The cheapest Caribbean island for all-inclusive holidays – with direct flights & 29C temperatures
DESPITE direct flights from the UK and average temperatures of 29C, the Dominican Republic is often overlooked in favour of the other nearby islands.
And the Caribbean destination has all-inclusive deals from £774pp – and is known for being the cheapest of the islands.
Why the Dominican Republic?
The Dominican Republic has everything you’d expect from a Caribbean island – beautiful sandy beaches and fantastic resorts.
Punta Cana is the most visited location, or you can head to Santo Domingo, the ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage site which is also home to Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest mountain.
The island nation offers incredible beaches, but the tropical forests and mountains are worth seeing.
The low cost of a vacation to the Dominican Republic is a major lure for British tourists.
There are affordable all-inclusive resorts compared to the rest of the Caribbean, and outside your resort, food and entertainment will also be cheap, thanks to the nation’s reasonable cost of living.
What is it like in the Dominican Republic?
Punta Cana has established itself as the top – and usually cheapest – travel location for tourists.
The holiday destination is known for its white sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts.
Here, the beautiful beaches in Bavaro and Arena Gorda are popular with tourists looking for water activities and sunbathing.
Those wishing to explore the island’s nature will want to head to The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park, an immersive experience showcasing the natural and historical background of the Dominican Republic.
Thrill-seekers will want to hit the natural theme park, Scape Park, and zipline with a view.
Santo Domingo, the capital, is described as where “history meets nightlife” and is recognised for its clubs, which open until the early morning hours.
Elsewhere on the northern shore, Puerto Plata features Victorian architecture and Mount Isabel de Torres.
When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?
Like any Caribbean island, the dry season is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic.
The dry season usually runs from late January to mid-March and between November and mid-December.
The average temperatures during this time will be between mid-20C and low 30C, and there is virtually zero chance of rain.
That being said, tourists can avoid the highest costs by opting for the shoulder months of November and March, which will still have pleasant temperatures and a low chance of rain.
What are the best holiday deals to visit the Dominican Republic?
The cheapest deals we’ve found usually come from TUI, loveholidays and British Airways.
TUI and British Airways operate direct flights from the UK to Punta Cana.
The cheapest deal we’ve found is seven nights at Whala Boca Chica in Boca Chica, costing from £774pp.
The deal includes your direct flight with BA, an all-inclusive stay and luggage allowance.
Here are the best deals we’ve found in 2024:
- 7 nights all-inclusive at whala!bavaro in Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – from £801pp
- 7 nights all-inclusive at HM Alma de Bayahibe (Adults Only) in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – from £851pp
- 7 nights all-inclusive at Coral Costa Caribe Resort & Spa in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic – from £896pp
- 7 nights all-inclusive at Riu Bambu in Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – from £1,068pp
What else do I need to know about the Dominican Republic?
The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, although most hotel staff also speak English.
The currency is the Dominican Peso, with £10 getting around 721 pesos.
The UK is currently four hours ahead of the Dominican Republic.
British citizens going on holiday to the Dominican Republic don’t need a visa and can stay for 30 days.
The only requirement is that your passport be valid for at least six months from arrival.
The UK government deems the Dominican Republic to be a safe destination for tourism; however, they advise Brits to be cautious when travelling there.
Travelling anywhere near the Haitian border is also discouraged.
We’ve also found the ‘cheapest ski destination in Europe’ with beers for £1.17 and lift passes for £30.
And long-stay beach holidays that are cheaper than staying home this January.
Elsewhere, Brits are being offered a free extra week on beach holidays to Portugal, Cyprus and Mauritius.