Claire Dodd

Dreaming of white sand, hidden coves and crystal clear blue waters? You might just be dreaming of Punta Cana, a picture-perfect resort town in the easternmost spot of the  Dominican Republic, which has to be seen to be believed. Though it’s mostly known for its glorious beaches, Punta Cana has a lot more to offer up then sea and sand.  Think national parks, watersports, fantastic seafood, secluded islands and wild nightclubs with open bars. This is the perfect getaway to get lost in for a while, whether you want to spend your days relaxing in the sun or getting active. And we’ve ranked the best things Punta Cana has to offer, right here. Read on for every unmissable spot for your hit list. And if you need a dreamy all-inclusive Punta Cana hotel? We can help there, too. Planning your next trip?🇩🇴 The ultimate guide to the Dominican Republic🇵🇷 The ultimate guide to Puerto Rico🇯🇲 The ultimate guide to Jamaica

What is the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of the Dominican Republic? Maybe the seemingly endless white-sand beaches, a true example of a tropical Caribbean nirvana? Or the tangible history of Santa Domingo, the first permanent European settlement in the Americas and the capital of the New World? Beaches and UNESCO-dotted old streets aside, could it be the verdant forests, glistening waterfalls and imposing mountains that immediately come to mind? The truth is, the Dominican Republic is all of these things and so much more. Now the most-visited destination in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is more than capable of living up to that high vaulted position. It might be a different world to the one Columbus stumbled upon way back in 1492, but you can certainly see why the Europeans decided to set up shop in these parts. These are the most amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic and then some.    Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Just getting to Whistler is a picturesque ordeal: on the two-hour drive from Vancouver along the obscenely scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway, visitors get a teaser of the vast mountain range surrounding the town. Rightly famous for its winter sports, Whistler was a key venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. You’ll still find the Olympic rings dotted around the village but, these days, Whistler has turned into a just-as-beloved summer destination as well, drawing mountain bikers, hikers and adventure-sports enthusiasts to the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Although the town is cute and compact, it’s easy to get lost in the central neighborhood of Whistler Village—a warren of near-identical pedestrianised streets and resort accommodation. Really though, it’s all about the great outdoors that surrounds it. Here are the very best things to do in Whistler. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Fellow Canadian Rocky Mountain town Banff may steal all the hype, but Jasper – with a population of less than 4,500 – has heart. Located in the Jasper National Park, surrounded by towering, snow-capped, glacial peaks, sapphire-blue lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and pristine alpine meadows, Jasper is an adrenaline – and Instagram – junkie’s dream. Especially come winter, when the snow bros come to town for one of the longest ski seasons in the Rockies, with slopes generally open until early May. In July and August, when temperatures rise to 30C, it’s all about hiking, climbing, kayaking and white water rafting. But with plenty of eateries to choose from – one for every 120 people, and few big chains – Jasper has become something of a food mecca too. And while there may be a direct rail connection to Vancouver – the Rocky Mountaineer train stops here – Jasper retains a sense of peaceful isolation. Therein lies its irresistible appeal. Done something on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutDoList and tag @TimeOutEverywhere. Find out more about how Time Out selects the very best things to do all over the world.

Be in the thick of it. There’s perhaps no better location from which to explore one of America’s most historic cities than the Hotel AKA Boston Common, which overlooks the country’s oldest park and the patriot-laden Granary Burying Ground. The Common—which dates from 1634—was where George Washington, John Adams and General Lafayette celebrated US independence. Today it includes over 50 acres of pampered gardens, ballfields, lawns as well as ‘that’ bench from Good Will Hunting. But that isn’t the only attraction nearby, making it an easy base for those like me who like to explore a city on foot. Based just minutes from some of Boston’s major sites, I didn’t even have to leave my bed to see many of them. Initially opened in 2023, the AKA recently underwent a major refurbishment reopening in early 2025 with a sleek new look, and panoramic views from its upper floors. Why stay at Hotel AKA Boston Common? The new design scheme from Rafael de Cárdenas and rooms from Studio NA.GI, is cozy but slick. Stepping off the street, the low lighting, banded sycamore paneling, leather stools, and plenty of black and mushroom shades from surfaces to curtains, make the lobby here feel cocoon-like. Overall, think a little Scandi Hygge, a little mid-century modern, with a touch of steely urban chic. Communal spaces, such as on-site restaurant The Bosworth, all bear that same moody but somehow comforting mix of black accents, marble, and jewel-toned abstract art of textured paint swathes and anima