8 Reasons to Holiday in the Dominican Republic

In 2010 more than 4 million tourists and holidaymakers visited the Dominican Republic, the majority of which (54%) came from the USA and Canada. Whilst this might sound like an impressive number of visitors it pales in comparison to other island destinations around the world. The reason being, quite possibly, is that in the realms of travel advertising, people just don't hear about it. So for the uninitiated below is a list of 20 reasons to holiday in the Dominican republic.

1. The Weather!

As it is located in the Caribbean the climate of the Dominican Republic is mostly tropical. In the summer the temperature peaks at around 32 °C (90 °F) and the average daily temperature is 25.8 °C (78 °F) with approximately 6.3 hours of sunlight every day.

2. It Has Great Beaches!

The Dominican Republic has nearly 1000 miles of coastline on its north, east and southern borders, a third of which is made up of some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Most of these beaches are pristine oases of brilliant white sand due to the high content of coral and shell, lined by tall shaded palm trees and offset by crystal clear waters. Not only do the beaches look beautiful and are great places to relax, the water temperature is also a constant 28-30 degrees Celsius almost throughout the year, which makes swimming an added pleasure.

3. It has Great Hotels and Resorts!

As well as a wide range of fantastic hotels the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's undoubted leader for all-inclusive resorts, with more than two dozen all-inclusive properties ranging from budget to luxury currently in operation. These resorts are based in breathtaking locations and offer world class facilities including Golf Resorts, Spas, Weddings and Water Sports.

4. The Food is Amazing!

The Dominican Republic has an excellent reputation for its varied and flavoursome food. Local cuisine is unique and delicious and as a culture Dominicans love to eat. Holidaymakers will find plenty of places to eat ranging from luxurious restaurants with gourmet menus to casual street cafes, all of which offer a mouth watering array of meals including Oriental, Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian and of course Creole food. You certainly won't go hungry!

5. It's a great place to bring the kids!

On top of the great weather, magnificent beaches, excellent range of accommodation and the awesome food, the Dominican Republic offers a wide range of fun activities for children. As well as a full range of water sports including surf boarding, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, diving and sailing, there are opportunities for horseback riding, go karting and mountain biking. In addition to this the Trampoline Museum, the Children's Library, the National Aquarium, the National Zoo, the National Botanical Gardens, the Waterslide Park and the Las Canquiñas Children's Park are sure to keep the little ones amused.

6. It's a fantastic place to get married!

Given its weather and breathtaking location the Dominican Republic is a fantastic place to get married. Many resorts offer complete wedding packages and dedicated co-ordinators who take the hassle out of organising the wedding for you. The Dominican Republic is of course a fantastic place for a honeymoon and just think what those wedding pictures will look like, especially against the backdrop of a pristine white beach!

7. It is an excellent place for a golfing holiday!

If you love golf then you will love golfing in the Dominican Republic as it contains 28 world class courses designed by such legends of the game as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Greg Norman. Nine of the country's golf courses are included in Golfweek Magazine's 2010 list of the top 50 courses in the Caribbean and Latin America. Not least because the breathtaking coastlines, lush green fairways and magnificent unspoilt views of nature make these courses an absolute joy to play on.

8. There's no better place for an Eco-Adventure!

The Dominican Republic has no less than nine distinct ecological zones. This natural diversity allows you to enjoy an extraordinarily diverse eco-adventure on one beautiful island. Containing the highest and lowest points above and below sea level in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic entertains practically every form of nature. From luscious tropical rain forests to arid deserts, each area offers a wide range of very distinct activities. Places like Jarabacoa and Constanza provide opportunities for mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and rafting, while Pedernales, Bahoruco, Bani, Azua and Barahona will reveal untouched beaches, geological formations, lagoons, deserts and dunes.