Being half of the second largest island in the Caribbean known as Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is the perfect destination to enjoy everything from relaxing with a good book to extreme sports such as canyoning or windsurfing to taking a step back in time in the capital of Santo Domingo or Santiago.

The Dominican Republic offers the highest mountain in the Caribbean at 10,000 feet and 1000 miles of sublime coastlines. It also boasts over 7 million friendly locals ready to make visitors feel right at home with good prices and all the diversity that a Caribbean island affords.

The national parks on the Dominican Republic are just one of the many surprises with 5,600 plant species, including 300 endemic orchids, 303 bird species with 27 being endemic including the yellow and brown Hispaniola woodpecker and the narrow-billed today and an underwater world that offers variety of colorful marine life.

In fact, with more than a dozen national parks, nine natural monuments and 67 protected areas that are both recreational and eco-friendly, the magnificent beaches so popular for the Dominican Republic often must share center-stage with the interior.

Along the Eastern Coastline

Beginning in the East of the Dominican Republic today’s most popular destination sits in perfect harmony with the island. Punta Cana/Bavaro is of course nowadays all the rage with its 21-miles of some of the most picturesque beaches in the world. Indeed, the all-inclusive set will find over 30 resorts in the area to choose from as well as championship golf courses and one of the longest coral reefs on the island.

Nearby, the environmentally friendly, up-and-coming fishing village of Bayahibe is located on the Peninsula in the southeast corner and is not to be missed. Nor is Casa de Campo, a luxurious walled compound with a world renowned golf course, polo field and marina accommodating up to 250-feet long yachts. Horseback riding, sport shooting and tennis are also popular pastimes on Casa de Campo.

Isla Saona is off the northern shore of Bayahibe and is a 45-square mile island with beaches that afford top scores and lagoons that are lined with mangroves. Or, the tiny six-square-mile piece of paradise called Isla Catalina, part of the National Parque del Este, and a popular diving spot with "the wall" allowing for coral reef sightings unlike any other. The park itself is 172-square miles and there are 200 caves worth exploring some dating back to pre-Columbian time.

Mother Nature’s Northeast Coast

The Northeast Coast is indeed a restful haven for those seeking to commune with Mother Nature. The Samana peninsula is as simple and beautiful as can be found anywhere with pure beaches leading to brilliant coral reefs, mountain waterfalls and thick rain forests. Best known to the eco-tourist set, this is the best spot for visitors to see the humpback whales (often numbering 5000) from January to March. In fact, the area is one of the largest breeding grounds in the world for this mammal.

The town of Samana is the jumping off point for most major eco-activities in the area, but for the low-key traveler Samana Malecon is also a quaint little beachfront strip with cafes and shops waiting to be explored.

Dare to climb as Salto de Limon is one of Samana’s most impressive waterfalls culminating into a swimming hole at the bottom of the 150-foot drop. Walking is one way to get there from town, but horseback riding (often through old coffee plantations) is most advisable and the sweeping vistas are worth the time and effort.

Best explored by boat, Parque Nacional Los Haitises is an 83-square mile national park, mainly home to a mangrove swamp and more than 100 different types of birds, mammals, formations and caves with Indian paintings. Need a rest, in the nearby town of Sanchez old Victorian buildings set alongside wooden shacks reminiscent of days of old.

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