Things to Do in the Dominican Republic

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, Santo Domingo, sits the oldest continuously populated city in the Americas. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the district was founded by Columbus and the Spanish explorers in the 1500s.

At 792 meters, Mount Isabel sits proudly above Puerto Plata on the Amber Coast. The seven-minute cable car ride to the summit offers amazing views, and at the top a well-preserved cruciform Christ statue and some lovely botanical gardens.

Though its name is somewhat of a misnomer, (this landmark actually comprises of four subterranean lakes – the fourth wasn't discovered until 1948), the Three Eyes offer an amazing optical illusion. Though the limestone sinkholes are around 70 feet deep, the astoundingly clear water gives the impression that the lakes are shallow – so it's probably best to remember that appearances can be deceiving before you think of taking a quick dip!

The first cathedral in the Americas, until 1992 it contained the remains of Christopher Columbus. Its completely translated name is rather more of a mouthful: Holy Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of our Lady Holy Mary of the Incarnation!

Now the home to Columbus' remains, the concrete lighthouse is a relatively new feature of the capital, with construction only started in 1986, before it was inaugurated in 1992. It's lit up by 149 searchlights and a 70-kilowatt beam responsible for projecting a giant cross, which can be seen as far away as Puerto Rico.