Holidays to Dominican Republic
October 30, 2011 in holidays to dominican republic
Holidays to Dominican Republic – Perfect Family Vacation Destination
Over the years, our family holidays to Dominican Republic have to be one of our ‘all-time favorite’ vacation destinations.
I hope to offer a few holidays to Dominican Republic travel tips to help you get started with your holiday planning or perhaps to think further about visiting this beautiful island.
In fact, over the last 25 years, we have had the pleasure of visiting this wonderful Caribbean Island four times now and certainly intend on returning again, for a number of reasons.
Pristine beaches, white powdery sand, crystal clear water, swaying palm trees in a warm Caribbean breeze make this destination …. Perfect!
Combine all the above together for absolutely perfect family holidays to Dominican Republic!
Here’s a nice short video to get you thinking of a ‘tropical vacation’ and perhaps holidays to Dominican Republic!
Enjoy …
The Dominican Republic is one of the three island groups located in the Greater Antilles and comprising of the many islands of the Caribbean Sea.
The south part of the island borders the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, while to the north you will find the warm clear emerald colors of the Atlantic Ocean.
There are ‘four main areas’ of the island that tourists from all over the world flock to each year. Our family have been to all and I will try to touch on each in this article to give you an idea of what the Island has to offer.
Holidays to Dominican Republic – Choose Your Island Resort
With the Island being the ‘second largest in the Caribbean’, next to Cuba, choices are abundant when it comes to where you and your family would like to stay and on what part.
You can enjoy wonderful Dominican Republic travel deals and enjoy all inclusive family vacations at some of the most beautiful resorts to be found anywhere in the Caribbean!
All the major hotel resort chains can be found in the Dominican. Let’s have a look at some of the popular tourist areas of the island and where you and your family might enjoy your holidays to Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana – Beautiful All Inclusive Dominican Republic Resorts
Without a doubt and the most popular area for tourists taking holidays to Dominican Republic is to the area called … ‘Punta Cana’. This area is located on the eastern portion of the Island bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south.
Beautiful sandy beaches and outstanding resorts in Punta Cana!
Punta Cana’s beaches stretch for nearly 30 miles, you can literally walk for miles along the shoreline! Bavaro Beach Dominican Republic is one of the most popular, surrounded by magnificent resorts. A perfect location for taking the family on tropical all inclusive vacations.
All inclusive Dominican Republic resorts such as:
- Occidental Grand Punta Cana
- Caribe Club Princess Beach Resort & Spa
- Barcelo Punta Cana
- Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana
- Riu Palace
… and the list goes on and on!
An honorable mention should be given to one of the Domincan’s fabulous resorts and where many stay when taking their holidays to Dominican Republic …
Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel – Voted Top 10 all-inclusive resorts in the world! (by Trip Advisor)
The Dominican is the Caribbean’s undeniable frontrunner when it comes to all inclusive Dominican Republic resorts. There are presently more than 24 properties on its shores, ranging from luxury hotels to budget priced accommodations.
Our family have always managed to find great deals to the Dominican, making for excellent cheap family holidays!
Holidays to Dominican Republic – Visit the City of Higuey
Photo by Aaron Tellier
The Historic City of ‘Higuey’, is located within a just a few kilometers of the resort area of Punta Cana and where the airport is located.
The Punta Cana International Airport is convenient to the fine resorts on the coastline and is also one of the busiest in the Caribbean Islands.
‘Higuey’ is famous for its ‘500 year old Cathedral’, where you will find the famous painting of the “Virgen de la Altagracia“.
For more information on Punta Cana, be sure to visit:
… an excellent website filled with great information and tips on holidays to Dominican Republic.
“One of the many beautiful beaches found in the Dominican”
Family Holidays to Dominican Republic – Puerto Plata
Located on the north you will find the City of ‘Puerto Plata’ and the Village of ‘Sosua’.
Another ‘historic city’ filled oozing with history. Puerto Plata is another favourite destination for those taking family holidays to Dominican Republic. Although this resort area is now older than Punta Cana, it is still favoured among many, especially those looking to ‘hit the links’ and do some ‘Golfing’ while on vacation.
There are a number of ‘Dominican Republic golf resorts’ in Puerto Plata area to choose from.
Numerous ‘championship golf courses’ can be found in the Dominican, including the outstanding ‘Playa Grande Golf Course’ has secured the nickname “Pebble Beach of the Caribbean“.
One other favorite golf course located in Puerto Plata is:
Golf – Beaches – Resorts – History in Puerto Plata
The City is serviced with a major international airport serving tourists from all over, making it very convenient to fly directly to the north end of the island. Booking flights to the Dominican Republic is easy and most major carriers fly to this popular island.
Two major attractions in the City and that we as a family have seen first hand are:
- Aerial Tramway … the only aerial tramway to be found in the Caribbean. Located right in the city you can enjoy a ride up to ‘Pico Isabel de Torres’, a 793 meter high mountain. At the top of the mountain you can enjoy a beautiful botanical garden and a replica of ‘Christ the Redeemer’, the famous statue seen in Rio de Janeiro.
- Fort San Felipe … a landmark of the City, this fort built in 1577 still stands for visitors to enjoy. Originally built to protect citizens from English & French ‘Pirates’ who routinely arrived and terrorized locals.
Here at Holidays for Family, if you and your family are taking your holidays to Dominican Republic in this part of the island, we ‘highly recommend’ taking in these 2 sites.
For more information on Puerto Plata and family holidays in the Dominican Republic, I’ve included a helpful link to an informative website for your convenience:
Some favorite area resorts in this region are:
- Viva Wyndham Tangerine Resort
- Iberostar Costa Dorada
- Casa Colonial Beach & Spa
- Barcelo Puerto Plata
Again, just a few listed of the many resort complexes in this area.
Sosua – A Holidays to Dominican Republic Secret
Sosua
Many years ago, 1987 for that matter, my wife and I took ‘our first holiday together’ to the Dominican Republic and at that time, Puerto Plata and the quaint village of ‘Sosua’ were the places to go on the island.
Sosua is commonly referred to as the ‘Acapulco of the Dominican Republic’. This area really is where tourism first began for the island in the 1980’s.
We have since returned with our children and although ‘not as popular’ now as the newer resorts of Punta Cana, for those seeking a quieter more laid back location, ‘Sosua’ still is a nice place to spend your family vacation.
Sosua Bay – Perfect for the Whole Family
“Beautiful Sosua Bay – Dominican Republic”
Sosua Bay is a ‘lovely protected beach’ that stretches over one kilometer. Soft sand, clear water and protected waters make this area very safe for swimming for the entire family.
Sosua is a perfect family holidays to Dominican Republic destination!
There are some lovely smaller resorts in the area, including all inclusive and offering ‘very good value’ in comparison to the higher end resorts in Punta Cana.
Two such resorts that we have had the pleasure of staying at are:
Very nice properties, great location, clean and comfortable!
There’s lot’s to keep everyone busy if choosing to take your family holidays to the Dominican Republic in this region as well.
Explore Cayo Levantado – White Sand & Turquoise Waters
One enjoyable ‘day trip adventure’ worth exploring and that our family thoroughly enjoyed, was an excursion to a small island called … ‘Cayo Levantado’.
Samana, a City of over 52,000, is in north eastern part of the Dominican Republic. This is the main ‘Cruise ship port’ for the island. ‘Cayo Levantado’ or commonly referred to as … ‘Bacardi Island’,is a tiny island located in Samana Bay.
‘An enjoyable day trip, with a lunch stop at a local café, boat ride and pleasant safe swimming in crystal clear waters and BBQ buffet on the island.’
Tours to ‘Cayo Levantado’ can be easily booked from any one of the hotels you may be staying at.
For those looking for a quiet get a way, without the crowds, there are a few lovely resorts in Samana.
“Dominican Kids Sailing their homemade rafts”
A couple of the best Dominican Republic resorts in Samana are …
- Gran Bahia Princicpe
- Cayo Levantado
- Hotel Samana
Just a couple to check out when planning holidays for family tropical escapes!
Holidays to Dominican Republic – Don’t Forget La Romana & Bayahibe
It was while on one of our family holidays to the Dominican Republic that we discovered this beautiful part of the island on the Caribbean Sea!
‘Without a doubt … my most favorite part of the Island!’
‘Bayahibe’ is a very small fishing village on the south end of the island and located approximately ten miles from the City of ‘La Romana’.
‘La Romana’ is the third largest City in the Dominican with a population well over 250,000. A very popular tourist destination as well, also serviced with an international airport for travelers. La Romana Dominican Republic resorts are among the finest found on the island as well.
Bayahibe is quiet, away from the hustle and bustle, yet still has a few lovely all – inclusive resorts to choose from located on the shores of the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Soft sand, crystal clear water, great swimming and relaxation are found in Bayahibe!
We found this beautiful hide a way as a result of a day ‘snorkeling excursion’ we embarked on while vacationing in Punta Cana.
“Our beautiful resort in Bayahibe – Dominican Republic”
Family Holidays to Dominican Republic and Saona Island
Our snorkeling adventure was to the beautiful tropical island called ‘Saona’. This truly is a ‘tropical paradise’ that would be hard to find anywhere else in the Caribbean!
This is a fantastic day trip adventure for the whole family if you love white sand, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and solitude!
There are a few resorts located in Bayahibe, but not like that of Punta Cana. For example, here you’ll find:
- Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus
- Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach ( We stayed at this resort!)
- Dreams La Romana
A 30 minute exciting boat ride to this tiny Caribbean Island!
From the shores of our resort, we enjoyed a high speed boat ride, passing thru a lovely National Park ending up on the shores of this majestic tiny island in paradise!
Swim, snorkel, enjoy ‘Cuba Libre’s’, buffet BBQ lunch and more!
A wonderful tropical excursion for the entire family!
Saona Island
Head off to Catalina Island for Crystal Clear Waters!
As well, one other day excursion from this area is to ‘Catalina Island.’ This is a similar island to Saona, but in the opposite direction. If you happen to book one of those all inclusive cruise deals and sail in this part of the Caribbean, you could end up enjoying a stop – over at ‘Catalina Island’ and the port of La Romana.
Another lovely little tropical island to escape to when enjoying family holidays in the Dominican Republic.
I could go on and on writing about this lovely ‘Island in Paradise’. The Dominican Republic has and still is one of the most favorite tropical ‘Holidays for Family’ destinations in the world and it’s no wonder why!
” Brave Helicopter Pilot as we watch utterly amazed!”
Great weather, beaches, food and people in a tropical paradise!
I’ve listed a couple of helpful websites for you to look at on the Dominican Republic to review when looking for family vacation ideas!
There are affordable vacation packages to Dominican Republic. Why not think about holidays to Dominican Republic for your next family vacation!
Holidays for Family Survey
Here at Holidays for Family your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Please fill out the ‘comment box‘ below and share your input with our readers!
For example …
- Where in the Dominican did you visit?
- Are you planning a holiday to the DR?
- What do you like most about the Dominican?
- Did you stay at an All Inclusive Resort?
- Would you return to the Dominican?
- What did you like least?
- Would you recommend the DR to family and friends?
Be sure to return often and hear what others have to say about their travel experiences!
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Here’s a handy ‘Holidays to Dominican Republic Guide‘ courtesy of Trip Advisor for you to download for your convenience.
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Happy travels!
Robert Tellier
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There’s nothing better than all inclusive holidays to Dominican Republic!
