Collect unforgettable experiences. Get to know the largest and most diverse island in the Caribbean, which has much more to offer than just sun and sand. Follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus and explore the first colonial city in the “New World”. Discover the beauty of the southwest, which is home to rare animal and plant species, and its pristine dream beaches. Inland, the mountains of the “Cordillera Central” await you with the highest peak in the Caribbean. Visit the producers of the typical products coffee, cocoa and cigars. Be enchanted by the lush tropical landscape and the secluded beaches on the Samaná peninsula.
Day 1 (Sat): Santo Domingo
Reception and welcome at the airport (driver with name sign), followed by a private transfer to the “Zona Colonial” of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your leisure to discover the oldest city in the “New World”.
Day 2 (Sun): History, music and culinary delights in the World Heritage Old Town (B, L)
After breakfast, your tour 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. This is where the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated and the first hospital was opened. This bustling city of millions has a number of cultural and architectural sights 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 declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour includes palaces, forts, museums, churches and squares. You will walk through the Calle de las Damas, the first street to be paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll along, as well as the pedestrian zone El Conde with its many stores and street vendors, bars and restaurants.
After the city walk, we will serve you one of the most typical Dominican dishes for lunch. The stew, called sancocho, combines various types of meat with a variety of local Caribbean ingredients such as yam, musk pumpkin, manioc and plantain, which give the stew its characteristic flavor - a dish as rich as Dominican culture. Rice and avocado are served as a side dish. After the meal, you will be accompanied back to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax or to stroll through the city.
In the evening, you will be picked up at the hotel at 6.00 pm to enjoy a very special open-air concert. Every weekend, the group Bonyé plays in the magical setting of the ruins of San Francisco. The group of around 20 singers and various instruments play merengue, son and jazz. The concerts are attended by Dominicans of all ages, who celebrate exuberantly, listen to the music and dance happily.
Day 3 (Mon): Santo Domingo off the beaten track - Jarabacoa (B) (150 km - 2 hrs 45 mins).
After breakfast, drive to Gualey. The district is located north of the old town on the west bank of the Ozama River. Here you will visit the charitable foundation Rincón de Luz. The foundation works in the areas of education, nutrition and health for socially disadvantaged children, young people and senior citizens. At the foundation, you will hand over a food donation (included in the price, provided for you in advance).
You will then be given a guided tour of Gualey. This will give you an impression of the living conditions in one of the poorest districts of the Dominican Republic. You will visit the four pozos, small lakes fed by natural springs, which are popular with the locals. 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, known as colmados.
At the end of the tour, head to the Gualey cable car, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view. You cross the Ozama River, travel via 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 round trip, you will gain a new perspective on the city and get an impression of the different living conditions. From the gondola, there are numerous opportunities for spectacular photos.
The journey then heads north. You drive to Jarabacoa on the oldest highway in the Dominican Republic. The route takes you through rural areas and the mountains of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps. On the way, you will make a stop at an excursion restaurant (not included). The small town of Jarabacoa lies 600 m 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 center for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Day 4 (Tue): Jarabacoa - Santiago de los Caballeros (B) (55 km - 1 hr 15 min)
After breakfast, you will visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, where you will learn all about the cultivation and processing of coffee. Afterwards, you will take a walk through the mountains of the Dominican Republic to one of the region's famous waterfalls. Enjoy the impressive view and landscape and immerse yourself in the unique nature with endemic flora and fauna.
The journey then continues to Santiago de los Caballeros. Here you will visit one of the most renowned cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora, where you will learn all about tobacco processing. You will have the opportunity to watch the employees as they produce the coveted tobacco products by hand. After the tour, the driver will take you back to your hotel. Use the afternoon to relax or take a short walk through the city.
Day 5 (Wed): Cocoa plantation and Caribbean magic, Santiago - San Francisco de Macorís - Las Terrenas (B, L, AI) (165 km - 3 hrs 45 mins).
After breakfast, the journey continues towards Samaná. After driving through a fertile valley, you reach San Francisco de Macorís. In the shade of the huge jungle trees, you will visit the Sendero del Cacao. Here you have the unique opportunity to learn all about the coveted fruit of the cocoa tree, from the cultivation of the cocoa bean to chocolate processing, at the Hacienda La Esmeralda cocoa plantation, which supplies world-famous chocolate factories. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. Lunch is provided during the tour.
From here, the tour continues via Nagua to Samaná. The Samaná peninsula 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 feel the magic of the Caribbean. Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch during the visit to the cocoa plantation and all-inclusive in Las Terrenas.
Day 6 (Thu): Las Terrenas (AI)
Unwind on the beautiful and unique sandy beaches of this peninsula. Here you can experience pure Caribbean life. Palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, cool cocktails and freshly prepared seafood as well as the sounds of merengue and bachata music. Go on optional excursions or relax in a Caribbean atmosphere!
Optional half-day add-on excursion (minimum 4 participants): Coffee route by bike
After breakfast today, go on an optional excursion (not included) 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.In the afternoon you have free time to relax on the beach or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.
Day 7 (Fri): Free time in Las Terrenas (AI)
You can add the optional excursions on site for an additional charge.
Optional add-on excursion (minimum 4 participants): Catamaran excursion to Bacardi Island
Today you can take part in an optional sailing excursion. You will be picked up after breakfast at 08:00. Your transfer will first take you to Samaná. Here you will board a catamaran. You start with a sailing trip in the bay of Samana.
Optional private day trip (minimum 4 participants, children aged 16 and over must be accompanied by an adult, daily departure): Quad safari to the picture-book beach.
Optional half-day add-on excursion (no minimum number of participants, daily departure): El Limon waterfall
On this optional excursion, you will visit the highest waterfall on the Samana peninsula. It is an impressive waterfall about 50 meters high.
Day 8 (Sat): Las Terrenas - Punta Cana / Santo Domingo Airport (B) (305 km - 4 hrs)
Take your time for breakfast and enjoy this last day. Departure from the hotel depends on your program. If you are going to the airport of Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, your transfer is included and we will take care of it. If you would like to extend your vacation at a beach hotel or location of your choice or book another trip with us, do not hesitate to let us know. Optional transfers to other parts of the country are also possible at any time.
B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / AI = All Inclusive
Note: We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary with the same scope of services.
