Hidden Gems in the Dominican Republic

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The sandy shores and sunny weather of the Dominican Republic attract millions of vacationers each year, with roughly two-thirds of these travelers planning to hit the beach in Punta Cana. However, this island nation has far more to explore than the buzz and all-inclusives of its most popular region. Expand your horizons with these hidden gems and under-the-radar activities in the Dominican Republic. 

Explore the Cueva de las Maravillas

Cueva de las Maravillas, or Cave of Wonders, is a pristinely preserved remnant of the country’s long history. This cavern, buried 85 feet below ground, is filled with over 470 Taino pictographs showing everything from abstract patterns and designs to human figures. You can’t enter the cave alone, but guided tours are usually conducted in small intimate groups so each tour can spend personalized time in the space. The infrastructure makes it easy to navigate the caves, with adequate lighting and maintained footpaths throughout. It takes about an hour to tour the entire cave system. Aside from the vast catalogue of culture, the natural cave itself is a sight to behold, with stalagmites, stalactites, and towering ceilings. 

Where to Stay: Bahia Principe Grand La Romana is a family-friendly resort twelve minutes from the Cueva de las Maravillas with six restaurants, a pool, a spa, and an onsite dance club. 

Visit Vibrant Samaná

Beachgoers who want to avoid packed Punta Cana should look toward the island’s Samaná peninsula. The beaches in the eastern portion of the peninsula are less crowded but no less beautiful, with the white sands of Playa Rincon being a regional favorite. Adventure travelers will love Samaná’s several underwater caves, from the ominous Boca del Diablo with its steam spout or Cueva de Chopa that cracks the rocky coast in half. These caves are less frequented than the ones at Bayahibe or around Tres Ojos Park. For travelers who’d rather be where the buzz is, head west toward the bustling La Terranas, a town with equally stunning beaches and more nightlife. 

Where to Stay: Check out Ocama, just a 21 minute drive from Playa Rincon and within walking distance to multiple other beaches.  If you plan to visit popular Las Terranas, check in to Punta Poppy Boutique Hotel or Leeloo Boutique Hotel.  

Swim at the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

This 1,500 acre park houses over 36 unique species of plants and hundreds of species of animals, including the endangered Ridgeway Hawk, an incredibly rare bird with fewer than 500 members of the species left. There are twelve stunning lagoons in the reserve where you can relax and swim. Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a good alternative to Tres Ojos Park, an area just outside of Santo Domingo that is popular with visiting tourists. While it’s not necessarily less crowded—it is located in popular Punta Cana—it is much larger and offers more space for crowds to disperse and explore, especially if you visit early in the morning.

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Where to Stay: Tortuga Bay Hotel, the closest resort to the park, offers Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park excursions as does Club Med Punta Cana a few miles up the coast.  For a slightly more affordable stay, consider Hotel Casa don Luis, a highly-reviewed boutique property just twenty minutes from the reserve. 

Catch a Baseball Game at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal

A major landmark in the country since its construction in the 1940s, Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal is not exactly a hidden gem. However, it often slips by unnoticed on traveler’s sun-and-sand-filled itineraries. Baseball is the national sport in the Dominican Republic and the country has a reputation for producing world-renowned players, such as Boston’s beloved ‘Big Papi’ David Ortiz. The Dominican Baseball League season runs from October through January, although the stadium remains open to visitors and practicing teams during the off season. Spend a sunny afternoon in the company of fellow passionate baseball fans and follow it up with a bite to eat from the numerous food stalls that dot the streets around the stadium.

Where to Stay: Barceló Santo Domingo is a fifteen minute commute from the stadium and offers a swimming pool, spa, and a bookable shuttle service for day trips. 

Hike Pico Duarte

At over 10,000 feet, Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean. This trek is known to be a test endurance, with many hikers choosing to complete it over the course of two or three days. The most popular trail begins in the town of La Ciénaga and is a twenty-five mile roundtrip. Book an experienced local guide to keep you on track, help you camp safely, and lend their regional expertise to your journey. For those who’d rather skip the hike but still enjoy the surrounding nature, the abutting national parks—José del Carmen Ramírez National Park and Armando Bermúdez National Park—offer zip-lining, rappelling, birdwatching, and more.

Where to Stay: The entrance to Pico Duarte can be difficult to reach. Hotels in nearby Jarabacoa, like Hotel Gran Jimenoa, combined with guided tours that offer transportation to the park entrance are the best bet.  

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