Family adventure in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic’s Caribbean location and tropical climate feel like the first adventure for families traveling here, but that’s only the start. The DR is establishing itself as a center for adventure vacations. The north coast has the best of surf and turf, with white sand beaches and warm seas set up for all kinds of watersports plus mountains and forests where the adventure sports go from easy going to full on adrenaline. The Dominican people offer a genuinely warm welcome to visitors of all ages and while much of the DR is hot and steamy during the summer school hols, July and August are wonderful in the north.

Adventurous teens can try all kinds of challenging activities in the DR that will push them well beyond their comfort zone. Canyoning, for example, requires rappelling, cliff jumping and manoeuvering through a waterfall canyon. Or try river stand up paddle boarding, which combines the skills of surfing, kayaking and white water rafting.

“There are so many great adventures around the north coast without needing to travel far. Dominicans are warm, friendly people who enjoy hosting guests on their island. We run a weeklong, family adventure vacation that stays in two different locations, one beachfront and the second next to a spring-fed river on a Permaculture farm, so there’s a really nice mix that children enjoy. This kind of adventure vacation is ideal for children eight years and older.”

“Natural fruit juices are a local favourite. Try zapote [a small fruit with a fig like flavour], mango, sandía [watermelon], carambola [starfruit] and tamarind, all made fresh and served ice cold.”