Experience all facets of the Dominican Republic / Self-drive tour

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 Merces

The capital of the Dominican Republic blends modernity with a thriving economy and the city's historic center, the "Zona Colonial," making it a truly special place. During a private two-hour tour of the "Zona Colonial," you'll follow in the footsteps of Columbus and see, among other things, the oldest cathedral in the New World, ruins, and the residence of Columbus's son, Don Diego. You can also visit a cigar factory, if you wish, to see how the popular Dominican cigars are made.

Afterwards, we will inform you about your tour over a tropical welcome drink in our office in the Zona Colonial.

After lunch, you can explore the romantic streets of the Zona Colonial or the Malecón, the seafront promenade, on your own. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to discover other places outside of Santo Domingo's old town. One option would be a visit to the fascinating cave system "Los Tres Ojos" (Three Eyes).

The evening is yours to explore the vibrant nightlife of Santo Domingo.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Colonial
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Kimpton Las Merces

Today you will be picked up from your hotel, then collect your rental car and the adventure begins!
After a short drive, an incredible natural landscape unfolds around you. Passing sugarcane fields, the scenery transitions into the rugged and barren mountainous landscape of the southwest. In Baní, you can take a detour to the dunes, where you'll discover yet another side of the country; the Baní dunes form the largest desert in the Caribbean. A few minutes further on, you'll reach the small fishing village of Las Salinas, home to an old salt mine where salt is still extracted from the various salt pans using methods similar to those used 100 years ago. On the drive to Barahona, you'll be treated to more stunning viewpoints overlooking the coastline. Once you arrive at your accommodation, you can relax and enjoy the evening.

• Distance: Approximately 200 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Oasi Encantada
• Premium accommodation: Rancho Platon

Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. The stunning, unspoiled region around Barahona offers plenty to see and discover – whether it's hiking through crystal-clear rivers, visiting the famous Lago Enriquillos where you can see crocodiles, or mingling with the locals at a beach or riverside restaurant and observing the vibrant scene; you certainly won't be bored.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Oasi Encantada
• Premium accommodation: Rancho Platon

Today's journey takes you along the stunning coastal road to Oviedo, home to a large freshwater-saltwater lagoon. From there, you can observe iguanas, flamingos, and countless other bird species by boat (boat trip not included). Afterwards, the journey continues, passing beautiful cenotes and a crystal-clear lagoon along the way. In the afternoon, you'll arrive at your accommodation: a unique glamping hotel right on the idyllic beach of Cabo Rojo. Enjoy one of the most secluded areas of the country, with uninterrupted views of the turquoise waters and the clear, starry sky.

• Distance: Approximately 110 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Glamping Cueva de las Aguilas
• Premium accommodation: Glamping Eco del Mar Lodge

Today, a boat trip takes you to the breathtaking, snow-white beach of Bahía de las Águilas (Eagle Bay), considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Enjoy relaxing hours in the crystal-clear water. In the afternoon, you can hike to "La Cueva," where you often encounter the Hispaniola iguana, one of the largest and strongest vertebrates of its kind. In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal with a sea view and, weather permitting, a stunning sunset.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Glamping Cueva de las Aguilas
• Premium accommodation: Glamping Eco del Mar Lodge

After breakfast on the beach, we head back east. Your accommodation tonight is a true hidden gem, something you certainly won't find anywhere else: a newly opened glamping hotel with spectacular sea views, an infinity pool, and unique accommodation options – far removed from mass tourism yet offering a high level of comfort. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing by the hotel pool or driving your rental car to the nearby La Caobita beach.

• Distance: Approximately 200 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Altos de la Caobita Eco Hotel
• Premium accommodation: Altos de la Caobita Eco Hotel

Today, your tour continues along the south coast, then inland via a well-maintained highway, past cocoa, rice, banana, and coffee plantations, to Jarabacoa, a small town nestled at the foot of the surrounding mountains. Dominicans also call it the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year-round spring-like temperatures.

• Distance: Approximately 270 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Pinar Dorado
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / Junior Suite with river view

After breakfast, you'll go on an excursion. You can choose between an exciting river rafting tour, a hike to two waterfalls, a paragliding flight to see the area from a bird's-eye view, or a visit to a coffee factory including a tasting of organic coffee.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Pinar Dorado
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / Junior Suite with river view

Today your journey takes you to the north coast. En route, you can visit a tobacco plantation and one of the largest tobacco exporters in the Caribbean, or plan a stop in Santiago, the country's second-largest city, to see the 70-meter-high Santiago Monument, erected in 1944. In the afternoon, you'll reach the idyllic fishing village of Punta Rucia, where you can enjoy a pleasant dinner to round off the evening.

• Distance: Approximately 155 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Corales
• Premium accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge

In the morning, a fishing boat will be ready to take you to a small island with an area of ​​just 200 square meters of white sand. 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

Today the journey continues along the north coast towards Puerto Plata. Along the way, you can stop for a canyoning tour at the 27 Waterfalls, explore Puerto Plata's old town with the San Felipe Fortress, or take the cable car up Puerto Plata's local mountain, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and coastline. Afterwards, the journey continues to Cabarete and your accommodation.

• Distance: Approximately 155 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Taina
• Premium accommodation: Ultravioleta Boutique Residences

These days are yours to explore and enjoy the water sports paradise of Cabarete: from the long village beach with its many shops and cafes, to surfing tours, canyoning adventures, and excursions in the surrounding area, there's something for every adventurer! We're happy to provide further tips and recommendations.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Taina
• Premium accommodation: Ultravioleta Boutique Residences

After breakfast, you'll drive along the coast until you reach Playa Grande. It's considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and is ideal for a delicious, typical Dominican lunch and a relaxing afternoon on the sand. Your hotel is just a short distance away and awaits you with fantastic views, where you can end the day.

• Distance: Approximately 70 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Catalina Tropical Lodge
• Premium accommodation: Catalina Tropical Lodge

Today is yours to explore the area around Cabrera. The surroundings offer many pristine beaches for swimming and crystal-clear lagoons for a refreshing dip. Your hotel also boasts stunning sea views, a relaxing pool, yoga classes, massages, and a tennis court.

• Meals included: None
• Standard accommodation: Catalina Tropical Lodge
• Premium accommodation: Catalina Tropical Lodge

Your next destination is Las Galeras, an idyllic fishing village at the very tip of the Samaná Peninsula. The journey through the small, typical villages will give you an authentic glimpse into everyday Dominican life. Las Galeras awaits you with stunning surroundings and beautiful beaches.

• Distance: Approximately 140 km
• Meals included: None
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Serena
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Villa Serena

Today you have the opportunity to explore the fascinating area around Las Galeras. This includes Playa Rincón, one of the top beaches in the Caribbean; Playa Frontón, a hidden Robinson Crusoe-like beach; and the beautiful La Playita beach, where you can enjoy a delicious Dominican lunch. Upon request, we would be happy to organize a guided 2-hour hike to 7 secluded beaches, followed by a boat trip back.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Hotel Villa Serena
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Villa Serena

Another highlight awaits you this morning: a boat trip to explore Los Haitises National Park. You'll cruise past secluded islands, bays, and rock formations, visiting two caves where you'll find paintings and carvings by the Taíno indigenous people. Afterward, your boat will take you to the idyllic "Bacardi Island," Cayo Levantado, where a Dominican lunch will be served. Then the journey continues to Las Terrenas.

From mid-January to mid-March, the Los Haitises tour can be combined with a boat trip to see humpback whales. These mammals, weighing 30-40 tons, swim the 7000 km annually from the cold Arctic waters of Greenland and Iceland to the Dominican Republic to breed in our warmer waters.

• Distance: Approx. 70 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Takuma Boutique
• Premium accommodation: Sublime Samana

Las Terrenas offers many options for a wonderful final few days of your tour: miles of beaches, a lively village center, countless restaurants, bars, and shops. Your comfortable hotel also boasts an inviting pool. Spend these days exactly as you wish!

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Takuma Boutique
• Premium accommodation: Sublime Samana

Return to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana 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, you can return your rental car at the airport or, if you've extended your stay, upon request.

• Distance: Approx. 145 km
• Meals included: breakfast