Dominican Republic Named One Of The Most Popular Destinations In The World

Last Updated 10 months ago

The Dominican Republic has been named one of the most popular destinations in 2023, according to the leading online travel review website TripAdvisor and its annual travelers’ choice awards. The Caribbean destination saw its popularity skyrocket last year when over 8 million travelers flocked to its award-winning beaches and top-rated all-inclusives. In 2023, the Dominican Republic is likely to become more popular than ever before as a growing number of sun-seeking travelers opt for the tropical island for their next holiday.

Panoramic view of Punta Cana beach and palm trees

A growing number of travelers are choosing to vacation in the Dominican Republic, so much so that they ranked the country as one of the most popular destinations in 2023. The tropical island – known for its year-round warm weather, great hospitality, and Caribbean culture – is proving to be a hit among travelers, especially those hailing from North America.

American Airlines plane and airport vehicles

With millions of users worldwide, TripAdvisor’s annual ranking of the most popular destinations is a highlight for countless globetrotters. The online platform, which released its 2023 travel list recently, took note of the Dominican Republic’s extensive coastline, which is dotted with paradisiacal white-sand beaches and quaint villages.

Travelers headed to the Dominican Republic certainly won’t lack options when it comes to sights and attractions. The tropical nation is home to over 3000 things to do, with resort hotspots like Punta Cana and Samaná offering travelers the highest number of attractions, especially when it comes to all-inclusive resorts and beaches.

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Palm trees and blue skies in Punta Cana beach

But visitors can also enjoy countless other activities on the sun-soaked island: from Santo Domingo’s centuries-old colonial downtown – home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas – to Miches’ and Pederanles’ untouched nature, the Dominican Republic is a well-rounded destination.

Santo Domingo downtown street with colourful buildings and people

TripAdvisor also highlighted some of the country’s most popular top-rated tours in its annual ranking, including Happyfishe’s small-group catamaran tour. The $89-per-person excursion lasts for nearly 4 hours, allowing travelers plenty of time to dive into the depths of the Caribbean ocean. Meanwhile, Tour Package Punta Cana’s 5-star dune buggy adventure tour is the perfect choice for exploring the neighboring countryside in an unforgettable way.

Beautiful sunset in Punta Cana with different colors

While most travelers will continue to flock to classics like Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in 2023, there are several new destinations that are increasingly appealing to visitors. One of them is Miches, a region close to Samaná which abounds with virgin rainforests and rugged coastline. The area, already home to several large eco-resorts, is an ideal choice for nature enthusiasts. More and more travelers are also keen on visiting Pedernales, an ecotourist haven in the southwestern Dominican Republic, home to Jaragua National Park, the largest protected area in the Caribbean.

Dominican Republic resort with pool in the foreground and palm trees and ocean in the background

Although the Dominican Republic is a great year-round destination, the best time to visit is before summer, when fewer tourists visit the tropical island. Another good alternative is the period encompassing December to April when rainfall is minimal, and temperatures are pleasantly warm.

While the country’s rising popularity doesn’t come as a surprise, few could have predicted that the Dominican Republic would be one of the fastest-growing destinations worldwide following the removal of COVID-19 restrictions. There is more good news in store for the small island state, which is expecting a record-breaking year for travel in 2023.

An island in the Dominican Republic with blue water

The launching of the super low-cost airline Arajet is expected to boost travel numbers to the Dominican Republic further. The airline has announced ambitious plans to open up new routes to the U.S. pending a new open-skies treaty with the American government. In the meantime, companies like Frontier and Spirit have continued to expand the number of flights to the Dominican Republic, offering travelers great deals from major U.S. hubs.