It’s your vacation, and that means it’s time to have some fun! One of the first things you want to do is to enjoy the tropical paradise that is Punta Cana, but what follows next? If you’re already in the Dominican Republic, why would you limit yourself to just one area? It’s true, Punta Cana is wonderful and there are many reasons to stay there for weeks, but you could do so much more! Remember that you can stay in the country for up to three months without a visa. So check out these hidden gems in the Dominican Republic before you say goodbye to our island!
27 Charcos
Have you ever been to a waterfall? Well, how about 27 of them? That’s what this wonderful lagoon has to offer! This reserved river was one of the most well-hidden treasures of the Dominican Republic, seeing its first tourists in 1994. Since then it has gathered a small following. It’s not as popular as others, but still very beautiful and fun to be in. As with most attractions that include water you can take a swim, or even use some of the waterfalls as a slide! The surrounding vegetation will only add to the sense of adventure, and when you find yourself swimming on these beautiful blue waters you won’t regret a second of it!
The colorful streets of Los Pepines
This isn’t a specific location in and of itself, but the wonderfully colorful streets of Santiago de los Caballeros will bedazzle anyone who passes through! It’s the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic – no doubt a cultural hub – and the beautiful streets of Los Pepines speak as a testament to this. It’s one of the biggest hidden gems in the Dominican Republic.
The streets were a cultural project encouraged by the Mayor in 2017, and many artists answered the call by decorating the entire neighborhood in beautiful paintings and colors. You’ll find murals, vibrant houses, and the odd portrait lying around in these wonderful streets! They make an excellent background for photos, too!
La Aurora Cigar Factory
We’re still in Santiago de los Caballeros, so prepare for another ride! As mentioned before, this is a large city with a lot of flavor and color behind it. it should come as no surprise that it also hosts a tour for cigar enthusiasts who wish to see the process through from start to finish! Or perhaps you’re the curious kind and you want to see something unique, which, of course, you would! Embark on an interesting journey that takes you through the facilities, tastefully decorated in a colonial style, and learn a little bit about the history of La Aurora and its products! You’ll hardly find anything like this outside the island, so don’t miss the chance to explore this hidden gem!
Bahia de las Aguilas
Often cited as one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, Bahia de las Aguilas will charm you right away! You’ll find it very close to the border with Haiti, opposite Punta Cana. This might be a little bit of an issue if you travel from one side to the other – but it’s so worth the hassle! It has the same characteristics as most beaches from Punta Cana, namely the sugary white sand and deep turquoise waters, but its immense and exquisite coastline is what will surprise you the most.
Maybe you won’t want to take a dive there, but you will have the chance to see its beauty and splendor from one of the boat or plane tours available. It’s one of the least popular yet most stunning places to visit, and it’s a shocker people haven’t listed it on their bucket list before! Be the first on your friend group to take a selfie there!
National Park of the East
This isn’t the kind of place you go to for a swim, though it’s still very beautiful! No, this is the park dedicated to the protection and preservation of the environment on the eastern side of the island. It has a wide variety of species that you can watch in their natural habitat, coupled with many little secrets here and there! You’ll get to see the coral reefs growing on the side, and beautiful springs both above ground and below.
There’s even a shallow section of the sea with crystalline, pure, clear water! It’s filled with orange starfish that you will be able to see from a distance, though they’re very delicate and must be handled with care. You’ll find it very close to Punta Cana, so if you decide to visit it should be no problem!
Final thoughts on the hidden gems in the Dominican Republic
And those are some of my favorite hidden gems in the Dominican Republic! They are some of the most wonderful, underappreciated spots. There’s so much the island has to offer that I can’t cover in a single article, but it’s up to you to explore what’s left! The different secrets of this tropical paradise await you and your loved ones, so take the chance and give us a go. I promise you’ll have the time of your life!
Not ready to get out so far from Punta Cana? Check out Hidden gems in Punta Cana: 5 places you can’t miss!