The number of things you can do in the Dominican Republic is simply endless. Most tourism destinations offer an incredible variety of restaurants and nightlife. The larger Dominican cities host different events and festivals all year round. You can shop for souvenirs, participate in some action sports, take a sight-seeing tour, or even get married. Please see the links on the left (or below) for the various things you may want to do during your visit.

When Christopher Columbus arrived on the Dominican Republic's shores in 1492, he proclaimed, "There is no island that is more beautiful in the world ". For visitors of the country today, the Dominican Republic definitely represents just that. It is simply a paradise to discover - golden sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, mysterious lush valleys, majestic tall mountains and wonderfully friendly people.

Whether you're an experienced diver, or just beginning, you're bound to enjoy underwater exploration, either snorkeling or diving in the reef areas found off the coasts of the Dominican Republic. You can see a spectacular array of colorful marine life in these incredibly clear Caribbean waters. In some areas, you can dive to underwater caves or shipwrecks that have been at the bottom of the sea for hundreds of years. On the North Coast, there are diving spots between La Isabela and Monte Cristi (west of Puerto Plata) and at the eastern tip of the Samaná Peninsula (eastern tip of the country), but the most popular on the North Coast is the Sosua area, just 10 minutes from Puerto Plata International Airport. This area offers everything from shallow water reef dives to deep water wall dives. On the South Coast, there are good dive spots near Bahia de Neiba (east of Barahona), Isla Catalina (near La Romana), Isla Saona (east of Bayahibe), and Parque Nacional La Caleta (east of Santo Domingo). There are also a number of spots off the southeastern coasts near Punta Cana and Bavaro. Whether you desire gear rental or PADI diving certification, a number of dive centers located in or near these destinations can help prepare you for your underwater adventure.s Christopher Columbus' brother, Bartolomé Colón, founded the Dominican Republic's capital city, originally named La Isabela, in 1496. A number of New World 'firsts' occurred here, including the first cathedral, university, monastery and hospital.

This is also where Spanish conquistadors set off to conquer the rest of the Caribbean, and regions of North, Central and South America. The city definitely experienced its share of trouble over the following centuries. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1562; captured, looted and burnt down by Sir Francis Drake in 1586; attacked by both British and French forces over most of the 17 th century; and dominated by Haitian forces, more or less until Trujillo took power in 1936, and re-named the city after himself - Ciudad Trujillo. Upon his death in 1961, the name was changed back, and after a military coup and an American invasion in 1965, peaceful order finally returned to the city.

Since that time it has exploded with industry and urban migration. Today Santo Domingo is a bustling and cosmopolitan city of 2.5 million. It boasts activities to offer everyone - museums, ballet, opera, baseball games, and the greatest options of nightlife, restaurants and shopping to be found in the Dominican Republic. The most popular draw is the heart of the city, Zona Colonial (Colonial Zone), located on the western bank of the Río Ozama . It's here you'll find cobblestone streets, historical monuments, and wonderful old-world Spanish architecture that remains relatively in tact. While there are dozens of things to see and do in the Zona Colonial, visitors should also see the museums housing the history of the country, such as the Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of Dominican Man); and the Museum of Modern Art; the palm-lined Malecón (boardwalk along the ocean), to get a taste of the city's night life; the Estadio Quisqueya, to watch a game of the Dominican's most beloved, national sport, baseball; and Los Tres Ojos (The Three Eyes), a group of large caves and freshwater lagoons, used by the country's original inhabitants, the Tainos, for religious ceremonies; and Faro del Colon, built in the shape of a cross and also projects a cross shaped beam of light into the sky at night.