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Round trip for the whole family / Self-Drive Tour
Round trip for the whole family / Self-Drive Tour - Map
Round trip for the whole family / Self-Drive TourRound trip for the whole family / Self-Drive Tour - Map

Round trip for the whole family / Self-Drive Tour

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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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: 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.
Use the rest of the day to explore the streets of the colonial city. In the evening we recommend you end the day in one of the parks Plaza Espana, Parque Duarte or Parque Colon. Here young and old meet in the evening and enjoy the pleasant evening temperatures together.

  • Meals: None
  • Standard Accommodation: Luca Hotel
  • Premium Accommodation: Hotel Casas del XVI
Day 2: Santo Domingo

Day 2: Santo Domingo

Today, on a bicycle tour, you will get to know Santo Domingo’s colonial zone, the oldest city of the New World. A special experience for younger children is a visit to Parque Colon, a historic square located in the middle of the old town, where you can watch and feed pigeons. In the afternoon, a visit to the Chocolate Museum awaits, where you will learn a lot about the cacao plant and its uses, and make your own chocolate with your children.

Afterwards we will inform you about your round trip during a tropical welcome drink in our office in the Zona Colonial.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Luca Hotel
  • Premium Accommodation: Hotel Casas del XVI
Day 3: Head inland

Day 3: Head inland

After picking up your rental car, your journey will start towards Jarabacoa. It will take you inland, past cocoa, rice, banana and coffee plantations and along a mountain road with a fantastic view over the Cibao Valley, until you reach the mountain town of Jarabacoa. On the way you will have the opportunity to visit a beautiful waterfall, which invites the whole family for a refreshing swim. You can spend the rest of the day at the hotel pool or explore the green surroundings right by the river on your own.

  • Distance: Approx. 90 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / Superior Room
  • Premium Accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / 2-Bedroom Apartment
Day 4: Jarabacoa & surroundings

Day 4: Jarabacoa & surroundings

This day is free for you to explore Jarabacoa. Depending on your wishes & the age of your children, you can spend the day in the beautiful hotel complex right next to the mountain river “Jimenoa” or take a short hike on your own, visit waterfalls in the surroundings or book an exciting activity like river rafting or paragliding.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / Superior Room
  • Premium Accommodation: Hotel Gran Jimenoa / 2-Bedroom Apartment
Day 5: Drive to the north coast

Day 5: Drive to the north coast

After breakfast, continue your drive towards El Cupey, where you will spend the next few days at the family-friendly El Gallo Eco-Lodge. Along the way, you can stop at a restaurant with spectacular views or book a cacao jungle tour upon request. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the day relaxing, taking a refreshing dip in one of the lodge’s natural pools or exploring the spacious gardens.

  • Distance: Approx. 75 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: El Gallo Eco Lodge
  • Premium Accommodation: El Gallo Eco Lodge
Day 6 & 7: Puerto Plata & surroundings

Day 6 & 7: Puerto Plata & surroundings

In the family paradise of Eco-Lodge El Gallo, you will have the opportunity to do numerous activities on or around the lodge during these days. Depending on the age and wishes of the children, guided tours, egg hunts, fruit and vegetable picking in their own garden, cooking or painting lessons, herb hunts, soap making, cave visits or swimming excursions are on the program. The friendly owners of the lodge will be happy to arrange activities that are age appropriate for your children and recommend alternative activities for your family. Likewise, you can explore Puerto Plata’s surroundings on your own by rental car and, for example, take a cable car ride up the local mountain, experience an exciting canyoning tour or visit the Monkey Jungle, a monkey sanctuary.

  • Meals: Breakfast 
  • Standard Accommodation: El Gallo Eco Lodge
  • Premium Accommodation: El Gallo Eco Lodge
Day 8: Drive to Cabarete

Day 8: Drive to Cabarete

Today, the journey continues towards Cabarete. In the afternoon you will arrive at your hotel, which is located right on the beach of Cabarete, a well-known place for water sports lovers. You can spend the afternoon at your leisure on the beach, by the hotel pool or in the town of Cabarete with its stores, bars and restaurants.

  • Distance: Approx. 30 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Villa Taina
  • Premium Accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 9: Cabarete

Day 9: Cabarete

This day is at your leisure. Enjoy the day at Cabarete beach or by the hotel pool. Alternatively, explore the area on your own.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Villa Taina
  • Premium Accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 10: Cabarete

Day 10: Cabarete

Today you’ll embark on an Organic Farm Tour, where you’ll gain insight into the local culture of the rural Dominican Republic. The farm grows a variety of fruits, vegetables and superfoods that you can sample fresh from the trees during the tour. Afterwards, head to the Yasica River, where you’ll float leisurely downstream in floaties on a river tubing tour. Adventurers can climb a jungle cliff along the way and jump from an overhanging tree into the crystal clear water. At the end, a delicious lunch of fresh organic produce awaits before returning to the hotel.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Villa Taina
  • Premium Accommodation: Natura Cabana Boutique Hotel & Spa
Day 11: North Coast & Las Terrenas

Day 11: North Coast & Las Terrenas

Today’s drive takes you to the Samaná Peninsula. On the way, you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful freshwater lagoon Dudu, which invites you to take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water. Brave adventurers can jump into the water from the eight meter high zip line. Afterwards, continue along the Boulevard del Atlantico, which awaits you with spectacular views over the tropical coastline of the peninsula. Arriving in the charming beach town of Las Terrenas, you can end the day with a cool tropical cocktail by the pool or beach.

  • Distance: Approx. 95 mi
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Aligio Aparthotel & Spa
  • Premium Accommodation: Sublime Samana
Day 12 to 14: Las Terrenas

Day 12 to 14: Las Terrenas

You will spend your last vacation days at this dreamlike place with countless beach bars and restaurants, which are spread over various beaches. Relax and enjoy the Caribbean flair of this beautiful island, which shows itself from its best side here in Las Terrenas. Even for adventurers who want to see more of the area, the Samaná Peninsula offers more than enough options, which we will be happy to show you.

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Standard Accommodation: Aligio Aparthotel & Spa
  • Premium Accommodation: Sublime Samana
Day 15: Drive to Santo Domingo

Day 15: 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, take a swim and mingle with the Dominicans. Depending on further itinerary, drop off rental car at airport or upon request for individual extension.

  • Distance: Approx. 85 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

  • 14 nights in double or family room with bath or shower/toilet
  • Meals according to itinerary
  • Airport transfer day 1
  • 13 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
  • City tour by bike through the Zona Colonial
  • Visit to the chocolate museum incl. making your own chocolate
  • Individual activities at El Gallo Lodge (depending on your wishes & age)
  • Organic Farm Tour & River Tubing
  • Service package from Dominican Expert
  • Applicable local taxes

Not Included Services

  • Entrance fees for self-booked excursions
  • Optional activities of your choice & age in Jarabacoa & Puerto Plata (options on request)
  • Fuel & tolls
  • Personal expenses & extras in hotel
  • Additional meals & drinks

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Inspiration and Information

Beautiful nature surrounding Villa Pajon, Cordillera Central
River Rafting in the Dominican Republic
A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)
Beautiful nature surrounding Villa Pajon, Cordillera Central
River Rafting in the Dominican Republic
A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)
Beautiful nature surrounding Villa Pajon, Cordillera Central
River Rafting in the Dominican Republic
A Ciguitade, a popular bird in and around Constanza (Dominican Republic)