Cocktail Tour / Dominican Republic
COCKTAIL TOUR
8 days / 7 nights
Tour Highlights:
Santo Domingo • Santiago • Punta Rucia • Cavo Arena • Cabarete
San Francisco de Macoris • Tamboril • Jarabacoa
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Our carefully designed private program offer expansive itinerary, as well as providing choice and free time.
We include services and tours for everybody, such as transfers and sightseeing, while offer a wide range of optional programs to choose from and do independently. The itinerary is well-balanced in terms of activities and time at leisure, on your own and can be extended with a beach holiday.
We provide land services such as transfers, tours & sightseeing, but airfare is not included. However, at your request and based on your choice of UK departure airport, perhaps your preferred airline, we will endeavour to find and add ♦ the best flights for you and therefore create a flight inclusive, ATOL protected package holiday.
♦ Flights will be quoted separately and will be payable combined with the land services. Airfares may have more restrictive payment terms, different from those mentioned in our booking conditions.
PACKAGE INCLUDES: 7 nights’ accommodation on bed & breakfast basis • round-trip transfers upon arrival and departure to/from Santo Domingo • program and services as per the itinerary.
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Arrive at Santo Domingo airport, then private transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo.
DAY 2 - SANTO DOMINGO
You will get to know the first city built by Europeans in the Americas. Here the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated, and the first hospital opened. The lively city of over a million inhabitants has a number of cultural, especially architectural, sights to offer that you won't find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola. You will start the day in the historic old town, the so-called Zona Colonial, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the city tour you will see the Palace of Diego Columbus, the historical museum Casas Reales, the Cathedral, and the Parque Colón with the bronze monument of Christopher Columbus. You will stroll through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll, and the pedestrian zone El Conde with its many stores and street vendors, as well as bars and restaurants. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the first city of the New World or relax at the hotel. In the evening you will be picked up at your hotel by a representative if you wish. Your destination is a typical local restaurant in the old town. Dine à la carte and taste tempting local specialties (not included).
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 3 - SANTIAGO / PUNTA RUCIA
The journey today will take you to Santiago. Once there, you will visit Los Pepines, one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods right in the historic centre of the city. In 2016, the local government decided to paint the most run-down areas and beautify the neighbourhood in order to revitalise the local economy. Just two years later, Los Pepines became a tourist attraction in Santiago thanks to its colourful and expressive murals. On a walking tour, you'll unravel the stories behind each painting: who are the people depicted in the murals? What is the meaning of the colours? What connection do they have to the local culture? You will find out! Street food, of course, cannot be missing from this walk. During the tour you will make several stops to taste the typical empanadas, dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, and fresh fruit juices - simply delicious! Afterwards, you will continue to Punta Rucia. The small fishing village is located on a breath-taking sea bay at the tip of a small cape, where the water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise in the sunshine.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel and snack during the visit of the murals.
DAY 4 - CAVO ARENA / HALF-DAY EXCURSION
Today you will take an excursion to the sandbank Cayo Arena or also called Paradise Island. It is a jewel of the Dominican Republic and a highlight during your stay in Punta Rucia. After breakfast you can reach Cayo Arena directly from the beach in about 25 minutes by boat. Here you will enjoy the tranquillity in paradisiacal surroundings, take a refreshing swim or observe shoals of tropical fish in the shallow turquoise waters. After a few hours stay, you will return to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 5 - PUERTO PLATA / CABARETE
After breakfast, today you will head to Puerto Plata, known for the pretty Victorian-style wooden houses that are located around the city' s central park and the 800-meter-high Mount Isabel de Torres. You will explore the history and culture of the city on a guided tour through the historic center. You will visit the Amber Museum and the Fortaleza San Felipe fortification, one of the oldest well-preserved fortresses from the colonial era. The large, massive complex was built in 1577 to make attacks from the water more difficult. You'll also take the cable car up to the 800-meter-high Mount Isabel de Torres for spectacular views of the city and the coast. At the top is a huge statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the province's landmarks, as well as a beautiful botanical garden. Before continuing, you will visit the Macorix House of Rum, the visitor centre of the local rum brand Macorix. During the tour, you will learn all about the history of the rum factory and the manufacturing process. Of course, a rum tasting at the end of the tour is not to be missed! Afterwards you will drive to Cabarete. The small town is popular with surfers and has made a name for itself worldwide as a Caribbean water sports hotspot.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 6 - SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS / TAMBORIL / CABARETE
Today the tour goes towards San Francisco de Macorís. You will visit the Sendero de Cacao. Here at the cacao plantation Hacienda La Esmeralda, which supplies world-renowned chocolate factories, you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. Lunch will be provided during the tour. Afterwards, you will continue to Tamboril and visit a cigar factory, where everything about tobacco processing and cigar manufacturing will be explained to you.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at the cocoa plantation.
DAY 7 - JARABACOA / SANTO DOMINGO
Today the journey goes back south along the mountain flanks of the Central Cordillera. Here you will make a small detour to the Dominican Alps. Many locals spend their summer vacations here because of the pleasant temperatures. Jarabacoa is located at 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests, mountains and the valleys of the rivers Rio Yaque del Norte and Rio Jimenoa. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the center for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. You will visit the charming town of Jarabacoa and visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, where everything about the cultivation and processing of coffee will be explained to you. Of course, there will also be a coffee tasting. Afterwards you will have time to visit the restaurant, Alta Vista. The trendy restaurant is located high up on a mountain and is known beyond the borders of the city. The terrace offers a fantastic panorama and a spectacular view of the nearby town of La Vega. If you would like to have lunch here, inform your guide (cost to be covered by the participants). Afterwards, we will return to Santo Domingo.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 8 - RETURN TO THE UK
Today we will drive towards the southeast. On the way you will visit the interesting cave system Cueva de las Maravillas with underground river courses and stalactite caves. It is the largest developed stalactite cave in the Dominican Republic and holds many impressive drawings of the Taíno Indians. Afterwards, you will visit the replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village located on the Chavón River. The village of Altos de Chavón has been faithfully reconstructed according to the original plans of an Andalusian settlement with Roman style elements made of coral limestone. There is a church, an amphitheater, and an archaeological museum of the Taíno culture with various exhibitions. Even today, artisans, painters and sculptors live and work here. Afterwards transfer to the airport OR extended your stay with a beach holiday.
We aim to provide accommodation as per the below list, however for operational reasons and based on circumstances we reserve the right to offer alternative accommodation within the same category (or higher) and with similar facilities.
• Santo Domingo (2 nights)
Option 1: Hotel Villa Colonial
Option 2: Billini Hotel
• Punta Rucia (2 nights)
Punta Rucia Lodge
• Cabarete (2 nights)
Option 1: Villa Taina
Option 2: Natura Cabana
• Santo Domingo (1 night)
Option 1: Hotel Villa Colonial
Option 2: Billini Hotel
Current temperature: 25 Co
Current weather: Clouds
• We recommend to start the tour on one of the following days: Wednesday, Friday or Saturday to guarantee all visits as per the itinerary.
• We recommend to arrive in Santo Domingo.
• The visit to the rum and tobacco factory is allowed from 18 years of age.
• 7 nights' hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis
• Transfers from/to airport on arrival and departure
• Assistance at the airport upon arrival
• Local English-speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees as per the itinerary while touring
Not included:
• Return flights from/to the UK♦
• Tipping for guide, driver
♦ Flights from/to the UK are not included in the prices shown; however, we are happy to book flights for you as per your preferred departure airport and the most suitable schedule (subject to operating carriers) and therefore, create a flight-inclusive, ATOL protected package. When completing your enquiry please make sure to indicate your flight request and preferences (such as any preferred carriers) in the “Comment” box.
