Lifestyle and Culture

Nightlife
Year-round sports, effervescent nightlife, distinctive souvenir shopping, magnificent national parks, and world-class gambling make for a jam-packed vacation-retirement paradise to do list. And when you see the spectacular beaches, you won't be able to resist pulling up a chair and relaxing... and you may never want go back.

Outdoor Activities
By land or sea, outdoor activities like snorkeling, windsurfing, horseback riding, kiteboarding, and boating are just a few of the thrilling ways to experience the natural beauty of The Dominican Republic. With over two-dozen national parks, available hiking and bird watching, other quieter options for communion with nature are at your disposal. Indoor activities offer you the chance to strike it rich, dance the night away, or shop 'til you drop. Perhaps you are interested in discovering curious mementos with local flare, like carnival masks, amber, and a strange liquor “cure-all” called Mamajuana.

Whale Watching
The northern coast of the rocky shelf on which Hispaniola sits provides an excellent breeding ground for humpback whales. During the first few months of the year, humpback whales can be seen off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic near Puerto Plata.

Golf Paradise
The Dominican Republic is considered the premier Caribbean country for golfers, thanks to 21 courses with oceanfront fairways and dogleg lefts around swaying coconut palms. You'll 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, many of which have become favorite golfing destinations of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. Bush.

Visitors to the Dominican Republic needn’t worry about packing golf clubs or even knowing how to golf, for that matter. Each course offers affordable club rentals and internationally recognized golf pros for lessons. Regardless of handicap, the courses of the Dominican Republic promise a challenging and unique experience.