Things to do in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean today, mainly because of the wealth of things to do out here. This country is one of the best places on the planet to come windsurfing and kite boarding as well as snorkeling, diving and whale watching.

If you enjoy windsurfing or kite boarding, or if you wish to learn how to do either, then the town of Cabarete is the place to come, along the northern coast. The windsurfing and kite boarding here are truly out of this world, with strong winds, shallow waters and a rock free shoreline. The best time to come here is between May and July, when the winds blow the strongest. You can find plenty of windsurfing and kite boarding rentals as well as instructors out here. The surfing in Cabarete is also excellent with some huge waves to be found west of the city at Playa Encuentro.

The snorkeling and diving are superb in the Dominican Republic, with a number of dive destinations to choose from. Along the southern coast of the country you have the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea ideal for diving with excellent underwater clarity and an abundance of tropical fish. The waters here offer some great dives for novices as well as experts. On the northern cost the underwater landscape changes and the waters are slightly cooler to dive in, however, the diving here is spectacular with underwater canyons, caverns and rocky outcrops to explore.

On the Samana Peninsula you can go diving at Las Galeras. Here at Cabo Cabron you can find some of the best diving in the country. There is a fantastic underwater cave here to explore, while the waters here are home to green morays, sea turtles, spotting jacks and barracudas. You can also enjoy a number of water sports in the area at the various beaches in Las Galeras. There is some good diving and snorkeling on hand in Las Terrenas as well.

The whale watching in the Dominican Republic is incredible as you get to see these gentle giants of the sea up close and personal. From January to March, humpback whales migrate to breed to the waters of the Samana Peninsula, making it one of the best places in the world to experience the beautiful creatures first hand. Here you will see the whales play, lift their tails, slap their flippers, sing and leap out of the water. A truly memorable experience, whale watching is a fun activity for the entire family.

If you ever get tired of all the water based activities, you can enjoy some great activities on land as well including hiking and mountain biking. The Dominican Republic offers some good hikes inland in the town of Jarabacoa, here you can climb the highest peak in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte. Some adventure activities you can enjoy out here as well include whitewater rafting and canyoning. If you enjoy mountain biking, then head to Cabarete, where you can find numerous trails, tours and multi day excursions. For some good golfing, bowling and go-carting visit Bavaro and Punta Cana.