Not everything worth seeing in the Dominican Republic is located in the coastal regions. In fact, if you’re looking for a unique experience and quiet way of life, you might find that Dominican Republic homes for sale in the interior are more your style. As this tourism video highlights, there is just as much beauty once you reach the peaks of the Central Range.

Constanza is a popular destination for its scientific reserve, national parklands, and the land for sale that you can find here. You’ll also find unique archaeological features that tell the story of the cultures that lived here long before European explorers ever set foot in the country.

Whether you visit the rural, mountainous terrain as part of a vacation tour, or if you want to put down roots in a place that provides you with 360-degree vistas of this gorgeous country, you won’t regret stepping away from the more popular beaches to see all that the Dominican Republic has to offer.

One reason so many people turn their one-time visit to the Dominican Republic into a permanent change of address is the food. The fine dining options in the major cities run the range of local dishes to European cuisine—and you’ll even find a few incredible sushi restaurants, as well. This brief video highlights La Residence, which provides a French fusion meal in a romantic, intimate setting the Dominican Republic is known for.

These kinds of Dominican Republic restaurants — which cater to both tourists and the upscale expat communities here—are exactly what life in the Dominican Republic is all about. You can enjoy the bold flavors of the DR, but with the comforts and elegance you’re accustomed to at home.

And because the tropical setting appeals to so many people, you’ll find a number of world-renowned chefs eager to make their mark on the Dominican foodie scene. New restaurants are opening all the time, and you can eat out every day of the week without duplicating any of your fine dining experiences.

If you spend any time on the streets or in the nightclubs of the Dominican Republic, you’ll catch a first-hand glimpse of just how important dancing is to the culture here. There’s something about the tropical air and saucy beats of the native music that get your hips swaying—regardless of whether you’re a Dominican Republican by blood or by choice.

In this video from Watch Mojo, you can take a quick lesson in the Bachata, a native Dominican Republic dance that is similar to the Salsa but much easier for beginners. The number one rule of any DR dance is to not be shy, so the more you practice, the more fun you’ll have once you finally hit the warm, sunny streets!

If you’re planning a vacation to the Dominican Republic, or if you’re considering making a permanent move, now is a good time to brush up on your dancing skills or even to take formal ballroom lessons for an elegant evening out. Although Watch Mojo isn’t located in the DR, there are several instructors in the city centers to help you find your groove.

The Dominican Republic has long been a destination for families from around the world. Although the tropical setting and fine dining options make the Dominican Republic a favorite vacation spot for adults, it’s also home to many international, expat communities searching for a warm, welcoming place to raise a family.

That’s why so many activities here cater to a younger crowd. In this video from Dolphin Explorer, you can see for yourself why the natural flora and fauna are great for kids interested in the sciences. You can spend the weekend swimming with the dolphins and taking a boat out to a colorful coral reef at Ocean World only to return home for a quiet (or not so quiet) evening with friends.

In addition to hosted water activities like those at Ocean World, visitors and residents take advantage of water sports like kitesurfing, snorkeling, and windsurfing, as well as more traditional beach activities that allow you to soak in the sun and sand on your own terms.

You’re not going to encounter any dinosaurs while you’re in the Dominican Republic, and despite the rumors, Jurassic Park wasn’t filmed here… but you can certainly see why the myth might persist. While you watch this brief video clip by a graphic design artist working in 3D, it’s possible to imagine yourself walking in a world untouched by time.

This setting is why so many people choose Dominican Republic vacations and homes for sale in Jarabacoa. Although not on the water, this semi-mountainous terrain is still part of the tropics, boasting the same blue skies, jungle-like plant life, and incredible views you’ll find everywhere on the island.

It’s also possible to enjoy a bit of seclusion—almost like you’re walking back through the centuries, but with all your modern conveniences intact. You can enjoy a luxury home built around the stable Dominican Republic infrastructure, and you can also go on nature tours and hiking adventures that make the most of this Jurassic-like environment.

The South Coast of the Dominican Republic is a favorite destination among those who want to enjoy the tropics and DR setting but without the heavily resort-centered areas of the north. Bayahibe is known for its golf courses and beaches…and if you’re up for a small boat ride, you can end up on Saona Island, a government protected nature reserve with some of the best beaches and wildlife watching opportunities in the country.

One reason Dominican Republic real estate is so popular among the international crowd is because the government takes care to oversee many natural preserves like this one. There are strict regulations regarding deforestation and development—even on your own land—which means that you’ll never lose your view or the natural setting.

And excursions like this one make the perfect day trip, regardless of whether you’re a year-round resident or a visitor staying for just a few weeks. The Dominican Republic is one of the most generous Caribbean countries in terms of opening its doors to international communities—and because it hasn’t yet reached the popularity of neighboring islands, you can still find DR homes for sale in almost every price range.

One of the favorite activities of both visitors and residents in the Dominican Republic is to golf. There are dozens of golf courses along the coasts and in the country’s interior, all of them taking advantage of the lush, green landscape and scenic views to create a one-of-a-kind golf experience.

As this clip from Voyage TV demonstrates, the Punta Espada golf course is one of the favorites, and it is home to both PGA tours and championships. A few seconds is all it takes to see why so many people consider this a golfing destination worth the trip. With sunny skies that stretch for miles, coastal views, and a professional-level course with features like a clubhouse, on-site golfing staff, and surrounding upscale residential communities, the Dominican Republic rivals places like Hawaii and even Scotland as the best place to play.

Puerto Plata is one of the favorite Dominican Republic real estate markets for international residents. With some of the top beaches, resort areas, and adventure packages in the entire country, it’s easy to understand. In this video from airline provider West Jet, you can see for yourself why Puerto Plata appeals to so many.

Helicopter tours like this one are a common tourist activity for visitors to the Dominican Republic, and they’re also a good way to entertain visitors to your DR home. After all, seeing the sand, sea, and serene resorts on land is one thing—seeing them with a birds-eye view is an entirely new and exhilarating experience… as long as you’re adventurous enough to explore this area by helicopter.

Puerto Plata also has the advantage of being home to an International airport, several golf courses, and, if you’re looking for a second or vacation home, incredible properties for sale. By land, by sea, or by air, this part of the Dominican Republic has so much to offer residents and visitors alike!

Water activities in the Dominican Republic are just about everywhere. Maybe you’re arriving to the port via the Puerto Rico ferry. Maybe you plan on chartering your own yacht while you’re enjoying your stay. Most water sports include a boat component, as well, whether it’s a quick ride through the waves to go parasailing or a longer journey to one of the many coral reefs and islands that surround the country.

That’s why, if you suffer from the least bit of motion sickness, it’s a good idea to prepare ahead of time. Thanks to these helpful tips from The People’s Pharmacy, you can stock up on medication and tried-and-true herbal remedies for preventing seasickness during your trip to the Dominican Republic. Although many modern medications are available in the DR, it’s recommended that all travelers and expatriate residents bring their own supplies of specialty medicines like those used for motion sickness.

The winds and terrain of the Dominican Republic make extreme sports here a favorite among tourists, year-round residents, and anyone who’s up for an adventurous Caribbean experience. Kite Excite is just one of many companies in the country offering this sort of paragliding experience (either on the water or through the mountainous interior).

Cities like Jarabacoa are especially suited for these kinds of adventure sports, since you can start from higher elevations and extend the duration of the ride. In paragliding, users are attached to a parachute by a suspended harness, and with a running start, they jump from heights of up to hundreds of feet. Depending on where you start and the tropical winds, you could be in the air anywhere from a few minutes to up to an hour!

The Dominican Republic is beautiful from the ground, by sea, and up above in the air—if you’ve got the nerve to try it for yourself, paragliding can provide the kind of view most people only dream of.