Dominican Republic on a Budget: 5 Things to Do for Free

Vacation travel is supposed to be fun and help relieve stress. Take some of the stress off of your wallet with these free things to do while you’re exploring the Dominican Republic.

Colorful umbrellas decorate Umbrella Street in Puerto Plata.

Puerto Plata: Umbrella Street
Looking for a bright and beautiful Instagram-worthy photo? Umbrella Street in Puerto Plata provides all that and more. This colorful umbrella-topped promenade offers shopping, charming cafes and an enchanting atmosphere suited for everyone. Even the walls are adorned with local artwork, making Umbrella Street a feast for the senses.

The historic center at Independence Park.

Puerto Plata: Parque Central Independencia
Check out Parque Central Independencia (i.e. Independence Park). This is a great place to stop and relax during your Puerto Plata adventure. Here you can people watch, and walk around and take photos of the historic center. Festivals and free concerts are held here regularly.

A gorgeous view from Fort San Felipe.

Puerto Plata: Malecón de Puerto Plata
Called “the most beautiful seafront boulevard in the Dominican Republic" by locals, the Malecón offers sea breezes, great views and interesting places to explore. Along the boulevard you can take pictures of the beautiful white-sand beaches, old Fort San Felipe, the lighthouse and the amphitheater.

Kite Beach is a great place to watch the colorful kite surfers.

Puerto Plata: Check out Kite Beach
Visit the Dominican Republic’s kiteboarding mecca, located east of Puerto Plata in the Cabarete area. Kite Beach is home to some of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing in the Caribbean. Once a quaint fishing village, now it’s full of great shops, bars, restaurants and of course the beach.
For a great value that includes meals, we recommend Iberostar Costa Dorada - All-Inclusive Resort, about a 15-minute drive from Puerto Plata.

The soft sand of Bavaro Arena Gorda beach is a great place to spend the day.

Punta Cana: Find a Beautiful Beach to Walk
We love Puerto Plata, but we also love the sandy beaches of Punta Cana. There are so many beaches around the area with Caribbean-clear blue water and white sand for miles, like Bavaro Arena Gorda, Cabeza de Toro, Macao or Uvero Alto, just to name a few. You could spend your entire vacation happily going from beach to beach comparing them all.
If you are looking for an adults-only, all-inclusive resort getaway in the Punta Cana region, we recommend Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana.

For a more family-friendly, all-inclusive resort getaway in the Punta Cana region, we recommend Majestic Elegance Punta Cana.
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About the Author: The above piece was compiled by Penny Anderson, mother of two young athletes, and Merchandising/Ecommerce Manager at Costco Travel. Penny has been a Costco employee for 29 years.