Tour The Natural Beauty Of The Dominican Republic

Transport

- Private Transfer from the airport "Las Américas” (Santo Domingo) to the hotel in the old town of Santo Domingo - Transfer from the Zona Colonial to the rental car station - Rental vehicle (Economy Category, Kia PIcanto or similar) with unlimited mileage and full insurance coverage (incl. 0 USD CDW, incl. glass and tires); Pick up in the morning of day 3 in the city of Santo Domingo; drop off at day 13 (time as desired) at the airport in Santo Domingo

Accommodation

- All overnight accommodations at hotels mentioned in the program (12 nights)

Meals

- All meals mentioned in the itinerary as “Meals included”

Others

- Private Guided-Walking-Tour (2 hours) through the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo - Eco-trail on Rancho Baiguate incl. a visit of the Butterfly Garden - Excursion by boat to Cayo Arena - All transfers by boat on day 7 & 8 - Private excursion by boat through Los Haitises National Park and to Cayo Levantado - Personal welcome briefing in our office with your personal travel expert, incl. a fresh tropical fruit juice and an extensive information session about your upcoming trip - Amenity kit from Dominican Expert, incl. map, country information, mosquito repellent, adapter, local samples and more - Local SIM-Card with unlimited free calls to Dominican Expert

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Day 1 Day 1: Santo Domingo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Santo Domingo

You will be picked up from the airport and taken to hotel Hodelpa Caribe Colonial in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. Welcome beverage and informational session about the country and the forthcoming trip at the office of DOMINICAN EXPERT. Take the rest of the day to explore the streets of the colonial city, restaurants, bars and shops on your own.

Driving time: 25 minutes

Meals included: NULL

Accommodation: Hodelpa Caribe Colonial ***(*), Superior Room
Day 2 Day 2: Santo Domingo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic combines modernity with an emerging economy and the historical center of the city, the "Zona Colonial" making this a very special place. During a private, two-hour guided tour through the "Zona Colonial", you will follow the footsteps of Columbus and will (among other things) see the oldest cathedral of the New World, castles, ruins and the residence of Columbus´s son, Don Diego. You will also visit a cigar manufacturer, where you can see the production of the popular Dominican cigars. After lunch, you might want to take a bus or taxi to get to know other places outside the old town of Santo Domingo. One of the options would be a visit to the fascinating "Los Tres Ojos" (Three Eyes), which is part of a collapsed cave system beneath the city. The evening will be available for you to explore the vibrant nightlife of Santo Domingo.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hodelpa Caribe Colonial***(*), Superior Room
Day 3 Day 3: Jarabacoa
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Jarabacoa

Enjoy a drive through the beautiful mountains, attaining an altitude of 900 meters (2953 feet) above sea level. Here you will see the Cibao plateau, where you will drive past cocoa, coffee, banana, rice and tobacco plantations. You will continue your journey to the Hotel Rancho Baiguate in Jarabacoa, nestled at the foot of the mountains and surrounded by majestic beauty. The Dominicans call it "The City of Eternal Spring" because of its consistently pleasant year-round temperatures. Upon arrival at Rancho Baiguate a typical Dominican lunch is served. The afternoon is at your free disposal. In the evening a hearty Dominican dinner awaits you in a relaxed and charming setting.

Driving time: 2 ½ hours

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Rancho Baiguate***, Master Room
Day 4 Day 4: Punta Rucia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Punta Rucia

After breakfast you can go on a guided walk on the premises of the Rancho Baiguate to learn more about their facilities and installations. It also includes a visit of the Butterfly Garden at the ranch. You will continue your trip to the city of Santiago where you will see the famous Monument of Santiago. It was designed in 1944 by the architect Henry Gazon Bona. After the fall of the Dictator Trujillo, it was given the name of "Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution", which it retains to this day. From there, you will follow the Hispaniola coast northwest, arriving at the small idyllic fishing town of Punta Rucia. At the Punta Rucia Lodge you can relax and enjoy the evening with a nice tropical drink on a beautiful beach.

Driving time: 3 hours

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge****, Standard Room
Day 5 Day 5: Cabarete
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Cabarete

In the morning a fishing boat will be ready and waiting to take you to a small island with a surface area of only 200 square meters of white sand. The greatest natural pageantry however takes place under the water where the coral reefs provide a magnet for vast varieties of colorful fish and other marine life. Snorkeling in this spectacular natural habitat is an unforgettable experience (boat will provide fins, masks and snorkels). The return trip through the mangroves of the National Park takes you back to the Punta Rucia Lodge. Afterwards, you will follow the road to Cabarete, one of the most popular tourist places to surf. On the way you will stop to visit Fort San Filipe in Puerto Plata. Christopher Columbus arrived in this area on his first voyage documented January 12th, 1493 and founded the town of Puerto Plata (Port Silver). However it was often victimized by pirate raids causing King Felipe II of Spain to command that a fort be built in 1541 to protect this strategic city. In the late afternoon you arrive at your hotel, which is located directly on the beach of Cabarete, a well-known place for kite- and windsurfing. Enjoy the rest of the day having a stroll through the city or on the mile long beach of Cabarete.

Driving time: 2 hours

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Velero Beach Resort***, Standard Room
Day 6 Day 6: Cabarete
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Cabarete

Enjoy the day at the beach in Cabarete. If you prefer to stay out of the sun or the activities at the hotel do not suit you, DOMINICAN EXPERT can recommend nearby activities easily reached with your rental car. For example canyoning in the "27 Charcos". On this trip you will first hike 20 minutes through tropical vegetation to reach the river canyon Damajagua. Protected with a helmet and a vest, you jump down the 27 waterfalls and swim through deep canyons. Another option is the adventure park ’Monkey Jungle’. This nature wonderland, covers over 800,000 square meters of mountains and valleys. There is a network of zip-lines throughout the park. Get harnessed up and ride the cables from mountain top to mountain top.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation: Velero Beach Resort***, Standard Room
Day 7 Day 7: Parque Nacional Los Haitises
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Parque Nacional Los Haitises

After breakfast next to the pool you’ll want to learn more about this part of the island. The friendly owners of the accommodation will tell you where to find the hotspots of the area. For example Laguna Du Du, a crystal clear freshwater lagoon where people can swim in a cave, jump into the water from a 12 meter (39 feet) high cliff or scuba dive through the caves. In the afternoon the journey continues west to the Samaná Peninsula. This part of the scenery includes rivers, lush landscapes, banana plantations, rice fields and beautiful beaches. Upon arrival you will leave the car behind and travel by boat crossing the Samaná Bay to a paradisiacal nature place, the Paraíso Caño Hondo in the National Park "Los Haitises".

Driving time: 3 hours

Boat travel time: 1 hour

Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Paraíso Caño Hondo***, Standard Room
Day 8 Day 8: Las Terrenas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Las Terrenas

In the morning the boat takes you on a tour through the National Park “Los Haitises”. Cruising through secluded islands, bays and rock formations you will visit the “Las Lineas” and the “San Gabriel” cave. In the caves you can find painting and carvings of the Tainos, the original inhabitants of the Dominican Republic. On your tour you will see an incredible variety of birds. Afterwards, your boat will take you to the white beach paradise island of Cayo Levantado, also called "Bacardi Island". Here you have time to enjoy a typical Dominican lunch and swim in the crystal clear water. The boat will drop you off at Samaná harbor and you will continue your roundtrip. After a short drive you reach Las Terrenas, your last stop of the trip. The small town is a lively fishing village known for its wonderful beaches and its numerous shops, restaurants and bars.

Driving time: 40 minutes

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo****, Double Room (Junior Suite for triple occupancy)
Day 9 Day 9: Las Terrenas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Las Terrenas

You will spend the last few days of vacation in the All-inclusive Bahia Principe El Portillo****. This is a dream spot where you can lay back and relax, enjoy the Caribbean flair and reminisce about all the many exciting activities of the past week. Las Terrenas is truly one of the best spots on the island. Meals included: All-inclusive

Meals Included: All-Inclusive

Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo****, Double Room (Junior Suite for triple occupancy)
Day 10 Day 10: Las Terrenas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Las Terrenas

Enjoy the day at the around the beautiful town Las Terrenas and its beaches. In the following days, you also have plenty of choice for different excursions, such as to visit the waterfall El Limon: Here you can hike or take a horseback riding trip to the spectacular waterfall "El Limón". This excursion starts right behind the small town of El Limón. After a 40 minutes hike you will arrive at the 50-meter-high waterfall. Take great photos and refresh yourself in the cool water. On the way back you can enjoy a delicious Dominican lunch.

Meals Included: All-Inclusive

Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo****, Double Room (Junior Suite for triple occupancy)
Day 11 Day 11: Las Terrenas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Las Terrenas

- Whale Watching Tour: During the mating season from early January to mid-March, humpback whales can be found in the warm waters of the Samaná Bay. A boat trip will take you close to these huge marine mammals in their natural environment. A really unique experience! Afterwards you will spend some time on the island of Cayo Levantado, home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Here you can enjoy some free time on the beach and a delicious lunch, before it goes back to Samaná around 4 pm

Meals Included: All-Inclusive

Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo****, Double Room (Junior Suite for triple occupancy)
Day 12 Day 12: Las Terrenas
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Las Terrenas

- Beach El Rincon & Fronton: Visit two of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic and enjoy fresh lobster on the beach. Drive to the beach of Las Galeras and ask a local fisher boat for this excursion. For a small fee he will take you privately to the 2 beaches while you can enjoy this amazing excursion.

Meals Included: All-Inclusive

Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo****, Double Room (Junior Suite for triple occupancy)
Day 13 Day 13: Santo Domingo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Santo Domingo

Today you will drive along a well-developed freeway across the island directly to the international airport "Las Américas" Santo Domingo. At the airport you will return your rental car and fly back home with great memories of the Dominican Republic.

Driving time: 2 hours

Meals included: Breakfast

+10

13 days tour

The Natural Beauty Of The Dominican Republic

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip The Natural Beauty Of The Dominican Republic

Day 1: Santo Domingo

Day 2: Santo Domingo

Day 3: Jarabacoa

Day 4: Punta Rucia

Day 5: Cabarete

Day 6: Cabarete

Day 7: Parque Nacional Los Haitises

Day 8: Las Terrenas

Day 9: Las Terrenas

Day 10: Las Terrenas

Day 11: Las Terrenas

Day 12: Las Terrenas

Day 13: Santo Domingo

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