Dominican Republic Island fun under the Caribbean sun
Christopher Columbus declared it ‘the most pleasant place on earth’ shortly after his first visit in 1492. And the famous Italian explorer wasn’t wrong: Hispaniola, the second-largest island in the Caribbean, is truly beautiful. Around two thirds of this island is the Dominican Republic (or DR to its friends), a country with snow-white sands, mangrove lagoons, mountain peaks, abundant wildlife and charming colonial architecture. Little wonder that locals call their island ‘Quisqueya’ – the mother of all lands. Visit for yourself with Cosa and you’ll understand why.
Where it is
Caribbean
When to go
December to April
Why go there
Idyllic beaches
Beautiful landscapes
Thrilling adventures
What to see
Samana Peninsula
Santo Domingo
Cabarete
Marine mammals
If you’ve never seen humpback whales in real life, Cosa can arrange for you to do so at Samana Bay where these mesmerising animals migrate to mate every spring.
Colonial capital
Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 making it the earliest European-built city in the Americas. Strolling through its streets with an expert guide brings its history alive.
Beach bliss
There’s a stretch of white sand for every occasion from barely-developed Playa Grande to pumping Punta Cana – and Cosa knows the best spots to suit your taste.
Adrenaline adventures
For a more thrilling experience, head to Cabarete – a former fishing village turned adventure capital where you can try your hand at kiteboarding and surfing.
Travel in Dominican Republic
The DR may be large but, with good planning from us, it is surprisingly easy to get around. For local flavour, public transport is pleasingly reliable. Alternatively, we can arrange for an air-conditioned, chauffeur-driven car to whisk you around, remembering that this is a mountainous island: Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean at 3101m. As to when to visit, June to November is hurricane season and, while tropical storms aren’t guaranteed, they can occur so best to avoid those months.
Dominican Republic facts
The Caribbean island of Hispaniola has been divided since 1697: the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic occupies the majority of the island, with the former French colony of Haiti claiming the other third. For the Dominican Republic, independence from Spain came in 1821, although occupation by Haiti followed so real independence had to wait until 1844. The peso has been the country’s official currency for over 150 years but US dollars are accepted (and sometimes preferred).
Time zone
UTC -4
Flight time
10 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Dominican peso
Dialling code
+1809
