Get the most of your Caribbean family vacation and check out the best places to visit in Dominican Republic for families with kids!
A family vacation is only as good as the things that everyone in the family can enjoy together. This is exactly what makes family trips as good as they are frustrating – you have to find activities, places, and attractions that will make everyone happy. And by everyone, we mean including tantrums-waiting-to-happen toddlers and cranky teenagers.
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For this list, we have rounded up all the top Dominican Republic vacation recommendations from TripAdvisor, Family Vacation Critic, Frommer’s, and PlanetWare. We have ranked them not just according to the number and variety of family-inclusive activities and attractions, but also according to how easy and convenient they are to find. After all, we’re talking here about a family vacation with kids in tow – anything that involves long and tiring hikes, tons of bugs, or lack of snack bars will likely be not on this list (or will be at the bottom of it).
And to complete your Dominican Republic vacation guide, do check out our list of the 10 Best Places to Visit in Dominican Republic Before You Die.
So buckle up, and enjoy your best Dominican Republic family vacation guide!
11. Los Tres Ojos (Three Eyes) National Park
Activities: Excursions, Hiking, Sightseeing, Boating
Los Tres Ojos, literally “Three Eyes” National Park, is located in Santo Domingo and is one of the favorite hubs of tourists. The Park’s centerpiece is the three crystal clear lagoons – hence “Three Eyes” – surrounded by magnificent flora and fauna. The lakes are actually sinkholes formed from tectonic movements and the water comes from an underground spring. There’s quite a lot of walking involved but it’s not something your bigger kids cannot handle – nevertheless, bring comfortable footwear, pile on the sunblock and the bug spray, AND make sure to take lots of pictures. If you go further than the third lagoon, you’ll be treated to a fourth lagoon that is well hidden and can be reached only by boat. This is a great way to explore the outdoors with your kids.
10. Catedral Primada de America
Activities: Historical Tour, Sightseeing
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the fact that this is the very first church to be erected in the Americas. Your kids will have an interesting post-vacation essay plus you and the whole brood can proudly say you injected tons of culture and history into your vacation. The church is located in Santo Domingo’s historic district of Parque Colon and is believed to have been built by Christopher Columbus’ son Diego. It has withstood many hurricanes, pirate vandals, and wear and tear, and the vaulted ceilings remain authentic and magnificent. After all the restoration, much of the original structure is lost, but it remains one of the best places to visit in Dominican Republic for families with kids.
Shorts, sleeveless tops, and flip-flops are not allowed because, after all, this is a church. It’s in the middle of the city so it’s easy to get to, and finding a place for snacks and rest for tired and cranky kids won’t be a problem.
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8. Alcazar de Colon (tie)
Activities: Historical Tour, Sightseeing
Alcazar de Colon is the castle built by Christopher Columbus’ son Diego, who was the Viceroy of La Espanola. This castle-turned-museum is a great piece of history, having survived everything that’s battered it since it was built in the 16th century. This includes pirate raids and hurricanes plus squatters and the usual vandalization. What’s more interesting is its architecture. It was designed in Gothic-Mudejar style and has been restored three times to bring back its former glory. It sits on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Santo Domingo. This is one educational tour you cannot miss!
8. Altos de Chavon (tie)
Activities: Historical Tour, Sightseeing
Altos de Chavon in La Romana is tied with Alcazar de Colon for the 8th spot in our list of the best places to visit in Dominican Republic for families with kids, thanks to its cultural and historical significance. Altos de Chavon is a beautiful replica Mediterranean village overlooking the River Chavon. You and your kids will be treated to an archaeological museum, a cultural center, and an amphitheater at Altos de Chavon. Be on the lookout for special performances at the theater!
7. Isla Saona
Activities: Swimming, Tours, Snorkeling
Isla Saona is one of the most popular destinations in all of Dominican Republic. Located in Bayahibe, Isla Saona is part of the protected East National Park (Parque Nacional del Este). It features miles and miles of powdery white sand beaches which are the best part of traveling to Isla Saona. There are tons of resorts and tour operators in Isla Saona from whom you can pick your family’s activities. There are countless dive shops, snorkel shops, hawkers, and even beachside massages. Don’t miss out on catamaran and speedboat tours as well.
6. Parque Nacional Las Haitises (Haitises National Park)
Activities: Boating Excursions, Cave Tours
Expose your kids to the unique beauty of Dominican Republic through the flora found in the Haitises National Park. From boating excursions to discovering the virgin forest thriving in this protected area and the surrounding caves, there’s so much tropical paradise to discover here. The Haitises is located in the Samana Bay. The best way to enjoy this with your brood is via private tours because transportation can be scarce and getting here on your own can be difficult.
5. Macao Beach
Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling, Surfing, Paddle Boarding
Macao Beach – located at DR’s most popular destination, Punta Cana – is a tourist favorite. The beach is the most magnificent color of blue, crystal clear, and just plain picturesque. But what really makes it ideal for your family vacation is the variety of activities that everyone can enjoy. There are buggy rides to take you around the shoreline as well as a whole slew of shops and businesses that offer different activities. Macao Beach earned extra points for convenience; after all, it is located in Punta Cana, where most DR trips are focused.
4. Isla Catalina
Activities: Swimming, Snorkeling, Boating Excursions
Isla Catalina is a smaller island off of the main La Romana province, but it is still part of the Punta Cana tourist region. You have to take a boat to get to the island. While that does not sound like a convenient idea, and while it generally has fewer shops that offer different activities, what earned it a better spot than Macao Beach is the fact that the small island is more secluded. It has fewer hawkers, fewer people, and is generally cleaner than other tourist favorites. There’s an abundance of tour operators that could take your family for a day tour at Isla Catalina. Don’t miss out fresh seafood dining on the island too!
3. Bavaro Beach
Activities: Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Eco Tours, Swimming, Boat Tours, Surfing, Windsurfing
Down at La Altagracia province, still part of Punta Cana, Bavaro Beach’s white sand beaches and inviting surf is hard to miss. The secret to actually making the most of Bavaro trips – and enjoying the most activities – is choosing the right resort. It can get pretty crowded, but with the variety of activities, surely there’s something there to keep everyone in your family busy and happy.
2. Scape Park
Activities: Zipline, Buggy Tours, Eco Tours, Horseback Riding, Cave Expeditions, Boating Tours
Located within the Cap Cana Resort, Scape Park is one for the outdoorsy family. You can be the adventurous, adrenaline-junkie kind of outdoors person and enjoy the ziplines, the caving excursions, and buggy tours. But if you prefer the quieter types of outdoor experiences, Scape Park can take you horseback riding and cruising. Scape also offers tours to other popular destinations in its immediate vicinity.
1. Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina and Casino
Activities: Marine Life Encounters and Swims, Night Entertainment, Casino
If there’s anything that puts everything for everyone in one place, it has to be Ocean World. At a glance, it seems like your regular ocean park, offering family-inclusive marine life encounters like swimming with sharks, sea lions, and dolphins; but their nighttime offerings are something that will excite the adults. It can be a little pricey, but its amenities, not to mention its convenient Puerto Plata location, earn it the top spot on this list.
There you have it! Which of the best places to visit in Dominican Republic for families for kids will be on your itinerary?
