The country has several areas with all the attractions and amenities necessary for the perfect island vacation. Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited city in this half of the globe, and many visitors find it difficult to tear themselves away from its historic district, the Colonial Zone. It is gradually being restored as a World heritage Site. Take a stroll down the Calle de Las Damas (The Walk of the Ladies), the oldest street in the Americas, dating to 1502 - named for the wife of Diego Columbus (Christopher’s son). But this city is not all Spanish history ... twice a year it explodes to the sounds of merenge when it's Carnival time, complete with parades, elaborate floats, lots of live music and plenty of dancing in the streets.

The highest peak is Pico Duarte at 10,370 ft. Lush vegetation and waterfalls cover the island, home to butterflies, birds and orchids. The Dominican Republic is on Eastern Standard Time - five hours behind GMT.

The Dominican Republic's beaches are widely celebrated as being among the world's best, and for good reason. Here, more than 1,000 miles of sugar-colored sand is gently lapped by warm waters so clear and blue one has to see to believe. Depending on location, the beaches offer a gentle lullaby for an oceanside nap or enough wind to keep a Technicolor kiteboard adrift.
Adult Vacation The white-sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges veined with spectacular rivers and waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal. Whether you're looking to party, relax or explore, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer.

Adult Vacation Whether visiting casino's, purchasing crafts from artisans, playing golf, walking the beach, exploring a cave, or hiking mountain paths - you’ll find the Dominican Republic one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean.

Adult Vacation A favorite golfing destination of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush, the Dominican Republic has become one of the hottest spots to tee-off in the Caribbean, if not the world.

Adult Vacation Here golfers will find 19 courses with oceanfront fairways and dogleg lefts around swaying coconut palms. They'll also find courses designed by legends such as Pete Dye, P.B. Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo.

Adult Vacation Super fine white sand sprinkled with coconut palm trees line the east coast while golden sand defines the beaches of the north coast. Adding a third color to the palette are the grey sand playas of Barahona in the west. Some of these areas are populated with resorts featuring a full array of watersports, food vendors, people watching and other activities.

Adult Vacation Sun worshipers head to one of the many beach resort areas - perhaps Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, or La Romana, on the southeast coast or Punta Cana on the island's eastern tip or Samaná in the northeast.

Adult Vacation Scuba diving is a favorite sport.While others take visitors to another world of pristine tranquility with peaceful, uninhabited beaches. Here, the only intrusions are a towering coconut palm and the swaying breeze.

Adult Vacation The region around Puerto Plata is often called the Amber Coast because it’s the world’s largest source of clear amber. Insects trapped inside amber inspired the Jurassic Park movie, parts of which were filmed in the Dominican Republic. Barahona beach is in the southwest. For underwater buffs, there are ancient sunken galleons and coral reefs.

Adult Vacation Several beaches are world famous as windsurfing locations.
Certain types of fish make the Dominican Republic a port-of-call as they pass through on their migration journey to various parts of the Caribbean. At the North Coast, White Marlin is abundant May through August; Blue Marlin and Tuna thrive July and August; and Sailfish are numerous November through April. Wahoo, King Mackerel and Dorado can be found year-round.

At the southern side, White and Blue Marlin, Dolphin Fish and Barracuda are frequent visitors June through September. Sailfish and Wahoo can be found October through January.

Deep sea fishing arrangements may be made at most resorts throughout the DR. In addition, there are several charters that have fished these waters for decades and know which species are running when and where.