Vacation’s no good if you don’t get the ‘gram…okay, luckily that’s not true. But seriously, how will anyone know what a fun time you had if you don’t post some killer shots on social media? In this day and age, planning a trip around photo ops isn’t out of the question.
For your next trip to the Dominican Republic, you must hit these top spots to ensure your Instagram followers are happy (read: wishing they were you).
Playa Encuentro is perhaps the best surfing beach in the Dominican Republic. There are five different surf breaks on the beach almost constantly, so not only can you get some great photos and footage of you hanging ten, but it’s also just a super-fun activity to add to your itinerary.
Accessible only by dirt road, Playa Encuentro is off the beaten path, making it the perfect secluded surf spot for all your Instagram needs. And even if you can’t manage to pop up on the board, there’s always a horde of surfers hanging here who know what they’re doing, so you’ll get the shot no matter what!
At the Monkey Jungle in Puerto Plata, you can feed the cutest squirrel and capuchin monkeys on planet earth and capture the whole thing in (awww-inducing) pictures. The 20+ monkeys reside in a five-acre grotto and they love climbing all over visitors and gratefully accept snacks. There’s also a zip line here, making for an epic and totally photogenic experience on your trip to the Dominican Republic.
It’s open seven days a week, 365 days a year, from 9 am to 4 pm. Keep in mind that they only take cash.
Just one of the several surf schools residing in the surf village at Playa Encuentro, Chino Surf School in Cabarete is a super-chill venue for surf camps, several-day courses or just one-off lessons. No matter whether you’re a seasoned surf pro or have never touched a surfboard, Chino Surf School will help you take your skills to the next level. And what could be better for your Instagram than surfer vibes? The gorgeous forested area and abundant surfboards (and surfers) make this an epic photo spot and adventure for any trip to the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination located on the eastern end of the Dominican Republic. It has plentiful beaches and tons of fun activities to enjoy, like sailing, zip lining, windsurfing and kayaking. Punta Cana combines with the Bávaro area to form the Coconut Coast, which is known for its stretch of all-inclusive beach resorts.
A beautiful bay located off the beaten path on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Playa Caleton is an Instagrammer’s paradise. Not only is this beach laid-back and gorgeous, with crystal-clear water and a wide palette of tropical colors, but there’s also a rainbow of food huts serving traditional Dominican beach fare and rum-filled pineapples, so you stay well fed and have the ideal props for your photos. Rocks around the bay bear sculpted faces of Taino Indian chiefs.
The city of Puerto Plata has photo ops galore, but the roadside coconut stands at Parque Independencia, the main square of the city, are irresistible. Spend a day wandering the colorful, cobblestoned streets of Puerto Plata and you’ll find the desire to continuously stop and snap a photo of the patchwork of scenes around you. Located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata translates to the “Silver Port” and is loved for its beaches.
A natural preserve near Cabrera, in the middle of the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Monumento Natural El Saltadero has a waterfall and swimming hole for visitors to enjoy, as well as a small cave behind the waterfall to explore. You can also use the clay in the area to give yourself a natural mud treatment or enjoy watching thrill-seekers jump from the tall rocks into the water below. If you’re lucky, you may even find a mango growing in the surrounding trees to snack on.
A short ride on Teleférico Puerto Plata brings you to the summit of Mount Isabel. A cable car ride with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the green hills of the Dominican Republic isn’t something you want to leave off of your itinerary! When you reach the top of Mount Isabel, 2,600 feet above Puerto Plata, you’ll find a large Jesus statue called Cristo Redentor, similar to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. At the top, there’s also a large park area with botanical gardens and caves to explore, as well as a food stop for when you work up an appetite.
Located off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic, the piece of paradise called Saona Island offers a backdrop of lush beaches, mangroves and even coral reefs to snorkel. Step one foot onto its eye-catching beaches and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a computer screensaver—it’s that beautiful—which is also likely the reason that several famous filmmakerss and videographers have chosen it to serve as a “deserted tropical island” setting in movies and commercials. There are starfish, a turtle sanctuary and island vibes you’ll be devastated to leave.
Salta de Socoa is a “public bath” with a waterfall located in Los Haitises National Park, which is inland Dominican Republic and a great option for those wanting to take a break from crowded coastal beaches. Popular among visitors and locals alike, this spot basically provides you a natural spa surrounded by rich tropical flora and fauna, as if you’re in the middle of a jungle and found the watering hole. Best of all, it’s only a 40-minute drive from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, so it’s an easy day trip for anyone visiting the southern coast of the country.
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