Where to Stay in the Dominican Republic for Every Budget

Travelers who want the picturesque white-sand beaches that are considered some of the best in the Caribbean should head to Punta Cana, which sits at the easternmost part of the country. The area is home to dozens of mega-resorts -- from family-friendly all-inclusive properties to jaw-dropping luxury options -- and fortunately, all buildings have to be shorter than palm trees. Punta Cana receives some of the least amount of rainfall in the D.R. and most hotels have excellent high-level security, but this is not the best spot for water sports and some hotels are a long drive over poor roads from the airport.

• Budget: Karibo Punta Cana offers an excellent value with modern rooms and kitchen-equipped apartments, a large 24-hour pool, free Wi-Fi, and a cocktail bar. Although the beach isn't within walking distance, a free shuttle is provided.
• Mid-Range: Offering an upscale experience at three-pearl prices, Alsol Del Mar is an intimate all-inclusive property with a small beach, oceanfront pool, and stylish condos with kitchenettes (some also have private hot tubs).
• Luxury: The kid-friendly, five-pearl Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real is surprisingly serene and offers all the expected amenities. If money is no object, the 30-room Tortuga Bay was designed by Oscar de la Renta and blows away other properties with its outstanding service and elegant facilities.

Along the northern coast, Puerto Plata offers less impressive beaches but more history in its Old Town, plus better road conditions. There aren't a ton of luxury properties here, as most tend to be in the three- to four-pearl range, making it suitable for value-minded families. A good percentage of tourists stay outside the city center in the Playa Dorada area, which includes an extremely safe gated group of 15 hotels, as well as a shopping center and golf course. A few other golf courses are in the area and the nearby Damajagua waterfalls are worth a visit. 

• Budget: Situated across the street from a lovely beach, ApartHotel Costambar has 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments, free Wi-Fi, and a small outdoor pool. 
• Mid-Range: Couples should consider BlueBay Villas Doradas, an adult-only hotel with multiple pools, a swim-up bar, spa, several restaurants, and an array of entertainment options. 
• Luxury: The Casa Colonial Beach and Spa is on our lists for the best boutique and most romantic hotels in the D.R., thanks to its polished colonial-style rooms, a fine-dining restaurant, access to an uncrowded stretch of beach, and a lovely rooftop pool with ocean views.

The Samana Peninsula sits in the middle of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Samana Bay. The landscape here is gorgeous, from the stunning Playa Rincon to the waterfalls at El Limon, but it's the excellent humpback whale watching opportunities between January and March that lure most travelers. The largest city is Samana, which sees lots of cruise ships, while Las Terrenas offers more charming beaches and lots of waterfront eateries. The small fishing village of Las Galeras is an excellent pick for those looking to be close to Playa Rincon as it's a 30-minute drive away. 

• Budget: One of the best values in all of D.R., Chalet Tropical Village has just five rustic villas with kitchens, an excellent free breakfast spread, and a setting that's a 10-minute walk from the beach. 
• Mid-Range: Outside of Samana, Xeliter Vista Mare Samana sits on a secluded and beautiful beach, offering two cliffside infinity pools, well-equipped and attractive apartments, and an open-air eatery serving free breakfast.
• Luxury: Romantic, luxe, and beachfront, the Sublime Samana hotel has a laundry list of top-notch features, and a great location that's about a 15-minute drive outside of Las Terrenas. And although rooms at Dominican Tree House Village are certainly basic, they come at luxury prices due to their unique setting among the trees.

Cabarete and Sosua are about a 20-minute drive from each other, but offer a similar vibe and appeal. They're both popular with party-minded crowds, thanks to the buzzing nightlife scene. But it has an ugly side as well: Advances from prostitutes are extremely common (solicitations are more prevalent in Sosua). But, Cabarete also draws water-sports enthusiasts, thanks to its large wind-filled beaches that make it well-suited for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and good old-fashioned surfing (swimmers beware!). These cities are not the most ideal place to stay for relaxed family fun, though there are some kid-friendly spots sprinkled around. 

• Budget: If cheap and charming sounds attractive, Tropix Hotel in Sosua is a good pick. Rooms are dated and basic, but a good location, small pool, and cheerful interiors are pros.
• Mid-Range: While rustic, Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa is an eco-conscious, low-key property on a gorgeous and secluded beach. A spa, free breakfast, a pool, and yoga classes round out the solid features. 
• Luxury: Spanning 250 acres, Sea Horse Ranch is a secure property offering luxury villas -- all with private pools -- plus an equestrian center, tennis club, and activities for kids.

The Greater Santo Domingo area encompasses the capital of Santo Domingo and surrounding areas like Boca Chica. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Santo Domingo is filled with historic structures like a church, palace, and fortress in the Zona Colonial, but it also has ample modern-day elements, such as a shopping malls, fine-dining Latin eateries, and cocktail bars. Some travelers like Boca Chica for its calm, shallow waters that are suitable for children, but the place is known as D.R.'s sex tourism capital, plus locals ceaselessly try and sell souvenirs and non-Spanish speakers may have a tough time communicating. 

• Budget: Smack-dab in the tourist-friendly Colonial Zone, Hotel Conde de Penalba has well-maintained rooms with flat-screen TVs, AC, and free Wi-Fi, plus a rooftop terrace and authentic local eatery. 
• Mid-Range: Also in the Colonial Zone, the charming 10-room Casa Sanchez Boutique Hotel offers a colonial style, free cooked-to-order breakfast, outdoor pool, and rooftop hot tub, plus free filtered water. 
• Luxury: Not only does Hodelpa Nicolas de Ovando offer a superb location next to historic sites, it also occupies a building dating back 500 years. The gorgeous property has quaint rooms with modern amenities, an upscale French restaurant, and an outdoor pool.

Beautiful Caribbean beaches are the crowning feature of La Romana, a city with not much in the way of local charm, but far fewer big resorts than Punta Cana (an hour drive away). However, it's perhaps best known because of the luxe Casa de Campo, which opened in 1974 and is home to three Pete Dye golf courses. The calm beach waters make the area suitable for families with little ones, and some of the country's best diving and snorkeling are found at the nearby Isla Catalina, as well as at Bayahibe, a 25-minute drive away. The latter has seen a surge of development in recent years, and it benefits from its proximity to a national park with scenic lagoons and wildlife. 

• Budget:Villa Baya Aparta-Hotel, a low-key apartment-style hotel that's popular with divers, is a simple and relaxed property within walking distance of all necessities. 
• Mid-Range: Families need not look further than the Cadaques Bayahibe, which has a water park, kids' club, and game room, plus the usual beach resort features like a stretch of sand, two pools, and three restaurants.
• Luxury: Considering rates are extremely reasonable, a stay at the posh and feature-packed Casa de Campo is the best option for the area. But, couples looking for something different can try the adults-only Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville Don Pablo Collection, which has its own laundry list of high-end amenities.
  
  
  You'll Also Like:
  
  
• 6 Stellar Destinations in the Dominican Republic That Aren't Punta Cana
• The Best Honeymoon Destinations Around the World
• The 12 Best Bang-For-Your-Buck All-Inclusives EVER