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Saona Island Catamaran
All-day sail to white-sand island and natural pool — the most-booked DR excursion.
Where to stay in Dominican Republic
Caribbean all-inclusive value — Punta Cana, Bávaro, Bayahibe and beyond. Hand-picked resorts with member rates.
All-inclusive verifiedAirport transfersFree cancellationAdults & family
Caribbean Capital
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's all-inclusive heartland. Punta Cana and Bávaro hold the densest brand AI lineup in the region — Royalton, Hard Rock, Barceló, Catalonia — while Samaná hides a private-island premium escape and Santo Domingo anchors the cultural city break.
Our DR selection focuses on adults-only and family AI across Punta Cana and Bávaro, plus the Cayo Levantado premium and the Embassy Suites urban stay.
Curated stays
Top hotels in the Dominican Republic
13 properties · All Dominican Republic
Tap any hotel to pick your dates and see live rates.
Local intel
What you need to know
Topic
Getting around DR
Major airports: PUJ (Punta Cana — main resort gateway), SDQ (Santo Domingo — capital), STI (Santiago — north). Most AI resorts include round-trip airport transfers from PUJ; confirm at booking. Samaná connects via Cayo Levantado Resort boat from Samaná Bay.
Browse private transfers →DR quick map
- Punta Cana / Bávaro
- Samaná Bay
- Santo Domingo
Pick a base
Best areas to stay in the DR
Travelers love
Most booked in the DR
Common questions
FAQ about the Dominican Republic
What's included at a Punta Cana all-inclusive?
Standard: room, all meals, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (often premium brands at higher tiers), entertainment, kids clubs, most pool/beach activities. Premium tiers add à-la-carte gourmet, top-shelf liquor and private cabanas. Excursions and spa typically extra.
Punta Cana vs Bávaro vs Bayahibe — which to pick?
Punta Cana for the densest brand AI and easiest PUJ access (30 min). Bávaro for the wide beach and Barceló/Catalonia scale. Bayahibe for quieter Caribbean, diving and Saona Island access. La Romana for Catalonia Royal's luxury adults-only base.
Are Royalton CHIC and Catalonia Royal truly adults-only?
Yes — Royalton CHIC is 18+, Catalonia Royal Bávaro and La Romana are 18+. Hotel Barceló Bávaro Beach is 18+. Enforcement is strict; confirm at booking that all travelers meet the age policy.
Do I need a passport / tourist card?
Yes — valid passport for US/CA/UK. Tourist card $10 USD on arrival (some airlines include it). DR doesn't require a visa for tourist stays for these nationalities.
Best time to visit DR?
December–April for dry winter sun (premium pricing). May, late November for shoulder value. June–November overlaps hurricane risk — peak August–October. Whale season Jan–Mar in Samaná.
How far is Cayo Levantado from Punta Cana?
3.5 hours by car, or 25 min flight Punta Cana → Samaná then resort boat. We typically book Cayo Levantado as a 4–5 night standalone or as a pre/post stay vs Punta Cana.
Are airport transfers included?
Most premium AI resorts (Royalton, Hard Rock, Barceló, Catalonia) include round-trip transfers from PUJ. We confirm transfer inclusion at booking and arrange a private car on request.
What currency to bring?
Dominican Peso (DOP) for local purchases off-resort; USD widely accepted at resorts and tourist areas. Most AI resort spend is included so cash needs are low.
Are there family resorts with kids-eat-free / kids-club?
Most family AI properties include kids menus across all dining and operate kids clubs as drop-off through the day. Royalton Splash, Hard Rock Casino, Barceló Bávaro Palace all have dedicated kids zones.
Hurricane-season cancellation policies?
We strongly recommend our member-rate flexible cancellation tier for stays September–early November. If a named storm impacts your stay, we'll rebook you on equivalent dates at no penalty.
Bucket-list moments
Things to see & do in the DR
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Hoyo Azul Cenote
Vivid turquoise cenote 30m deep in a jungle sinkhole — Scape Park.
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Bávaro Beach
Wide turquoise barrier-reef beach — Travel + Leisure top 10 Caribbean.
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Altos de Chavón
Replica 16th-c Mediterranean village — Casa de Campo art and dining.
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Samaná Whales
Humpback whales in Samaná Bay (Jan–Mar) — boat tours daily from El Catey.
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Zona Colonial
UNESCO Santo Domingo — Calle Las Damas, Catedral Primada de América.
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Cayo Levantado
Tiny private island off Samaná — only one resort, boat-only access.
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Bayahibe Diving
Calm Caribbean dives + Saona snorkeling — kid-friendly entry sites.
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Cabarete Kitesurf
North-coast trade winds — beginner schools, world-cup spot.
About the Dominican Republic
The Caribbean's all-inclusive heartland
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and runs the densest all-inclusive resort lineup in the Caribbean. Punta Cana International (PUJ) is the gateway — 30 minutes from the main resort strip in Punta Cana and Bávaro. The DR's all-inclusive scale runs to multi-resort campuses: Barceló Bávaro Palace alone holds five connected hotels, Hard Rock Punta Cana sits on 121 acres with a casino, and Royalton operates four properties across the strip.
Punta Cana is the easiest entry point. The 30-mile beach strip from Cap Cana to Uvero Alto holds Royalton (CHIC adults-only and Splash family-waterpark), Hard Rock Casino, Impressive, Occidental Caribe, Ocean Blue & Sand. Bávaro, the wider beach segment, anchors Barceló Bávaro Palace and Catalonia. La Romana adds Catalonia Royal La Romana for the luxury adults-only base. Most travelers from US/Canada base in Punta Cana for the airport access; UK travelers split between Punta Cana and Bávaro.
Beyond the resort strip, the DR holds surprises. Samaná, on the northeast peninsula, hides Cayo Levantado — a tiny private island with one resort (Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado), boat-only access and humpback whales in the bay Jan–Mar. Bayahibe, on the south coast, runs quieter Caribbean and Saona Island access. Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is the oldest continuously inhabited European-settled city in the Americas — Embassy Suites by Hilton anchors a 2–3 night cultural extension.
For travelers from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., the DR pairs short flights (3.5 hr from MIA, 7 hr from London) with the Caribbean's most competitive AI pricing. Hurricane season runs June–November with peak risk August–October — we recommend our flexible cancellation tier for shoulder bookings. Whether you're a couple after adults-only Punta Cana, a family after Royalton Splash's waterpark, or a premium traveler heading to Cayo Levantado, our DR selection is built for your Summer 2026 trip.