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Nature, Culture & History / With driver guide
Dominican People
Nature, Culture & History  / With driver guide - Map
Nature, Culture & History  / With driver guideNature, Culture & History  / With driver guide - Map

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.

8 Days / 7 Nights
from USD 3,540.- per person in double occupancy

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Private tours with Driver Guides from Dominican Expert

With our private chauffeurs and driver-guides you can discover the Dominican Republic intensively and supervised. Sit back during the rides and enjoy the unique views.

Through our certified and professional guides you will learn a lot about the country, culture, history, flora and fauna.

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Santo Domingo

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.
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

You will be picked up by your guide and your round trip begins. It will take you inland, passing cocoa, coffee, banana, rice and tobacco plantations. Enjoy the ride through the beautiful mountains that reach an altitude of almost 3,000 feet above sea level. It is worth stopping along the way to visit a famous tobacco factory and plantations. Your hotel awaits you with spectacular views over the Cibao Valley.

  • Distance: Approx. 95 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Camp David Ranch / Standard Room
  • Premium Accommodation: Camp David Ranch / Junior Suite with Balcony

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 you will continue 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: Hotel 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 white sandbank with an area of only about 2,100 square feet. 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: Hotel Corales
  • Premium Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge

Day 5: Puerto Plata

Day 5: 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: Hotel Casa Colonial Beach & Spa

Day 6: Along the North Coast

Day 6: Along the North Coast

Today’s itinerary 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 / Suite with Mountain View
  • Premium Accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Ocean View

Day 7: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado

Day 7: Los Haitises & Cayo Levantado

Today you will explore the 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 Taino indigenous 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
  • Standard Accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Mountain View
  • Premium Accommodation: The Bannister / Suite with Ocean View

Day 8: Drive to Santo Domingo

Day 8: Drive to 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 the rest of the itinerary, transfer by your driver-guide to the airport or to your connecting hotel (upon request).

  • Distance: Approx. 65 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

Included Services

  • 7 nights in a double room with bath or shower/toilet
  • Meals according to itinerary
  • Airport transfer day 1
  • Private certified driver guide (English speaking) or professional local driver (basic English) Day 2 to 8
  • Fuel & tolls
  • 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
  • Tips for driver guide or driver
  • Personal expenses & extras in hotels
  • Additional meals & drinks

Notes

  • Prices based on 2-6 persons. Prices for single travelers or or more than 6 people on request.
  • From mid-January to mid-March, the Los Haitises tour on day 7 can be replaced or complemented with a whale watching tour upon request. Both tours can also be organized as private boat excursions. All prices on request.
  • On request we will be happy to arrange an individual tour extension for you! Please contact us.
  • Chauffeur refers to a local, Spanish speaking, professional chauffeur with basic English skills.
  • Driver-Guide refers to an English speaking, certified guide and driver.

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Inspiration and Information

A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)
The coastline of the Samaná peninsula
Iguana in the Dominican Republic
Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic
A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)
The coastline of the Samaná peninsula
Iguana in the Dominican Republic
Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic
A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)
The coastline of the Samaná peninsula
Iguana in the Dominican Republic
Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic

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