When Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492 he made Santo Domingo the first Spanish capital of the New World. The ancient Taino people stamped their footprint on the history of the island too and there are archaeological sites worth visiting - if you can peel away from the sparkling shoreline.

On the north of the island you'll find the Atlantic Ocean and places such as Puerto Plata, Sosua, Bahia Maimon, Costa Dorada, Playa Dorada and Cabarete, plus the Samana Peninsula, which is home to beautiful Cayo Levantado. There's also Punta Cana, which is where you'll find the resort of Bavaro.  

Down south, where Caribbean waters lap gently on to the sand, is the exciting capital city of Santo Domingo, and the resorts of Los Ranchitos, Boca Chica, La Romana, and Bayahibe. Dominican Republic holidays are as delightful as the varied resorts, and couples, groups, and families will get a warm welcome here.

Should you ever get bored of sipping cocktails by the pool or swimming in the clear Caribbean waters, there are many day trips worthy of your time. The islands of Catalina and Saona are well served by boat charters and both offer picture-perfect beaches. San Felipe Fortress is the place to gaze into the past and pretend you are helping to protect the island from swashbuckling pirates, while nature is at its tropical best in the island's mangroves. Gri Gri Lagoon is also a notable trip by boat, and a cable car will whisk you to the top of Mount Isabel del Torres if you can't summon the energy. If you are an active type, there are opportunities for white-water rafting around the Dominican Republic too. 

Ocean World is in Puerto Plata and is an adventure park, marina and casino - you are sure to find something for the whole holiday party at this Mecca of fun. 

Dip your toes in the warm waters of the Dominican Republic and find one of the most affordable long-haul holidays available from the UK. TravelSupermarket can help you to find your dream break at the best price - search for your holiday today.

Travel between December and April and take advantage of the dry season. Travel between May and November and you can take advantage of lower prices, but you are likely to see rainfall, as this is the wet season. It can also get extremely hot and humid during these months.

La Vega Carnival; February: The nation's African heritage is celebrated with wild masks and colourful costumes at this energetic festival, where merengue moves and salsa beats are compulsory!

Santo Domingo Carnival; February/March: Things have hardly calmed down since La Vega Carnival when the attention shifts to the exertions of the Santo Domingo Carnival, where party-goers in devil costumes and masks parade the streets. 

Dominican Republic Jazz Festival; October/November: Sway to the sultry beats when the nation gets groovy with a range of jazz events.

Relaxing: Visit the beautiful and peaceful Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. Admire the Spanish renaissance and gothic architecture of this 16th-century building.

Romance: Indulge in a lazy day with your other half on secluded Bavaro Beach. Relax under swaying palm trees, walk hand in hand along soft white sands and take a dip in the inviting turquoise water.

Kids & teens: For a truly unforgettable holiday memory, treat the kids to a day out at Ocean World where they will be able to swim and play with dolphins.

Grown-up families: A trip to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve is a fantastic day out for families. Covering 1,500 acres of subtropical forest, families can visit a sugarcane exhibit, iguana habitat, freshwater lagoons and a petting zoo.

Shopping: If traditional Caribbean souvenirs such as rum, cigars and amber jewellery are on your shopping list, then Punta Cana has a number of local craft shops to choose from.

Nightlife: There are numerous nightspots in the capital Santo Domingo. Partygoers will love strutting their stuff at one of the many clubs, bars or discos - just don't forget to sample some local Cuba Libre cocktails!