Unforgettable Week in the Dominican Republic

Day 1 · Welcome to the Dominican Republic

1. 1

   Zona Colonial

   2 hours

   Personal welcome at Punta Cana airport (driver with sign with your name outside the terminal) and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is free to explore the oldest city in the New World. If you land in Santo Domingo, transfer to the old town is also included.

Hotel Villa Colonial***, Santo Domingo

Day 2 · History, music and old town (Half Day excursion)

1. 1

   Zona Colonial

   3 hours Admission included

   Today you will explore by bicycle the first city built by Europeans in the Americas. We will pick you up at 9:30 am. During the approximately one and a half hour guided tour, you will see the most important sights of the old town. The Colonial Zone, once home to Spanish colonial rulers, is the oldest European settlement in the Americas. Here you will find the first cathedral, the first hospital and the first school in the New World. Your local guide will also tell you about the trendiest bars, restaurants and cultural institutions. But the darker sides of colonial history are also illuminated during this tour. On this excursion, you'll learn about the Taino natives and the introduction of slavery to the Americas, as the first slave market in the New World was located in Santo Domingo, you will not only to discover the Colonial Zone but also get immerse in Dominican history.

2. 2

   Zona Colonial

   2 hours Admission included

   In the evening, you will be picked up at the hotel at 6:00 pm to attend an open-air concert. Every Sunday, the group Bonyé plays in the magical setting of the ruins of San Francisco. The group, made up of 20 singers and various instruments, plays merengue, son and jazz. The concerts attract Dominicans of all ages, who come together to celebrate, enjoy the music, and dance.

Hotel Villa Colonial***, Santo Domingo

Day 3 · Santo Domingo, off the beaten tourist track

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours

   On this excursion you will get to know Santo Domingo from a different point of view. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at 09:00 am. You will then head to one of the most precarious neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic, Gualey. The neighborhood is located north of the old town, on the west bank of the Ozama River. Here you will visit the non-profit foundation Rincón de Luz. On this excursion you will get to know Santo Domingo from a different point of view. At the foundation, they give a food donation (included in the price of the excursion, which is provided to them in advance). Founder and president Leyda Alvarez gives you a tour of the facilities and introduces you to their work.

2. 2

   Santo Domingo

   one hour

   We will take the Gualey cable car. You will board the cable car, from where you will enjoy a spectacular view. You will cross the Ozama River, travel through the Tres Brazos and Sabana Perdida stations to the Charles de Gaulle terminal in the north of Santo Domingo, and return to the starting point. Throughout the trip, the tour offers a fresh perspective of the city and insight into its diverse living conditions. The gondola ride provides countless opportunities for spectacular photos.

3. 3

   Jarabacoa

   3 hours

   The journey continues northward as you head to Jarabacoa via the oldest road in the Dominican Republic. This route winds through rural areas marked by intensive agriculture. Upon reaching La Vega, you'll leave the highway and enter the mountainous region of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps. Many locals flock to this area during the summer for its pleasant climate. The quaint town of Jarabacoa, situated 600 meters above sea level, is surrounded by pine forests, rivers, mountains, and valleys, offering year-round spring-like temperatures. This region is a haven for nature enthusiasts.

Hotel Pinar Dorado***, Jarabacoa

Day 4 · Coffee tasting, mountain walk and tobacco culture

1. 1

   Jarabacoa

   2 hours

   After breakfast, you will visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, where you will learn all about coffee cultivation and processing, followed by a coffee tasting.

2. 2

   Salto de Jimenoa Dos

   one hour Admission included

   Afterwards, you will take a drive through the mountains of the Dominican Republic to one of the famous waterfalls of the region. Take in the breathtaking views and landscapes, and immerse yourself in the unique nature, home to endemic flora and fauna.

3. 3

   La Aurora Cigar Factory

   one hour Admission included

   Afterwards, the trip continues to Santiago de los Caballeros. Here you will visit one of the most renowned cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora, where you will learn all about tobacco processing.

   You'll have the opportunity to watch the artisans skillfully handcraft the coveted tobacco products. Following the visit, the journey continues to San Francisco de Macorís.

Camp David Ranch***, Santiago de los Caballeros

Day 5 · Cacao plantation and Caribbean magic

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours

   After breakfast, the journey continues towards Samaná, passing through a fertile valley until you reach San Francisco de Macoris. In the cool shade of towering jungle trees, you will explore the Cacao Trail. At Hacienda La Esmeralda, a renowned cocoa plantation that supplies world-famous chocolate producers, you will gain a fascinating insight into the journey of cocoa from bean cultivation to chocolate making. Naturally, a tasting of cocoa and chocolate is part of the experience. Following the tour and a typical local lunch, we will proceed to Samaná.

Breakfast at the hotel, lunch during the visit to the cocoa plantation

Hotel Playa Colibrí***, Las Terrenas

Day 6 · A dream village on the beach

1. 1

   Las Terrenas

   Passing by

   Savor the beauty and charm of the peninsula's pristine sandy beaches, where you can immerse yourself in the essence of Caribbean life. Picture palm trees swaying in the soft breeze, enjoy refreshing cocktails, freshly caught seafood, and the lively rhythms of merengue and bachata. Whether you choose to embark on optional excursions or simply unwind in the serene Caribbean atmosphere, this is your perfect escape.

Hotel Playa Colibrí***, Las Terrenas

Day 7 · Las Terrenas Paradise

1. 1

   Las Terrenas

   12 hours

   Day at leisure.

Hotel Playa Colibrí***, Las Terrenas

Day 8 · See you soon

1. 1

   Punta Cana

   4 hours

   Transfer to Punta Cana airport according to your flight details.

   If you would like to enjoy a little more of your time on the island, to revel in the impressions of the trip, book a beach extension. Relax on the beach in Bayahibe or Punta Cana, your transfer is included as long as the beach extension is also booked with us