Top 5 Cruise Ports In The Dominican Republic

Dr Is The Hottest Destination For Savvy Cruisers

Even a short cruise can be a dive into paradise when you set sail to the beautiful Dominican Republic with Royal Caribbean. In a country with so many idyllic paradise ports, why choose just one spot to explore? Visit Puerto Plata, Cabo Rojo, Samaná and more to discover white sand beaches, lush waterfalls and historic monuments on sailings to the Dominican Republic.

Sea Adventures In Puerto Plata

The ocean awaits with turquoise tempters for snorkelers and sunseekers looking for a swim. Another way for families to get their H2O fix is to visit Ocean World Adventure Park for sea lion encounters, rainforest adventure wildlife meet-and-greets, swimming with dolphins and an unforgettable experience to overcome any fin-fears by snorkeling with docile nurse sharks.

Puerto Plata Land Explorations

Historic sites, including the 16th-century San Felipe Fortress and breathtaking Isabel de Torres National Park, offer fascinating insight into the local culture. For those wanting to take a pulse-pounding leap, go the natural route, with a visit through tropical foliage to the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua with jumps of 3-24ft into the pools below.

Cabo Rojo

Sail to the Dominican Republic cruise port of Cabo Rojo on the new Legend of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale. This port is a gateway to stunning wild beaches such as Playa Sucia and secluded Playa Buye, salt flat birdwatching, fishing, ecotours and snorkeling reefs.

Fresh Coastal Bites In Cabo Rojo

Although Cabo Rojo is known more for wildlife than nightlife, a trip to nearby Pedernales opens up a bevy of seafood options to savor. Get your tentacles on some “Pulpo a la Criolla,” local Caribbean reef octopus grilled with a criollo sauce or garlic vinaigrette, or enjoy the fresh catch in sight of the sea. 

Bocanye Grill & Seafood and Rancho Típico Cueva de las Águilas are highly regarded, with Latin and island tunes adding fun to the flavor.

Sea Adventures In Cabo Rojo

Clear turquoise waters are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving, offering colorful coral reefs and an abundance of tropical fish and marine life. West Indian manatees and hawksbill turtles call these waters home.  

If your belly starts grumbling, swap your fins for a rod and reel with year-round inshore bottom and deep sea fishing for such fun fighters as marlin, dorado (mahi mahi), tuna and wahoo.

Cabo Rojo Land Explorations

Visit the serene, beautiful white sand Bahia de las Aguilas by ATV or boat, part of Jaragua National Park — which also features hikes to the Taino caves with ancient carvings.

Samaná

Plan ahead or let the daydreams start now — in 2027, adventure to Samaná for the first time in over a decade on board the new Star of the Seas. This laid-back land is known for its secluded beaches and dense rainforests, far removed from more tourist-filled locales. Soon it will also be home to an exclusive beach club within a cruise port and six cascading pools, waterfront loungers dotting the golden sand, tiki bars amid swaying palms and family-friendly waterslides and lazy river fun.

Coconut-Rich Cuisine In Samaná

This coastal charmer wins foodies’ coco-loving hearts, palms down. Belly up to “Pescado con Coco,” local fresh reef fish simmered in a coconut sauce. A perfect side nosh to a fresh seafood meal is “Samaná yaniqueque,” a sweet coconut bread.

Santa Bahia Kitchen & Bar dishes up casual Dominican bites (“empanaditas” and “mofonguito de camarones” — “Si!”) with indoor/outdoor breezy seating looking over the marina.

Sea Adventures In Samaná

If the season is with you — namely mid-January through late March at its peak — thousands of humpbacks venture to Samaná Bay to mate and birth their (rather large) calves. Regardless of your timing, swimming off Cayo Levantado’s white sand beaches is always a clear, warm sea pleasure.

Samaná Land Explorations

Hike or take a scenic horseback ride through the lush tropical forest to a refreshing dip below the thundering 120ft high El Limón waterfall. This photo-fave adventure is often followed by a local lunch.

La Romana (Punta Cana)

Visit the charming port of La Romana for easy access to Punta Cana’s white sand beaches, local culture and wild wonders. Plenty of nature-driven fun dots the landscape of this region if resort vibes aren’t your scene.

Street Eats in La Romana

Let La Romana get your goat by digging into a bowl of “carne de chivo guisado picante.” This aromatic stew made with tender, spicy goat meat hails from the mountain region and is loved by locals. . If you are looking for an on-the-go snack, street food fave, “yaroa,” is made with fried plantains, meat and cheese. 

“Fogones La Marina” is the perfect spot to try these authentic local recipes. It is a 15-20 minute ride from the port, but the ambiance and occasional live singing and violin offer a memorable meal. If these tasty treats inspire your appetite, make room for all of DR’s deliciousness to add serious spice to your life.

Sea Adventures In La Romana

Snorkel with sea turtles amid coral reefs or dip a fin in and try a scuba discovery program in the calm waters. Experienced divers will love the sunken shipwrecks and excellent viz in the clear turquoise seas, which offer habitat to morays, turtles, barracuda, jacks and a broad variety of reef fish.

La Romana Land Explorations

Bring good shoes for managing steps and explore the extensive underground network of “Cueva de las Maravillas” (Cave of Wonders). If the beautiful weather above ground is too good to miss, head to the beach for uninterrupted sunseeking. Bayahibe Beach offers the calm, clear water perfect for paddleboarding and other watersports.

Santo Domingo

The Port of Santo Domingo is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site packed with notable firsts of the New World, with museums, monuments, a castle, a cathedral and a university vying for visitors’ notice in the oldest city in the Americas. Although the well-preserved Colonial Zone offers much to see, sticking to the populated areas and opting for a short Uber when venturing out and about is a good plan.

Historic Eats in Santo Domingo

Part of the culture of any land is what is served on its tables. Some of the best dishes center on giving the homey feel of a place. Santo Domingo’s comfort food is tough to beat. “Pollo Guisado,” a braised chicken cooked with local seasoning, or fresh snapper “pescado frito” mains are perfect when accompanied by the superior Dominican french fry-swap, fried plaintain “tostones” with a healthy hint of garlic.

For the best of these DR bites, taken from arguably one of the best culinary adventurers, consider a pilgrimage to “Mesón de Bari” in Santo Domingo’s colonial zone and “D’Wendy Sabor” in charming Playa Boca Chica.

Sea Adventures In Santo Domingo

Take a ride up the coast to Juan Dolio beach for lounging and water sports or get your H2O in a new way. Sink into an unforgettable experience at The Three Eyes National Park with its glowing blue lagoon caverns to explore.

Santo Domingo Land Explorations

Sink into the 1496-founded culture with a historical experience exploring the Zona Colonial to see unmissable Caribbean landmarks such as the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria and Fort Ozama. The Ozama Fortress is recognized by UNESCO as the oldest military construction of European origin in the Americas and was formerly known as the city walls’ Homage tower. As the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement, the sites are many and impressive.

Book A Dominican Republic Cruise Vacation To Remember

The Dominican Republic is a treasure trove of experiences, and the best way to uncover its magic is by sea with Royal Caribbean. Whether you find yourself scaling the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua near Puerto Plata, seeking out manatees in the clear waters of Cabo Rojo, exploring the historical firsts of the New World in Santo Domingo or anticipating the new adventures coming to Samaná, each port offers a distinct and unforgettable Caribbean memory.