The Dominican Republic is a nation occupying the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean; the other half being occupied by Haiti. It should not be confused with the Commonwealth Of Dominica, which is also in the Caribbean but is a self-contained island nation with its capital city at Santo Domingo.
The landscape is very mountainous. It should be noted that there are three smaller islands around the coastline, which belong to the Dominican Republic; these are Saona, Beata and Catalina.
The climate is generally tropical. There is no great difference in temperature between the seasons. However temperature does vary greatly according to elevation. The annual mean temperature ranges from 18 degrees C in the highlands to 27 degrees C in the lowlands. A steady trade wind from the northeast has some cooling effect.
The Dominican Republic is teeming with wildlife, very little of which is considered dangerous, and contains several wildlife parks and reserves in which it can be observed. Interesting native species include the endangered rhinoceros iguana, several large species of turtle and the American crocodile. The only native mammals are the solenodon and hutia, both rodents and both endangered.
The surrounding seas are filled with coral reefs, which will be very appealing to snorkelers or divers. These also contain a range of fascinating creatures such as the fire worm, parrotfish or green reef crab.
Although the beaches are the most popular destinations, there are also many activities and attractions to be sought out inland. Historical buildings such as forts and monasteries are dotted around. There are also more adventurous and sporty pursuits available such as horse riding, river rafting, mountain biking and a wide range of golf courses.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Dominican Republic? Then below is a selection of apartments in Dominican Republic and villas in Dominican Republic that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
