THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE

14 Days / 13 Nights

Map of out tour "The Land and its People"

The Land and its People 14 Days / 13 Nights

Discover the most beautiful places in the Dominican Republic on this trip and experience what most tourists will never see. Journey through the island, to the magnificent beaches, waterfalls, lakes and mountains in the heart of the country. Get away from the masses of tourists, and rest assured that DOMINICAN EXPERT will help you with a better knowledge of this island, her unique variety, natural beauty,joyful culture and history.

Day 1: Santo Domingo

Transfer from the airport to the hotel Hodelpa Caribe Colonial in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. Enjoy a cocktail, a briefing about the country and all the support DOMINICAN EXPERT has to offer you. Take the rest of the day to explore the streets of the colonial city, restaurants, bars and shops on your own.

Meals: None
Accommodation: Hodelpa Caribe Colonial ***(*), Superior Room

Dominican_republic_Oficina Punta Cana 37

Our DOMINICAN EXPERT team in Santo Domingo

Restaurants in the Plaza Espana at dusk, Santo Domingo.

Restaurants in the Plaza Espana at dusk, Santo Domingo.

Day 2: Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic combines the modern advantages of an emerging economy with the historic center of the city “La Zona Colonial” making this a very special place. During a 2-hour guided walking tour through “La Zona Colonial”, you will follow Columbus’s footsteps and see (among other things) the oldest cathedral of the New World, castles, ruins and the residency of Columbus’s son, Don Diego. You will also visit a cigar manufacturer, where you will see the production of the popular Dominican cigars.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hodelpa Caribe Colonial ***(*), Superior Room

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Zona Colonial

The Cathedral of Santo Domingo in the Zona Colonial

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

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

Day 3: Santo Domingo – Jarabacoa

After breakfast your roundtrip begins 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 reach the Rancho Baiguate in Jarabacoa, “the city of eternal spring” snuggled at the base of the mountains and surrounded by majestic beauty. Upon arrival, a traditional Dominican lunch is served at Rancho Baiguate. The rest of the day is at your free disposal where you have time to explore the surrounding area of Jarabacoa or to relax on the premises of Rancho Baiguate.

Driving time: 2 ½ hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Rancho Baiguate***, Master Room

Marvellous vistas in the Cordillera Central

Marvellous vistas in the Cordillera Central

Horseback riding in the Cordillera Central

Horseback Riding in the Cordillera Central

Day 4: Jarabacoa – Punta Rucia

In the morning you can go on one of the various excursions offered by the Rancho Baiguate. Among others they offer a horseback or bicycle ride to the beautiful waterfall “Salto de Jimenoa” or a wild river rafting trip down the “Río Yaque del Norte”. After lunch the trip 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 Lodge of Punta Rucia, where you will stay for the night you can relax and let the evening end with a nice tropical drink on the beautiful beach.

Driving time: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge****, Standard Room

The Monument in the centre of Santiago de los Caballeros

The Monument in the centre of Santiago de los Caballeros

Cayo Arena close to Punta Rucia

Cayo Arena close to Punta Rucia

Day 5: Punta Rucia – Puerto Plata

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. From there 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”).

Driving time: 1 hour
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Blue Bay Villas Doradas**** (AI), Standard Room

The Fortress of San Felipe in Puerto Plata

The Fortress of San Felipe in Puerto Plata

The cable car of Puerto Plata

The cable car of Puerto Plata

Day 6: Puerto Plata

On this day you will wake up in an All-inclusive hotel located on the beautiful “Playa Dorada”. Use the day to enjoy the tropical scenery, the beach and everything this beautiful resort has to offer.

Meals: All-inclusive
Accommodation: Blue Bay Villas Doradas**** (AI), Standard Room

The famous beach of Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata

The famous beach of Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata

Enjoy and relax in the Dominican Republic

Enjoy and relax in the Dominican Republic

Day 7: Puerto Plata

Enjoy another day at the beach of Puerto Plata. If you prefer to stay out of the sun or the activities at the hotel do not suit your fancy, 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: All-inclusive
Accommodation: Blue Bay Villas Doradas**** (AI), Standard Room

The stunning 27 Charcos in Damajagua

The stunning 27 Charcos in Damajagua

Ziplining in the Dominican Republic

Ziplining in the Dominican Republic

Day 8: Puerto Plata- Rio San Juan/ Cabrera

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 a delicious lunch of lobster, fish or chicken. By evening you’ll arrive at your hotel in Rio San Juan or Cabrera.

Driving time: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: North Coast Sportfishing B&B**, Standard Room or Las Puertas del Paraiso**, Standard 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

Close to Cabrera, one of the famous beaches in the North of the Dominican Republic

Close to Cabrera, one of the famous beaches in the North of the Dominican Republic

Day 9: Rio San Juan/ Cabrera

After breakfast next to the pool you’ll want to learn more about this part of the island that is one of the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic. The friendly owners of the hotel will explain you where to find the hotspots of the area. For example Laguna Dudu, a crystal clear freshwater lagoon where people can swim in a cave, jump into the water from a 12 meter (39 feet) high cliff or scuba dive through the caves. Or perhaps visit the small romantic bay (Playa El Diamante) which is fed by several fresh water springs which makes swimming here a special experience. These examples are just two of the wide range of attractions in the area. For adventurers there are also tours offered like horseback riding, cave diving, visits to waterfalls and many more.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: North Coast Sportfishing B&B**, Standard Room or Las Puertas del Paraiso**, Standard Room

Beach with Palm Trees near Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic

Beach with Palm Trees near Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic

A beautiful sunset at the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

A beautiful sunset at the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

Day 10: Rio San Juan/ Cabrera – Las Terrenas

The trip leads to the east of the Dominican Republic, to the Samaná Peninsula. During the drive you will cross rivers and enjoy lush landscapes, pass banana plantations, rice fields and beautiful 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 All-inclusive hotel Viva Wyndham V Samaná.

Driving time: 2 hours
Meals: All-inclusive
Accommodation: Viva Wyndham V Samaná****(*) (AI), V Room

A catamaran in a tranquil bay on the Samaná peninsula

A catamaran in a tranquil bay on the Samaná peninsula

Stunning waterfall Salto El Limón on the Samaná peninsula

Stunning waterfall Salto El Limón on the Samaná peninsula

Day 11-13: Las Terrenas

The remaining nights are spent in the paradise resort of Las Terrenas, located right on a beautiful beach. You can simply relax or explore the gorgeous peninsula Samaná with its lush landscape, creeks and waterfalls.

Meals: All-inclusive
Accommodation: Viva Wyndham V Samaná****(*) (AI), V Room

A pristine beach in the Dominican Republic

A pristine beach in the Dominican Republic

Sunset at Playa Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas

Sunset at Playa Las Ballenas in Las Terrenas

Day 14: 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. At the airport you will be met by a representative of DOMINICAN EXPERT to help facilitate the return of your rental car and see you off safely on your return journey.

Driving time: 2 hours
Meals: Breakfast

The trip includes:

– Rental vehicle with unlimited mileage and full insurance coverage
(Pick up in the morning of day 3 in the city of Santo Domingo; drop off day 14 (time as desired) at the airport in Santo Domingo)
– Transfer from the airport “Las Americas” to the old town of Santo Domingo
– All overnight accommodations at hotels mentioned in the program
– All meals mentioned in the itinerary as “Meals included”
– Private Guided Walking Tour (approx. 2 hours) through the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo
– Welcome drink in the offices of DOMINICAN EXPERT
– Map of the Dominican Republic clearly marked with scheduled routes
– Local mobile phone with unlimited calls to the office of DOMINICAN EXPERT (loaner phone 50USD deposit)
– Travel documentation with useful tips and information about Culture, Land & People

The trip does NOT includes:

– Tourism fee USD 10 (Payable at the airport upon arrival)
– Personal expenditures
– Tips
– Flights to/from Santo Domingo or other airports in the Dominican Republic
– All meals and drinks not included in the program
– Fuel for rented vehicle
– Tolls

Prices per person start from:

  • 1.403 USD with double occupancy
  • 2.378 USD with single occupancy
  • 1.253 USD with triple occupancy
  • 1.389 USD when booking two double rooms while sharing one rental car.

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

Please note:
This itinerary if for Adults only.
If you wish to travel with children please have a look at the similar itineray “The Natural Beauty of the Dominican Republic”.

Optional:
River Rafting in Jarabacoa
Excursion to Cayo Arena when staying in Punta Rucia

Map of our tour "The Land and its People"

Map of out tour “The Land and its People”

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A bar with delicious cocktails in the Dominican Republic