Dominican Republic

The dry high season runs roughly from December through April, when humidity is lower and rain is less frequent. The Atlantic hurricane season officially spans June to November, with the highest storm risk in late summer and early fall.

Yes, the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, founded in the 1490s. Many visitors do a day trip from Punta Cana to see its colonial architecture, though the drive takes several hours each way.

The local currency is the Dominican peso (DOP), but U.S. dollars are widely accepted at all-inclusive resorts and in tourist areas like Punta Cana. Paying in pesos usually gets better rates at shops and with local transport outside the resorts.

Punta Cana on the east coast is packed with large all-inclusive properties from international brands like Barceló, RIU, and Hyatt, often at prices lower than comparable Caribbean islands. Direct flights from North America and Europe plus long stretches of beach keep it one of the region's top-value destinations.