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Promising gorgeous stretches of white sand, sunny and warm weather throughout the year, and reasonable rates, the Dominican Republic is a popular beach getaway for travelers from several countries — the most common being the U.S., Canada, and Germany. Flights are convenient (just over two hours from Miami), and locals are generally warm and friendly to tourists, although petty theft is common. There’s a lot to love about this Caribbean destination, from the widespread merengue and bachata music playing in clubs, to the colonial history and architecture that dominate its capital. In order to help you experience the country for yourself, we’ve rounded up the top destinations within the D.R., and picked a place to stay for every budget — whether you want a cheap but charming boutique or full-on luxury resort.

Punta Cana

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Santo Domingo is a rising star for Dominican Republic tourism, especially in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, according to updates shared by officials at the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE).

The capital city has experienced explosive growth in recent years and is now home to 27 first-class hotels, with five new hotels expected in the next two years, according to the Santo Domingo Hotel Association. The MICE sector has provided a significant boost to growth and hotel occupancy rates in Santo Domingo. The recent opening of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Convention Center has helped attract MICE travelers to the city, as well with the Santo Domingo’s diverse offerings in gastronomy, culture, history, sports, shopping and entertainment.

The city continues to invest in the restoration of its Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) this week approved a $90 million loan to finance continued renovation of historic, public and tourist infrastructure in the Zona Colonial district in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital.

The new funding will “help recover public spaces and historical monuments, improve living conditions for residents, develop [the] local economy and strengthen historical area management,” according to an IADB statement. The financing supplements Dominican Republic government initiatives launched this decade to restore streets, buildings and public streetscapes across the historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The project will also provide assistance to residents of the district by assisting 200 low-income households with “gentrification dynamics,” said officials. Other plan aims include the restoration of historic facades, traditional squares, the historic city wall and adjacent public spaces.

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