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Off the beaten track in the Southwest
Cabo Rojo, Pedernales
Off the beaten track in the Southwest - Map
Round Trips Overview
Off the beaten track in the SouthwestOff the beaten track in the Southwest - Map

Off the beaten track in the Southwest

All Roundtrips
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The southwest of the Dominican Republic, also called "Sur Occidental", is one of the "Top Secrets" of this island, because this region is still almost completely undiscovered by tourism. Whoever visits this area will mainly find pure nature and the real Dominican way of life, far away from tourism and hustle and bustle. The southwest of the Dominican Republic with its seven national parks combines snow-white and untouched beaches with barren mountain landscapes, lagoons, rivers and waterfalls. This trip will take you through a unique Caribbean natural landscape. Unforgettable moments are guaranteed!

6 Days / 5 Nights
from USD 995.- per person in double occupancy

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Your Service Package with Dominican Expert!

The high-quality, personal and English-speaking support of our customers is our top priority. When the trip starts in Santo Domingo, we personally welcome our clients in our office in Santo Domingo’s colonial zone with a tropical welcome drink. Together, the responsible travel agent will go over the entire itinerary and give the client many personal tips and advice, as well as general information about the country and its people, and about the Dominican driving style, routes and conditions.

Afterwards, you will receive a personalized travel guide as a WhatsApp message for your onward journey, with many Google Locations and personal recommendations on places worth seeing, insider tips, restaurants, etc. 

Via WhatsApp you can reach us in English at any time while on the road.

Itinerary

Day 1: From Santo Domingo to Barahona

Day 1: From Santo Domingo to Barahona

After the welcome meeting you will pick up your rental car. After only a short drive, an incredible natural landscape stretches out around you, passing sugar cane fields and transitioning into the rugged and barren mountain landscape of the southwest. Beautiful viewpoints with views over the coastal sections await you. Arriving at your accommodation, you will enjoy a relaxing evening.

  • Distance: Approx. 125 mi
  • Meals: None
  • Standard Accommodation: Oasi Encantado
  • Premium Accommodation: Rancho Platon

Day 2: Barahona

Day 2: Barahona

Today you can spend the day according to your wishes. The beautiful, unspoiled area around Barahona offers plenty to see and discover – whether hiking through crystal clear rivers, visiting the famous Lago Enriquillo where you can see crocodiles, or mingling with Dominicans at a beach or river restaurant and watching the colorful hustle and bustle; you certainly won’t get bored.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Oasi Encantado
  • Premium Accommodation: Rancho Platon

Day 3: Laguna de Oviedo

Day 3: Laguna de Oviedo

Today you will travel along the impressive coastal road to Oviedo, where there is a large fresh salt water lagoon. By boat you can observe iguanas, flamingos and countless other bird species (not included). Afterwards the trip continues. Along the way you will encounter beautiful cenotes and a crystal clear lagoon. In the afternoon you will reach your accommodation, a unique glamping hotel right on the gorgeous beach of Cabo Rojo. Enjoy one of the most secluded areas in the country with constant views of the turquoise waters and clear starry skies.

  • Distance: Approx. 70 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Glamping Cueva de las Aguilas
  • Premium Accommodation: Eco del Mar Lodge

Day 4: Bahía de las Águilas

Day 4: Bahía de las Águilas

Today, take a boat to the breathtaking and snow-white beach of Bahía de las Águilas (Eagle Bay), one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Enjoy relaxing hours in the crystal clear water. In the afternoon you can walk to “La Cueva”, where you can often meet the Hispaniola Iguana, one of the largest and most powerful vertebrate iguanas of its kind. In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal with a view of the ocean and, weather permitting, a gorgeous sunset.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Glamping Cueva de las Aguilas
  • Premium Accommodation: Eco del Mar Lodge

Day 5: Caobita / Azua

Day 5: Caobita / Azua

After breakfast on the beach, you will head back east. Your accommodation today is a real insider tip that you will definitely not find anywhere else: a newly opened glamping hotel with spectacular ocean views, infinity pool and exceptional accommodation options – far away from any mass tourism and yet with a high level of comfort. The rest of the day you can relax by the hotel pool or visit the nearby La Caobita beach by rental car.

  • Distance: Approx. 130 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Altos de Caobita Eco-hotel
  • Premium Accommodation: Altos de Caobita Eco-hotel

Day 6: Dunes of Baní & Salt Mine

Day 6: Dunes of Baní & Salt Mine

On the way back to Santo Domingo you can make a detour to the dunes of Baní. Here you will get to know another side of the country; the dunes of Baní form the largest desert in the Caribbean. A few minutes drive further you will reach the small fishing village of Las Salinas, where there is an old salt mine and the salt is still extracted from the various salt basins as it was 100 years ago. Continue to Santo Domingo and depending on the rest of the itinerary, drop off the rental car at the destination or airport and/or individual extension.

  • Distance: Approx. 105 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
The beautiful, pristine beach of Bahía de las Águilas in the Dominican Republic

Included Services

  • 5 nights in double room with bath or shower/toilet
  • Meals according to itinerary
  • 6 days rental car:
    – Rental car type Hyundai Cantus or similar (higher categories on request)
    – Pick-up & drop-off: Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo
    – Unlimited mileage
    – Air condition
    – Comprehensive insurance with 0% deductible, theft insurance, glass & tire damages
  • Excursion: VIP boat tour to Bahía de las Águilas
  • 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
Request this Trip

Other Round-Trips that might be interesting for you

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Round trip for the whole family

The Dominican Republic is a perfect vacation destination if you want to be on the road as a family and have an unforgettable time together - totally flexible and individually, on your own with a rental car. The trip takes you across the whole country and offers many highlights, beautiful activities and excursions for the whole family. From leisurely river tubing to boat trips, remote beaches, making your own chocolate, culture & history in the 4D cinema and much more - there is something for everyone. Depending on the age and interest of your children, we will be happy to personalize this further for you!

15 Days / 14 Nights
from USD 2,835.- per adult in double occupancy / From USD 680.- per child
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Discover the exotic Samaná Peninsula

With its miles of often untouched dream beaches, the lush tropical nature and the authentic, colorful villages, the peninsula of Samaná is rightly considered one of the most beautiful regions of the Dominican Republic and should definitely be on the itinerary of any trip. During this round trip you will get to know all the highlights of the beautiful peninsula. Exciting excursions, relaxing beach days, immersion into the Dominican culture and special accommodations are ideally combined.

15 Days / 14 Nights
from USD 2,715.- per person in double occupancy
Dominican People
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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.

8 Days / 7 Nights
from USD 3,540.- per person in double occupancy
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Whale and Bird Watching / Private transfer trip

This short trip is specially designed for nature lovers who want to experience the animal and natural diversity of the Dominican Republic up close and far away from any civilization. Travel back in time and spend two nights in the National Park "Los Haitises", where over 4000 years ago the indigenous people of the island used to live in the caves there. During mating season from mid-January to mid-March, you will be able to witness the impressive humpback whales and see many bird species (some of them endemic) during an early morning bird watching tour.

5 Days / 4 Nights
from from 1,295 USD per person in double occupancy

Inspiration and Information

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

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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. Another unique feature of bird watching in the Dominican Republic is that you can combine your birding vacations with visiting the most beautiful places the Caribbean has to offer – such as the gorgeous beaches of Bahía de las Águilas, Playa Rincón or Playa Bávaro in Punta Cana, the amazing waterfalls of the Cordillera Central, the stunning nature of the Dominican Republic’s north coast or the colonial heritage of Santo Domingo’s old town. 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.

The coastline of the Samaná peninsula

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Top 10 beaches of the Dominican Republic by DOMINICAN EXPERT

When you think of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, probably the first thing that comes to mind is heavenly beaches with white sand, turquoise water and lots of sunshine. As this amazing island offers dozens or even hundreds of beautiful and picturesque beaches, we asked our team of dedicated travel experts to name their favorite ones.

Iguana in the Dominican Republic

| | | |

10 travel facts about the Dominican Republic for individualists

Read in this article 10 stunning features that will give you some travel inspiration for your next holiday. Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Punta Cana, beaches, sunshine and cocktails. Probably these are the expectations of everyone who thinks about this Caribbean island. But the country has much more to offer than that. What exactly? Find it out!

Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic

| | | | |

The 5 most beautiful waterfalls in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is well known for its beautiful beaches, its friendly people, the delicious rum and it’s year-round t-shirt weather. But this island in the Caribbean Sea won’t give away all its secrets so easily.

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. Another unique feature of bird watching in the Dominican Republic is that you can combine your birding vacations with visiting the most beautiful places the Caribbean has to offer – such as the gorgeous beaches of Bahía de las Águilas, Playa Rincón or Playa Bávaro in Punta Cana, the amazing waterfalls of the Cordillera Central, the stunning nature of the Dominican Republic’s north coast or the colonial heritage of Santo Domingo’s old town. 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.

The coastline of the Samaná peninsula

| | | | |

Top 10 beaches of the Dominican Republic by DOMINICAN EXPERT

When you think of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, probably the first thing that comes to mind is heavenly beaches with white sand, turquoise water and lots of sunshine. As this amazing island offers dozens or even hundreds of beautiful and picturesque beaches, we asked our team of dedicated travel experts to name their favorite ones.

Iguana in the Dominican Republic

| | | |

10 travel facts about the Dominican Republic for individualists

Read in this article 10 stunning features that will give you some travel inspiration for your next holiday. Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Punta Cana, beaches, sunshine and cocktails. Probably these are the expectations of everyone who thinks about this Caribbean island. But the country has much more to offer than that. What exactly? Find it out!

Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic

| | | | |

The 5 most beautiful waterfalls in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is well known for its beautiful beaches, its friendly people, the delicious rum and it’s year-round t-shirt weather. But this island in the Caribbean Sea won’t give away all its secrets so easily.

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. Another unique feature of bird watching in the Dominican Republic is that you can combine your birding vacations with visiting the most beautiful places the Caribbean has to offer – such as the gorgeous beaches of Bahía de las Águilas, Playa Rincón or Playa Bávaro in Punta Cana, the amazing waterfalls of the Cordillera Central, the stunning nature of the Dominican Republic’s north coast or the colonial heritage of Santo Domingo’s old town. 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.

The coastline of the Samaná peninsula

| | | | |

Top 10 beaches of the Dominican Republic by DOMINICAN EXPERT

When you think of the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean, probably the first thing that comes to mind is heavenly beaches with white sand, turquoise water and lots of sunshine. As this amazing island offers dozens or even hundreds of beautiful and picturesque beaches, we asked our team of dedicated travel experts to name their favorite ones.

Iguana in the Dominican Republic

| | | |

10 travel facts about the Dominican Republic for individualists

Read in this article 10 stunning features that will give you some travel inspiration for your next holiday. Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Punta Cana, beaches, sunshine and cocktails. Probably these are the expectations of everyone who thinks about this Caribbean island. But the country has much more to offer than that. What exactly? Find it out!

Salta de Socoa, another waterfall in the Dominican Republic

| | | | |

The 5 most beautiful waterfalls in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is well known for its beautiful beaches, its friendly people, the delicious rum and it’s year-round t-shirt weather. But this island in the Caribbean Sea won’t give away all its secrets so easily.
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