On this 8-day trip around the Dominican Republic, we'll visit the Caribbean country's must-see destinations. Santo Domingo, Samaná, Jarabacoa and Santiago de los Caballeros await you.
Tour Details
Day 1: Santo Domingo
Welcome to the Dominican Republic! When you land at Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airport, we'll be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it and will take you to your hotel in the oldest city in the New World, Santo Domingo. A fascinating 8-day tour of the Dominican Republic awaits us.
Day 2: Santo Domingo
We'll have breakfast at the hotel and begin with a guided tour of the Ciudad Colonial, declared a World Heritage Site. We'll visit the Primera Fortaleza, the oldest fortress in the Americas, stroll along Calle de las Damas, the first paved street in the New World, and stop at the Museo de las Atarazanas Reales and the Casa del Cordón, now home to the Centro Cultural Taíno with interactive exhibitions on indigenous culture.
Afterwards, we'll head to one of the Colonial Zone's typical comedores for lunch. We recommend the sancocho, an iconic Dominican stew of meat, yams, pumpkin, cassava, and plantain served with rice and avocado. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore at your own pace.
Day 3: Santo Domingo – Jarabacoa
After breakfast, we'll explore another side of Santo Domingo with a local guide who grew up on the banks of the Ozama River. We'll start in Barrio Chino and along the lively Avenida Duarte before heading to the Río Ozama for a boat ride with views of the fishermen at work. We'll then take the cable car over the river and surrounding neighborhoods for sweeping views of the city, and finish with a homemade lunch at Doña Mada, rounded off with an artisanal ice cream.
We'll then set off north toward Jarabacoa along the oldest road in the Dominican Republic, climbing into the Cordillera Central, known as the Dominican Alps, before arriving at the end of the day in Jarabacoa, a mountain town at 600 meters (1,969 feet) above sea level surrounded by pine forests and rivers, with spring-like temperatures year-round.
Day 4: Jarabacoa – Santiago de los Caballeros
Good morning! We'll have breakfast at the hotel before making our way to the Monte Alto Coffee Factory, where we'll learn all about the cultivation and processing of this delicious product.
The next part of the day will be spent exploring the mountains of the Dominican Republic on foot until we reach the region's waterfalls. After learning about the area's flora and fauna, we'll travel to Santiago de los Caballeros, where we'll visit one of the country's most important cigar factories.
In the afternoon, we'll take you to your hotel in Santiago de los Caballeros and you'll have the rest of the day free.
Day 5: Santiago de los Caballeros – San Francisco de Macorís – Las Terrenas
We'll fuel up with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, before setting off towards Samaná. The first stop of the day will be in San Francisco de Macorís, where we'll visit the Cacao Trail. We'll discover the secrets of the coveted fruit of the cacao tree as we venture into the La Esmeralda Hacienda.
In addition to a tasting, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch at the hacienda. After eating, we'll continue travelling until we reach the Samaná Peninsula, specifically Las Terrenas. Welcome to the earthly paradise of the Dominican Republic!
Days 6 & 7: Las Terrenas
On days 6 and 7 of our tour of the Dominican Republic, you'll be free to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Samaná Peninsula at your leisure. Time to relax!
Day 8: Las Terrenas – Punta Cana or Santo Domingo Airport
It's time to bring this unforgettable 8-day tour of the Dominican Republic to a close. We'll leave Las Terrenas behind and take you to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airport, depending on your flight. See you next time!
Accommodation
This tour includes 7 nights of accommodation in the following 3 and 4-star hotels:
- Santo Domingo: Hotel Villa Colonial or similar
- Jarabacoa: Hotel Pinar Dorado or similar
- Santiago de los Caballeros: Hotel Camp David Ranch or similar
- Las Terrenas: Hotel Playa Colibrí, Hotel Alisei, or similar