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Authentic Culture & History experience / Self-Drive Tour
Musicans Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
Authentic Culture & History experience / Self-Drive Tour - Map
Authentic Culture & History experience / Self-Drive TourAuthentic Culture & History experience / Self-Drive Tour - Map

Authentic Culture & History experience / Self-Drive Tour

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On this unique round trip you will discover in just one week the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic that most tourists never get to see. Travel through the heart of the island with waterfalls, lakes and mountains; and don't worry, you won't miss the beautiful beaches on this trip either. Dive deep into the history and culture of the country and visit the remote and untouched national park "Los Haitises" as one of the highlights.

8 Days / 7 Nights
from USD 1,455.- per person in double occupancy

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Self-Drive Tours with Dominican Expert!

A self-drive tour with a rental car in the Dominican Republic is the perfect way to explore the island independently and flexibly. You can expect secluded locations off the beaten track, and mostly unknown insider tips that remain hidden from most tourists. The Dominican Republic offers a well-developed road network and with Google Maps you can easily find your way around the entire island. In addition, we offer 24/7 English-speaking support and a service package so that our clients can start their trip well equipped and informed.

On request, all rental car tours can also be organized with a local private driver or (English-speaking) driver-guide.

Maximum customer service

All clients who book a rental car tour with DOMINICAN EXPERT receive useful information about the history, culture, geography, customs and rules of the Dominican Republic upon arrival.

Also included is a local SIM card with unlimited calls, a road map and a welcome bag filled with local, handmade products and helpful amenities for the trip. Afterwards, customers receive a personalized travel guide as a WhatsApp message for their onward journey, with many Google Locations and personal recommendations on places worth seeing, insider tips, restaurants, etc. Via WhatsApp we are always available and reachable for you in English.

Itinerary

Day 1: Santo Domingo

Day 1: 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.
Take the rest of the day to explore the streets of the colonial city, restaurants, bars and shops on your own. In the evening, we recommend you a visit to the Plaza de España where you can choose among various excellent restaurants and enjoy your dinner with a view on Christopher Columbus’ sons’ house.

  • Meals: None
  • Standard Accommodation: Luca Hotel
  • Premium Accommodation: Billini Hotel
Day 2: Mountainous countryside

Day 2: Mountainous countryside

After picking up your rental car, your round trip begins and takes you past cocoa, coffee, banana, rice and tobacco plantations. Enjoy the drive through the beautiful mountains that reach an altitude of almost 3,000 ft above sea level. It is worth stopping along the way to visit a well-known tobacco factory and plantation. Your hotel in the Santiago area awaits you with spectacular views over the Cibao Valley.

  • Distance: Approx. 100 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Camp David Ranch / Standard Room
  • Premium Accommodation: Camp David Ranch / Junior Suite
Day 3: Santiago & Surroundings

Day 3: Santiago & Surroundings

Today you can visit the city center of Santiago with the famous monument “Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution” – renamed after the fall of the dictator Trujillo – designed in 1944. Alternatively, there is also the possibility to visit a tobacco or cacao plantation. Afterwards, the tour continues to the north coast. Arriving in the idyllic fishing village of Punta Rucia, you can end the day with a tropical drink overlooking the sea.

  • Distance: Approx. 65 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Corales 
  • Premium Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge
Day 4: Punta Rucia & Cayo Arena

Day 4: Punta Rucia & Cayo Arena

In the morning, a fishing boat will be ready to take you to a small island with an area of only 2,100 square feet of white sand. However, the greatest natural spectacle takes place underwater, where the coral reefs are a magnet for a variety of colorful fish. The return trip through the mangroves of the national park will take you back to the hotel, where you can spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Corales
  • Premium Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge
Day 5: Explore Puerto Plata

Day 5: Explore Puerto Plata

After breakfast, you will continue to Puerto Plata. On the way, you can visit the San Felipe Fortress in Puerto Plata. Christopher Columbus arrived in this area on his first voyage, documented on January 12, 1493. Later in the afternoon, you will arrive at your hotel.

  • Distance: Approx. 70 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Tubagua Eco Lodge
  • Premium Accommodation: Casa Colonial Beach & Spa
Day 6: Along the North Coast

Day 6: Along the North Coast

Today’s program includes a drive along the north coast to the breathtaking Samaná Peninsula. The varied, lush landscape includes rivers, banana plantations, rice fields and an impressive coastline. Stop at your leisure at pristine beaches for swimming and typical Dominican lunch and at crystal clear lagoons for refreshment.

  • Distance: Approx. 130 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: The Bannister / Junior Suite Mountain View
  • Premium Accommodation: The Bannister / Junior Suite Ocean View
Day 7: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado

Day 7: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado

Today you will explore Los Haitises National Park by boat. You will pass through deserted islands, bays and rock formations and visit two caves where paintings and carvings of the indigenous Taino people can be found. Afterwards, your boat will take you to the paradisiacal “Bacardi Island” of Cayo Levantado, where a Dominican lunch will be served.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Standard Accommodation: The Bannister / Junior Suite Mountain View
  • Premium Accommodation: The Bannister / Junior Suite Ocean View
Day 8: Samaná - Santo Domingo

Day 8: Samaná - Santo Domingo

Return to Santo Domingo via a well-maintained highway. On the way, you can stop at the hidden waterfall Salto Socoa and mingle with the Dominicans. Depending on further itinerary, drop off rental car at the airport or upon request for individual extension.

  • Distance: Approx. 100 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
Optional travel extension

Optional travel extension

On request we will be happy to arrange an individual travel extension or a complete package from arrival at the airport! Please contact us.

Gallery

Santo Domingo, Zona Colonial
Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo, Zona Colonial
Plantacion de Cacao, San Francisco de Macoris

Included Services

  • 7 nights in double room with bath or shower/toilet
  • Meals according to itinerary
  • Airport transfer day 1
  • 7 days rental car:
    – Rental car type Hyundai Cantus or similar (other categories on request)
    – Pick-up: Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
    – Drop-off: Santo Domingo airport
    – Unlimited mileage
    – Air conditioning
    – Comprehensive insurance with 0% deductible, theft insurance, glass & tire damages
  • Boat trip to Cayo Arena incl. snorkeling
  • Boat trip Los Haitises National Park & Cayo Levantado incl. lunch
  • Service package from Dominican Expert
  • Applicable local taxes

Not Included Services

  • Entrance fees for self-booked excursions
  • Fuel & tolls
  • Personal expenses & extras in hotels
  • Additional meals & drinks

Notes

From mid-January to mid-March, the Los Haitises tour on day 7 can be replaced or complemented by a whale watching tour upon request. Both tours can also be arranged as private boat excursions. All prices on request.

Request this Trip

Other Round-Trips that might be interesting for you

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Nature, Culture & History / With driver guide

On this unique round trip, within only one week, you will discover the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic which most tourists never get to see. With your private driver or driver-guide you can discover the Dominican Republic intensively and supervised. Sit back during the rides and enjoy the unique views. Travel through the heart of the island with waterfalls, lakes and mountains; and don't worry, you won't miss the beautiful beaches on this trip either. Moreover, if you travel with a driver-guide, you will learn a lot about the country, culture, history, flora and fauna on the spot. As one of the highlights you will visit the remote and untouched national park "Los Haitises" during the trip.

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Las Dunas de Baní, the sole desert in the Caribbean
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Inspiration and Information

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The island of Hispaniola features more than 300 bird species which is why the Dominican Republic is a hotspot for birding in the Caribbean. Around 30 of these species are endemic on Hispaniola such as the Hispaniolan Woodpecker and the Palmchat, so you can only find them here. Birding in the Dominican Republic is possible in many different regions in the country – the following blogpost shows you which places you should not miss for your Caribbean bird watching holidays.

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10 Amazing Eco-Lodges in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is famous for its lush nature, beautiful beaches and the kindness of the people living on this island. You might have heard of the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, but there are also other regions to discover in the Dominican Republic.

Beautiful nature surrounding Villa Pajon, Cordillera Central

| | | | |

Hats and gloves at the highest hotel in the Caribbean

It definitely sounds weird: you are travelling through the Caribbean which is famous for its sunshine and tropical temperatures, but you still need to pack long pants, a proper coat and maybe even gloves and a winter hat. Thick warm bedding is a must and in the morning you look forward to a nice hot shower.

River Rafting in the Dominican Republic

| | | | | | |

River Rafting – action packed adventure in the mountains

Are you looking for an exciting adventure in the Caribbean mountains? Are you into action, water sports and beautiful scenery?

A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)

| | | | | | |

Birding in the Dominican Republic

The island of Hispaniola features more than 300 bird species which is why the Dominican Republic is a hotspot for birding in the Caribbean. Around 30 of these species are endemic on Hispaniola such as the Hispaniolan Woodpecker and the Palmchat, so you can only find them here. Birding in the Dominican Republic is possible in many different regions in the country – the following blogpost shows you which places you should not miss for your Caribbean bird watching holidays.

| | | | | | | | |

10 Amazing Eco-Lodges in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is famous for its lush nature, beautiful beaches and the kindness of the people living on this island. You might have heard of the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, but there are also other regions to discover in the Dominican Republic.

Beautiful nature surrounding Villa Pajon, Cordillera Central

| | | | |

Hats and gloves at the highest hotel in the Caribbean

It definitely sounds weird: you are travelling through the Caribbean which is famous for its sunshine and tropical temperatures, but you still need to pack long pants, a proper coat and maybe even gloves and a winter hat. Thick warm bedding is a must and in the morning you look forward to a nice hot shower.

River Rafting in the Dominican Republic

| | | | | | |

River Rafting – action packed adventure in the mountains

Are you looking for an exciting adventure in the Caribbean mountains? Are you into action, water sports and beautiful scenery?

A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)

| | | | | | |

Birding in the Dominican Republic

The island of Hispaniola features more than 300 bird species which is why the Dominican Republic is a hotspot for birding in the Caribbean. Around 30 of these species are endemic on Hispaniola such as the Hispaniolan Woodpecker and the Palmchat, so you can only find them here. Birding in the Dominican Republic is possible in many different regions in the country – the following blogpost shows you which places you should not miss for your Caribbean bird watching holidays.
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