The Dominican Republic enjoys warm tropical weather year round, so pack for paradise. Don't forget sunglasses, sunblock, and your bathing suit. With seven international airports and a streamlined immigration process, visiting paradise has never been easier. Even communication is trouble-free because although Spanish is the official language, most employees in hotels and tourist spots speak English.This is a destination like no other - a sensual feast of dazzling landscapes, exotic cuisine, and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment options. The pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, intriguing relics from centuries past, premium cigars, and even world-class baseball await you. The Dominican Republic is a surprising place that will delight even the most experienced traveler.

Year-round sports, effervescent nightlife, distinctive souvenir shopping, magnificent national parks, and world class gambling make for a jam-packed vacation to do list. But when you see the spectacular beaches, you might just want to pull up a chair and relax. Outdoor activities like golf, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and boating are a thrilling way to experience the natural beauty of land and sea. With over two-dozen national parks, other quieter options for communion with nature like hiking and bird watching are also available. Indoor activities offer you the chance to strike it rich, dance the night away, or shop for curious mementos like carnival masks, amber, and a strange, liquid cure-all called Mamajuana.

Out of all Caribbean destinations, the Dominican Republic generally has the best selection of charter flights from the UK. By far the most popular destination for Dominican Republic flights is Puerto Plata, although a good selection of flights is also available to Punta Cana. Charter flights to La Romana are not so widely available, whereas the capital, Santo Domingo, is only served by scheduled flights, although it does not have any direct links with the UK.

Music Festivals
Travelers from across the globe journey to the Dominican Republic each year, joining local attendees, for annual music festivals after falling in love with the addictive rhythms.

Santo Domingo Merengue Festival
The week-long Santo Domingo Merengue Festival is held during the last week of July or the first week of August every year at the Malecon. The seaside Dominican musical showcase encourages drinking, eating and dancing.

Puerto Plata Merengue Festival
Puerto Plata hosts a week-long celebration of merengue acts during the third week in October every year. More than 100,000 tourists and locals gather at outdoor bars and in the streets to listen to performers and partake in the festivities.

Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
The festival is staged at three scenic north coast locations: Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata each October. Renowned musical acts ranging from Enrique Iglesias to Ricky Martin have appeared in years past.