What to See Across the Dominican Republic

Why go

This is a set of contrasting trips, not a route to follow in order. In the southwest, Bahía de las Águilas, Lago de Oviedo and Jaragua National Park connect coast, lagoon and dry forest. The north coast links Puerto Plata with the different beach towns of Sosúa and Cabarete. Inland, Constanza and Pico Duarte offer mountain scenery, while Samaná centers a northeastern bay. Distances make a regional base more useful than a single nationwide sightseeing day.

Useful to know

• Group nearby stops by region: Jaragua's coast and lagoon, or Puerto Plata with Sosúa and Cabarete.
• Treat Pico Duarte as a separate mountain trip rather than an add-on to a beach day.

The route, stop by stop

1. 01

   Optional · – min

   Jaragua National Park

   Jaragua protects a broad sweep of the Dominican southwest, linking dry forest, mangroves, islands, lagoon and coast. Pick one accessible part rather than treating it as a single stop.

   Explore
2. 02

   Optional · – min

   Bahía de las Águilas

   Bahía de las Águilas is a long, remote beach within Jaragua National Park. Its open coast is the draw, while reaching it takes deliberate planning from the Pedernales area.

   Explore
3. 03

   Optional · – min

   Lago de Oviedo

   Lago de Oviedo is a saline lagoon in Jaragua National Park. Come for its bird life, mangroves and small cays, with conditions that differ from a swimming beach.

   Explore
4. 04

   Optional · – min

   Pico Duarte

   Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean islands, deep in the Cordillera Central. Reaching its summit is a planned mountain trek, not a casual viewpoint stop.

   Explore
5. 05

   Optional · – min

   Punta Cana

   Punta Cana is a broad east-coast beach area, with resort stretches and named shores from Macao and Bávaro to Juanillo. Choose the beach setting before booking a base.

   Explore
6. 06

   Optional · – min

   Alto Velo Island

   Alto Velo is a small uninhabited island south of Hispaniola in Jaragua National Park. Its interest lies in the remote geography of the Dominican southwest.

   Explore
7. 07

   Optional · – min

   Beata Island

   Beata is an uninhabited island off the Dominican southwest, within Jaragua National Park. Its limestone coast, mangroves and Taíno traces give it more than a beach identity.

   Explore
8. 08

   Optional · – min

   Samaná

   Samaná is a town on the north side of Samaná Bay, backed by the peninsula's hills. It is a base for bay outings rather than a single beach stop.

   Explore
9. 09

   Optional · – min

   Puerto Plata

   Puerto Plata combines an Atlantic port city with beaches to its east and Isabel de Torres behind it. It suits travelers who want town sights alongside coast time.

   Explore
10. 10

    Optional · – min

    Sosúa

    Sosúa is a north-coast town with a sheltered bay, several distinct beaches and an unusual refugee history. It offers calmer water scenery than nearby Cabarete's surf coast.

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11. 11

    Optional · – min

    Cabarete

    Cabarete is a north-coast town known for wind and wave sports. Its bay and nearby Playa Encuentro suit different water activities, so choose by conditions and skill.

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12. 12

    Optional · – min

    Lake Enriquillo

    Lake Enriquillo is a saline lake below sea level in the Dominican southwest. Its stark basin, changing shoreline and wildlife make it a landscape visit rather than a swimming stop.

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