THIS year’s top holiday destination has white sand beaches, beers for less than £2 and very cheap package holidays.
eurochange has predicted where Brits will be jetting off to in 2026 thanks to recent money transactions – and it’s the Dominican Republic.
The travel money provider found that transactions for the Dominican peso increased by 165 per cent in 2025.
Laura Evans Fisk, Head of Digital & Engagement at eurochange said: “As we’ve seen transactions for the Dominican peso surge this year ahead of any other currency, we can definitely expect to see the Dominican Republic at the top of travel bucket lists for UK tourists in 2026.
“Whilst the Dominican Republic isn’t typically viewed as a budget destination, mid-range hotels are available from around £60 per night, and meals at authentic local restaurants tend to start from around £4.”
As for when’s best to visit the Dominican Republic, December to April is the dry season – this week, the island will see highs of 30C.
Read More on the Caribbean
It may be busier but the weather will be hotter and dryer than the other months.
Meanwhile, May to November is the off-season, when there’s likely to be more rain, but there will be fewer crowds.
Top places to visit include Punta Cana, a town on the eastern coast known for its stunning white-sand beaches and bright blue waters.
There’s also Santo Domingo, the island’s capital, where you’ll find plenty of bars – the average price of a local beer is 150DOP (£1.78).
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Check out the restaurants there too where you can try local food like sancocho, tostones, and dulce de leche.
The average price of coffee in the Dominican Republic is £1.46 and a meal for two can be as little as £4, according to Wise.
Of course being on a Caribbean island, you have to head to the beaches.
And the Dominican Republic has two of the best in the world; Canto de la Playa and Bahia de las Aguilas.
Canto de la Playa is a secluded beach on Saona Island and Bahia de las Aguilas is almost five miles long and found on the southwestern coast.
Bavaro Beach was given a TripAdvisor Travellers‘ Choice Award for being one of the best beaches in the world in 2022.
Playa Dominicus in the south is one of the longest beaches in the country. It’s great for swimming and snorkelling so you can see all the marine life off the shore.
In the waters you’re likely to see vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays – sometimes even sharks, dolphins and humpback whales.
In the north of the island is the Los Haitises National Park which is home to one of the Dominican Republic’s few remaining rainforests which was used as a filming location for Jurassic Park.
As for getting there, you can fly directly to the island British Airways and TUI began direct flights last year – the journey takes nine hours 25 minutes.
While you might think travelling to the Caribbean will be a huge cost – certain hotels and resorts are surprisingly affordable.
You can book a 14-night stay at the Hotel Capriccio Mare y Restaurante from £696.64pp with TUI.
The hotel has 25 airconditioned rooms, private bathroom with a shower, cable TV, a minibar, and complimentary toiletries.
Italian cuisine is served in the hotel’s restaurant – fresh bread, pasta, and ice cream are made in-house.
There’s a swimming pool and it’s within walking distance to the beach and Splash World Water park.
A 14-night stay for two leaving on January 27, 2026 with bed and breakfast costs £696.64pp – including flights from Manchester.
That works out at just £49.76pppn.
With loveholidays, you can stay at the whala!bavaro from £779pp or £111.28pppn.
The 4-star has bright rooms with an indoor and outdoor pool, spa, buffet-style restaurant and it’s just seconds from the beautiful Bavaro beach in Punta Cana.
The seven-night package for two is all-inclusive and includes flights from London Gatwick with British Airways leaving on September 16, 2026.
Another deal is for a seven-night stay at the Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa with On the Beach.
The 5-star rated hotel sits on the beachfront – it has a swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers, spa, fitness centre and evening entertainment.
You can book an all-inclusive stay from January 27, 2026 from £1,375pp.
One Sun writer checked into another all-inclusive hotel with in-room margarita stations…
Writer Giuli Graziano visited the Dominican Republic heading to Margaritaville Island Reserve all-inclusive resort…
If life gives you limes, make margaritas – as the slogan says on my in-room margarita station.
And it’s a motto I quickly adopt, pouring myself another freshly-blitzed cocktail before taking it out to sip on my balcony with views of the gentle waves below.
You wouldn’t expect anything less from the Margaritaville Island Reserve in the Dominican Republic.
But having my own personal cocktail station — where I can whip up fresh cocktails without even needing to change out of my pyjamas — was only the start of the fun at this beachfront resort.
Right on Juanillo Beach — in the sun-soaked region of Cap Cana, where the Caribbean’s turquoise waters meet pristine white sands — the 5* Margaritaville is a haven for holidaymakers who love an all-inclusive.
Plus, it’s just a breezy 15-minute drive from Punta Cana airport, which is welcome after the 12-hour flight from the UK.
When I wasn’t laid out in the sun, the private balcony in my Paradise room made for a peaceful escape.
And it was the perfect spot for watching the sun rise beyond the ocean at 4am or for tucking into a room service dinner while watching uninterrupted sea views.
You will need to tear yourself away from your balcony (and the 24-hour room service menu) if you want to bag the most bang for your buck though.
Outside of meal times, guests are given 2,000 “points” daily.
These are redeemable at the on-site corner shop, which sells everything from wine and spirits to locally made honey and traditional chocolate bars.
There are also proper iced coffees, sandwiches and desserts.
Then you have your in-room minibar — and that’s before you’ve even tackled the resort’s 15 bars, coffee houses and restaurants.
For more Caribbean holidays, check out this lesser-visited island with zip lines, lobster bars and volcano hiking.
And this is the safest Caribbean island with some of the world’s best beaches and ‘Flamingo Resort’.