Nature, culture and history / With driver-guide

On this unique tour, you'll discover the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic in just one week—places most tourists never see. With your private chauffeur or driver-guide, you can explore the Dominican Republic in depth and with expert guidance. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views. Travel through the heart of the island, past waterfalls, lakes, and mountains; and don't worry, you won't miss the magnificent beaches either. Traveling with a driver-guide also provides valuable insights into the country, its culture, history, flora, and fauna. One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to the remote and pristine Los Haitises National Park.

Day 1: Welcome to Santo Domingo

You will be picked up at the airport and driven by our private transfer to your hotel in the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the streets of the colonial city, its restaurants, bars, and shops at your leisure. In the evening, we recommend a visit to the Plaza de España, where you can choose from several excellent restaurants and enjoy your dinner with a view of the house of Christopher Columbus's son.

Meals included: None

Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Colonial

Premium accommodation: Hotel Kimpton Las Mercedes
Day 2: Mountainous interior

Your tour guide will meet you, and your tour will begin. It will take you inland, past cocoa, coffee, banana, rice, and tobacco plantations. Enjoy the drive through the beautiful mountains, which reach heights of 900 meters above sea level. It's worth stopping along the way to visit a renowned tobacco factory and plantation. Your hotel awaits you with spectacular views over the Cibao Valley.

Distance: Approximately 165 km

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: Hotel Camp David / Suite

Premium accommodation: Hotel Camp David / Presidential Suite
Day 3: Santiago & surroundings

Today you can visit Santiago's city center with its famous Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution, designed in 1944 and renamed after the overthrow of dictator Trujillo. Alternatively, you can visit a tobacco or cocoa plantation. Afterward, the journey continues to the north coast. Upon arrival in the idyllic fishing village of Punta Rucia, you can end the day with a tropical drink overlooking the sea.

Distance: Approximately 105 km

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: Hotel Corales

Premium accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge
Day 4: Punta Rucia & Cayo Arena

In the morning, a fishing boat will be ready to take you to a small, white sandbank measuring just 200 square meters. The greatest natural spectacle, however, takes place underwater, where the coral reefs are a magnet for a multitude of colorful fish. The return trip through the mangroves of the national park will lead you back to the hotel, where you can relax on the beach for the afternoon.

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: Hotel Corales

Premium accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge
Day 5: Puerto Plata

After breakfast, we continue to Puerto Plata. En route, you can visit the San Felipe Fortress in Puerto Plata. Christopher Columbus arrived in this area on his first voyage, which was documented on January 12, 1493. You will reach your hotel in the late afternoon.

Distance: Approximately 110 km

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa

Premium accommodation: Hotel Casa Colonial Beach & Spa
Day 6: Along the north coast

Today's itinerary includes a drive along the north coast to the breathtaking Samaná Peninsula. The diverse, lush landscape encompasses rivers, banana plantations, rice paddies, and an impressive coastline. Stop as you please at pristine beaches for swimming and a typical Dominican lunch, or at crystal-clear lagoons for a refreshing dip.

Distance: Approximately 210 km

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Mountain View

Premium accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Ocean View
Day 7: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado

Today you'll explore Los Haitises National Park by boat. You'll cruise past secluded islands, bays, and rock formations, visiting two caves where you can find paintings and carvings by the Taino indigenous people. Afterward, your boat will take you to the idyllic "Bacardi Island," Cayo Levantado, where a Dominican lunch will be served.

Meals included: breakfast

Standard accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Mountain View

Premium accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Ocean View
Day 8: Trip to Santo Domingo

Return journey to Santo Domingo via a well-maintained highway. En route, you can stop at the hidden Salto Socoa waterfall and mingle with the locals. Depending on your onward travel plans, transfer by driver-guide to the airport or your connecting hotel (upon request).

Distance: Approximately 160 km

Meals included: breakfast

Included services

7 nights in a double room with bath or shower/toilet
Meals as per itinerary
Airport transfer Day 1
Private, certified driver guide (German-speaking) or professional, local chauffeur (basic English) Days 2 to 8
Fuel costs & toll fees
Boat trip to Cayo Arena including snorkeling
Boat trip to Los Haitises National Park & Cayo Levantado including lunch
Service package from Dominican Expert
Applicable local taxes

Services not included

Entrance fees for self-booked excursions
Tips for driver guide or driver
Personal expenses & extras in hotels
Additional meals & drinks

Guided Tours & Transfer Trips with Dominican Expert

With our private chauffeurs and German-speaking driver-guides, you can discover the Dominican Republic in depth and with expert guidance. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views. Our certified and professional guides will share fascinating insights into the country, its culture, history, flora, and fauna.

Our transfer tours are ideal if you don't want to spend your entire vacation in the same hotel. Our private transfers will take you to the most beautiful areas and most unique accommodations in the Dominican Republic, according to your wishes and in complete comfort.

Maximum customer service

All customers who book a guided tour or a transfer/chauffeur tour with DOMINICAN EXPERT will receive useful information about the history, culture, geography, customs and rules of the Dominican Republic upon their arrival.

Included is a welcome bag filled with local, handmade products and helpful amenities for your trip. Afterwards, customers receive a personalized travel guide via WhatsApp message, featuring numerous Google Locations and personal recommendations for places to see, hidden gems, restaurants, and more. We are always available and ready to answer your questions in German via WhatsApp.

Important notes

Prices are based on 2-6 people. Prices for single travelers or groups larger than 6 are available upon request.
From mid-January to mid-March, the Los Haitises tour on day 7 can be replaced or supplemented with a whale watching tour upon request. Both tours can also be arranged as private boat trips. All prices are available upon request.
We would be happy to put together a customized trip extension for you upon request! Contact us.
Chauffeur refers to a local, Spanish-speaking, professional chauffeur with basic English skills.
Driver-Guide refers to a German-speaking, certified guide and driver.

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