Dominican Republic Breaking Travel Records Despite Slower Shoulder Season

Last Updated 1 month ago

The Dominican Republic has just smashed its all-time travel record for the month of September with over 549,000 international visitors flocking to the country in spite of the low season.

a white sand beach in punta cana with palm trees

The tropical island has made great strides in improving its international reputation, improving safety, and investing in new infrastructure and hotels.

With those efforts now paying off, a record number of travelers are choosing the Dominican Republic for their next holiday.

@marieletanneur Punta Cana 🫶☀️ #domicanrepublic #puntacana #puntacanavacation #puntacanabeach #vacay #trip #beach #allinclusive #islasaona #saonaisland #republicadominicana #traveltiktok #travelpassion #vacaciones #dr #vacation #travel #summervibes #fyp ♬ Danza Kuduro – sina

As the Caribbean nation gears up for an even greater number of visitors this winter, here’s the latest on the Dominican Republic’s soaring popularity.

More Visitors Flocking To Dominican Republic By Sea And Air

Travel numbers are growing across the globe, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. The small tropical island has just reported an all-time record of 545,990 international travelers in September, as more Americans and Canadians flock to the sunny destination.

The period ranging from September to November is typically one of the quietest for the country’s travel industry, with winter and summer generally being much busier.

a beautiful and quiet white sand beach in punta cana

However, this year, the country welcomed a whopping 48% more international travelers than during the same period in 2019, an indication that more travelers are opting for tropical destinations. This September’s travel numbers are also up 11% compared to last year, which was also a record-breaking period for the sun-drenched destination.

So far in 2023, over 7.6 million tourists have visited the Dominican Republic, a sign that the country is well on its way to welcoming over 10 million travelers by the end of the year. Should that be the case, it would solidify the country’s position as a leading destination in the Caribbean region.

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The Dominican Republic is already more popular than heavyweights like Playa del Carmen in the Mexican Caribbean, according to several international studies, including Tripadvisor, which ranked the island destination one of the Top 10 Places to Visit in 2023.

Although the vast majority of travelers in the Dominican Republic visit the country by air, a growing number are making short trips to the country by cruise. Ports like Amber Cove are increasingly welcoming larger vessels, and a new project in Pedernales will soon wrap up, launching the country’s newest cruise ship terminal, Port Cabo Rojo.

@alia.athar Reply to @theunrulyrasuli worth every penny (aside from one horrible resort restaurant we tried) #puntacana #traveltiktok ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Here’s Why Travelers Are Crazy About The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is seeing its popularity skyrocket across the board; from young travelers to digital nomads, the tropical destination is all the rage with tourists this year.

Its combination of safety, high-quality (and affordable) accommodations, as well as one of the most unique cultures in Latin America, make the Dominican Republic one of the most sought-after destinations in 2023.

@bonvoyagejackie The Dominican Republic is a great destination for solo travelers! I spent my first week of my solo trip in the capital, Santo Domingo. La Choza Guesthouse was a great place to meet other travelers (I also met up with some people I connected with from some online solo travel groups as well) Overall, I felt very safe walking around the Zona Colonial section of the city during the day and evening as well. #solotraveler #solotravel #solotravelwoman #solofemaletravel #dominicanrepublic #santodomingo #dominicanrepublictravel #visitdominicamrepublic #solotraveltips ♬ Astro Beat – Staysee

The tropical hotspot is home to a number of excellent traveler-friendly destinations, including Punta Cana, which welcomes up to 70% of all International tourists. The coastal city is a paradise for resort lovers, home to over 60 stunning properties featuring outdoor pools and stunning views of white-sand beaches.

Resort areas like Bávaro and Cap Cana are known for their luxurious 5-star accommodations, many of which have been awarded for being some the best in the Caribbean – and the world. Tortuga Bay and Secrets Cap Cana are just a few of the city’s many resorts that are trending with luxury travelers this year.

@travelheart98 ♥️🇩🇴 save this for your next trip to Santo Domingo 🇩🇴♥️ #santodomingo #dominikanischerepublik #dominicanrepublic #republicadominicana #reisetipps #reisetipp #travel #traveltiktok #traveltips #republicadominicana🇩🇴 #traveltok @godomrep ♬ Forever – Labrinth