The capital, Santo Domingo, is one of the main tourist hubs. Here, there are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants, along with a huge amount of bars and nightlife. Tourists will also find Mercado Modelo, a two-storey market in the Colonial Zone. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs and haggling is pretty much a requirement.

Outside of the capital, there is a wide variety of places to visit. Cabarate is a great beach with plenty of beach-side restaurants. However, the biggest draw here is the windsurfing and kite-surfing, as the coastal winds make it the perfect place for professionals and beginners alike.

For those tourists wanting to see some wildlife, the Dominican Republic is an ideal destination for humpback whale-watching, and one of the best places to see them is Cofresi. Cruises which take passengers out to see the whales are easily found.

For those looking to add a bit of adventure to their trip, Puna Cana and Pico Duarte provide thrills in abundance. In Puna Cana, visitors can zip wire through the rainforest, admiring the views as they go, while Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean. Found within Bermudez National Park, the peak can be hiked, although it’s quite a demanding two-day trek that is not advisable for beginners.

Jaracacoa, an inland town, is another ideal spot for thrill-seekers. Here, there’s a huge array of activities on offer, from mountain biking and horseback riding, to white-water rafting.

The Dominican Republic is ideal for relaxing too, with over 20 miles of stunning beaches to choose from. Playa Boca Chica, a bustling beach with white sands and crystal clear waters, is located just outside of the capital. Playa Rincón, on the eastern shoreline of the Samaná Peninsula, is slightly more difficult to reach, but tends to be deserted.

Calle de las Damas, in the capital of Santo Domingo, is a stunning cobblestone street in the colonial zone that is renowned for its beautiful architecture, abundant history and distinctly European feel.

Catedral Primada de America can also be found in the capital. This cathedral, built between 1514 and 1544, is the oldest cathedral in the Americas. With its Gothic ambience and Renaissance style décor, it’s a very peaceful place to visit and was once the resting place of Christopher Columbus.

There are a number of amazing beaches, including a variety of stretches of sand at Playa del Marao. Nearby, there’s a shipwreck for scuba divers to explore as well as the small fishing village of El Marco. Here, there are traditional restaurants for a real taste of the Dominican Republic’s past.

For a bit of wildlife-spotting, there is Lago Enriquillo, a huge salt-water lake that is home to one of area’s largest wild animal reserves and bird sanctuaries. Colourful flamingos, crocodiles and iguanas can all be spotted here.

Eastern National Park, also known as Parque Nacional del Este, is one of the largest parks in the Caribbean and home to 112 species of bird. There are also local caves where visitors can see early cave drawings along with some remote beaches for the ideal getaway.

Mount Isabel de Torres, in Purto Plata, offers amazing sights of the surrounding scenery. A short cable ride to the top allows visitors to admire the view and see the huge Christ statue here along with the botanical gardens, which are full of beautiful flowers.

To really get a feel for the history of the country, tourists should visit Altos de Chavon, a replica 16th century Spanish village. With beautiful scenery, it overlooks the Chavon River. There’s also an archeological museum and numerous art galleries here.

The Dominican Republic has a wide variety of entertainment for visitors. Although cockfighting is extremely popular, the fights can be brutal. However, there are plenty of other forms of milder entertainment on offer.

Baseball may not be the national sport, but it is very much the national obsession. Going to a baseball game is a great experience as the atmosphere is electric and the locals really get into the mood. The season lasts from October to January and Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo is a great stadium for both visitors who are seasoned fans or new to the game.

For night owls, the Dominican Republic can provide. The capital of Santo Domingo has the most variety of nightlife, but big tourist cities like Bavaro and Punta Cana also have huge clubs with international DJs headlining during the peak season.

Colmadons, small supermarkets by day and bars by night, are popular watering holes. The Dominican Republic is renowned for its rum and the way to drink like a local is to order a bottle of rum along with coke and ice.

For live music, it has to be the car washes. Many of the car washes in the cities transform into clubs or live music venues at night and usually stay open until the early hours of the morning. This is the best way to get a real, local night out.

The Dominican Republic is also known for its carnival, held annually on the last weekend in February. During this time, the city of La Vega comes to life, as more than 100,000 locals and tourists alike pour into the streets to party until dawn.

There are casinos in all the cities which often stay open late. There are also a number of cinemas and although some films are dubbed, English language films are often shown.

The Dominican cuisine takes a lot of its traits from Spanish food, not surprisingly as the nation was once a Spanish colony. The country has adapted many traditional Spanish dishes and given them a Caribbean twist.

Seafood and rice are the staples of most meals, with beans, plantains and potatoes also common. Seafood dishes here are delicious, and one of the best meals to try is paella. This traditional Spanish rice dish is made with local seafood and spices for an amazing fusion of tastes. There are many traditional restaurants across the island and most serve arroz con leche, also known as arroz con dulce. This sweet, spiced pudding of milk and rice is quite heavy, but very tasty.

Moros de gandules con coco, a mix of rice and coconut milk, often with peas, is very popular in the Caribbean, while sancocho, a mixed stew of chicken, pork, shrimp, vegetables and potatoes is exclusively a Dominican dish, along with pastelón, or casserole. There are a number of variations of this casserole but all include some form of meat. For those wanting try something different, lengua picante, or spicy cow’s tongue, is commonly eaten.

Los tres golpes is the name of a traditional meal served in three parts (hence the name, which translates as ’the three hits’). It consists of fried cheese, traditional Dominican salami and mashed plantain with egg, onion and avocado. This dish is often served for breakfast, although there are many other cuisines available for those not wanting to try new foods so early in the morning. In the tourist areas especially, there are traditional British, Italian and a number of fast food places.