Dominican Republic
BEST BEACH
Located on the southern tip of Punta Cana, and just far enough from the many resorts, Juanillo Beach features a forest of coconut palms that give way to a lazy coast of white sands. Considered one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic and one of the best in the world, Juanillo’s coral reef shields its coast from rough surf, creating kilometres of serene waters lightly washing Juanillo’s sands.
BEST ART AND CULTURE
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, the Colonial City of Santo Domingo was the first urban settlement in the Dominican Republic. It is also the site of numerous New World firsts – the first cathedral, hospital, palace, paved street and university in the Americas were all built here. The Colonial City is a cultural gem with quaint colonial plazas and narrow streets brimming with Dominican culture in its authentic shops, art galleries, cafes and bars.
BEST AREA FOR NIGHTLIFE
As the sun sets on the Dominican Republic’s east coast, Punta Cana’s famous nightlife begins. Mega clubs like Mangu, Areito and Imagine (a disco inside a cave) attract a mix of visiting tourists and locals from around the country. For a relaxing, local night out, many head to beach bars such as Soles and Photobar. Out and about in Punta Cana, the mix of people is just as varied as its music, with Latin beats, reggaeton, electronic and hip hop.
BEST ACTIVITIES/SPORT
Cabarete is a small, laid-back beach village and the mecca for water sports in the Dominican Republic. The physical make-up of the area and its winds make it ideal for kiteboarding, windsurfing and surfing. Both water sport fanatics and beginners alike flock to Cabarete from around the world. Visitors will find numerous schools that can accommodate any skill level, whether you just want to rent out equipment or get some one-on-one lessons. The surf’s always up in Cabarete.
BEST KEPT SECRET
Exclusivity meets cosiness at the Peninsula House in the Dominican town of Las Terrenas. A boutique guest house, the Peninsula House offers guests pampering service, private gardens and an ocean view restaurant with candlelit dinners, all within a warm home resplendent with Victorian furnishings. Located in the lively beach town of Las Terrenas, the Peninsula House is in close proximity to the town’s wide variety of restaurants, nightlife, beautiful beaches and natural attractions, lsuch as the famous Limon Waterfall.
British Airways offers holidays to Dominican Republic from £869pp. Terms and conditions may apply. See ba.com for details.