Dominican Republic Named Best Caribbean Island For 2023

When thinking of a vacation in the sun, the Caribbean often comes to mind, with its idyllic beaches, crystal-clear aqua waters and waving palm trees. Naturally, the islands are also famous for their warmer weather and friendly locals in around 13 sovereign countries. There are so many Caribbean islands, how do you choose between them? Well, this year, the decision has been made for you after the Dominican Republic has been named the Best Caribbean Island at Global Traveler’s reader-rated Leisure Lifestyle Awards.

Dominican Republic comes up tops as Best Caribbean Island

The prestigious awards are now in their 11th year are rank the best in the world relating to Leisure and Lifestyle Travel. The awards are given for excellence in destinations, airlines, airports, hotels, cruises and more sectors of the travel industry.

Meanwhile, this isn’t the first the Dominican Republic has come out tops, as it received the award for the third year in a row. The Hispanic Caribbean nation beat out some of the top islands, including Barbados, Jamaica, Aruba and Curacao and several more Caribbean favorites for the top spot.

To get an idea, the Caribbean consists of more than 700 islands, although only around 100 are permanently inhabited, so this shows how much of a win the Dominican Republic has achieved.

What makes the Caribbean island special?

One aspect that makes the Dominican Republic different is that it doesn’t hold the sovereignty of the whole island. It nestles on the eastern half of the historic island of Hispaniola, settled by the Spanish when they first charted the Caribbean. Eventually after conflicts between the Spanish and French colonies, the D.R. occupies one part of the island, while the other is occupied by Haiti.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic side features the bustling capital of Santo Domingo, as well as popular resort towns like Punta Cana. Not only does the country offer idyllic beaches, but it also has plenty of culture and a number of all-inclusive resorts to choose from.

Another popular resort town is Puerto Plata, with its crystal-clear water and bustling nightlife. However, for those who prefer to take things slower, La Romana is the place to chill out and relax. Moreover, the island has lush and beautiful national parks to hike and explore.

Culture and history in the Dominican Republic

While many love the beaches, the country features many Spanish-era landmarks worth visiting. For instance, the capital, Santo Domingo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic core with beautiful Spanish façades, Neo-Gothic monuments and Baroque churches, all of which have been carefully preserved.

Meanwhile, the walls of Santo Domingo are also recognized by UNESCO as the oldest European fortification in the Americas. Those walls were built early in the 16th century by the Spaniards and the Ozama Fortress, where Christopher Columbus was once imprisoned is part of the complex. With a high tower, smaller turrets and its defensive ramparts, it is open for visitors.

However, besides Santo Domingo, other Spanish sites include the Fortaleza de San Felipe in Puerto Plata, the Fortaleza San Luis in Santiago de los Caballeros and a replica Mediterranean village in Altos de Chavon.

Getting to the D.R.

As recently reported, a number of new nonstop flight routes have been announced from the US, ready to take you to Santo Domingo, Punta Cana and other exciting destinations in the Dominican Republic.