Most people who travel to the Caribbean go to the Dominican Republic. In 2019, more than seven million people from all over the world will visit this beautiful tropical island country, and for good reason: there are so many amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is called a “micro-continent” because it has a little bit of almost everything, from warm, blue beaches to cold, pine-covered mountain towns. But even though the Dominican Republic has a lot of great places to visit, tourists don’t always go to the same places. Here is a guide to 40+ amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic from a Dominican-American who has traveled all over the country many times. This is to encourage people to go beyond the beach resorts.

Good news! Visitors from France who are going to the Dominican Republic do not have to show a negative PCR test when they get there. You only have to sign up on the immigration website, which will give you a QR code right away.

To go back to France, you will need a full vaccination pass, a certificate of recovery, a PCR test from within the last 72 hours, or an antigen test from within the last 48 hours.

Since the Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean, the best time to go is from December to April, when the weather is warm (at least 26°C during the day) and the air is cooled by light winds. Still, if you come between the end of January and the end of March, you might be able to see whales that come to the island to breed.

But watch out for the wet season in the Dominican Republic. From May to October, there are a lot of tropical rains.

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This is a full-day hike in the beautiful province of Barahona that is split into two parts. This beautiful hike takes you through a jungle and past a number of crystal-clear blue pools surrounded by limestone rocks. Both the La Plaza and La Cueva parts of the hike are well worth it, and there are several gems along the way. It is not paved because it is a wild area, so it is not an easy hike. You have to figure out how to get through by climbing over rocks, jumping down, jumping over, swimming, sliding, crawling, and climbing up natural “second floors” without stairs. It’s like the best obstacle course and hike ever put together. A workout for the whole body in a beautiful place.

I think you should go to La Romana, which is 1 hour south of Punta Cana.

On the way, you can stop at the famous Marina de Casa de Campo at the mouth of the Chavón River. Then, go 4 km north to the town of Altos de Chavón, which you can’t miss. This town is a recreation of a Mediterranean village from the 16th century. It has an amphitheater and many studios for artists. It is known as the “Ciudad de los Artistas” (City of Artists) and has become one of the cultural landmarks of the area.

You can go to the Duarte Central Park in La Romana, which is right in front of the Santa Rosa de Lima church, among other places.

One of the rarest gems in the world is larimar. It can only be found in the Dominican Republic, and there is only one mine, in the province of Barahona. This makes it one of the most interesting places to visit in the Dominican Republic. So don’t miss the chance of a lifetime to see how a group of local miners get this rare gem out of the ground. To get to the mining area, you will need a 4×4 SUV.

Please keep in mind that this experience is not meant to promote poverty tourism. Instead, it is meant to show how locals have set up a community mining system to get one of the rarest gemstones in the world. Please don’t use people who live there, especially their kids, as props in your photos. And please give tips to the workers who took time out of their day to show you around.

While you’re looking at the beautiful coastline of Barahona, stop and go shopping! Buy a beautiful piece of larimar gemstone from a small business in your area to help them out. Some roadside stands sell them in their natural state, after they have been polished, or as jewelry. No matter what kind of larimar you choose, it will make a beautiful gift.

I think you should go to Saona Island and Catalina Island on your second day in the Dominican Republic. These are the most beautiful islands in the south of the Dominican Republic. Snorkeling fans will love them, and the beaches are like heaven.

Here, I booked a day trip to Saona that included food and drinks. You’ll pay less than if you booked through a hotel, and you’re guaranteed a seat.

Those who like to scuba dive will also find something to enjoy. I was able to dive near a wreck that even new divers could get to. You can trust Ital Cruise because the manager speaks French and the team is great.

Stop at the beautiful Los Patos Beach and River on your way through Barahona for a lunch of fresh seafood. Kathy’s restaurant is my favorite place. It’s right on the beach and in a quieter part of town. Her restaurant has been run by women as a small business for many years. The kitchen is always clean and the food is delicious.

The national park of Los Tres Ojos is at the edge of the city. Even though not many tourists know about it, it is a must-see in the Dominican Republic, especially if you are near Santo Domingo.

For 200 pesos (about 3 euros) per person, you can visit this 50-meter-deep, open-air limestone cave with three small lakes. I suggest you take the small boat at the bottom of the cave ($50 pesos or €0.80 per person) to get to the last lake. The crossing takes only one minute, and on the other side, you’ll see a beautiful view of the lake, which is also called El Cuarto Lago, or the 4th lake.