When traveling to Dominican Republic there is so much more to explore than the all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. Here is a rough itinerary for you to follow, a place to grab some travel inspiration, or a way to piece together the places you would like to visit while in Dominican Republic. There are so many beautiful beaches to explore, hikes to complete and culture and history to experience!
The “Places to Stay” are budget options for a family of 4. Use the “Get a Quote” button on the bottom if you would like a customized itinerary or alternate recommendations for places to stay.
Fly into Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
The Zona Colonial, the historic central neighborhood, is less than a square mile in size and can be explored by foot. Visit the most famous attractions such as Alcázar de Colón, Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Calle Las Damas, Fortaleza Ozama or Plaza de España, and soak in the vibe of the Caribbean’s most important historic center.
Walk along with Malecon, one of the main avenues of Santo Domingo. The avenue runs along the Caribbean Sea, beginning at the Colonial Zone and ends at the port of Haina. Visit restaurants, hotels, bars, casinos, shops and museums.
Eat at Meson de la Cava to experience dining inside a cave. The restaurant, considered one of the most distinguished in the area by both residents of and tourists to the Dominican Republic, is tucked into a natural limestone cave created by waves over billions of years.
Things to Do:
The Three Eyes National Park is a 50-yard open-air limestone cave located in the Mirador del Este park, in the Santo Domingo Este municipality of the Dominican Republic. A series of three lakes, or ojos, the site is currently one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country.
Dr. Rafael Ma. Moscoso National Botanical Garden is a botanical garden in the heart of Santo Domingo. The park was founded in 1976 and was named after Rafael Maria Moscoso, a Dominican botanist who cataloged the flora on the island of Hispaniola.
Saona Island lies off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic. Part 60of the East National Park, it’s known for mangroves and coral reefs and palm-fringed beaches like Palmilla Beach. The island’s shallow waters are home to starfish.
Places to Stay
Santo Domingo to Santiago, 2 hrs & 40 minutes
Stop at Jima Falls & Jarabacoa on the way from Santo Domingo to Santiago. The Jima Falls were declared a natural monument in August 2009 in order to preserve and recognize its great importance to the water and the biodiversity of the area. This natural monument is made up of twelve waterfalls of the Jima River and ten pools where bathing is allowed.
Jarabacoa is home to some of the best waterfalls in the Dominican Republic. Hike the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, El Pico Duarte. Raft down the Yaque del Norte River, the second-longest river in the Caribbean with Rancho Baiguate.
The 27 Waterfalls Park, Damajagua is 2 hours from Jarabacoa, a natural park complex of dozens of waterfalls along the Damajagua River. You will slide, jump, hike, and climb up and down this natural limestone water park.
Santiago
Santiago is the second biggest city and the attraction there is the heroes monument that has a museum inside and allows you a great viewpoint from the city landscape. This city offers an entirely different experience to the capital – set against a mountainous backdrop and with its roots in agriculture, it’s less cosmopolitan and less urban but rich in cultural heritage.
Santiago is very close to two towns you need to make a stop at for the full Cibao experience. In Moca, check out Neoarte Moca for a talented assortment of locally crafted home goods and an opportunity to book demonstrations and lessons with local artists! The space also has an art gallery and coffee shop, El Grano de Caffe. El Molino de La Cumbre will give you some incredible mountainside views and a delicious mofongo. In Salcedo, you can visit the historic home turned museum of the Mirabal sisters, three sisters who remain a symbol of resistance against Trujillo’s regime. You can also check out Bosque de La Mujer for a nice walk and relaxing water view.
While in Santiago be sure to check out all the amazing street art.
Things To Do:
Damajagua 27 Falls is considered the #1 eco tour in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This adventure takes you through 27 waterfalls through a tropical forest, where visitors jump from one to the next (helmets and lifesavers mandatory). Some of the jumps can be up to 25 feet high, so those who prefer to skip jumping use the wooden stairs instead. It is a very physical activity, and the park offers the proper gear and staff to make it easier.
Learn everything you need to know about the chocolate produced in the Dominican Republic during this 2.5 hour tour. Visit an organic cacao plantation and learn about the islands ecosystem and what makes it perfect for growing cacao. Enter the La Esmerelda Chocolate Factory to see the steps in creating the perfect chocolate bar and make one of your own. Enjoy a buffet lunch with a cup of rich hot chocolate.
Check out the paths at Monumento Natural Pico Diego de Ocampo. The mountain is part of the Cordillera Septentrional Mountain Range and sits just north of the city, making it easily accessible during your stay in town. The most popular path is about 1.8 miles and brings you to a lookout point with panoramic views of the Cibao Valley
It’s an art walk through The Los Pepines neighborhood and it’s murals, the most characteristic and emblematic neighborhood around the city. As locals we would love to show you this amazing place in our particular way. The murals aren’t just art for art’s sake; they have stories to tell and messages to share with the community and the world.
Arroyo Hondo Theme Park is a place surrounded by history, culture and adventures located in the Arroyo Hondo Community, San José de las Matas on the Inoa River, belonging to Santiago. It is a remodeled, spacious and excellent place for events, it has a zip line, a swimming pool, a gazebo, it should be noted that you must reserve for the zip line and food, at least 24 to 48 hours before.
Places to Stay
Santiago to Sosua, 1.5 hours
Sosua
Sosua has 2 main interest attractions, the beaches and Castillo Mundo King. Castillo Mundo King is a must, with an entry fee of $15 you access the most eccentric, weird and interesting African art and aliens museum. Built by the artist Rolf Schulz, a German citizen that sold his belongings in Hamburg to pursue his dream of building a castle with arts from Africa and spaceships. Multiple options are available such as boat trips, diving or just chilling at the beach.
Things To Do:
Playa Sosúa is known for its lively stretch lined with numerous local and international bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s also a diver and snorkeler favorite, with easy access to a wide array of sites near shore. Hundreds of locals and visitors descend here on weekends and holidays, and enjoy Sosúa’s stunning waters and sunsets.
Experience the ocean from above and below during this full-day, sailing tour on a 75-foot (22-meter) catamaran that includes two snorkeling stops. Swim among the colourful fish and vibrant coral at Sosua Bay and enjoy lunch onboard while sailing down the coast. Relax on the deck in sun before heading back to shore.
Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure
Discover the secluded Damajagua Waterfalls, tucked in the hills of the Dominican Republic’s Northern Corridor, on this full-day trip from Puerto Plata. Explore the twenty-seven pristine falls, cascading over limestone, with your local guide. Get a short safety briefing, then jump, swim and slide down natural waterslides.
Swap the beach for an adventure off the beaten path that lets you discover more of the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty. Jump into your own dune buggy and drive along muddy paths, through sugar cane fields, down to the beach, and past the river. Suitable for all, even beginner drivers.
Cabarete is a resort town on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast. Cabarete Bay is protected by a coral reef. The calm waters, combined with breezy conditions on beaches like Cabarete and Kite, make it a center for water sports.
Places to Stay:
Sosua to Las Terrenas, 3 hours
Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas is a gateway to Las Galeras, a small fishing village with paradise beaches and Salto el Limon, considered the most beautiful waterfall in the country. Activities such as fishing trips, diving, water sports gear rentals and plenty of walking beaches are available. Various type of tourists like this area, Americans and Europeans, from luxury to backpackers.
Things to Do:
Beaches
Enjoy the beaches of Las Terrenas: Playa Bonita, Playa las Ballenas, Playa Coson, Playa Punta Popy, Playa El Portillo and Playa Maron.
In the Samana Bay these solitary giants come to reproduce in this special habitat. This event happens every winter, from January 15th to March 15.
Places to Stay:
Las Terrenas to Samana, 1 hour
Samana
One of the most interesting areas of Dominican Republic are around this peninsula. The main town is Las Terrenas, a mixture of expats and locals. Beaches with plenty of coconut trees and also city that host the production of the TV show Survivor. It overlooks Samaná Bay, which plays host to thousands of humpback whales during winter’s mating season. Nearby, the Whale Museum’s prime attraction is a huge whale skeleton. The town’s waterfront promenade, the Malecón, has restaurants and bars. In the bay, Cayo Levantado is a tiny island known for its palm-lined beaches.
Things to Do:
Ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world, Playa Rincón’s 3 miles of pristine, undeveloped white sand beach lining a bay of calm turquoise waters, spotted with coconut trees. One side of the beach has docile and calm waters for snorkeling and sunbathing, while the northern side has rolling waves for bodysurfing fun.
El Limon Waterfall Tour with horseback & ATV
Experience the best of the Dominican Republic’s natural attractions on this fun day tour. Hike or ride a horse to the El Limon waterfalls, which you have to see to believe. Following a trail through the forest and alongside the Limon River, you’ll also stop at cacao, coffee, and coconut plantations. Take a refreshing dip in the waterfalls’ plunge pool to cool off.
THE Place to Stay:
Samana to La Romana, 3.5 Hours
Stop at Los Haitises National Park, one of the crown jewels of the Dominican Republic’s national park system. Los Haitises–which translates into “hilly land” in the Taino language–attracts numerous visitors who come here by boat to see its magnificent series of 98-foot high rock formations jutting out of the water. The park also boasts extensive mangroves along its bay, which is dotted with cays that are home to multiple bird colonies, as well as a series of caves known for having one of the highest numbers of petroglyphs and pictographs in the country.
Visit Salto de Socao, a waterfall surrounded by jungle found within Los Haitises National Park.
La Romana
La Romana is home to the famous Casa de Campo resort, internationally renowned golf courses, a world-class marina and Altos de Chavón, a beautiful replica of a 16th-century artisan village. Nearby, the Bayahibe area offers picturesque beaches, chic accommodations, desirable attractions and splendid opportunities for ecotourism. Visitors can enjoy stunning Saona Island, Cotubanamá National Park and more.
Things to Do:
Visit Saona Island, the reef at Catuano, and the Las Palmillas natural swimming pool in a single tour on a catamaran cruise from La Romana. Lounge on the decks of the catamaran and watch the scenery while the boat whisks around the island. A seafood buffet lunch and open bar complete this all-inclusive experience.
Fly through the rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure during this 5-hour activity departing from La Romana. Traverse from platform to platform in the forest across twelve cables, set side by side so that you can zip with a partner. Expert adventure guides will give a safety lecture and perform a full safety check before you fly. Along the way, look out for native flora and fauna in the topical forest.
Explore beyond Punta Cana with a full-day tour to Catalina Island. Get picked up at your hotel and utilize an air-conditioned transfer to the port. Climb aboard a catamaran for a scenic ride and get in the water to snorkel and see a colorful barrier reef. Visit Catalina Island for a traditional lunch buffet, dance class if you wish, and more time to swim before the return catamaran ride.
The park is popular with tourists for its white-sand and shallow ultramarine beaches, stunning coral formations, glittering caves that hide subterranean lagoons and Taíno petroglyphs, and the chance to swim with dolphins at some of the best scuba-diving destinations in the DR.
Just 10 miles east of La Romana lies the fishing town of Bayahibe. Here, divers will find spectacular coral formations and three shipwrecks: the Atlantic Princess, St George and Coco. In the national park, nature enthusiasts will find lagoons and wildlife, including a variety of birds. There is much to do, but the inviting, soft white-sand beaches are perfect for travelers seeking relaxation.
This magnificent underground cave is home to a wealth of well-preserved indigenous Taíno petroglyphs. Among the attractions inside the Cueva de las Maravillas you’ll find the Water Mirror, an artificial lake that mirrors the ceiling of the cave, and the Grand Panel that features a wide variety of pictograms.
