- Altos de Chavón - La Romana: This re-created 16th-century Italian village set on the cliffs outside La Romana is home to an extraordinary artistic and cultural center. Cobblestone streets wind among artists' ateliers, where visitors can stop in and watch silk-screeners, ceramicists, and weavers practicing their trades, and buy their wares at galleries and shops. There are also art classrooms where workshops are frequently held (the community is affiliated with the Parsons School of Design in New York) and a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater where headliners like Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana have performed. There's a small entry fee to get into the village (about $5), and two entrances. One is near the Casa de Campo resort; the other is along the highway between La Romana and La Higuey.
- Swim with dolphins in Manatí Park (website: www.manatipark.com). The theme park, near Punta Cana, also includes a zoo, gardens, a recreated Taino village and a variety of exotic animals.
- Encounter a more dangerous type of wildlife on Cabritos Island, a national park in the centre of Lake Enriquillo. It is the greatest preserve of the wild American crocodile and has large populations of flamingos and two species of iguana.
- Wander in awe along the miles of beautiful unspoilt beaches of the Atlantic coast. They are picture-postcard perfect. The most popular is Sosúa; windsurfing and diving are particularly good here.
- Dive an astonishing variety of sites around the island. Reefs, wrecks, caverns and abundant marine life make the island a Mecca for novices and experienced divers alike. Great spots include Cabrera (freshwater cave with an underground lake) and La Caleta National Underwater Park.
- Come over all romantic on the Samaná Peninsula, located on the northern portion of the island. Samaná, with its transparent blue waters, miles of unspoilt beaches, and dozens of caves, is a lovers' paradise.
- Go offshore fishing for marlin, sailfish, dorado, bonito and other game fish. Hotels can organise charter boats for visitors. River fishing in flat-bottomed boats with guides can be arranged at Boca de Yuma and on the north coast.
- Get wet in the islands rapids. White-water rafting is available on the Río Yaque del Norte in Jarabacoa. Tubing (floating down the rapids in individual oversized rubber rings) can also be experienced on a few rivers.Cascading involves climbing up to the top of a waterfall and abseiling down the cascade; the best places to do this are Cascada del Limón, Cascada Ojo de Agua, El Salto de Baiguate and El Salto de Jimenoa.
- Conquer the highest mountain in the Caribbean. Hiking and climbing enthusiasts can ascend Pico Duarte (3,098m/10,160ft) either on foot or by riding a mule.
- Appreciate the charms of colonial Santo Domingo, home to the New World's first university, cathedral and hospital. The city's modern part, by contrast, is a thriving port, equipped with nightclubs, casinos, shops and the Cultural Plaza.
- Visit Los Tres Ojos de Agua (The Three Eyes of Water), a remarkable cave complex, so-called because it contains three turquoise lagoons on three different levels, each fed by an underground river and surrounded by countless stalactites, stalagmites and tropical vegetation.
- Head to San Cristóbal, where the first constitution was signed on 6 November 1844. It features historical sites linked to the life of Trujillo, the dictator who governed the country with an iron fist from 1930-61.
- Stock up on beautiful jewelry on the Amber Coast (northern coast). Some of the world's most beautiful amber is mined here. The Amber Museum houses a good display of amber pieces found nearby (website: www.ambermuseum.com).
- Pay a visit to Fort San Felipe, built in the 1600s by the Spanish to protect the settlement from pirates. It is now a museum and traces its own important role in the history of the Dominican Republic.
- Discover colonial architecture in Puerto Plata (the Silver Port), founded in 1504. The town is cradled between the colonial harbor and the dramatic Mount Isabel de Torres.
- Absorb breathtaking views of the Atlantic and Puerto Plata from Mount Isabel de Torres where a cable car climbs over 760m (2,500ft) above sea level. You can also explore 10 sq km (4 sq miles) of botanical gardens here.
- Bask in the elegance, grace and charm of the Casa de Campo resort in the city of La Romana. Nestled within is Altos de Chavón, a reconstructed 15th-century Mediterranean-style village of culture and art perched on a cliff.
- Watch a game of baseball, which is not only the national sport but also a national obsession; even the smallest communities have floodlit stadiums. The centre of the country's baseball is the industrial seaport of San Pedro de Macoris.
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Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, 100 m2, ocean view right on the point of Cabarete Bay. This Hotel has some of the best occupancy in Cabarete. Read more...
Ocean View, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 263 m2, 3rd floor, furnished condo. Includes fully furnished 50m2 studio and garage. Only 30 meters from Cabarete Beach!! Read more...
