This package allows you to move freely and independently around this multi-faceted island. On the planned route, you will discover the most important sights of the Dominican Republic as well as the undeveloped south-west with its large fresh-saltwater lagoon. The journey begins and ends in Santo Domingo. The hire car will be collected on day 3 in Santo Domingo. Hotels, some meals and a hire car are included.
Day 1: Santo Domingo/ Punta Cana
You will be greeted personally at the airport in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana and driven to your hotel in the historic centre. If you are already on the island, free pick-up from your hotel in Punta Cana or Bayahibe or from any other location on the island for an additional charge. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2: Santo Domingo (B)
The day is at leisure. Optional excursions from/to your hotel in Santo Domingo available.
Day 3: Santo Domingo - Bani - Azua - Barahona - Bahoruco (B)
At around 10 am, a member of staff will visit you at your hotel and give you a short briefing and tips on your tour. You will then be driven to the hire car station. After picking up your hire car, you will head out of town along the coastal road in a south-westerly direction. The journey takes you to the province of Peravia, the region of sugar cane. Thanks to the abundance of water, sugar cane has been cultivated here since colonial times. Later, the road leads through dry and stony land dotted with cacti and agaves into the mountains, whose landscape is very reminiscent of Mexico. You reach the provincial capital of Barahona, situated on the Bay of Neiba, towards evening. The famous pirate Cofresí is said to have had his hideout here. From here, it is only a few kilometres along the coastal road to your hotel.
Day 4: Stay in the south-west (B)
The day is at your leisure. You have the opportunity to take part in excursions.
Day 5: Bahoruco - Barahona - Azua - Ocoa - Jarabacoa (B)
Today's journey takes you through San José de Ocoa towards the interior of the country. There you leave the motorway and head north through a beautiful green landscape and small, typical Dominican villages. At the small village of Piedra Blanca, you meet the Autopista Duarte, which leads from the south (Santo Domingo) to the north (Puerto Plata). You follow this road through rural areas characterised by agriculture. The journey takes you along the fertile Cibao Valley to La Vega. Christopher Columbus had the fortress of La Concepción built here, as he suspected that there were rich gold deposits in the region. The gradients soon increase on the well-maintained road. Here begins the mountain world of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps, where many locals spend their summer holidays. Today's destination: Jarabacoa.
We recommend you check in at the hotel, freshen up and visit the Café Colao restaurant in the centre of the village in the evening. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with an authentic meal. After dinner, you can take an evening tour of the town. On this special tour through the small town, you will be entertained by a musician. The typical local instrument, the güira, is passed around and can be tried out by everyone. Tickets for the tour are available in the restaurant (optional).
Day 6: Stay in Jarabacoa (B)
The climatic health resort of Jarabacoa is the centre for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. Visit the charming town, learn all about the cultivation and processing of coffee at the Monte Alto coffee factory or hike to one of the waterfalls Salto Baiguate or Salto Jimenoa. It is best to ask for advice at the reception of your hotel.
Day 7: Jarabacoa - Damajagua - Punta Rucia (B)
After breakfast, we recommend travelling north to the Damajagua waterfalls. Once here, you can book one of the various excursion packages at the ticket office. You can choose whether you would like to visit seven, twelve or 27 waterfalls. You can also book activities such as a buggy tour (only possible with a valid driving licence!) and/or zipline. After you have completed the formalities, a local guide will introduce you to canyoning with the most important information. You will be given a life jacket, helmet and, if required, water shoes. You will then set off on a 45-minute hike through a beautiful jungle landscape. Once at the top, the descent to the waterfalls begins, which you can slide down and even jump into! A wet adventure with thrills is guaranteed. After the adrenaline rush, the tour continues to Punta Rucia. The small town is located on a breathtaking bay at the tip of a small headland, where the water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise in the sunshine.
Day 8: Stay in Punta Rucia (B)
The day is at your leisure.
Day 9: Punta Rucia - Puerto Plata - Cabarete (B)
Today we travel along the north coast towards Puerto Plata. This town is known for its pretty, Victorian-style wooden houses, which are located around the central park and the 800 metre-high Isabel de Torres mountain. Whether by cable car or by car, we definitely recommend you visit the mountain, as you have a magnificent view from up here. At the summit, there is a smaller version of the statue of Christ, as known from Rio de Janeiro, as well as a botanical garden. In the old town of Puerto Plata, we recommend a visit to the Macorix rum factory visitor centre. Here you will learn all about one of the Dominican Republic's most important products. The journey then continues via Sosua to Cabarete, known as the Mecca of water sports. For art lovers, we recommend a visit to the Castillo Mundo King museum, founded by German artist Rolf Schulz, on the way.
Day 10: Stay in Cabarete (B)
The day is at your leisure. You can organise it entirely according to your own wishes. Cabarete is known for its extensive sports activities, such as body, wind and kite surfing. Equipment or lessons can be booked at any time at the numerous surf schools on the beach - or you can watch the surfers perform their tricks from your deckchair. Alternatively, you can visit the El Choco National Park with its various wetlands and an ancient cave system. You can even swim in the cave lakes, which are around 23°C warm.
Day 11: Cabarete - Cabrera - Las Terrenas (B)
After breakfast, you will travel along the coastal road to Rio San Juan. Visit the small bay of Laguna Gri Gri, from where a mangrove-lined channel leads into the open sea. Boat tours can be booked in the bay, which are highly recommended.
We also recommend a short swim stop at the beautiful, kilometre-long, palm-fringed sandy beach Playa Grande between Rio San Juan and Cabrera. The freshly prepared fish here is not to be missed. If you prefer a swim in a quieter bay, you should visit Playa Caletón just after Rio San Juan.
Then continue through the village of Cabrera. Visit the Dudu lagoon here and take the opportunity to take a refreshing dip in the two freshwater pools. The Laguna Dudu park consists of the two cenotes Laguna Dudu and the Pozo de los Caballos, the horse fountain, which are connected by an underground tunnel. Laguna Dudu is 22 metres deep, has a deep blue colour and is surrounded by lush vegetation.
We then travel via Nagua to the Samaná peninsula. The 63 km long and between 10 and 20 km wide Samaná peninsula has a paradisiacal tropical landscape with secluded beaches in hidden bays, clean mountain rivers and rugged rocky coasts. Your destination is your hotel in Las Terrenas.
Days 12 to 14: Las Terrenas (B)
Unwind on the beautiful and unique sandy beaches of this peninsula. Here you will experience pure Caribbean life! Palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, cool cocktails and the sounds of merengue and bachata music.
Day 15: Las Terrenas - Punta Cana (B)
Enjoy the morning on the beach before travelling back to Punta Cana. Your return journey takes you along the new motorway, which is very scenic and leads through part of the Los Haitises National Park. You can return the car at Punta Cana airport. This is subject to a one-way fee, as you will be returning the hire car to a different location than where you picked it up.
Note: Always remember to drive safely and responsibly, especially on unfamiliar roads! We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary with the same scope of services.
B = Breakfast
