Advanced Self-drive Tour / Dominican Republic
SELF-DRIVE TOUR
15 days / 14 nights
Tour Highlights:
Santo Domingo • Bani • Azua • Barahona • Bahoruco •Ovideo • Jarabacoa • Damajagua
Punta Rucia • Puerto Plata • Cabarete • Las Terrenas
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Our carefully designed self-drive programs offer expansive itineraries, as well as providing choice and free time. You will have the freedom of the independent traveller, still provided well-planned services and guidance throughout.
We include accommodation, the hire car, and transfers, as well as a wide range of optional programs to choose from.
The itinerary is well-balanced in terms of activities and time at leisure and can be extended with a beach holiday.
We provide land services such as accommodation, transfers, and the hire car, 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: 14 nights’ accommodation on bed & breakfast basis • transfer upon arrival • rental car • transfer from the airport on arrival
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Arrive at the airport of Punta Cana and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo.
DAY 2 - SANTO DOMINGO / DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure OR select the optional excursion of Santo Domingo City Tour (see description in 'Optional Activities').
DAY 3 - BANI / AZUA / BARAHONA / BAHORUCO
Today, a representative will visit you at your hotel at 10:00 am and give you a short briefing. Thereby, you will receive valuable tips for your round trip. Afterwards, you will be driven to the rental car station. After picking up your rental car, you will drive along the coastal road out of town towards the southwest. The drive leads to the province of Peravia, the region of sugar cane. Thanks to the abundance of water, sugar cane has been grown here since colonial times. Later, the road leads through dry and stony land dotted with cacti and agaves into the mountains, which scenically strongly resembles Mexico. You will reach the provincial capital of Barahona, located on the Bay of Neiba, around evening. Here the famous pirate Cofresí is said to have had his hideout. From here it is only a few kilometers along the coastal road to your hotel.
DAY 4 - SOUTHWEST / DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure OR select an optional excursion of Nature Combo, Trekking amidst tropical fruit and cocoa plantations (see description in 'Optional Activities').
DAY 5 - BAHARUCO / BARAHONA / AZUA / OCOA / JARABACOA
Today's prolonged drive takes you through San Jose de Ocoa towards the interior of the country. A beautiful, green landscape, through small, typical Dominican villages towards the north. At the small town of Piedra Blanca you will meet the Autopista Duarte, which leads from the south (Santo Domingo) to the north (Puerto Plata). You will follow this road through rural areas characterised by intensive agriculture. The drive leads along the fertile Cibao Valley to La Vega. Here Christopher Columbus had the fortress La Concepción built, because he suspected rich gold deposits in the region. Soon, the gradients increase on the well-maintained road. Here begins the mountain world of the Cordillera Central, also called the Dominican Alps, where many locals spend their summer vacations. The destination today: Jarabacoa.We recommend you to check in at the hotel, freshen up and in the evening visit the restaurant Cafe Colao in the middle of the village. This represents a modern Dominican Republic. After dinner, you can take an evening sightseeing tour on converted golf carts. During this special tour through the small village you will be entertained by a musician. The typical instrument of the country, the güira, is passed around and can be tried by everyone. Tickets for the tour are available at the restaurant.
DAY 6 - JARABACOA / DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure OR select the optional excursion of the Dominican Alps (see description in 'Optional Activities').
DAY 7 - JARABACOA / DAMAJAGUA / PUNTA RUCIA
After breakfast, we recommend that you head north to the Damajagua Waterfalls. Once here, you can book one of the different excursion packages directly at the ticket office. You have the choice between 7, 12 or 27 waterfalls to visit. In addition, activities such as a buggy tour (only possible with a valid driver's license!) and/or ziplining can be booked. After you have completed the formalities, a local guide will introduce you to canyoning with the most important information. You will receive a life jacket, helmet and water shoes if needed. After that, you will go on a 45-minute hike (for the first seven waterfalls) through a beautiful jungle landscape. Once at the top, you'll then begin your descent past waterfalls that you can slide down and even jump into! A wet adventure with thrills is provided. After the adrenaline rush, you will continue to Punta Rucia. The small town is located on a breathtaking sea bay at the tip of a small headland, where the water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise in the sunshine.
DAY 8 - PUNTA RUCIA / DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure OR select the optional excursion of Cavo Arena (see description in 'Optional Activities').
DAY 9 - PUNTA RUCIA / PUERTO PLATA / CABARETE
Today you will travel along the north coast towards Puerto Plata. Known for the pretty Victorian style wooden houses that are located around the central park and the 800 m high mountain Isabel de Torres. Whether by cable car or by car, we definitely recommend you to visit the mountain, where you will have a great view. On the top there is a smaller version of the statue of Christ, as it is known from Rio de Janeiro, as well as a botanical garden. In the old town of Puerto Plata, we recommend you visit the visitor center of the rum producer Macorix. Here you will learn everything about one of the most important products of the Dominican Republic. Afterwards, the journey continues via Sosua to Cabarete, known as the Mecca of water sports. For art lovers, we recommend a visit to the Mundo King art museum, founded by the German artist Rolf Schulz, which houses paintings and sculptures by Haitian and Dominican artists in a fantasy castle.
DAY 10 - CABARETE
Take an excursion as you wish. Cabarete is known for its extensive sports activities, such as body, wind and kite surfing. Equipment or lessons can be booked at any time at the numerous surf schools on the beach - or you can watch the surfers perform their tricks from the deck chair. Alternatively, you can visit the El Choco National Park with its various wetlands and an ancient cave system. You can even swim in the approximately 23°C warm water of the cave lakes.
DAY 11 - CABARETE / CABRERA / LAS TERRENAS
After breakfast, head along the coastal road to Rio San Juan. Visit the small bay Laguna Gri Gri, from which a channel lined with mangroves leads to the open sea. Boat tours can be booked in the bay, which are highly recommended.Furthermore, we recommend a short swim stop at the beautiful and kilometer-long, wave-lined sandy beach Playa Grande between Rio San Juan and Cabrera. You should not miss the freshly prepared fish here. If you prefer a swim in a quieter bay, you should visit the beach Playa Caletón just behind Rio San Juan. Afterwards, continue driving through the town of Cabrera. Visit Laguna Dudu here and take the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the two freshwater pools. The Laguna Dudu Park consists of the two cenotes Laguna Dudu and the Pozo de los Caballos, the horse well, which are connected by an underground tunnel. Laguna Dudu is 22 meters deep, has a deep blue colour and is covered with lush vegetation all around. Afterwards, we continue via Nagua to the peninsula of Samaná. The 63 km long and between 10 and 20 km wide peninsula of Samaná has a paradisiacal tropical landscape with secluded beaches in hidden bays, clean mountain rivers and rugged rocky coasts.
DAY 12-14 - LAS TERRENAS
Let your soul dangle on the beautiful and unique sandy beaches of this peninsula. Here you will experience pure Caribbean life. Palm trees swaying in the gentle wind, cool cocktails and the sounds of the music of merengue and bachata.
Optional excursions of Los Haitises, Whale Watching and El Limon Waterfall are also available on these days (see description in 'Optional Activites').
DAY 15 - RETURN TO THE UK
Enjoy the morning in Las Terrenas, then drive to the airport according to your flight details 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)
Hotel Villa Colonial
• Bahoruco (2 nights)
Casa del Mar Lodge
• Jarabacoa (2 nights)
Gran Jimenoa
• Punta Rucia (2 nights)
Punta Rucia Lodge
• Cabarete (2 nights)
Natura Cabana
• Las Terrenas (4 nights)
Hotel Playa Colibri
Current temperature: 27 Co
Current weather: Clouds
We recommend starting the tour on a Saturday to guarantee all visits as per the itinerary.
• 14 nights' hotel accommodation
• Rental car with unlimited mileage and roadside assistance
• Transfer from the airport on arrival
• Welcome meeting and travel documentation with useful tips and information as well as road map
Car Hire Details:
• Europcar - Typ „CFAR“ (Suzuki Vitara or similar)
• CDWI (Collision Damage Waiver) Comprehensive insurance with exclusion of the deductible of USD 472
• TW (Theft Waiver) Insurance against theft excluding the deductible of USD 472
• CDWS (Super Collision Damage Waiver)
• This insurance reduces CDWI's deductible to zero
• TPC (Third Party Cover) Insurance against damage to third parties (things, buildings and animals) with cover up to USD 12,000
• Taxes and Fees
Not included:
• Return flights from/to the UK ♦
♦ 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.
Santo Domingo City Tour (3-4 hours)
You will get to know the first city built by Europeans in the Americans. 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 cover 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.
Nature Combo (8-9 hours)
On this optional excursion you will be picked up at your hotel around 8:00 am. Afterwards, the tour will take you along the coastal road. From time to time, you will come across fantastic landscapes. The route will take you to Oviedo, a small village where time seems to have stopped. Here you will visit the Oviedo Lagoon, a natural saltwater reserve separated from the sea by a narrow strip of land. After receiving your entrance wristbands to the national park, you will board a typical boat. Once in the lagoon, you can observe a number of large birds such as herons, spoonbills and ducks. The Oviedo Lagoon consists of a total of 22 small islands of different sizes. While visiting one of these islands, you will have the opportunity to observe iguanas in their natural habitat. Afterwards, go in search of the largest flamingo colony in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the experience of watching the flamingos take off! Back on land, the tour continues west. You'll head to the town of Cabo Rojo, where you'll board another boat that will take you in about 15 minutes to a natural beach that is undoubtedly considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Bahia de las Aguilas stretches for more than 8 km and offers an extraordinary coastal landscape with crystal clear waters whose color ranges from turquoise to opal blue, blending with the sky on the horizon. You can have lunch before the boat ride to the bay or after the visit (not included). The local restaurant is known for its typical dishes of the country. Enjoy your stay on the beach, take time to swim and get in touch with nature. At the end of the afternoon, you will be brought back to your starting point.
Trekking amidst tropical fruit and cocoa plantations (3-4 hours)
You will be picked up at your hotel around 9:00 am. The road leads to Paraíso. From here you will go uphill by 4x4 vehicle. Afterwards, you will hike along the edge of the mountain from an altitude of 300 meters for about 2 hours. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the unique sweet and sour flavor of the cocoa seeds freshly picked from the tree. You will then reach the village of Nizao, whose inhabitants are mainly dedicated to the production of coffee, cacao and other tropical fruits. From here you will return to your hotel.
Dominican Alps - Paragliding (3-4 hours)
If you love adventure, we recommend you to take a gliding flight (flight time about 45 minutes). During the tandem flight you will glide through the air in pairs (please note that this activity is very dependent on the weather, and we have to act accordingly). Feel the wind in your face and the unique feeling of flying, far away from the earth and closer to the birds - pure freedom! After your first flying experience, whenever you look up to the sky, you will be able to say: I was up there! Don't worry and don't be afraid, all paragliding pilots are certified and know the terrain and air currents very well.
Cavo Arena (3-4 hours)
Today, take an excursion to the sandbank Cayo Arena, also called Paradise Island. This is a jewel of the Dominican Republic and a highlight during your stay in Punta Rucia. Book the excursion directly at the hotel. You have the option to book a more luxurious speedboat or the typical local boats (lanchas). In any case, you should take your snorkeling equipment with you.
Los Haitises (7-8 hours)
The boat tour will take you to the Los Haitises National Park. You will be picked up at the hotel around 8:00 am. From here you will first go to Sanchez, where there is a small harbor from where the boat will depart. The tour will take you to one of the most interesting and untouched areas of humid tropical jungle in the Caribbean along the coastal zone of the protected area, which covers more than 200 km². Here a huge green mangrove belt stretches out and more than 50 small islands form a labyrinth of waterways. Over millions of years, rainfall has washed out caves here. These caves provided shelter for the indigenous people, as the old stone carvings still prove today. The park area represents one of the most important retreats of the native fauna and flora. Cave visits, bird breeding islands, mangrove forests and much more make this day an unforgettable experience.
Whale Wacthing (4 hours)
Every year between mid-January (15/01) and mid-March (15/03), almost the entire humpback whale population of the North Atlantic Ocean gathers in the waters of the Dominican Republic. Both mating and birth of the whale calves take place in these warm and protected coastal waters. Samaná Bay is one of the few places in the world where whale calves can be seen up close with their mothers. It is also possible to observe groups of bulls in their fights for the females. In good weather conditions you have the unique opportunity to experience the whale songs of the bulls live. Become part of this unique natural spectacle!
El Limon Waterfall (4-5 hours)
Visit the highest waterfall on the Samana Peninsula. It is an impressive waterfall about 50 meters high. The waterfall consists of smaller waterfalls that fall down a green wall into a natural basin. It is a very nice and pleasant horseback ride with a docile horse led by a local guide that will take you to the top of the Limon waterfall in half an hour. Along the way you will be able to see various plants and tropical fruits. Once you get to the top, you will have to walk for about fifteen minutes to get to the place from where you can swim in this natural pool. Take photos, rest and return to the ranch where you will enjoy a very good Dominican buffet lunch! If you don't want to ride and like to walk, you can also do this excursion on foot. The walk takes about 50 minutes each way.
