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Beautiful beaches and luxury resorts in a spectacular tropical paradise.
The Dominican Republic is experiencing an incredible tourism boom that shows no signs of abating, and what’s not to love?
In July, the number of tourists was 2% higher than in 2023 and 37% higher than in 2019, the year before the pandemic.
And three of the regions that have seen the greatest growth are Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and La Romana according to a report from Caribbean Journal.
Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are known as the most popular resorts in the Dominican Republic, but new hotspots have also emerged on the island.
Here’s why these 3 destinations are soaring in popularity this fall:
Growing resort destinations
Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and La Romana are all becoming increasingly popular, but not necessarily for the same reasons.
Each is an impeccable gem of a holiday destination, but for very different reasons.
If you are interested in history, Santo Domingo is the oldest European settlement in the Americas. The colonial zone has been declared a UNESCO heritage site.
Columbus Park, the central square of the historic district, is not to be missed. Access to it is free.
The nightlife here is excellent, with an abundance of bars and clubs. Sabina in the Zona Colonial is considered one of the best nightclubs in Santo Domingo. The music and cocktails are first class!
But if you’re looking for beaches, Santo Domingo may not be the place for you.
You will need to drive 30 minutes to Boca Chica or 45 minutes to Juan Dolio for the nearest beautiful beaches.
La Romana and Puerto Plata, on the other hand, are both spectacular seaside resorts.
La Romana is located in the southeast of the Dominican Republic.
Just off the coast lies a beautiful coral reef, which attracts snorkelers, divers and anyone interested in marine life.
Bayahibe Beach and Dominicus Beach are the most beautiful beaches in La Romana, and both are everything you could imagine from a tropical paradise beach.
Think of white sand, turquoise water and thick palm trees along the beach.
Getting away from the beach is the best thing to do in La Romana visit the Cave of Wonders. This is a beautiful cave decorated with ancient Taino lithographs.
Admission alone costs RD$300 (about US$5.15), but you may find it more convenient to book a tour that includes transportation from your resort or hotel.
Puerto Plata is another popular beach destination on the Dominican Republic’s northern Atlantic coast.
What makes this resort area unique is that it is licked by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoys a welcoming breeze from the Atlantic sea.
With long stretches of sand and open water, Cofresi Beach is one of the best in the region if you’re looking for a traditional tropical beach experience.
Otherwise, the famous golden sandy beaches of Playa Dorada are an ideal choice if you are looking for a great atmosphere besides sun, sea and rum.
The Dominican Republic In The Fall
Whichever of these up-and-coming destinations you choose, one of the best times to visit the Dominican Republic is autumn, especially late fall.
This is the quietest and most affordable time to visit the country, and it also avoids the rainy and hurricane seasons.
Don’t worry; rainy season does not mean non-stop rain. You will still see plenty of sun. And the rain decreases significantly as October progresses.
October is a much quieter month in the Dominican Republic, so if you value space and privacy more than crowds during your trip, this is another good reason to plan a trip for fall.
So how much will it cost you to get there?
Punta Cana International Airport is the main airport in the Dominican Republic, making it typically the most affordable for American travelers, and October flights are especially attractive to budget travelers.
In October you can fly directly to Punta Cana from 12 different US airports. And the cheapest flights available are from Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Take a week’s holiday from October 12 to October 19 Miami to Punta Cana costs $204 for a return flight in economy class. This flight is with Frontier Airlines and the flight time is only 2.5 hours.
If you prefer to fly from Fort Lauderdale, the cheapest flights are from October 11 to October 17 at a cost of $209. This is also a flight time of 2.5 hours and is with Spirit Airlines.
In autumn you are also more likely to find good deals on your accommodation (regardless of what standard you are looking for) than during the much more popular winter months.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
