Highlights of the Dominican Republic
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
8 days / 7 nights
Tour Highlights:
Santo Domingo • Jarabacoa • Santiago de los Caballeros • Santiago
San Francisco do Macoris • Las Terrenas
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Our carefully designed small group programs (max. 8 participants) offer expansive itineraries, as well as providing choice and free time. Whilst you will be traveling alongside others, you will have the freedom of the independent traveller.
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 Punta Cana • program and services as per the itinerary.
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
Arrive at the airport of Punta Cana and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the oldest city in the New World.
DAY 2 - SUNDAY: SANTO DOMINGO - OLD TOWN
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel reception at 10:00 am. Today you will get to know the first city built by Europeans in America. It was here that the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated, and the first hospital opened. This bustling city of over a million people has a number of cultural, especially architectural, attractions to offer that you won't find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola. You will spend the day in the historic old town, the so-called Zona Colonial, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour includes palaces, forts, museums, churches and squares. You will walk through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll, and the pedestrian street El Conde with its many stores and street vendors as well as bars and restaurants. After the city walk, we will serve you one of the most typical Dominican dishes for lunch. The stew called Sancocho is for every Dominican a flagship of his gastronomy. In addition to various meats, the dish combines a variety of local Caribbean ingredients such as yam, musk gourd, cassava and plantain, which give the stew its characteristic flavor - a dish as rich as Dominican culture. Rice and avocado are served as side dishes. After dinner, you will be escorted back to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax, or to stroll around the city. In the evening, you will be picked up at the hotel at 6:00 pm to experience an outdoor concert of a special kind. Every weekend, the group Bonyé plays in the magical setting of the San Francisco ruins. The group of about 20 people with singers and various instruments plays merengue, son and jazz. The concerts are attended by Dominicans of all ages, who celebrate exuberantly, listen to the music or dance happily. Especially European guests are always enthusiastic about the joy of the locals and let themselves be carried away by the atmosphere.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch after the city tour.
DAY 3 - MONDAY: JARABACOA
During today's excursion you will get to know Santo Domingo from a different side. Off the beaten tourist track you will see the life of the less privileged population and contribute a small part to improve their circumstances. After breakfast and check-out, you will be picked up by your driver at 09:00. You will deposit your luggage in the vehicle. Then you will drive to one of the most precarious neighbourhoods in the Dominican Republic, Gualey. The neighbourhood is located north of the old town on the west bank of the Ozama River. Here you will visit the non-profit foundation Rincón de Luz. The foundation has been doing work in education, nutrition and health for socially disadvantaged children, youth and seniors for over 18 years. Children from preschool age to the beginning of middle school receive schooling and participate in lunch. At the foundation you will hand over a food donation (included). The founder and president Leyda Alvarez will give you a tour of the premises and present her work. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the school children. Afterwards you will get a guided tour through Gualey. You will get an impression of the living conditions in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of the Dominican Republic. You will visit the four pozos, small lakes fed by natural springs, which are popular with local residents. One of the pozos has recently been used as a breeding pool for ornamental and food fish. Drinks are available during the walk from local corner stores called colmados. After the end of the tour, you will head to the cable car station of Gualey. You will board the cable car, from which you will enjoy a spectacular view. You will cross the Ozama River, passing through the Tres Brazos and Sabana Perdida stations to the Charles de Gaulle terminus in the north of Santo Domingo, and then return to your starting point. During the tour you will gain a new perspective on the city and get an impression of the different living conditions. From the gondola you will have numerous opportunities for spectacular photos. A quarter of the price of the excursion will be donated to the Foundation in the form of a food donation, which you will hand over on the day of the excursion. The trip then continues north. You will drive to Jarabacoa on the oldest highway in the Dominican Republic. The route leads through rural areas characterized by intensive agriculture. On the way you will stop at the Reposteria Miguelina. The excursion restaurant offers typical dishes of the country and is especially known for its traditional desserts (cost to be paid by the participants). In La Vega you will leave the highway. Here begins the mountain world of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps, where many locals spend their summer vacations due to the good climate. The small town of Jarabacoa is located at 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests, rivers, mountains and valleys. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the centre for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY: SANTIAGO DE LOS CABALLEROS
After breakfast, you will 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, take a walk through the mountains of the Dominican Republic to one of the famous waterfalls of the region. Enjoy the impressive view and landscape and immerse yourself in the unique nature with endemic flora and fauna. Afterwards, the journey continues to Santiago de los Caballeros. Here you will visit one of the most renowned cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora, where everything about tobacco processing will be explained to you. You will have the opportunity to watch the employees as they skillfully handcraft the coveted tobacco products. After the tour, the driver will take you to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax or for a short walk around town.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY: SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS / LAR TERRENAS
After breakfast, the journey continues in the direction of Samaná. After driving through a fertile valley, you will reach San Francisco de Macorís. In the shade of the huge jungle trees you will visit the Sendero del Cacao. Here you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything about the coveted fruit of the cacao tree, from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing, at the Hacienda La Esmeralda cacao plantation, which supplies world-renowned chocolate factories. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. A lunch will be provided during the tour. From here, the tour continues via Nagua to Samaná. The peninsula of Samaná is 63 km long and 10 to 20 km wide. It is a tropical paradise with secluded beaches, clear mountain rivers and steep cliffs. Las Terrenas is the bustling center on the north coast of the peninsula. Here you will experience authentic island flair and can feel the magic of the Caribbean.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch during the visit of the cacao plantation and all-inclusive in Las Terrenas.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY: 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 freshly prepared seafood, as well as the sounds of the music of merengue and bachata. Take optional excursions (see description in 'Optional Activities') or relax in Caribbean atmosphere!
Meals included: All-inclusive at the hotel.
Optional half day seat-in excursion (minimum 4 participants): Coffee route by bike. After breakfast today, take an optional excursion by bike. The bike tour includes some more challenging routes around Las Terrenas. You will climb some steep hills that lead to the famous "Ruta del Café", the coffee route. Over the hills above Las Terrenas you can taste the local honey, coffee, cocoa and "Mamajuana", a rum flavored with herbs and spices. The path goes along magnificent hills where you can see cacao trees, coffee plantations, mango trees and bamboos. In the right season, you will also notice the scent of coffee flowers. The tour ends with a beautiful descent through the jungle. In the afternoon you will have free time to relax on the beach or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
DAY 7 - FRIDAY: LAS TERRENAS / DAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy a day at leisure OR select one of the optional excursion (see descriptions in 'Optional Activities').
DAY 8 - SATURDAY: RETURN TO THE UK
After breakfast transfer to Punta Cana airport for departure 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 (2nights)
Hotel Novus Plaza
• Jarabacoa (1 night)
Hotel Gran Jimenoa
• Santiago de los Caballeros (1 night)
Hotel Hodelpa Centro Plaza
• Las Terrenas (3 nights)
Hotel Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo
Current temperature: 27 Co
Current weather: Clouds
• The tour operates on guaranted departure basis from a minimum of 2 participants. The maximum number of participants is 8.
• The tour can also be booked privately or a rental car basis (prices on request).
• 7 nights' hotel accommodation on bed & breakfast basis
• Transfers from/to airport on arrival and departure
• Assistance at the airport upon arrival
• 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.
Coffee route by bike (Las Terrenas):
After breakfast today, take an optional excursion by bike. The bike tour includes some more challenging routes around Las Terrenas. You will climb some steep hills that lead to the famous "Ruta del Café", the coffee route. Over the hills above Las Terrenas, you can taste the local honey, coffee, cocoa and "Mamajuana", a rum flavoured with herbs and spices. The path goes along magnificent hills where you can see cacao trees, coffee plantations, mango trees and bamboos. In the right season, you will also notice the scent of coffee flowers. The tour ends with a beautiful descent through the jungle. In the afternoon you will have free time to relax on the beach or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Half-day Catamaran excursion to Bacardi Island (Las Terrenas):
You will be picked up after breakfast at 08:00. Your transfer will take you first to Samaná. Here you will board a catamaran. You will start with a sailing trip in the bay of Samana. There you will reach a ferry that sank many years ago, which today serves as a retreat for various schools of fish. Take the opportunity to snorkel, dive and enjoy the colourful fish passing by. Afterwards, the trip continues by catamaran to the picturesque island of Cayo Levantado with its white and palm-fringed sandy beaches. This is where the famous commercial of the rum producer Bacardi was filmed in the 1970s. Take advantage of your time in this paradisiacal place for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear sea, a beach walk or take a nap while listening to the sound of the waves. For lunch you will be served a rich Dominican buffet right on the beach. In the afternoon you sail back to the bay of Samana in about two hours. Around 5:30 p.m. you will dock and from here you will be taken back to Las Terrenas.
Private day excursion (Las Terrenas):
After breakfast you will be picked up at the hotel at 09:00 and drive to El Limón. Here you will change to an all-terrain vehicle. First, you will receive an introduction where you will learn about the driving characteristics of the ATV. When booking, please let us know if you will be driving the ATV alone or sharing it with a person. During the route you will first stay on asphalt roads and pass small villages, before you drive over gravel roads through the lush green tropical palm landscape. Every hill becomes a little adventure. At one point you will even cross a river - so be sure to wear shoes that can get wet during the excursion. After about 45 minutes of driving, you will reach Playa Morón, one of the most secluded beaches of the Samaná Peninsula. Here you will find a beach as you only know it from postcards: lonely, covered with palm trees, with fine golden-yellow sand and crystal clear turquoise blue sea. Enjoy this moment with a relaxing sunbath or refresh yourself in the wonderful waters of the Caribbean. Your tour guide will hand you cool drinks. Revitalizing coconut water straight from the nut makes this Caribbean moment perfect! During a short walk on the beach, you can discover a historical detail: an old cannon from the 18th century, which was set up by Napoleon's troops during the French occupation of this part of the island. After the beach stay, get back on your ATV and drive to a modest farmhouse located on a hill surrounded by fields and orchards. Your lunch table is already prepared, and you will be served sancocho. The typical Dominican dish combines a variety of meats and a variety of local Caribbean ingredients such as yam, musk gourd, cassava, and plantain, which give the stew its characteristic flavor. After the meal, the hostess serves coffee, tea, and cocoa in its original form. The cocoa beans, dried on site, are pounded into powder with a mortar and infused with boiling water. You can enjoy the stimulating drink pure or sweetened with sugar. As a digestif you get Mamajuana. For this spiced liqueur, wine and rum are mixed with all kinds of woods, herbs, and honey. The specialty is said to have an aphrodisiac effect. Finally, a short stage on the ATV follows before you are brought back to your hotel from El Limón.
Half-day El Limon waterfall excursion (Las Terrenas):
In this optional excursion you will 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. Either walking or on horseback, you will reach the top of the Limon waterfall under the guidance of a local guide. Remember to wear good walking shoes if you walk, as the path is difficult due to the tracks left by horses. Along the way you will be able to see different plants and tropical fruits. Once you reach the top, you will have to walk down for about fifteen minutes to swim in the natural pool of the waterfall. Take pictures, rest and afterwards return to the ranch with your guide where you will enjoy a very good Dominican buffet lunch.
