The Dominican Republic, Diversity and Beauty for Filmmaking

Beaches and Mountains

Filmmakers are drawn to the unique topography of the DR, where you can travel from the beach to the mountains in less than an hour. The coastline is over 800 miles long with hundreds of pristine, accessible beaches, making it easy to find the exact setting for that critical scene. And rising above sea level, there are a series of majestic mountain ranges, including the Cordillera Central, home to Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, topping out at 10,128 feet.

Rivers and Waterfalls

Thanks to numerous mountain ranges, the DR is home to many flowing rivers with challenging rapids and breathtaking cascades. The most exciting place to view dramatic waterfalls is 27 Charcos de Damajagua in the Puerto Plata province, a beautiful series of falls emptying into deep pools. There are also plenty of navigable rivers, particularly in jungles where you could shoot a scene set in the Amazon or Vietnam.

Islands

If a scene calls for an island setting, the Dominican Republic has postcard-worthy offshore islands just a short boat ride away, either in the Caribbean Sea in the south or in the Atlantic Ocean up north. Isla Saona and Catalina are just 12 miles by boat from the eastern fishing village of Bayahibe, featuring white sand beaches and shallow turquoise waters.

Deserts, Lagoons and Lakes

For filmmakers facing budget constraints or tight shooting schedules, the Dominican Republic offers the broadest possible range of settings, including the desert-like landscape of the dry southwest and the Baní sand dunes. Inland lagoons are easily found all around the country’s coast . The country has only one lake, Lago Enriquillo, which stretches across two provinces and harbors American crocodiles and multiple species of birds.

Caves and Cenotes

Numerous caves and cenotes add to the diverse nature of this Caribbean paradise. The sites date back to the first inhabitants of the Americas, who left behind cave dwellings filled with petroglyphs and pictographs. Punta Cana Scape Park is one of many places featuring a cluster of natural caves surrounded by rainforest.

If you are looking for a cenote, the Dominican Republic is home to some of the most impressive swimmable sinkholes in the world. Some highlights include Dudú Lagoon, the 3 Eyes, Hoyo Azul (a 45-feet-deep shaded pool amid lush tropical vegetation) and Cenote Indígena Las Ondas, a magnificent pool enclosed within an underground cavern.

Cities and Rural Towns

Santo Domingo is the largest capital of the Caribbean and home to over 3.3 million people. Producers and Directors will have access to authentic colonial architecture in the first city built by Europeans in the New World. The Colonial City in Santo Domingo features striking churches such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor and walkable stone streets like the unmistakable Calle de las Damas. Santo Domingo is also a metropolis with a modern skyline, an ideal backdrop for present-day stories.

A little over an hour away from the capital you will find Casa de Campo, a seaside resort in the city of La Romana that boasts villas and houses not unlike the ones found in Los Angeles or Miami. The eastern town of Punta Cana also offers abundant real estate options for location scouts.

If you are looking for a coastal town, you can take your pick from Las Terrenas, Juan Dolio or the surf town of Cabarete. More rural towns like Jarabacoa and Constanza provide peaceful, scenic options surrounded by mountains, rivers and waterfalls.

Filmmakers Welcome

Not only does the Dominican Republic accommodate nearly every possible type of scenery, but the country is also incredibly welcoming of crews and filmmakers ready to use its diverse backdrops for their next project. The DR offers tax incentives, access to modern equipment, convenient and reliable transportation, and a stable political and economic environment.

Learn more about the beauty and accessibility of the Dominican Republic for your next project. Visit for yourself and see what this incredible land has in store for you.