The Dominican Republic is Canada’s favourite winter destination. And there are tons of great reasons for that, including two marvellous Blue Bay Resorts (Blue Bay Villas Doradas and Blue Bay Grande Punta Cana) and the beautiful BelleVue Dominican Bay. Here are some great activities and things to check out in the DR.

GOLF GALORE

The Dominican Republic is home to some of the world’s best golf courses. Punta Espada is a glorious layout I loved playing several years ago in Punta Cana. The conditions are immaculate, and it’s one of those courses that’s tough enough for a pro but enjoyable enough for us weekend duffers, too. Eight holes play along or over the water, so bring extra golf balls. In La Romana, Teeth of the Dog is rated the number one course in the Caribbean. It’s carved out of the coral and rock and features glorious ocean views and slick putting surfaces. The course was designed by renowned golf architect Pete Dye, so you know it’ll be a challenge.

A BEACH BBQ Who doesn’t love a great lunch on a sunny beach in the Caribbean? Playa Grande is a fabulous, long stretch of sand on the north coast between Puerto Plata and Samana. A very short drive from the main highway takes you to a series of seafood shacks painted in every colour of the rainbow, all of them offering the freshest seafood around. If you ask, they’ll set up a picnic table in the shade for you, just steps from the water. I was there with some friends a few years back and we dined like kings on local, whole, roasted snapper with salad and plantains, washed down by local Presidente beer and pina coladas served out of whole pineapples, with tons of fresh fruit and rum swirling about. There’s a fun bar on site called Rolly’s and a few places to buy local handicrafts or t-shirts.

WATERFALL ACTION Not far from Puerto Plata you’ll find the Damajaqua Waterfalls, a wonderful experience for the whole family. You’ll be outfitted with lifejackets and helmets and led on a 20-minute walk through the forest and over several small creeks. Ultimately you’ll emerge at the bottom of a series of waterfalls that drop and tumble their way through huge rock canyons. The warm is a perfect 22 degrees or so and the scenery is stunning. But the best part is jumping off small rock ledges or sliding down slippery rock faces into the pools below. Guides will help you navigate the rocks and even give you a lift to the top of the next waterfall if you need it. Glorious fun.

A SECLUDED BEACH Playa Rincon might be the most delightful beach in the Caribbean. Reached by car down a bumpy road (or more easily by boat) in Samana, you’ll find a long, curving, protected beach that’s prettier than a postcard. There’s a small collection of huts and an outdoor restaurant where you can get good chicken, fantastic fresh fish and fried plantains for about $15 Cdn. per person. The water is lovely and there are deck chairs for rent. There’s a small café at south end of the beach, with yet another stretch of quiet sand past that. At the north end of the bay you’ll find another food shack and a towering headland fronted by a refreshing and warm freshwater creek that’s perfect for a quiet float or rinsing off the salt.