The Dominican Republic is the second-largest Caribbean island, known for its postcard-perfect beaches and mountainous interior. While it’s often linked to sprawling all-inclusive resorts, there are boutique hotels and luxury stays across the island that offer families a more authentic experience.
Why just stay on a pretty property when you can explore the island’s heart and soul?There’s no shortage of adventures for families. Swim in cenotes, hike to waterfalls, spot humpback whales in Samana Bay, snorkel in Sosúa, or stroll through Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. For our favorite beach area, check out the wild beaches of Las Terranas.
In the Dominican Republic, you can experience nature, culture, and adventure all in one trip – plus, snack on tasty empanadas and tropical fruit along the way.
I stepped into one of our favorite hotels in the Dominican Republic for the first time, and immediately noticed the language barrier—the staff spoke little English, and my Spanish was rusty. But instead of being a challenge, it felt like a gift: a signal that we’d stepped beyond the usual tourist trail. This was the real Dominican Republic, unfiltered and authentic.
That afternoon, my daughter spent hours jumping in the waves, her laughter blending with the sound of the surf. Wild palm trees framed the scene, creating a perfect blend of off-the-grid adventure and effortless comfort. It was a reminder of why we travel—to discover the heart of a place, to connect with its people, and to embrace moments that matter. Every country has its secrets beyond the resorts, and the Dominican Republic is full of treasures waiting to be found.
– Lee, Founder of Mango Tree Travel
The Dominican Republic is known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and large all-inclusive resorts. But the island offers so much more: snorkeling, walkable towns, whale-watching, and untamed nature.
Spanish is the official language, and Dominican Spanish has its own rhythm and quirks. English is commonly spoken in tourist areas but less so elsewhere, offering a great opportunity for Spanish immersion.
The Dominican peso (DOP) is the official currency, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
The Dominican Republic is one of the largest Caribbean islands, with a diverse landscape that includes mountains, rainforests, and beaches. Its vibe varies widely—from the bustling, resort-filled Punta Cana to the laid-back charm of Las Terrenas and Puerto Plata.
Families can easily navigate the Dominican Republic by car, though private transfers and shuttles are common for resort stays. If you’re venturing into the more genuine pockets of the DR away from Punta Cana, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Punta Cana is the place to go for large resorts but is quite light on culture. Since that’s not our normal vibe, we love sending families to Santo Domingo’s historic center and then to Las Terrenas on the Samana Peninsula for natural beachfront beauty and a relaxed town. Or choose Puerto Plata for a less-touristy beach experience than Punta Cana with a scenic mountain backdrop.
Peak Season: December to April; the weather is perfect, but resorts book up quickly. This is whale-watching season in the Samana Bay as well.
Shoulder Season: May to July; great for families looking for fewer crowds and good deals.
No Go: September to early November; hurricane season brings a higher chance of rain.
Direct flights to the Dominican Republic’s major airports (PUJ, SDQ, and POP) are available from many U.S. and Canadian cities.
The Dominican Republic has several sides – and so the reasons to choose it for a family vacation really vary. Whether you’re looking to relax at a luxurious all-inclusive resort or explore hidden beaches and cultural treasures, this destination has it all.
Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
$ – most rooms under $500
$$ – most family rooms $400-$1000
$$$ – family rooms $1000+
Travelers constantly seek our advice on walkable towns in the Caribbean, and Las Terranas is a favorite.
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Take a boat ride to a picture-perfect sandbar off the Dominican Republic's northern coast for turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs.
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Take in DR's epic beach views from a whole new perspective; a beach horseback ride is something we should all experience.
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This is our go-to beach bag for island getaways: It comes in multiple cool patterns, is water resistant, folds down into a suitcase, and can fit tons of travel toys and snacks.
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If you want to get your kids comfortable snorkeling, getting them their own gear will get them excited, involved, and give them a practice in the pool.
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Give your kids extra confidence for ocean swimming, beach walks, and snorkeling with water shoes to keep them sure-footed. These low profiles shoes are easy to pack and come in lots of colors.
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We've tried a lot of face sunscreens, and these clear sunscreen sticks are really the best no-tears solution. Goes on wet or dry, and reef safe too!
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There’s a new gem in the market for mom swimsuits! Change of Scenery, an accessible but luxurious resort wear and swimwear line, designed by Jamie Banks, working mom of three, will make you feel fantastic on your next beach trip.
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Our founder spent hundreds of hours researching the best lightweight, waterproof baby carrier with sun protection for her Caribbean travels, and this is the winner. Beach naps baby.
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Table of Contents If choosing the best Caribbean islands with kids feels like another impossible task on your already chaotic to-do list—hi, welcome. We created Mango Tree just for you. And we’ve made it our mission to become the experts in traveling to the Caribbean with kids, especially to the characterful islands that offer more […]
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Table of Contents Booking a Punta Cana all inclusive vacation seems like the easiest choice for families. But they often fall short in ways that truly matter. We’re here to add a side of authentic to your easy family vacation. The Dominican Republic all inclusive resorts are designed around a formula that’s been perfected over […]
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¿Cómo estás tu español? There are many reasons to take a family vacation to one of the magical Spanish speaking countries in the Caribbean. Maybe your kids are learning Spanish in school and you want to encourage practice. Perhaps you simply want to dust off your own high school Spanish and take it out for a spin. […]
Learn More“We had a great time! The trip was a hit! The right speed for the kids. The hotel was great. Perfectly situated, good space for all of us. We got groceries and that worked out well with our picky eaters.
The kids thought the excursions were great too. The boat trip to the virgin beaches was great. The waves were huge, so I did have a moment where I thought I was going to die by drowning in the sea but the kids thought it was perhaps the coolest adventure of their lives and weren’t scared at all. Definitely a travel-gold kind of moment seeing the joy on my son’s face as the boat hit what seemed like a 45 degree angle lol.
The national park trip is essentially a speed boat ride around the coast of the national park. Was super cool. The crew was fabulous with the kids. We got to tour a few caves. Really a different vibe than the beach days, but in a good way. I always like getting out on the water. The food at the hotel was good, not great. Your restaurant recommendations were spot on thought- we had a taxi driver mario who drove us around.
Finishing in santo domingo was perfect as well. Bike tour and chocolate factory were great-a hit with the kids. Only hiccup we had was our driver for the transfer back to santo domingo was somehow told to take us to Puerta plata and we didn’t figure it out till a good hour into the drive. I really appreciate all your work and just couldn’t be happier with everything you set up. We’ll definitely book with you again. I really feel like you ‘get it’.”
Anne, Spring break 2024
I can’t say enough about Lee at Mango Tree Travel and her expertise, which is the sole reason that my family took two incredible international trips before my second kiddo turned one. Never could I have imagined traveling so much with young children, but Lee gave me the confidence and allowed me to cut out any second-guessing I would have done in my destination choices otherwise. That’s because she took time to get to know our family, what activities we were hoping to do, what airlines we prefer, our comfort in driving ourselves — small details but all of them. Our most recent trip to a resort in the Dominican Republic was so off the beaten path that other guests traded notes with us on how we all had found such a hidden gem. I wish I had a Lee sitting on my shoulder to affirm all of the decisions I hesitate to make in my life. It would have taken me hours to navigate myself to the places we ended up in the most efficient, cheapest ways that Lee knew by heart. We couldn’t recommend her more as someone to lean on for family travel.
Katy, Spring break 2024
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