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May was a record-setting month for the Dominican Republic. With over 600,000 visitors flocking to this Caribbean paradise last month alone, those who haven’t been might wonder, “what is so attractive about this place?“.

Despite back-and-forth travel warnings from both the United States and Canada, westerners continue to flock here for their dream vacation.

The Dominican Republic has become one of the most popular getaways for a variety of reasons that leaves travelers coming back for more.

Tourism records continue to be broken, and there is no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Here are 7 reasons why travelers are visiting the Dominican Republic in record numbers:

Easy Access To Paradise

The Dominican Republic is one of the easiest Caribbean nations to reach in a reasonable time by flight.

Whether travelers are departing from the East Coast, midwest, southern states, or even certain Canadian cities, a dreamy beach vacation can be within only 3 to 4 hours away.

Many major airlines will fly to one of 3 major airports:

• Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
• Las Américas International Airport (SDQ)
• Cibao International Airport (STI)

Increasingly Popular Cruise Hotspot

May was another astonishing month for cruise passengers with over 130,000 visitors arriving by way of sea.

That figure nearly tripled prior expectations! This is not a complete surprise, however, as the country has poured big money into investing in the cruise industry with extensive upgrades to terminals.

There is also the upcoming project in the southern region of Pedernales near Haiti, which is a relatively undiscovered gem for this country.

While Puerta Plata does have a small airport to fly into, this scenic beach town on the north side of the country is the biggest cruise hub of the Dominican.

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Punta Cana: The Number One Destination In The Dominican

Roughly 80% of Americans who travel to the Dominican go to Punta Cana. This town offers so much to travelers; it’s easy to see why this is the number one destination.

From its pristine white-sand beaches to immaculate all-inclusive resorts along its stunning shoreline, there is a place for everyone to enjoy their Caribbean escape.

In fact, nearly 60% of international visitors stayed in Punta Cana last month. Word is out how amazing and luxurious this resort hotspot can be, but it’s still a delightful place to spend your vacation.

All-Inclusives Everywhere

While Punta Cana is the best place to find all-inclusive resorts, there are more spread out across the country.

You won’t find super ritzy places in the major cities, although they are worth spending some time in to see the historic culture of this country.

There are many other popular beach towns besides Punta Cana. They’re not as difficult to reach as one might think simply by looking at a map.

Puerta Plata is easily accessible by cruise or a shuttle from STI airport, where guests will marvel at the tranquility of some of the nation’s prettiest coastlines.

Others, such as Samana and La Romana, offer luxurious resorts surrounded by beautiful nature.

A Family-Friendly Getaway

While there are certainly adult-only resorts available, the Dominican Republic is an excellent choice to bring the whole family.

Many resorts offer fun entertainment to keep the kids occupied and world-class pools to spend the day.

Earlier this year, Punta Cana opened a new theme park too, with a neighboring all-inclusive resort making it even easier for the whole crew.

Safety

Even though there is a current Level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, that doesn’t necessarily mean travelers should alter their plans.

While the major cities due experience unpredictable acts of crime from time to time, these unfortunate situations can happen anywhere.

In fact, Canada issued a travel advisory for the United States. Crime can happen at the most random times, but the Dominican Republic’s economy thrives on tourism.

In highly popular resort areas, extra steps have been taken to ensure the safety and security of guests where rare criminal acts occur.

Off-The-Beaten-Path Destinations

While most travelers flock to the more well-known areas, there are many places still waiting to be discovered.

Many come to the Dominican Republic to relax at the gorgeous beaches, but there are many less-populated areas worth the trek to spend time in lush nature and waterfalls, such as Samaná.

The cruise port expecting to open in December will help travelers explore Pedernales, but there are others, such as Miches.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com