The iconic goblet from the dating show “Love is Blind”
Getty Images for Netflix
Netflix’s hit dating show Love is Blind is back, and viewers are once again enthralled by people searching for love on the show. Season 6, Episode 5 follows five engaged couples as they enjoy a romantic honeymoon at a luxury all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The show reminded viewers of the island, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, a dream destination with palm-lined white sand beaches, blue waters, luxury resorts and top golf courses.
Following the release of the sixth installment of Netflix’s dating experiment, new data from travel experts at Islands.com revealed that since the first week the show aired, searches for flights to the Dominican Republic have increased by 700%, while searches for Punta Cana have increased by 300%.
Aerial view of beautiful Caribbean beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Getty
While the resort area of Punta Cana offers ideal accommodations for a romantic getaway, the Dominican Republic has much more to offer, including rainforests, savannahs and highlands that are home to the Caribbean’s tallest mountain, Pico Duarte.
Santo Domingo, the historic capital of the Dominican Republic, is home to many Spanish landmarks, including the Gothic Primada de America Cathedral in the Zona Colonial district, which dates back five centuries. One of the Caribbean’s oldest cities, Santo Domingo has a walled and cobbled centre with buildings dating back to the 1500s. The café-lined Plaza de España is home to Columbus’ palace, the Alcázar, one of the city’s many museums, which displays medieval and Renaissance art.
The Basilica of Santa Maria la Menor in the colonial area of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. … (+)
Getty
The lively city of Puerto Plata in the north of the island offers Victorian architecture, all-inclusive beach resorts, a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres, concerts at the Atlantic Amphitheater and the 16th-century Fort San Felipe.
Columbus named the area “Silver Harbor” and settled it with a mixed community of native Tainos and Spanish who built the first church and the first house in the Americas. You can follow in Columbus’ footsteps and explore archaeological sites that are now part of the national park.
Near Puerto Plata, you can also explore the 27 Damajagua Waterfalls, snorkel at Cayo Arena Island, or play a round of golf at an award-winning golf course. Nearby towns worth visiting include Cabarete, a kiteboarding hub, and Sosua, a picturesque beach spot that flourished until recently as a settlement for refugees fleeing the Nazis.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Paseo de Doña Blanca, one of the many streets built in the 19th century … (+)
Getty
**
We used TripAdvisor data, including total reviews, average cost, and review scores, to identify and rank the best things to do and places to visit in Punta Cana in 2024.
The best places to visit in Punta Cana, ranked by positive reviews
The beauty of the soft waves of the blue ocean bordering the sandy beach,
Getty
Bavaro Beach; Macao Beach; Coco Bongo Punta Cana; Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana; Hoyo Azul
**
The best things to do in Punta Cana, ranked by positive reviews
A horse-drawn carriage drives through the streets of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Getty
1) Zipline and Buggy Experience, 2) Full Day Santo Domingo City Tour, 3) 4×4 ATV, Water Cave and Dominican Cultural Tour, 4) Monkey Land and Plantation Safari Tour, 5) Off-Road Dune Buggy Adventure, 6) Full Safari Zipline, Buggy and Horseback Riding, 7) Cruising and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour, 8) Saona Island Day Trip, 9) Cacao Plantation and Dune Buggy Tour, 10) Sun Nursery Snorkeling
**
Season 6 of Love is Blind has sparked a surge in interest in TRS Turquesa Resort in Punta Cana. The resort is a 372-room, five-star, adults-only, all-inclusive resort. With direct beach access, an outdoor pool and activities like fitness and cooking classes, the hotel is designed for couples looking for a casual getaway to Punta Cana. According to Islands.com, Google searches for the resort have increased 600% since the series ended.
TRS Turquesa Resort, Punta Cana
Palladium Hotel Group
If you’re on a budget (or TRS Turquesa is fully booked due to its Love is Blind connection), head to Presidential Suites Punta Cana, located just a few minutes away. Though it’s not as luxurious or an adults-only resort, your all-inclusive beach vacation will include meals, shows, dance lessons, and more – and there’s plenty of potential for romance.
Be sure to check out my award-winning travel podcast, Places I Remember with Lea Lane, wherever you listen to podcasts, and subscribe to my YouTube travel channel.