Dominican Republic

A superlative in every regard, the DR (as it's commonly known) is in the midst of a comeback as it goes upscale with dozens of snazzy new hotels. The current hot-spot is Punta Cana, with stunning white beaches shelving into turquoise waters that have to be seen to be believed. One-third of the DR's four million annual visitors focus on Punta Cana, not least for the superb watersports and ocean theme parks (think swim with Flipper). Birders are ga-ga about Lake Enriquillo (boasting the Caribbean's largest crocodile population), Parque Nacional Jaragua and half-a-dozen other national parks, most with caves displaying ancient Taino pictographs. ...

A superlative in every regard, the DR (as it's commonly known) is in the midst of a comeback as it goes upscale with dozens of snazzy new hotels. The current hot-spot is Punta Cana, with stunning white beaches shelving into turquoise waters that have to be seen to be believed. One-third of the DR's four million annual visitors focus on Punta Cana, not least for the superb watersports and ocean theme parks (think swim with Flipper). Birders are ga-ga about Lake Enriquillo (boasting the Caribbean's largest crocodile population), Parque Nacional Jaragua and half-a-dozen other national parks, most with caves displaying ancient Taino pictographs. Whales steal the show in Samana Bay during winter months. Cabarete has cachet as the Caribbean capital for kitesurfing, while the scuba diving — including wreck dives — is considered the best in the region. The rugged Cordillera Central rise to 10,475 feet, providing a challenging hike to Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's highest peak. And then there's Santo Domingo, the frenetic capital city bursting with historic buildings in Zona Colonial, the oldest city in the Americas, with awesome restaurants and a sizzling nightlife.

About the Expert

Christopher P. Baker has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, California, and various Caribbean islands for Frommer's, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic, among others.