Santo Domingo

It's the capital of the Dominican Republic and the first European city in the 'New World.' It's also a vibrant, exciting, polluted, sometimes dangerous (leave the Rolex at home) and always interesting Caribbean city with more to do and see than you'll manage no matter how long you stay. There are more colonial sites in Santo Domingo than you'll ever be able to see in one visit. Do check out the Zona Colonial, ground zero of the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the point of disembarkation for settlers, businesspeople and conquistadors, and an administrative center helmed by Christopher Columbus' son, Diego. The city also boasts the oldest extant cathedral in the Americas, Catedral Primada de América. The nearby Parque Colón not only features a statue of the eponymous admiral, but is also the meeting place for area residents and always buzzes with activity.

There are also dozens of museums concerned with everything from indigenous and colonial history to amber, one of the country's most important products. Gardens, zoos and parks keep the city green. And, once you've gotten your fill of that culture stuff, there are plenty of discos and nightclubs that are sure to keep you up all night. Add to this a fairly good restaurant scene, and you've got a recipe for a fantastic visit.

Santiago

The Dominican Republic's second city officially goes by the grandiose name of Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago of the Gentlemen). And, Santiago is indeed an aristocratic, if somewhat provincial, city. It is the commercial hub of the Valle del Cibao, the nation's breadbasket, and factories here process raw sugar and tobacco into fine rum and cigars. Santiago boasts a thriving industrial sector and one of the finest universities in the country.

Santiago's leisurely, refined tempo is a pleasant surprise to the few travelers who make their way here. It doesn't offer much in the way of impressive monuments or an exciting nightlife, but there are some nice restaurants and museums to while away a relaxing day. Possibly the most popular activity in town is taking a stroll on Calle del Sol, Santiago's main street and a pleasant shopping district. The residents of the city have a rather regal air, and many spend their Sundays surveying the central park from horse-drawn carriages. It's a nice tribute to tradition in a rapidly changing city.

Amber Coast

The northern coast of the Dominican Republic gets its name from the world's richest deposits of amber, found in the hills near here. Its reputation is squarely based on the 120km (75mi) string of beautiful beaches stretching east of Puerto Plata. It's the most developed stretch of the island, much of it unfortunately geared toward the desires of European package tourists. There are, however, several small towns where the laid-back atmosphere of palm-thatched restaurants and local guesthouses still prevails over the concrete box architecture of the resorts.

Puerto Plata, the main hub of the coast, has its share of local streetlife, gingerbread architecture and tree-lined plazas, but it also has a bounty of ship-'em-in, ship-'em-out resorts that have overwhelmed its personality. Away from its over-trafficked beaches, you'll have fun promenading the Malecón or taking the funicular to the 780m (2600ft) peak of Mt Isabel de Torres, which towers over the town.

Sosúa

Sosúa is more than just another perfect beach town, still in the early stages of development yet impossibly rich in wide sandy shores and coconut trees. Sure, there are scores of sunbathers there, taking advantage of the pleasant restaurant scene and lively nightlife, but many of them don't know this community's interesting history.

The entire area was owned by United Fruit until the late 1920s, when dictator Rafael Trujillo bought the land up cheaply and sold it at a profit to Jewish organizations in the USA. These groups were trying to secure land for Jews fleeing an increasingly anti-Semitic central Europe. In 1940, some 350 Jewish families moved onto the land, and tried for several years to develop an agricultural product that could thrive in the tropical climate and survive long overland treks to Santo Domingo. They raised livestock for milk, cheese, sausages and other products, and then used the profit to build a successful distribution system. Everything ran smoothly until the 1960s, when peasants began squatting on the farmland, rendering it useless for grazing. The police refused to help the Jewish community, and most eventually emigrated to the USA or Israel. Though only a few Jewish families remain today, the Jewish Community Museum offers a peek at their fascinating history. Why not drop by, before or after sunning your hangover away next to the clear, sparkling waters (where there are some fantastic diving opportunities, by the way).

Cabarete

This is the serious vacationer's destination. It's got an enormous, beautiful bay, considered one of the best in the world for windsurfing. The lovely, white-sand beaches are postcard perfect and proud of it. And, if you need a suite with a hot tub where room service will deliver a lobster dinner and bottle of champagne, stat, Cabarete is your town. And don't miss the bars and discos where live music is served fresh nightly to hundreds of well-dressed party people.

Even if the thought of scantily clad European 20-somethings enjoying sand and surf isn't your cup of tea, you'll have to admit that the ocean view is spectacular. The windsurfing attracts people from all over the world. You can rent all the equipment you'll need, and even sign up for a few lessons from any of several operators right on the beach. If a bare board is more your speed, some of the DR's best waves for surfing break just to the west of Cabarete, over coral reefs worth exploring in their own right. You can rent surfboards and boogie boards in town.

Samaná

In many ways, Samaná is just another tranquil, tropical town with jellybean-colored houses clinging to the verdant hillsides and swaying coconut trees. There are a couple of places to have a drink and admire the bay, once considered so strategically important that the USA occupied it for eight years. There are a few tourist compounds to the north, but that's not the reason to come (you'd do better in Cabarete with that sort of thing, anyhow). No, Mother Nature has blessed this area with special care, making Samaná the perfect base for exploring the Dominican Republic's finest treasures.

Seven kilometers (4mi) to the south, idyllic Cayo Levantado has dense forests and three spectacular beaches that are usually deserted, until the busloads of tourists fill them up around midday. Hiking trails and lovely views are among the island's other charms. To the west, Parque Nacional Los Haïtises offers scores of jungle-covered islands and thick mangrove forests, perfect for exploring by boat. The greatest show of all, however, takes place right in the bay, during January and February. Perhaps 80% of the world's humpback whales mate and bear young in the waters off the Dominican Republic, and you can see them at their lovesick best. To show off for the ladies, male humpbacks hurl their 40-ton bodies into the air, breaching with a big splash. (The gals do this, too, but refrain from flying quite as high, so as to protect the males' fragile egos.) Area captains will take you out into the bay for US$25-US$40.

Activities

There is always fun in the sun when you're in the Dominican Republic! Enjoy from a number of water activities that are available to you anywhere of the island. There is a lot to do so plan ahead. Choose from a list of scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing and so much more!

Relax a little! Enjoy a game of golf on a perfect day in one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands. Prepare yourself for what is to come after sunset, because the nightlife in the Dominican Republic is like a night in paradise.wait.it is paradise! Enjoy dance clubs, bars, parties, festivals, shows, restaurants, live music bands and more!

There are many possibilities for hiking in the Dominican Republic, especially in the Central Highlands. Not only do most of the DR's national parks lend themselves well to wilderness treks, but also the country's many kilometers of unprotected beaches make for interesting places to explore. There are some excellent spots for surfing, especially along the north and east coasts. Some of the best breaks crash just west of Sosúa, and there is also good surfing south of Bahía Samaná.

Diving is another popular sport in the DR, and many of the all-inclusive hotels offer lessons and certification. While there are some good areas to take the plunge and shipwrecks to explore along the north coast, the southern coast's water is warmer and its reefs a bit more protected. The waters off Barahona and Cabo Rojo, near Pedernales, are two popular spots.

Bicycling is a great way to take in the country's natural splendor, and there are usually places to rent bikes in major urban areas. Even better, consider bringing your own. Offshore, the Bahía Samaná has been the preferred breeding area for humpback whales for may millions of years. Several boating companies offer whale-watching tours in season.