desk staff were professional and very responsive to our needs. Complimentary breakfasts were delightful and featured many local dishes.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mosquito Boutique Hotel
Las Terrenas

Mosquito Boutique was delightful place to stay. Located right on the beach, the views were exquisite, especially at sunrise and sunset. The onsite restaurant was very convenient for dinners, and also provided an awesome daily breakfast for hotel guests. The overall vibe of the place was very relaxed and friendly, and hotel staff were very accommodating. Our room was clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Los Tres Ojos National Park Excursion
Santo Domingo
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike Adventure to El Limón Waterfall
Samaná
Quality of Experience
Food
The Dominican lunch provided by Restaurante Santi after our hike was awesome!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full day excursion to Playa Rincón
Samaná
Quality of Experience
Food
The local lunch provided onsite at the beach was wonderful.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on May 12, 2023

Hi Arlette, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed trip review! I will pass your kind words to the rest of the team :) I appreciate your comments about your experience at Los Tres Ojos National Park, I will make sure to warn the travelers more about this matter. It has been a pleasure helping you plan this fantastic trip to the Dominican Republic. I am happy to hear you had a great time and liked all your activities. The Dominican Republic is truly a unique destination and I am happy you got to see and experience the true essence of the island. Warmest regards, Marina

Dreams of Dominicana
the Dominican Republic | Mar 7 - Mar 10, 2023

Carly
Carly M.
Columbia, MD | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2022

I cannot say enough good things about the Dominican Republic! KimKim always gets me in touch with the best travel specialists for unique, culturally-centered experiences. Marina and her team made me feel very well taken care of and safe while visiting the DR solo! From my drivers to my tour guides, everyone was an absolute pleasure to be around. They embraced me and made sure I had an amazing experience with every activity.
Mosquito Boutique hotel staff was unforgettable and I will... read more

I cannot say enough good things about the Dominican Republic! KimKim always gets me in touch with the best travel specialists for unique, culturally-centered experiences. Marina and her team made me feel very well taken care of and safe while visiting the DR solo! From my drivers to my tour guides, everyone was an absolute pleasure to be around. They embraced me and made sure I had an amazing experience with every activity.
Mosquito Boutique hotel staff was unforgettable and I will definitely be back to Las Terrenas very soon!
If you haven’t used KimKim for your vacations, you’re missing out! Can’t wait for my next one!

Hotel Review
Mosquito Boutique Hotel
Las Terrenas

Love this place!! The restaurant and hotel staff made me feel very welcome. It was alive on the weekends and very chill during the week. I also love all the friendly cats and dogs on site, they kept a solo traveler company :-)

Tips for future travelers

Minimal wifi in rooms

Authenticity & Character
The staff was super friendly and vibrant
Location
Right on the beach!
Staff
Took care of me!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were pristine
Local specialist: Marina Courtaut
Marina
Marina Courtaut
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Jun 23, 2022

Hi Carly! Thank you SO much for writing such a detailed review and for your kind words! It has been a true pleasure helping you plan your trip to the Dominican Republic and I am so glad you had such a fantastic trip :) The Dominican Republic is a true paradise and I am glad you got to discover the island. I will share your kind words with all the team! I look forward to helping you plan another adventure in the future! :) Warm regards, Marina

Marta was an absolute pleasure to work with. ...
the Dominican Republic | Jul 8 - Jul 17, 2021

farah
farah a.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2021

Marta was an absolute pleasure to work with. She planned everything from the stays, to excursions, to any last minute changes we needed and was always easily accessible and available to help. She was very adaptable to our requests and worked her hardest to make sure we had everything we needed! We had an absolutely wonderful time in the Dominican and would love to go again!

Local specialist: Marta Bermejo Acosta
Marta
Marta Bermejo Acosta
Local specialist in Spain | Replied on Aug 05, 2021

Hello Farah,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
It was my pleasure helping you plan your Honeymoon to the Dominican Republic and I am happy to hear you enjoyed your trip and that you would like to visit the island again!
I wish you the best and I look forward to working with you again in the future.
Warm regards,
Marta