Long celebrated for its endless stretches of powdery, palm-fringed coastlines, the Dominican Republic offers a pulsating heartbeat that extends far beyond the gates of its famous resorts. This is a country where the infectious rhythms of merengue and bachata spill into the streets, and centuries of history echo through the romantic cobblestone alleys of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. From the misty, pine-clad heights of Pico Duarte to the hidden, waterfall-draped jungles of Samaná, the D.R. is a breathtaking collision of raw natural beauty, vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture, and an endlessly warm spirit that invites you to dive all the way in.