Playa Moron is one of the gorgeous Samana Peninsula's smaller beaches. Visitors have a good chance of spotting a humpback whale during the January-March mating season.
Playa Moron —
Playa Moron is one of the gorgeous Samana Peninsula's smaller beaches. Visitors have a good chance of spotting a humpback whale during the January-March mating season.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
It's a mile-and-a-half trek through the jungle to get to the top of the cascades. The reward is the 130-feet-high El Salto del Limon, which flows into a natural pool that's great for swimming.
El Salto del Limon waterfall, Samana —
It's a mile-and-a-half trek through the jungle to get to the top of the cascades. The reward is the 130-feet-high El Salto del Limon, which flows into a natural pool that's great for swimming.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Dating to 1512, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo is widely considered the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Gothic architecture, 500-year-old mahogany doors and the former site of Christopher Columbus' tomb all wow visitors.
Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor —
Dating to 1512, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo is widely considered the oldest cathedral in the Americas. Gothic architecture, 500-year-old mahogany doors and the former site of Christopher Columbus' tomb all wow visitors.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
A popular excursion in Puerto Plata is the "teleferico" tour. Panoramic views of the city and ocean can be seen from the cable cars. A massive statue of Jesus Christ stands at the top of Mount Isabel de Torres.
Puerto Plata 'teleferico' —
A popular excursion in Puerto Plata is the "teleferico" tour. Panoramic views of the city and ocean can be seen from the cable cars. A massive statue of Jesus Christ stands at the top of Mount Isabel de Torres.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
The protected forest of Los Haitises has limited road access. It's become a popular eco-tourism destination, with most visitors arriving by boat. A variety of geographical landscapes are found in the region.
Los Haitises —
The protected forest of Los Haitises has limited road access. It's become a popular eco-tourism destination, with most visitors arriving by boat. A variety of geographical landscapes are found in the region.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Altos de Chavon is a massive replica 16th-century Mediterranean village. It's home to a cultural center, an archeological museum and an amphitheater, but just walking around is impressive.
Altos de Chavon, La Romana —
Altos de Chavon is a massive replica 16th-century Mediterranean village. It's home to a cultural center, an archeological museum and an amphitheater, but just walking around is impressive.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Bayahibe Beach has a bar and a lighthouse and not much else, but it's known as one of the nicest places in the country to watch a sunset.
Playa Bayahibe, La Romana —
Bayahibe Beach has a bar and a lighthouse and not much else, but it's known as one of the nicest places in the country to watch a sunset.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Juanilo Beach is a calm, secluded public beach on the country's East Coast.
Juanilo Beach, Punta Cana —
Juanilo Beach is a calm, secluded public beach on the country's East Coast.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
The Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration of the Republic is an eight-story structure dedicated to Dominican soldiers who fought the final War of Independence against Spain.
Heroes de la Restauracion Monument, Santiago —
The Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration of the Republic is an eight-story structure dedicated to Dominican soldiers who fought the final War of Independence against Spain.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
From pro stadiums to dirt lots, any baseball field is a place of beauty in a country obsessed with the game. The DR sends more players to Major League Baseball than any country outside the United States, with 83 players on the list of Opening Day 2015 rosters.
Baseball fields —
From pro stadiums to dirt lots, any baseball field is a place of beauty in a country obsessed with the game. The DR sends more players to Major League Baseball than any country outside the United States, with 83 players on the list of Opening Day 2015 rosters.
Ezra Shaw
The sand dunes of Barahona are the largest in the Caribbean. The flora of the area (cactus and shrubs) differs from the rest of the country. Barahona is also home to the largest lake in the Caribbean and a highway along the coast with breathtaking vistas.
Bani Dunes, Barahona —
The sand dunes of Barahona are the largest in the Caribbean. The flora of the area (cactus and shrubs) differs from the rest of the country. Barahona is also home to the largest lake in the Caribbean and a highway along the coast with breathtaking vistas.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
In Damajagua, you can hike an hour up a mountain and slide or jump down 27 waterfalls.
Damajagua, Puerto Plata —
In Damajagua, you can hike an hour up a mountain and slide or jump down 27 waterfalls.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Punta Cana is a popular tourist and wedding destination, known for its impeccable white sand beaches.
Punta Cana —
Punta Cana is a popular tourist and wedding destination, known for its impeccable white sand beaches.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Remains of the first European settlement in the Americas are located in Puerto Plata. Christopher Columbus made landfall here in 1492.
Ancient Puerto Plata —
Remains of the first European settlement in the Americas are located in Puerto Plata. Christopher Columbus made landfall here in 1492.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
El Morro of Montecristi rises 794 feet above sea level and is known as the guardian of the ancient city.
El Morro, Montecristi —
El Morro of Montecristi rises 794 feet above sea level and is known as the guardian of the ancient city.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Playa Rincon is located about 15 miles from the port of Samana on the northeast coast. The secluded beach stretches for two miles with only a few restaurants and bars.
Playa Rincon, Samana —
Playa Rincon is located about 15 miles from the port of Samana on the northeast coast. The secluded beach stretches for two miles with only a few restaurants and bars.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
The fort was built in 1502 to protect Santo Domingo from pirates and foreign invaders. Visitors can take stairs to the top for panoramic views.
Fortaleza Ozama Museum —
The fort was built in 1502 to protect Santo Domingo from pirates and foreign invaders. Visitors can take stairs to the top for panoramic views.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Santo Domingo's National Palace has never actually been the home of the Dominican president. It's used as an office building. The interior is decorated with mahogany furniture, gold and paintings from Dominican artists.
Palacio Nacional —
Santo Domingo's National Palace has never actually been the home of the Dominican president. It's used as an office building. The interior is decorated with mahogany furniture, gold and paintings from Dominican artists.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
These gigantic caves are home to more than 250 Taino cave drawings. The experience isn't complete without seeing the cave's stalactites, stalagmites and bat holes!
Cueva de las Maravillas —
These gigantic caves are home to more than 250 Taino cave drawings. The experience isn't complete without seeing the cave's stalactites, stalagmites and bat holes!
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
The Basilica of Higuey is one of the most important symbols in the Dominican Republic. The huge arch is about 262 feet high and gives the impression of praying hands.
La Basilica de Higuey —
The Basilica of Higuey is one of the most important symbols in the Dominican Republic. The huge arch is about 262 feet high and gives the impression of praying hands.
Misael Rincon
OK, it's not technically a place but we can't resist mentioning the beauty, color and uniquely Dominican spirit of February Carnival celebrations throughout the country.
Carnival celebrations —
OK, it's not technically a place but we can't resist mentioning the beauty, color and uniquely Dominican spirit of February Carnival celebrations throughout the country.
Misael Rincon