The Dominican Republic’s tourism sector has maintained its robust upward trajectory through the first five months of 2026, new official data from the nation’s Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) confirms, delivering strong numbers that outpace recent years and cement the country’s standing as a top Caribbean travel destination.
Per MITUR’s latest industry report, average hotel occupancy across the country hit 82% between January and April 2026, with a 72% occupancy rate recorded in May alone. That May figure marks a multi-year high for the month, climbing four percentage points above the 68% occupancy rates the country recorded in the same month between 2023 and 2025. The steady growth underscores rising global demand for the Dominican Republic’s diverse travel offerings, which range from sun-soaked coastal getaways to premium luxury leisure experiences.
Regional performance data breaks down the growth across the country’s most popular travel hubs, with La Romana taking the top spot for May occupancy at 91%. The coastal town of Bayahíbe followed close behind at 89%, while the renowned Bávaro-Punta Cana resort region posted a solid 77% occupancy rate. Other key destinations posted strong results as well: Samaná recorded 66% occupancy, Miches hit 63%, Juan Dolio-Boca Chica reached 60%, Puerto Plata logged 53%, and the capital city of Santo Domingo held at 51%.
Looking at the full January-to-May period for 2026, Bayahíbe leads all national destinations with an average 92% occupancy rate. La Romana follows at 90%, with Bávaro-Punta Cana close behind at 88%. Juan Dolio-Boca Chica hit an 80% average, while both Miches and Puerto Plata reached 77% — a spread of strong results that demonstrates the Dominican Republic’s tourism strength extends beyond a handful of top resorts, drawing robust visitor demand across nearly all its major regions.
Beyond raw occupancy numbers, MITUR’s report also highlighted extremely high satisfaction levels among international travelers. A post-visit survey conducted in May found that 94% of responding tourists already plan to return to the Dominican Republic for a future trip, while 65% stated they would actively recommend the destination to friends, family, and travel contacts. Overall visitor satisfaction scored an average 4.5 out of 5, further reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of the most desirable and welcoming travel markets in the Caribbean.
International visitor breakdowns show that the United States continues to be the Dominican Republic’s largest single source of tourists, accounting for 46% of all arrivals in the first five months of 2026. Other top source markets, in descending order of visitor volume, include Canada, Argentina, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Brazil, reflecting broad-based demand from across the Americas.