The most beautiful nature lodges and unusual boutique hotels / 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 Mercedes

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 Mercedes

Your tour begins and takes you inland, past cocoa, rice, banana, and coffee plantations to Jarabacoa, a small town nestled at the foot of the surrounding mountains. Dominicans call it the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year-round spring-like temperatures. The afternoon is free for you to explore the area.

• Distance: Approximately 155 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: 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: 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 or take the cable car up Puerto Plata's local mountain, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and the coastline.

• Distance: Approximately 95 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
• Premium accommodation: Casa Colonial Beach and Spa, an SLH Hotel

You can spend today entirely as you please. If you are interested in history and culture, you can explore the old town of Puerto Plata with the San Felipe Fortress. If you prefer a more active day, you can visit coffee villages, an amber mine, or a rum distillery, or plan a short hike to one of the many jungle waterfalls located in the fascinating Cordillera Septentrional mountain range.

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
• Premium accommodation: Casa Colonial Beach and Spa, an SLH Hotel

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 110 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• 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. Along the way, you'll find a beautiful freshwater lagoon, perfect for a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear waters. The authentic fishing village of Las Galeras awaits you with its stunning surroundings and beautiful beaches.

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

Another highlight awaits you in the 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 Taino indigenous people. Afterward, your boat will take you to the idyllic "Bacardi Island," Cayo Levantado, where a Dominican lunch will be served.

Alternatively, the following two excursions could be offered:

*Whale watching during whale season (January-March)

*2-hour guided hike across 7 remote beaches and return by boat.

• Distances: Approximately 20 km
• Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
• Standard accommodation: Todo Blanco
• Premium accommodation: Hotel Villa Serena

Today you have the opportunity to explore the exciting 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. Exploring several beaches on foot is also a rewarding option.

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

The final destination of the trip is the lively fishing village of Las Terrenas. On the way there, we recommend a detour to El Valle – a true hidden gem, nestled in tropical nature. We would be happy to organize a hike through the jungle to a pristine waterfall, or you can visit the nearby zip-line park. Alternatively, you can also take a trip to the popular El Limón waterfall along the way.

• Distance: Approximately 85 km
• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Takuma Boutique Hotel
• Premium accommodation: Sublime Samana

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

• Meals included: breakfast
• Standard accommodation: Takuma Boutique Hotel
• 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: Approximately 145 km
• Meals included: breakfast

Upon request, we will gladly put together a customized travel extension or a complete package starting from your arrival at the airport! Contact us.