Day 1: Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo airport -Santo Domingo old town (30 kilometer - 30 minutes)
Reception and welcome at Santo Domingo airport (driver with name tag outside the terminal), then private transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo.
Services included: Transfer with Spanish-speaking driver.
Day 2: Santo Domingo
World Heritage Old Town and Origin of the New World
You will get to know the first city built by Europeans in the Americas (You will be informed of the exact start time of your city tour the day before and during the transfer from the airport to the hotel). Here the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated, and the first hospital opened. The lively city of over a million inhabitants has a number of cultural, especially architectural, sights to offer that you won't find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola. You will start the day in the historic old town, the so-called Zona Colonial, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the city tour you will see the Palace of Diego Columbus, the historical museum Casas Reales, the Cathedral, and the Parque Colón with the bronze monument of Christopher Columbus. You will stroll through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll, and the pedestrian zone El Conde with its many stores and street vendors, as well as bars and restaurants. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore the first city of the New World or relax at the hotel. In the evening you will be picked up at your hotel by a provider representative if you wish. Your destination is a typical local restaurant in the old town. Dine à la carte and taste tempting local specialties.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Services included: Local English-speaking guide during the City Tour and English-speaking escort during dinner.
Day 3: Punta Rucia Beach
Santo Domingo - Santiago - Punta Rucia (250 kilometers - 4 hours 15 minutes)
Street Art and Street Food
The journey today will take you to Santiago. Once there, you will visit Los Pepines, one of the most emblematic neighborhoods right in the historic center of the city. In 2016, the local government decided to paint the most run-down areas and beautify the neighborhood in order to revitalize the local economy. Just two years later, Los Pepines became a tourist attraction in Santiago thanks to its colorful and expressive murals. On a walking tour, you'll unravel the stories behind each painting: who are the people depicted in the murals? What is the meaning of the colors? What connection do they have to the local culture? You will find out! Street food, of course, cannot be missing from this walk. During the tour you will make several stops to taste the typical empanadas, dumplings filled with vegetables or meat, and fresh fruit juices - simply delicious! Afterwards, you will continue to Punta Rucia. The small fishing village is located on a breathtaking sea bay at the tip of a small cape, where the water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise in the sunshine.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel and snack during the visit of the murals.
Services included: Visit Los Pepines, Transport with Spanish-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide.
Day 4: Punta Rucia Beach
Half day excursion Cayo Arena - Paradise Island
Today you will take an excursion to the sandbank Cayo Arena or also called Paradise Island. It is a jewel of the Dominican Republic and a highlight during your stay in Punta Rucia. After breakfast you can reach Cayo Arena directly from the beach in about 25 minutes by boat. Here you will enjoy the tranquility in paradisiacal surroundings, take a refreshing swim or observe shoals of tropical fish in the shallow turquoise waters. After a few hours stay, you will return to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Services included: Boat trip and English-speaking tour guide.
Day 5: Cabarete
Punta Rucia - Puerto Plata - Cabarete (115 kilometers - 2 hours 40 minutes)
Colonial history, natural treasures and rum
After breakfast, today you will head to Puerto Plata, known for the pretty Victorian-style wooden houses that are located around the city' s central park and the 800-meter-high Mount Isabel de Torres. You will explore the history and culture of the city on a guided tour through the historic center. You will visit the Amber Museum and the Fortaleza San Felipe fortification, one of the oldest well-preserved fortresses from the colonial era. The large, massive complex was built in 1577 to make attacks from the water more difficult. You'll also take the cable car up to the 800-meter-high Mount Isabel de Torres for spectacular views of the city and the coast. At the top is a huge statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the province's landmarks, as well as a beautiful botanical garden. Before continuing, you will visit the Macorix House of Rum, the visitor center of the local rum brand Macorix. During the tour, you will learn all about the history of the rum factory and the manufacturing process. Of course, a rum tasting at the end of the tour is not to be missed! Afterwards you will drive to Cabarete. The small town is popular with surfers and has made a name for itself worldwide as a Caribbean water sports hotspot.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Services included: Entrance fee, transport with Spanish-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide.
Day 6: Cabarete
Full day excursion Cabarete - San Francisco de Macorís - Tamboril - Cabarete (180 kilometers - 4 hours 30 minutes)
Cocoa and tobacco
Today the tour goes towards San Francisco de Macorís. You will visit the Sendero de Cacao. Here at the cacao plantation Hacienda La Esmeralda, which supplies world-renowned chocolate factories, you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. Lunch will be provided during the tour. Afterwards, you will continue to Tamboril and visit a cigar factory, where everything about tobacco processing and cigar manufacturing will be explained to you.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel and lunch at the cocoa plantation.
Services included: Entrance fees, transport with Spanish-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide.
Day 7: Santo Domingo
Cabarete - Jarabacoa - Santo Domingo (270 kilometers - 4 hours 45 minutes)
Coffee cultivation in the Dominican Alps
Today the journey goes back south along the mountain flanks of the Central Cordillera. Here you will make a small detour to the Dominican Alps. Many locals spend their summer vacations here because of the pleasant temperatures. Jarabacoa is located at 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests, mountains and the valleys of the rivers Rio Yaque del Norte and Rio Jimenoa. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the center for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. You will visit the charming town of Jarabacoa and visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, where everything about the cultivation and processing of coffee will be explained to you. Of course, there will also be a coffee tasting. Afterwards you will have time to visit the restaurant, Alta Vista. The trendy restaurant is located high up on a mountain and is known beyond the borders of the city. The terrace offers a fantastic panorama and a spectacular view of the nearby town of La Vega. If you would like to have lunch here, inform your guide (cost to be covered by the participants). Afterwards, we will return to Santo Domingo.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Services included: Entrance fee, transport with Spanish-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide.
Day 8:
Santo Domingo - San Pedro de Macorís - Altos de Chavón - Punta Cana / Santo Domingo airport
Wonder caves and artists village
Today we will drive towards the southeast. On the way you will visit the interesting cave system Cueva de las Maravillas with underground river courses and stalactite caves. It is the largest developed stalactite cave in the Dominican Republic and holds many impressive drawings of the Taíno Indians. Afterwards, you will visit the replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village located on the Chavón River. The village of Altos de Chavón has been faithfully reconstructed according to the original plans of an Andalusian settlement with Roman style elements made of coral limestone. There is a church, an amphitheater, and an archaeological museum of the Taíno culture with various exhibitions. Even today, artisans, painters and sculptors live and work here.
Afterwards transfer to the airport. If you want to enjoy your time on the island a bit more to indulge in the impressions of the trip, book a beach extension. Relax on the beach of Bayahibe or Punta Cana, your transfer is included as long as the beach extension is also booked with us.
Meals included: Breakfast at the hotel.
Services included: Entrance fees, transport with Spanish-speaking driver and English-speaking tour guide.
