Dominican Republic: Route around the Paradise Island, tailor-made by car

Living up to its nickname, Dominican Republic will instantly seduce you with its jaw-dropping sunsets (the best on the planet), its white sand beaches with the typical curved palm tree looking out to the ocean, its turquoise waters and its diverse landscapes that are home to tropical jungles, stunning beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, soaring mountain ranges, lush valleys and amazing mangroves. All in all, an idyllic holiday destination. And, of course, its friendly people will make you feel at home straight away. A self-drive tour around the country will let you interact with many wonderful people who will make your trip an unforgettable adventure. And add to this mix the magnificent local traditions of enjoying a rum at sunset or lazing on a glorious beach in the year-round sun. You'll find one of these in Samaná. As soon as you set foot on the sand, you'll feel like you're in paradise. Visiting the Parque Nacional Los Haitises or the Parque Nacional Del Este parks will reconcile you with the world, and after discovering Playa Rincón beach, you can tell your friends that you've been to one of the top ten beaches in the world. Another must-see is Cayo Levantado, an atoll of sandy beaches, coconut trees and transparent waters. Here you can go diving, as you can at Cayo Arena, Cayo Vigía or Isla Saona, and marvel at the impressive underwater visibility. Can you imagine snorkelling on coral reefs while surrounded by shoals of exotic fish? Or marvelling at the exuberant nature that you can explore in its caves, crater pools and waterfalls? Adventure sports are a highlight of this holiday, as you'll see, but so is the very best cuisine in the Caribbean. Typical Dominican dishes, the island's rum and its tobacco will let you enjoy with all five senses. This tobacco cherishes a lot of history, as depicted in the cave paintings at Cueva de las Maravillas. And on the subject of the past, the beautiful colonial city of Santo Domingo is home to numerous monuments recalling the figure of Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of the Americas. Known as Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic was once the richest colony in the world. So, shall we head off to paradise?