Discover the Dominican Republic

The old town of Santo Domingo is the oldest permanently settled European city in the Americas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cobblestone streets pass the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the Ozama Fortress and the Alcázar de Colón — living colonial history in the heart of a vibrant Caribbean metropolis.

Miles of dream beaches with powder-white sand and coconut palms make Punta Cana the country's best-known beach destination. Huge all-inclusive resorts, golf courses and water sports ensure that millions of holidaymakers from around the world relax here every year.

From January to March, thousands of humpback whales migrate to Samaná Bay to mate and give birth — one of the best whale-watching areas in the world. The El Limón waterfall and the palm-lined Playa Rincón also draw visitors.

Merengue and bachata originated here and still shape every street corner, bar and festival today. Live music, home-produced rum and warm hospitality make Dominican joie de vivre palpable everywhere.

Direct flights to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo from Europe, usually with a flight time of around nine to ten hours. From Switzerland, there are seasonal charter flights as well as connections via Madrid, Paris or Frankfurt.

The official language is Spanish, in the Dominican dialect with many of its own expressions. In large hotel complexes and tourist centres like Punta Cana, English and sometimes German are also commonly spoken.

The Dominican peso (DOP). US dollars are also widely accepted in hotels, resorts and tourist shops, though often at a less favourable exchange rate.

Yes, compared to Switzerland the Dominican Republic is significantly more affordable — all-inclusive resorts, local food and transport in particular offer good value for money.