Dominican Republic: See & Do it ALL in in 6 Days, 1st Class Traveling

Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring the Colonial Old Town of Santo Domingo

Stop At: Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, Calle Isabel La Catolica, Santo Domingo 10210 Dominican Republic
We start our trip to the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo. This is also where we are based for the whole trip, making daily excursions.

Don’t be fooled by your first impressions of the capital. Outside of the zona colonial, Santo Domingo is quite chaotic and usually-but not always-displeasing to the eye. Think of dilapidated buildings, smog and backfiring mufflers. Inside this historical center, however, there is much to see and enjoy. The colonial zone is an architectural gem that truly feels detached from the rest of the city. Think of attractive Spanish era squares, monuments and parks, shirtless men playing dominoes, good food, exciting music (not least bachata and meringue) and an amazing nightlife scene.

The Old Town is the historic central neighborhood of Santo Domingo and the oldest permanent European settlement of the New World. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is an important section of the city due to the high number of landmarks, including the residence of Alcázar de Colón, Fortaleza Ozama Castle and Primada de America Cathedral. Although the zona colonial deserves most of our time, the outer areas of Gazcue and the Malecon are worth exploring too. All in all, the capital is arguably one of the region’s most underrated destinations.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We finalize room bookings about 10 days before departure. We choose only quality accommodation. We'll keep you posted.

Day 2: Snorkeling at Catalina or Saona Island & Charming Altos de Chavon Village

Stop At: Altos de Chavon, La Romana 22000 Dominican Republic
We are making a daytrip via a one-hour drive to La Romana followed by a 45-minute boat ride to finally reach Saona Island or Catalina Island, whichever is easier to get to at the time of arrival. The former is more popular but the latter, arguably even prettier. After snorkeling and some relaxation, we return to La Romana and take a 10-minute drive to Altos de Chavon. This village merits a couple hours of exploration.

Catalina Island offers a diverse preservation of ecosystems, including sand dunes, mangroves and reefs. Formed out of coral stone, the island contains three overlapping plateaus. The seas around the island are rich in wildlife, with many species of birds and tropical marine fish. Catalina Island is especially popular for snorkeling. Altos de Chavon is a recreation of a Mediterranean style European village located atop the Chavon River. It hosts a cultural center, an archeological museum and an amphitheater.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We use Santo Domingo as a base from which to explore the island. Our one and only hotel is there.

Day 3: Jarabacoa's Waterfalls & White Water Rafting

Stop At: Pico Duarte, Parque Nacional Armando Bermudez, Jarabacoa Dominican Republic
We are making a daytrip via a two and a half-hour drive to Jarabacoa, a town popular specifically for its waterfalls as well as for white water rafting in the vicinity. We plan on doing both. Due to its location in the center of the Central Range, the surrounding mountains make the journey all that more worthwhile.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We use Santo Domingo as a base from which to explore the island. Our one and only hotel is there.

Day 4: Boat Trip to Los Haitises National Park & Whale Watching

Stop At: Los Haitises National Park, Dominican Republic
We are making a daytrip via a two and a half-hour drive to Sabana de la Mar specifically to reach the Los Haitises National Park via a 40-minute boat ride. Note that from January through March, we spend some time in the morning going whale watching in the vicinity.

Los Haitises National Park is a protected virgin forest with little road access. The number of tourists allowed is limited, but since 2000, it has been a relatively popular destination for ecotourism. There is a multitude of caverns created by water erosion.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: We use Santo Domingo as a base from which to explore the island. Our one and only hotel is there.

Day 5: Outdoor Activities at Punta Cana Resort & Swimming in a Sinkhole

Stop At: Coco Bongo Punta Cana, Carretera Barcelo-Veron Corner El Boulevard, Centro Comercial Downtown, Punta Cana 23000 Dominican Republic
We are making a daytrip via a two and a half-hour drive to the resort of Punta Cana. Bavaro is the most popular white-sand beach in this scenic area. While in the Punta Cana area, we are taking a 20-minute drive to Hoyo Azul Cave, where we can swim in a sinkhole. Popular in and around Punta Cana are speedboat racing, catamaran sailing, party boats, deep-sea fishing, floating spas, private yachts, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling cruises, swimming with sharks and stingrays and sand buggy-riding. Purchase any such activity directly from the service provider.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We use Santo Domingo as a base from which to explore the island. Our one and only hotel is there.

Day 6: Our Tour Ends This Morning

Stop At: Dominican Republic National Aquarium, Av. España No.75, Santo Domingo Este 11603, Dominican Republic
This is the end of our group tour of the Dominican Republic. Transportation will be arranged for you if you book for 2 or more persons. If you are traveling solo, then you can directly pay for and take an Uber to reach the airport. Feel free to ask us for assistance.
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.