OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

15 Days / 14 Nights

Off the beaten Track 15 days/ 14 nights

Discover the hidden gems of the Dominican Republic in 15 days by rental car! Highlights include a glamping adventure on a pristine beach, the visit of the hip town of Cabarete and the beautiful Samana Peninsula with its unique and lush vegetation.

Day 1: Santo Domingo

After arriving at the airport of Santo Domingo, a private transfer will take you to your hotel Casa del Sol **, which is located in the historic center of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your disposal. In the evening you can explore the colonial streets, bistros, bars, shops and attractions of the old town on your own.
Driving time: 30 Minutes
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Casa del Sol**/ Double Room

Catedral Santa Maria de la Encarnacion, Santo Domingo.

Restaurants in the Plaza Espana at dusk, Santo Domingo.

Day 2: Santo Domingo

In the morning, enjoy a tropical welcome drink and an information session in our office in the Zona Colonial about your upcoming tour. Afterwards you can explore the colonial zone. Follow the footsteps of Columbus and visit the oldest Cathedral of the new world, a fortress, ruins and the residence of the son of Christopher Columbus. You can also visit a cigar factory where you can learn a lot about the famous Dominican cigar. After lunch you can visit the fascinating cave system “Los Tres Ojos” (The Three Eyes). In the evening you will have time to experience the nightlife of Santo Domingo.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Casa del Sol**/ Double Room

Inside the Alcazar de Colon (Columbus’s son’s house), Santo Domingo.

Coconut salesman on his bicycle in front of colonial building, Santo Domingo.

Coconut salesman in front of colonial building, Santo Domingo.

Day 3:  Santo Domingo – Bani – Bahia de Las Aguilas  

After breakfast, you will pick up your rental car and head west. We recommend that you take a short diversion to the town of Bani towards “Las Dunas de Bani”. The Dunes constitute the largest desert of the Caribbean and totally contrast with the rest of the Dominican Republic. These Dunes are huge sand formations caused by the action of the winds and the marine currents which favor sedimentation. Since 1996 this has been a protected area so there is an official entry point, but you can also park on the street and walk through the dunes to the ocean. (Closed toed shoes recommended!). At Caldera Bay behind the Dunes, you will find the Salt Mine of “Puerto Hermoso”, where the salt is still extracted from the various salt basins exactly as it was done 100 years ago. Unique souvenir photos are guaranteed! Afterwards you will reach the Glamping Hotel near the beautiful beach “Bahia de las Aguilas” in the late afternoon. Enjoy the sunset on the beach, the natural surroundings and the tranquility, far from tourist hotspots.
Driving time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco del Mar/ VIP beachfront tent

Las Dunas de Bani

Salt production close to Baní

Salt production close to Baní

Day 4: Bahia de las Aguilas

On this day you have the opportunity to visit the beach “Bahia de las Aguilas” (Eagle’s Bay), a true paradise with white sand and turquoise waters. This beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is definitely worth to see. To get there, you can either rent a boat or walk (about 1 hour) while enjoying the beauty of the countryside, past rock formations and native vegetation. In the late afternoon you can relax at the beach bar and enjoy the great sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Eco del Mar/ VIP beachfront tent

Remote and untouched Bahía de las Águilas

Beach Bahia de las Aguilas

Beach “La Cueva” next to Bahia de las Aguilas

Day 5: Bahia de las Aguilas – Barahona

After breakfast you will drive to Oviedo. Here you will find a salt water lake surrounded by a barren and cactus-covered landscape. By boat you can observe flamingos (depending on the season) and countless other bird species. Afterwards you can stop at “Los Patos”, where a refreshing spring river flows into the sea, before you reach your Hotel Playazul near Barahona. The evening is at your disposal.
Driving time: 2 hours
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Playazul Hotel *** / double room

Flamingos at the Laguna de Oviedo

Flamingos in the Laguna de Oviedo

Laguna de Oviedo

Day 6: Barahona – Jarabacoa

After breakfast your roundtrip continues and you will first drive into the heartland of the country, passing cocoa, rice, banana and coffee plantations. On a well-developed mountain road you will reach Jarabacoa, the “city of eternal spring” snuggled at the base of the mountains surrounded by majestic beauty. The rest of the day is at your free disposal where you have time to explore the area of Jarabacoa or relax in the modern guest house.
Driving time: 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Jarabacoa Mountain Hostel**/Design double room with private bathroom

The valley of Jarabacoa

Salto Jimenoa, Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Salto Jimenoa, Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Day 7: Jarabacoa

Today you have the opportunity to do one of many exiting excursions in the area of Jarabacoa. Some of the possible options are river rafting, canyoning, hiking to the surrounding waterfalls, Horseback riding or mountain biking. Experience an unforgettable day in a unique Mountain landscape.
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Jarabacoa Mountain Hostel**/Design double room with private bathroom

Horseback riding in Jarabacoa

River Rafting in Jarabacoa

River Rafting in Jarabacoa

Day 8: Jarabacoa – Punta Rucia

In the morning you will continue to the city of Santiago where you will see the famous Monument of Santiago. It was designed in 1944 by the architect Henry Gazon Bona. After the fall of the Dictator Trujillo, it was given the name of “Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution”, which it retains to this day. From there, you will follow the Hispaniola coast northwest, arriving at the small idyllic fishing town of Punta Rucia. At the Simple Guesthouse, where you will stay for the night you can relax and let the evening end with a nice tropical drink and enjoy a delicious dinner at the restaurant.
Driving time: 3 hours
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Simple Guesthouse in Fishing Village**/ double room

The Monument in the centre of Santiago de los Caballeros

The Monument in the centre of Santiago de los Caballeros

Punta Rucia

Day 9: Punta Rucia

After breakfast you might want to go on a fishing boat which will take you to a small island with a surface area of only 200 square meters and sand as white as snow. The greatest natural pageantry however takes place under the water where the coral reefs provide a magnet for vast varieties of colorful fish and other marine life. Snorkeling in this spectacular natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. The return trip to Punta Rucia takes you through the mangroves of the National Park.
The rest of the day is at your disposal. Enjoy the beautiful beach close to the hotel and explore the local and humble shops, bars and restaurants.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Simple Guesthouse in Fishing Village**/ double room

Cayo Arena

The mangroves while heading back from Cayo Arena to Punta Rucia

The mangroves while heading back from Cayo Arena to Punta Rucia

Day 10: Punta Rucia – Cabarete

Today you will follow the north coast and visit the Fortress of San Felipe in Puerto Plata. This fortress is the only witness to the XVI century city. Columbus discovered San Felipe de Puerto Plata on his first voyage, 12th January 1493 and called the mountain “Monte Plata” (Mount Silver) because the clouds at the top make it look like silver. The city takes its name from the mountain and is called Puerto Plata (Silver Port). If you want to enjoy a breathtaking view over the north coast, you can take a cable car ride on the “Monte Plata” (now called “Pico Isabel de Torres”). On the late afternoon you will arrive at your hotel in Cabarete, which is located directly at the beach.
Driving time: 1 hour
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sustainable Beach Hotel für Surfen & Yoga**/ Standard Room

Looking along the Malecon to Fort San Felipe, Puerto Plata.

Restaurants and Bars directly at the beach of Cabarete

Restaurants and Bars directly at the beach of Cabarete

Day 11: Excursions in Cabarete

Enjoy the day at the beach in Cabarete. If you prefer to stay out of the sun or the activities at the hotel do not suit you, DOMINICAN EXPERT can recommend nearby activities easily reached with your rental car. For example canyoning in the “27 Charcos”. On this trip you will first hike 20 minutes through tropical vegetation to reach the river canyon Damajagua. Protected with a helmet and a vest, you jump down the 27 waterfalls and swim through deep canyons. Another option is the adventure park ‘Monkey Jungle’. This nature wonderland, covers over 800,000 square meters of mountains and valleys. There is a network of zip-lines throughout the park. Get harnessed up and ride the cables from mountain top to mountain top.
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Sustainable Beach Hotel für Surfen & Yoga**/ Standard Room

A pristine beach in the Dominican Republic

A pristine beach in the Dominican Republic

The active nightlife of Cabarete

The active nightlife of Cabarete

Day 12: Cabarete

The day is at your disposal. Enjoy the day on the beach of Cabarete or do one of the many activities offered by the hotel, such as yoga or kitesurfing.
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Sustainable Beach Hotel für Surfen & Yoga**/ Standard Room

Windsurfing in Cabarete at the Dominican Republics North Coast

Windsurfing off Cabarate beach.

Kite boarding off Cabarate beach.

Kite boarding off Cabarate beach.

Day 13: Cabarete – Playa Grande – Las Terrenas

The adventure continues after breakfast with a short drive to Playa Grande, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. There you can enjoy the beach and a delicious lunch of lobster, fish or chicken. After lunch you will keep on driving east, passing beautiful landscapes, banana plantations, rice fields and amazing beaches. After about a two hours drive you’ll arrive in Las Terrenas, a quiet fishing town known for its wonderful beaches and its numerous stores, restaurants and bars. Here you will rest during your last days of vacation in the cozy guest house El Balata.
Driving time: 2,5 hours
Meals included: None
Accommodation: Balata Hotel***/ double room

Playa Grande, one of the famous beaches in the North of the Dominican Republic

Playa Grande, one of the famous beaches in the North of the Dominican Republic

Sunset at Playa Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas

Sunset at Playa Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas

Day 14: Las Terrenas

Enjoy the day at the around the beautiful town Las Terrenas and its beaches. To make your stay even more exciting, we recommend you to do one of the following excursions:
– Waterfall El Limon:
Here you can hike or take a horseback riding trip to the spectacular waterfall “El Limón”. This excursion starts right behind the small town of El Limón. After a 40 minutes hike you will arrive at the 50-meter-high waterfall. Take great photos and refresh yourself in the cool water. On the way back you can enjoy a delicious Dominican lunch.
– Whale Watching Tour:
During the mating season from early January to mid-March, humpback whales can be found in the warm waters of the Samaná Bay. A boat trip will take you close to these huge marine mammals in their natural environment. A really unique experience! Afterwards you will spend some time on the island of Cayo Levantado, home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Here you can enjoy some free time on the beach and a delicious lunch, before it goes back to Samaná around 4 pm
– Beach El Rincon & Fronton:
Visit two of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic and enjoy fresh lobster on the beach. Drive to the beach of Las Galeras and ask a local fisher boat for this excursion. For a small fee he will take you privately to the 2 beaches while you can enjoy this amazing excursion.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Balata Hotel***/ double room

The beach of Playa Portillo in Las Terrenas

The beach of El Portillo in Las Terrenas

Restaurant Porto, Las Terrenas

Restaurant Porto, Las Terrenas

Day 15: Las Terrenas – Santo Domingo

Today you will drive along a well-developed highway across the island directly to the international airport ‘Las Americas’ of Santo Domingo, where you can drop off your rental car and fly back home with lots of fond memories of your journey through the Dominican Republic.
Driving time: 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast

Palm tree leaning over beach on the Samana peninsula.

Palm tree leaning over beach on the Samana peninsula.

A romantic sunset at Playa Rincón in Las Galeras

Looking across bay at sunset, Las Galeras, Samana.

 

The trip includes:
– Private transfer from Santo Domingo airport to the hotel Casa del Sol in the Zona Colonial.
– Rental vehicle with unlimited mileage and full insurance coverage (Please see details below)
– All overnight accommodations at hotels mentioned in the program
– All meals mentioned in the itinerary as “Meals included”
– Tropical drink during the welcome briefing in the offices of DOMINICAN EXPERT
– Map of the Dominican Republic with route clearly marked
– Sim card for local emergency calls
– Travel documentation with useful tips and information about Culture, Country & People

The trip does NOT includes:
– Tourism fee USD 10 (Payable at the airport upon arrival)
– Personal expenditures
– Tips
– International flight
– All meals and drinks not included in the program
– Fuel for rented vehicle
– Tolls

Prices per person start from:

  • 900 USD with double occupancy
  • 1.595 USD with single occupancy
  • 920 USD with triple occupancy
  • 910 USD when booking two double rooms while sharing one rental car.

Please ask for a detailed quote according to your travel dates!

Optional:
Private walking tour in Santo Domingo
Boat excursion to Bahia de las Aguilas
River Rafting in Jarabacoa
Excursion to Cayo Arena in Punta Rucia
27 Waterfall excursion in Puerto Plata
Excursion Plara Fronton & Rincon
Waterfall El Limon in Samana
Whale watching tour during the season in Samana (January – March)

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A bar with delicious cocktails in the Dominican Republic