Things to do

20 Interesting Things To Do In Dominican Republic

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As an island in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is to be associated with beaches and mountains, rich culture, and history. Apart from the turquoise waters and its all-inclusive resorts, this island has every experience and adventure that all sorts of travelers would love.

From walking down historical sites to visiting the city of Santo Domingo and to other extreme outdoor activities, the Dominican Republic is full of surprises. Here are 20 interesting things to do in the Dominican Republic, which could give you a part of your inspiration for that next adventure!

1. Wander Through Amber Cove Cruise Port

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Amber Cove Cruise Port is a bustling cruise port meant for a guest who loves calm and adventure. As it has an energetic swimming pool with a swim-up bar, top-notch loungers, and private cabanas for relaxation under the tropical sun, it is perfect as well.

Besides, travelers can enjoy local shopping, dining, and entertainment within the terminal, or they can step out to experience the Dominican Republic's rich culture and beautiful landscape. Hence, this is an option that has been made available to all travelers - in fact, a relaxing adventure.

2. Spend Time At National Botanical Garden Dr. Rafael Maria Moscoso

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The National Botanical Garden Dr. Rafael Maria Moscoso is a great haven for nature lovers. This clipped area, stretching over more than 200 acres, eventually became a nature preservation and educational area, with a variety of themed botanical displays, rock gardens, and tropical flora native to the island.

Visitors could walk through magnificently curated gardens, a Japanese Zen garden, orchid exhibits, and a collection of endemic plants. This garden is perfect for strolling, birdwatching, or learning about the rich biodiversity of the area.

Its fresher atmosphere would make it the most sought refreshment from the city's bustle.

3. Uncover The Marine Life At Ocean World Adventure Park

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Ocean World Adventure Park is a vibrant and busy park with many activities, decent interaction with the animals, and cultural experiences. Here you can do things like swim with dolphins and sharks, have an encounter with sea lions, touch tropical birds, and see, touch, and feel iguanas and flamingo birds.

You can also take a walk along a tropical rainforest, enjoy the best water slides, snorkel in a tropical reef, and stretch out against a pristine beach. Ocean World creates memorable moments by linking interactions with marine animals with their personal touch to create interaction programs.

4. Take A Trip To Fortaleza Ozama

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Fortaleza Ozama is certainly a historical and cultural gem for a heritage seeker. It is perhaps the oldest military structure erected by Europeans in the Americas, dating back to the 16th century, as its construction was completed in the medieval style.

With a view over the beautiful Ozama River, visitors are treated to an exquisite view of their country's colonial past. Interestingly, guided tours bring the fortress to life, describing its defensive role against pirates when it was later used as a prison.

The tower can be climbed, and the thick stone walls can be viewed, along with an assortment of historical artifacts, making it one of the best places to see in the Dominican Republic.

5. Appreciate The Centro Cultural Eduardo Leon Jimenes

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Centro Cultural Eduardo Leon Jimenes is a Dominican Republic cultural space that must be seen. This modern museum has great exhibitions about ecology, Dominican art, and cultural heritage.

And, of course, there is a great garden for a walk, and a restaurant serving excellent food from the island right on the property. There is also a modern auditorium where cultural and other activities are held, adding a more dynamic flavor to your visit.

6. Learn About The Past At Monument To The Heroes Of The Restoration

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It is the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration - a symbol of the Dominican Republic in Santiago de los Caballeros, a popular monumental place in the country. This structure made of steel and concrete and constructed on a hill is a memorial to heroes of the Dominican Restoration War (1863-1865).

Despite being popular for photography, sightseeing is okay here and one can get a good and interesting view of the city and its skyline and different beautiful landscapes.

Moreover, its beauty can be appreciated when you visit the interesting museum with tools and other royalty artifacts and well-trimmed gardens.

7. Explore Hoyo Azul

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One of the things to see in the Dominican Republic, Hoyo Azul, is in Scape Park Punta Cana, Republica Dominicana. This beautiful azure pool is indeed a tranquil, life-giving, rejuvenation-capturing site.

Walk through thick tropical trails, witness a few trees, and learn a bit about the great diversity this area exhibits before reaching the cenote. Hoyo Azul offers pure adventure heaven, along with pure relaxation and some of nature's wonders-it is a purer swim or just soak trying to catch memory moments on camera.

8. Dive Into The Faro a Colon, Santo Domingo Este

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Faro a Colon in the city of Santo Domingo Este, the Dominican Republic, is a landmark blend of history, architecture, and culture. This huge heavy concrete memorial is dedicated to Christopher Columbus and marks his great voyages across the Americas.

Cross-shaped is this building, meant to serve as both a mausoleum and museum, purporting to contain the remains of Columbus. At night it shoots beams of light crossed into the sky, a most compelling sight.

Inside, it exhibits historical artifacts and cultural relics from Latin America and the Caribbean within the walls. Accordingly, Faro a Colon is a beacon of history and a unique architectural marvel in Santo Domingo Este.

9. Step Inside The Mystical Cave Of Wonders

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This amazing tourist attraction offers a wonderful excursion into the complex and rich cultural and natural history of the Dominican Republic. The Cave of Wonders is a cave museum with guided tours that include ancient Taino paintings, the paintings of the island's first inhabitants.

The splendid rock formations, an underground lake, and over 500 preserved pictographs that give glimpses into the spiritual and earthly worlds of the Taino captivate visitors. This site is well-lit and accessible, making it a focal attraction for history buffs and nature lovers.

10. Visit The Three Eyes National Park

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This is a peaceful recreation ground popular for its natural beauty, with the aptly named Three Eyes National Park. This medley of exciting unknown cavern caves delivers the visitor with three splendid underground lakes including even the reflections of the kind of rocks in front.

These "eyes," created through the process of natural limestone erosion, are further accentuated by sunlight that passes through the cavern openings, readied and dazzled into the magical ambiance.

With stone pathways and staircases, it's a park with an escape from the city, almost at once with the historical aspect of nature enveloping it.

11. Admire The Damajagua Waterfalls

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Damajagua Waterfalls is one of the most adventurous natural attractions with its huge 27 "waterfalls" - though only 12 of them cascade - the rest are pretty water-filled pools.

The amazing place is surrounded by dense tropical flora, offering a whole day slipping off natural rock slides, jumping into crystal clear pools, and wading through peaceful river passages.

You can hike through the jungle to locate some of these hidden treasures, or you can ask local guides to take you through safely. Whether jumping into cool waters or simply soaking it all in, Damajagua Waterfalls is an excellent place to visit.

12. Take A Journey To Saona Island

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Saona Island is one of the most popular attractions in the Dominican Republic. Its reputation comes from its wonderful, white sandy beaches, aquamarine water, and many palm trees, making it the perfect getaway for either relaxation or adventure.

This island is a perfect section of Cotubanama National Park, which has fantastic biodiversity, including rich coral reefs and other marine diversity. Leisure activities open to visitors include snorkeling, swimming, or just basking on the beach.

Therefore, Saona gives the most captivating and breathtaking Caribbean experience.

13. Tour The Altos de Chavon

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Altos de Chavon is a historical site that houses a fantastic replica of an original 16th-century Mediterranean village buried in the Dominican Republic's countryside. This is a fascinating cultural place for domestic respondents, foreign guests, and artists from all over the world.

Cobblestone streets create an active area where artists present their arts of crafts ranging from pottery to weaving and silk-screening. One may roam the boutiques that sell unique handmade goods, enjoy cozy restaurant dining, or simply visit the beautiful St. Stanislaus Church.

14. Enjoy A Day At Parque Zoologico Nacional

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Parque Zoologico Nacional is a national-level zoo that stands as a formidable destination for families wishing to explore the rich diversity of wildlife that this country claims as its own.

The gigantic zoo boasts wonderful collections of mammals, reptiles, birds, and many exotic animals under well-maintained as well as naturalistic surroundings. It is equally fascinating for its native species like the Hispaniolan solenodon while displaying exotic creatures from near and far.

It has shaded walking paths, picnic areas, and a serene environment perfect retreat for families to bond. A must-visit for any nature lover, it emphasizes conservation and wildlife education.

15. Explore The Fortaleza de San Felipe

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Fortaleza de San Felipe was erected in the late 15th century as a protection of the Puerto Plata - Dominican Republic territory from pirates to be located within its area. This mighty edifice overlooks the Atlantic Ocean while it houses stunning coastal views.

The visitors can peer into its well-preserved walls bastions and dungeons while the on-site museum has interesting displays on the war front, the defense of the island, and its colonial history.

Visiting this fort could lead anyone into the rich past of the Dominican Republic, making history interesting, scenic, and memorable cultural experiences.

16. Pay A Visit To Museum Of The Royal Houses

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History lovers shouldn't miss The Museum of the Royal Houses. This beautiful complex was constructed in the 16th century, it was erected as the Spanish governmental building during the colonial period.

It enhances the island tour by individuals. It offers viewpoints on the lifestyle of initial settlers under the Spanish monarchy rule, their interactivity with native cultures, and other forms through various artifacts, maps, and manner of displayed facilities.

Also, you can stroll around finely restored halls and yard areas with a fine historic atmosphere and get to know about the importance of the region in the historical development of the New World.

17. Roam Around The Columbus Park

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Historically significant in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, is Columbus Park, or Parque Colon. It is situated inside the Colonial Zone, and this working city square has the impressive statue of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the New World.

Neighboring the park is Catedral Primada de America, the oldest cathedral in the Americas, with Gothic-Renaissance architecture.

Columbus Park is a bustling hub of activity near where every local and tourist finds themselves. Here is a melting pot of history, culture, and vibrant energy, making it one of the tourist attractions in Republica Dominicana.

18. Check Out The Downtown Punta Cana

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Downtown Punta Cana is the heart of activity in the Dominican Republic. It provides entertainment dining and shopping all in one place for anyone or everyone, family couples, or even single travelers who want to have somewhere to go.

One of the best places is the Downtown Mall Punta Cana where there is an amusement place with games, video games, and recreational activities that are suitable for all ages. Here, you can try several fine-dining restaurants serving unique local and international cuisine.

Night falls, and streets fill up with the crowd jostling into bars, clubs, and live music. Overall, this is one of the wonderful Dominican Republic tourist activities.

19. Play At La Cana Golf Club

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The La Cana Golf Club is a golf heaven in Punta Cana, a Dominican Republic golf lover's dream location. With 27 magnificent holes divided into three distinct nine-hole courses namely, Tortuga, Arrecife, and Hacienda.

This course has 14 ocean holes and promises long panoramic views of the crystalline Caribbean Sea. Immaculately manicured fairways, totally maintained greens, and consistent layouts to suit every level of golfer.

The experience is truly unforgettable combining sport, luxury, and natural beauty at the same time, making it one of the Dominican Republic places to see.

20. Stop By Pantheon Of The Fatherland

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The Pantheon of the Fatherland is an impressive historical site in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Pride, history, and culture are combined in this great site, as they should be.

Built and endowed as a Jesuit church in the 18th century, it has changed into a neoclassical mausoleum for the greatest citizens of this country. The visitors are struck by grand architectural design and minutiae detail of solemnity and speed.

As one of the Dominican Republic major attractions and heritage symbol, it above all offers a deep understanding of the most unprecedented journey and identity of the nation.