Traveling with kids comes with a different set of priorities. No matter how old your children are, families want destinations with activities everyone can enjoy.

Whether that’s an all-inclusive resort with a kids’ club and adults-only pools, a laid-back beach town with calm water for little ones or a mountain escape filled with outdoor adventures, the Dominican Republic offers it all.

It’s the kind of place where your server might hold your baby while you finish your meal, and your kids could easily join a pick-up game of soccer or baseball with local children. Whether you’re traveling with toddlers, teens or somewhere in between, each of these four destinations offers a different kind of family vacation.

Cabarete: For Families Who Love Adventure

Not every family vacation needs to revolve around building sandcastles. If your kids are old enough to want a little more adventure, Cabarete is one of the Dominican Republic’s best places to get them out on the water.

Located on the country’s north coast, Cabarete is known for its reliable trade winds, making it one of the world’s top destinations for kiteboarding and windsurfing. Several local schools offer beginner lessons for both children and adults, giving the whole family the opportunity to learn a new sport together.

When they’re ready for a break from the beach, families can head to nearby El Choco National Park to explore caves and swim in freshwater lagoons. 

Jarabacoa: For Families Who Love the Outdoors

Is your family more into mountains and rivers than sandy beaches? Head inland to the island’s City of Eternal Spring: Jarabacoa. 

Known as the Dominican Republic’s leading ecotourism destination, this magical mountain town offers a completely different experience from the coastal destinations, with cooler temperatures and plenty of opportunities to spend the days outside.

Families can hike to waterfalls like Salto de Jimenoa and Salto Baiguate, ride horses through the mountains or explore nearby rivers and nature trails. Families with older teens who want a challenge can try whitewater rafting on the Yaque del Norte River.

For a different kind of adventure, head to Spirit Mountain, an organic coffee plantation where families can learn how coffee is grown and produced. 

Las Terrenas: For Families with Littles

Located on the island’s lush Samaná Peninsula, Las Terrenas offers families immaculate lazy-beach-town vibes beside golden sands and crystal-clear water. Visit during the summer months, and you can send your kids to an unforgettable summer camp at Isla Academy in Playa Bonita, where they can make new friends, improve their Spanish and enjoy art, beach days and sports. 

The beaches here have calm, shallow waters that make beach days with babies and toddlers stress-free. Thanks to Las Terrenas’ large European expat community, you can enjoy fresh croissants from Mocca’s Daily Coffee in the mornings and homemade pizza and pasta at one of many authentic Italian restaurants in the evenings. Oh, and don’t forget about fresh, homemade gelato right on the beach. 

Punta Cana: For Families Who Want an All-Inclusive Vacation

The Dominican Republic is best known for its all-inclusive resorts—and for good reason. Some of the Caribbean’s best family-friendly resorts are located in Punta Cana.

The best all-inclusive resorts balance family time with space for everyone to enjoy the vacation their own way. At resorts like Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, younger children can head to the kids’ club while parents unwind by the pool or at the spa. By the afternoon, everyone’s back together racing down waterslides, floating the lazy river, building sandcastles on the beach or catching one of the evening shows.