Dominican Republic Holidays

Dominican Republic holidays in the Caribbean are the full package: white-sand beaches, all-inclusive resorts where everything's sorted before you land, and enough sunshine to last you all year.

Holidays to the Dominican Republic 2026 Highlights

• All-inclusive paradise – the Dominican Republic is built for all-inclusive holidays in the Caribbean. Meals, drinks, entertainment and beach are all included, so you don't need your wallet after check-in.

• Beaches that look photoshopped – Bavaro, Juanillo, Playa Rincon. White sand, turquoise water, palm trees leaning at exactly the right angle. The Caribbean at its absolute best.

• Seriously good value – the Dominican Republic is one of the cheapest Caribbean destinations for package holidays. Your money stretches further here than on most islands, especially on all-inclusive deals.

• Year-round warmth – temperatures barely dip below 28°C. There's no bad time to visit the Dominican Republic, just a wet season that brings short, sharp downpours and cheaper hotel prices.

• Culture beyond the resort – Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is the oldest European settlement in the Americas. Whale watching in Samana Bay, zip-lining in Scape Park, hiking Pico Duarte. There's a whole country beyond the pool bar.

• Family and couples in equal measure – from Nickelodeon-themed waterpark resorts to adults-only retreats on quiet stretches of coast, Dominican Republic holidays cater to every type of trip.

Good to know - Dominican Republic Holidays 2026 / 2027

• Fun Fact - the Dominican Republic is the only place in the world where you can find the Rhinoceros Iguana! 

• Best Beach - it’s got to be Bávaro Beach, hands down! With soft, white sand, turquoise waves, and the chance to swim with dolphins or snorkel among vibrant reefs, Bávaro is the epitome of paradise. What more could you possibly need? This beach has it all for a picture-perfect escape! 

• Price of a Pint - around 250 Dominican Pesos (RD), which is approximately £3.50

All Inclusive Holidays in the Dominican Republic

If you’re after a slice of paradise for your next getaway, why not go all-inclusive to the Dominican Republic? That way, you can focus on topping up your tan, diving into the island’s delicious Caribbean food, and enjoying all the cocktails you can drink before heading out into the vibrant nightlife - all with zero worries. Whether you want to bring the kids along on your all-inclusive jolly or just want to share it with your special someone, the Dominican Republic's all-inclusive resorts help you live like a king on the budget of a monk.

Local Lingo – Talk Like a Dominican

The Dominican Republic brings the energy, and the language matches it. Spanish is the main language, but it’s fast, full of slang, and comes with a Caribbean twist. Learn a few of these, and you’ll fit right in (or at least sound like you know what you’re doing)

• Gracias (GRATH-ee-ass) – Thank you. Always appreciated, especially after that second cocktail.

• Una cerveza, por favor (OO-nah ser-VEH-sah por fah-VOR) – One beer, please. This phrase will be doing serious work on your Dominican Republic holiday.

• "Un frío" - literally "a cold one" - usually referring to an ice-cold Presidente beer on a hot beach day.

• "¿Qué lo que?" (pronounced keh-lo-keh) - the ultimate Dominican greeting. Translation: "What's up?" or "What's happening?" Use this with your bartender for instant legend status.

• "Tuto bien" / "Tranquilo" - everything’s good, relaxed, no worries. The unofficial motto of the island.

• "Concho" - local shared taxis or minibuses running short routes around town.

• Vaina (VAI-nah) – The ultimate all-purpose word. Means thing, stuff, or basically anything, depending on context. Confusing at first, but you'll get it.

• "Bachata & Merengue" - not slang, but the heartbeat of the island. These two infectious music and dance genres spill out of every beach bar, corner shop, and resort terrace in the country.

Dominican Republic Holidays are Perfect for You If...

• All-inclusive is your religion - and you want to go to the destination that practically invented the concept of luxury on a budget.

• You’ve been searching for a Caribbean holiday that looks like a million dollars on Instagram without costing anywhere near it.

• The kids need a Nickelodeon-themed waterpark resort, you need a swim-up cocktail bar, and the Dominican Republic delivers both on the same booking.

• You want white sand and turquoise water so bright they look photoshopped, except you're actually standing in them with a cold drink.

• A catamaran trip to a deserted island, a whale-watching excursion, and a tour of the Americas' oldest colonial city all belong on your bucket list.

• You're done debating which Caribbean island to pick and just want the one that wins on value, beaches, and top-tier weather every single time.

Where to stay on your Dominican Republic holidays

The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean's absolute superstars! Year-round sunshine, some of the most gorgeous beaches you'll ever clap eyes on, friendly locals who'll make you feel like family, and it's brilliant value for money compared to loads of other Caribbean islands. The food's incredible (wait till you try the fresh seafood!) There's proper culture and history to explore if you fancy it, and the music and dancing scene is infectious. Plus, it's dead easy to get to from the UK with loads of direct flights.

When it comes to picking where to stay, these four resort areas are the absolute cream of the crop:

Punta Cana: Mega Resorts & Caribbean Sunshine

If you picture endless white sand, swaying palm trees, and sprawling beachfront resorts where you don't have to lift a finger, Punta Cana is the undisputed poster child of the island. It boasts a lively nightlife scene, endless dining options, and seamless airport transfers that'll have you on a sunbed in 20 minutes flat.

• Ideal for - families who need endless activities, couples seeking romantic beachfront luxury, and groups looking for lively evening vibes.

• Explore the area - take a look at our full range of Punta Cana holidays and handpicked resort deals.

Bávaro: Laid-Back Palms & Local Charm

Sitting right next door to its busier neighbour, Bávaro serves up the same world-class coastline with a noticeably more chilled-out atmosphere. It offers quieter stretches of sand, a touch more local Dominican flavour, and easy access to authentic beach shacks and markets.

• Ideal for - families who want the convenience of Punta Cana without the crowds, and couples after a low-key romantic getaway.

• Explore the area - browse our latest Bávaro holidays for beachside bliss.

Uvero Alto: Secluded Luxury & Pure Relaxation

Tucked away on a peaceful, less-developed stretch of the northern coconut coast, Uvero Alto is all about upscale tranquillity. The beaches here are wide, golden, and blissfully uncrowded, flanked by boutique luxury resorts that specialise in serious rest and relaxation.

• Ideal for - honeymooners, adults-only getaways, and anyone looking to unplug in style.

• Explore the area - find your dream luxury escape with our top-notch Uvero Alto holidays.

Bayahibe: Calm Waters & Authentic Coastal Life

Located on the island's southern Caribbean coast, Bayahibe is a picture-perfect fishing village with calm, shallow waters that look like a swimming pool. Beyond its laid-back, authentic charm, it’s also the primary launching pad for catamaran day trips out to Saona Island and offers some of the best coral reef snorkelling in the country.

• Ideal for - families with little ones who need gentle swimming waters, water-sports lovers, and travellers wanting a taste of real Dominican life.

• Explore the area - discover our family-friendly Bayahibe holidays now!

The best hotels for your holidays to Dominican Republic

From splashy family resorts with waterparks to swanky adults-only retreats, Dominican Republic hotels have something for everyone. All of our picks below are all-inclusive (free-bar get in!) If you want more choice, then browse all our Dominican Republic hotels to find your perfect match.

Couples

• Secrets Cap Cana is an adults-only five-star on stunning Juanillo Beach with swim-out suites, gourmet dining and 24-hour room service. The kind of place where you genuinely forget what day it is.

• Barcelo Bavaro Beach - Adults Only gives you all the perks of the Barcelo Palace complex (golf, casino, spa, nine restaurants) in a peaceful adults-only setting on Bavaro Beach.

• Secrets Royal Beach - Adults Only delivers Unlimited-Luxury in Bavaro with 24-hour room service, a daily refreshed minibar and the Sip, Savor & See programme so you can dine at sister resorts too.

• Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville - Adults Only has six a la carte restaurants, a swim-up bar and beachfront views near La Romana. Quieter and more intimate than the Punta Cana mega-resorts.

• Breathless Punta Cana - Adults Only brings stylish suites with private balcony whirlpools in Uvero Alto, plus pool parties, themed nights and live music. Social, lively and proper fun.

Families

• Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana has private suite pools, character meet-and-greets and a very real chance of getting slimed. If the kids love SpongeBob, good luck ever getting them to leave.

• Dreams Flora Resort & Spa offers a waterpark, Explorer's Club for the little ones, Core Zone for the teens, and swim-out family suites right on Bavaro Beach. Everyone's sorted.

• Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a massive five-star on Bavaro Beach with nine restaurants, a waterpark, golf course and Premium Level suites with hot tubs if you fancy treating yourselves.

• Sunscape Coco Punta Cana sits just 10 minutes from Punta Cana airport, with seven pools, 13 restaurants and even a mocktail bar for the kids. The Unlimited-Fun setup means zero stress.

• Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa is on the calmer Caribbean coast in Bayahibe, brilliant for younger kids who prefer gentler waves. Waterpark, kids' clubs and Saona Island day trips on your doorstep.

Luxury

• Sanctuary Cap Cana - Adults Only has five pools, a private beach, swim-out villas, butler service and five gourmet restaurants. If you're celebrating something special, this is the one.

• Iberostar Selection Coral Bavaro is an exclusive oceanfront resort on Bavaro Beach with 24-hour concierge, daily-restocked minibar and pool-access suites.

Groups

• Barcelo Bavaro Palace is big enough to absorb any group, with nine restaurants, a waterpark, casino and golf course keeping everyone entertained on a single all-inclusive package deal.

• Dreams Flora Resort & Spa works for mixed groups (families and couples) since it has kids' zones and adult areas side by side, and the all-inclusive means no bill-splitting arguments.

• Breathless Punta Cana - Adults Only is the social pick for adult groups: pool parties, themed nights, live music and a lively atmosphere without the family resort quietness.

Value

• Sunscape Coco Punta Cana is the value champion: close to the airport, seven pools, 13 restaurants and the Unlimited-Fun all-inclusive at a price that consistently undercuts the competition. One of the cheapest quality all-inclusive package deals in the Dominican Republic.

• Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa offers strong all-inclusive value on the quieter south coast, with waterpark, kids' clubs and Saona Island access at a lower price point than the Punta Cana mega-resorts.

• Barcelo Bavaro Palace packs an enormous amount into the all-inclusive (nine restaurants, waterpark, golf, casino) at a per-person price that makes it one of the best-value five-stars in the Caribbean.

👉 All hotels in the Dominican Republic

What are the best beaches to visit in the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic isn’t short on coastline, but these showstoppers are the ones that really deliver those “wish you were here” vibes:

• Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana - the queen of Dominican beaches. Long, dreamy white sand, calm turquoise waves and a ton of beachfront hotels, bars and water sports. Perfect for families, couples and anyone who likes their beach days with zero effort required.

• Juanillo Beach, Cap Cana - think exclusive, elegant and ridiculously scenic. Shallow, crystal-clear water, swaying palms and chic beach clubs where you can sip cocktails with your toes in the sand. Couples and luxe-lovers, this one's basically your natural habitat.

• Playa Macao, Punta Cana - a little wilder, a little breezier and a lot more adventurous. Great for surfers, beach walkers and anyone who prefers “untouched beauty” over perfectly lined-up sunbeds. Plus, the waves here bring big-time fun.

• Playa Bayahibe, Bayahibe - calm Caribbean Sea, colourful boats bobbing offshore and some of the clearest snorkelling waters around. Ideal for families with little ones, chilled-out swimmers and travellers who love a beach with proper local charm.

• Playa Rincon, Samana - the kind of untouched, remote stunner you see on travel posters and assume must be Photoshopped. Lush mountains behind you, gin-clear water in front of you and barely another soul around. Absolutely made for explorers.

Dominican Republic holidays 2026 travel guide

Families

• Manati Park, Punta Cana, lets kids get up close with dolphins, parrots and iguanas, a proper Caribbean wildlife day.

• Scape Park at Cap Cana is zip lines, water caves and jungle trails packed into one day of thrills, genuinely one of the best family excursions in the Dominican Republic.

• Bavaro Adventure Park has paintball, bungee trampolines and a Dino World that younger kids go mad for.

• Aqualandia at the resort ... actually, the splash zones and waterparks at the all-inclusive hotels (Nickelodeon, Dreams Flora, Barcelo Palace) are the family water fun here. Most Dominican Republic package holidays include them.

Couples

• A sunset cruise along the Punta Cana coastline with champagne and the sky turning every colour going. The low-effort romantic move that earns you points for weeks.

• Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial is the oldest European settlement in the Americas, with cobbled streets, 16th-century cathedrals and tapas bars that feel a world away from the resort strip.

• A beachside spa day at one of the all-inclusive resorts, a couple's massage followed by a candlelit dinner on the sand. The Dominican Republic does this better than almost anywhere in the Caribbean.

Groups

• A catamaran party cruise in Punta Cana with snorkelling, dancing and tropical drinks is the classic group day out in the Dominican Republic.

• 27 Charcos de Damajagua is a series of waterfalls where you hike, slide and jump through natural pools, properly exhilarating, and the group photos are always ridiculous.

• A day trip to Saona Island by speedboat gives you pristine Caribbean beaches, crystal-clear swimming and a natural sandbar where you stand in the sea with a rum punch. Peak group-photo territory.

• Coco Bongo Show & Disco in Punta Cana is acrobatics, live performances and a dance floor that goes until the small hours. The big group night out.

More places to visit:

• Jamaica – Reggae, jerk chicken, rum punch and some of the most laid-back beaches in the Caribbean. A holiday with a soundtrack built in.

• Barbados – the Caribbean island that does everything: platinum-coast luxury on one side, surfer beaches on the other, and rum distilleries everywhere in between.

• Cuba – classic cars, crumbling colonial architecture, live salsa on every corner and beaches that rival anywhere in the Caribbean. A holiday that feels like stepping into another era.

• Antigua – 365 beaches (one for every day of the year, as the locals say), English Harbour's yachting scene, and a quieter, more refined Caribbean pace.

• Mexico – Caribbean-coast resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, ancient Mayan ruins, cenote swimming and a food scene worth crossing an ocean for.