About Dominican Republic:
The Dominican Republic (officially República Dominicana) is a vibrant Caribbean nation occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. You will find it called the Dominican Republic or, more correctly, Dominican Republic.
It’s the second-largest country in the Caribbean by both area and population (estimates range from 11.0 to 11.6 million), renowned for its stunning beaches, rich history, diverse landscapes, and growing economy. In geographic size, it is about 18791.978 square miles (48,671 square kilometers), roughly the size of the U.S. state of West Virginia or the countries of Slovakia or Costa Rica. The country features close to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of coastline, more than 250 miles (400 km) of beaches, the Caribbean’s highest peak (Pico Duarte at 10,174 feet/3,101 meters), mountains, rain forests, and diverse ecosystems ranging from deserts to pine forests.
The capital city of Santo Domingo is the oldest continuously inhabited European-settled city in the Americas (founded in 1496).
Dominican Republic is one of the fastest-growing countries in the Western Hemisphere in recent decades; driven by tourism, construction, manufacturing, mining (including major gold production), and remittances. Projected GDP growth for 2026 is around 4.5%, with low unemployment (5.3%) and inflation (4.2%). The country aims for high-income status by 2036, with ambitions to double GDP and eliminate extreme poverty in the coming decade.
The Dominican Republic remains one of the Caribbean’s top destinations, welcoming millions of visitors annually (with strong growth continuing into 2026, including an 8% increase in arrivals in early 2026 despite U.S. weather disruptions). Popular areas include Punta Cana, world-famous for pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, all-inclusive resorts, and activities like snorkeling and golf.
The Dominican Republic is pursuing ambitious goals under President Abinader, including positioning itself as a logistics/nearshoring hub, boosting AI initiatives, and hosting the Summit of the Americas in 2026. Tourism remains resilient, and the economy shows steady recovery and growth. However, challenges persist, including border/security issues with Haiti, occasional crime concerns (stick to tourist areas and follow standard precautions), and environmental vulnerabilities.
Note about the national flag of the Dominican Republic: it is the only flag in the world with an open Bible. According to Article 31 and 32 of the Constitution, the flag has a cross in the middle that extends to the ends and divides the flag into four rectangles: the above are blue (on the side of the shaft) and red; and below are red (on the side of the shaft) and blue. In the center of the cross there is the emblem of the Dominican Republic.
Altagracia: Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia
Santo Domingo: Capitol city, Catedral Primada de América
Traveling to Dominican Republic:
By air:To get to the Dominican Republic, you’ll typically fly into one of its major international airports, like Punta Cana (PUJ) or Santo Domingo (SDQ), from North American or European cities, with airlines such as JetBlue, American, Delta, or Spirit offering frequent flights, especially from U.S. hubs like Miami, NYC, and Fort Lauderdale. Be sure you have a valid passport and return ticket for entry.
By sea: Many cruise lines regularly visit the Dominican Republic, although primary ports of call (Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), La Romana, and Samanáare) not necessarily close to any Catholic places of interest. Major lines offering itineraries to the Dominican Republic include Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Virgin Voyages.