The lush, sun-speckled Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean. Fabulous beaches stretch along the coast of the verdant island the country shares with Haiti, some lined with mega-resorts, but many still quite remote and unspoiled. Inexpensive short flights from the US and cheap all-inclusive packages from Europe make it an easy choice for a carefree tropical vacation. But the DR or Dom Rep, as it's frequently called, boasts plenty more than this - as the first European settlement in the Americas, it has colonial ruins, and as the most geographically diverse country in the Caribbean everything from white-water rapids to nature reserves and mountain pine forests.

Dominican Republic DIRECTIONS has all you need to get the most out of your stay: the best places to stay, eat, drink and party, whatever your budget; the most happening clubs and bars; the best adventure trips... in short, the best the DR has to offer.

Browse the full-colour ideas section for a wide range of things to do. Then flip to the places section to explore the country, with every resort, restaurant, bar and club located on our easy-to-use maps.

It's like having a local friend plan your trip.