You want to know why the Dominican Republic?
Because in the Dominican Republic, you can:
climb the highest mountain, raft the longest river, jump off the tallest waterfall, boat the largest lake, explore the most extensive cave system in the Caribbean
roam the oldest city, walk the oldest street, sit in the first supreme court, look in on a class in the oldest university, see the oldest castle, attend mass in the first Catholic church in the New World, stand in the hall of the first seat of government in the Americas
swim with whales in the open ocean, ride a flying boat, walk on the oceans' floor, hold the smallest reptile in the world in the palm of your hand, snorkel the waters off the smallest island in the Caribbean
see the only pirate shipwreck in the Caribbean, go on a tropical date with nature, see leatherback turtles come ashore to lay eggs, look for the critically endangered Ridgways' Hawk, and even visit the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Here is a small list of reasons why the Dominican Republic:
Distance: ( Near )
You can get to the Dominican Republic from most cities on the east coast of the United States in under 4 hours flying time ( Five from Toronto ).
Climate: ( Caribbean Island )
The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate, consequently, there it is summertime all of the time.
Accessibility: ( Every Major Airline Flies There )
There are several, daily non-stop flights to the Dominican Republic from most major east-coast cities of the United States ( Toronto too ).
Visa: ( None Required )
There are no visa requirements for guests from the United States and Canada to visit the Dominican Republic. You only need a passport.
Exchange Rate: ( 54 Pesos to 1 U.S. Dollar )
Always travel to where your money has more value as everything is comparatively less expensive for you. You have more buying power.
Popularity: ( Most People Know of Punta Cana )
The Dominican Republic welcomes more than 6 million visitors every year, making it the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean.
Beaches: ( 1,000 Miles of Beaches )
The Dominican Republic has more Blue Flag Beaches than all of the other Caribbean islands combined. Blue Flag rates the world's beaches.
All-Inclusive Resorts: ( Room, Food, & Drinks )
The Dominican Republic has more 4-Star, and 5-Star, all-inclusive, beachfront resorts than all of the other Caribbean islands combined.
History: ( Spain ruled the Americas from there )
Santo Domingo was at the heart of the European discovery, and subsequent conquest, of the New World. It was the birthplace of the Americas.
Heritage: ( Tallest, Highest, Largest, Longest )
Both the largest, and the smallest river as well as the highest point, and the lowest point in the Caribbean call the Dominican Republic home.
Tradition: ( Stop Everything to Talk with You )
Dominicans believe that it is necessary to personally greet, and shake the hand of everybody who is in a room when they enter it.
Nature: ( A Sanctuary for Birds, & Animals )
The largest migration of humpback whales on the planet - some 10,000 whales - come to the waters off of the Dominican Republic each year.
Golf: ( Closest Game to the Game We Call Life )
Punta Cana has 12 golf courses - several of which are world class. The La Cana Golf Course with its 27 holes, has 14 playing on the ocean.
Scuba Diving: ( One of a Kind Diving Location )
The DuDu Lagoon is the only natural pool in the world which is connected to another natural pool underwater through a tunnel, and a cave.
Cigars: ( Producing World Class Cigars )
Cigar Factories in the Dominican Republic have produced the world's #1 cigar in 3 of the past 4 years ( 2016, 2017, & 2018 ) - Cigar Aficionado .
Wine: ( Has a Wine of Mango & Passion Fruit )
You’re not dreaming. The Dominican Republic is a wine producing country with Ocoa Bay - the one and only vineyard in the Caribbean.
Chocolate: ( Unique, High-Quallity Cacao )
The Dominican is the largest exporter of organically grown cacao beans in the world. The beans are manufactured into fine chocolate.
Larimar: ( The Blue Stone )
The Dominican Republic is the only place in the world where Larimar - a semi-precious stone - is found, and mined.