Day 1: Punta Cana Airport – Santo Domingo Old Town
Welcome to the Dominican Republic Personal welcome at the airport of Punta Cana (driver with name sign outside the terminal) and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the oldest city in the New World. If you land in Santo Domingo, your transfer to the old town is also included.
Day 2: History, music and culinary delights in the World Heritage Old Town
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel reception at 10:00 a.m. Today you will get to know the first city built by Europeans in America. It was here that the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated and the first hospital opened. This bustling city of over a million people has a number of cultural, especially architectural, attractions to offer that you won’t find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola.
You will spend the day in the historic old town, the so-called Zona Colonial, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour includes palaces, forts, museums, churches and squares. You will walk through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll, and the pedestrian street El Conde with its many stores and street vendors as well as bars and restaurants. After the city walk, we will serve you one of the most typical Dominican dishes for lunch. The stew called Sancocho is for every Dominican a flagship of his gastronomy.
In addition to various meats, the dish combines a variety of local Caribbean ingredients such as yam, musk gourd, cassava and plantain, which give the stew its characteristic flavour – a dish as rich as Dominican culture. Rice and avocado are served as side dishes. After lunch, you will be escorted back to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax, or to stroll around the city. In the evening, you will be picked up at the hotel at 6:00 pm to experience an outdoor concert of a special kind. Every
weekend, the group Bonyé plays in the magical setting of the San Francisco ruins.
The group of about 20 people with singers and various instruments plays merengue, son and jazz. The concerts are attended by Dominicans of all ages, who celebrate exuberantly, listen to the music or dance happily. Especially European guests are always enthusiastic about the joy of the locals and let themselves be carried away by the atmosphere.
Day 3: Santo Domingo – Jarabacoa
During today’s excursion you will get to know Santo Domingo from a different side. Off the beaten tourist track you will see the life of the less privileged population and contribute a small part to improve their circumstances. After breakfast and check-out, you will be picked up by your driver at 09:00 a.m. You will deposit your luggage in the vehicle. Then you will drive to one of the most precarious neighbourhoods in the Dominican Republic, Gualey. The neighbourhood 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.
The foundation has been doing work in education, nutrition and health for socially disadvantaged children, youth and seniors for over 18 years. Children from preschool age to the beginning of middle school receive schooling and participate in lunch. At the foundation you will hand over a food donation (included in the price of the excursion, will be provided for you in advance). The founder and president Leyda Alvarez will give you a tour of the premises and present her work. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the school children.
Afterwards you will get a guided tour through Gualey. You will get an impression of the living conditions in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of the Dominican Republic. You will visit the four pozos, small lakes fed by natural springs, which are popular with local residents. One of the pozos has recently been used as a breeding pool for ornamental and food fish. Drinks are available during the walk from local corner stores called colmados. After the end of the tour, you will head to the cable car station of Gualey.
You will board the cable car, from which you will enjoy a spectacular view. You will cross the Ozama River, passing through the Tres Brazos and Sabana Perdida stations to the Charles de Gaulle terminus in the north of Santo Domingo, and then return to your starting point. During the tour you will gain a new perspective on the city and get an impression of the different living conditions. From the gondola you will have numerous opportunities for spectacular photos.
The trip then continues north. You will drive to Jarabacoa on the oldest highway in the Dominican Republic. The route leads through rural areas characterized by intensive agriculture. On the way you will stop at the Reposteria Miguelina. The excursion restaurant offers typical dishes of the country and is especially known for its traditional desserts (cost to be paid by the participants).
In La Vega you will leave the highway. Here begins the mountain world of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps, where many locals spend their summer vacations due to the good climate. The small town of Jarabacoa is located at 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests, rivers, mountains and valleys. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the center for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Day 4 – Jarabacoa – Santiago de los Caballeros
After breakfast you will 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. Monday to Friday only. Afterwards, take a walk through the mountains of the Dominican Republic to one of the famous waterfalls of the region. Enjoy the impressive view and landscape and immerse yourself in the unique nature with endemic flora and fauna.
Afterwards, the journey continues to Santiago de los Caballeros. Here you will visit one of the most renowned cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora, where everything about tobacco processing will be explained to you. You will have the opportunity to watch the employees as they skillfully handcraft the coveted tobacco products. Monday to Friday only. After the tour, the driver will take you to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax or for a short walk around town.
Day 5 – Santiago – San Francisco de Macorís – Las Terrenas
After breakfast, the journey continues in the direction of Samaná. After driving through a fertile valley, you will reach San Francisco de Macorís. In the shade of the huge jungle trees you will visit the Sendero del Cacao. Here you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything about the coveted fruit of the cacao tree, from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing, at the Hacienda La Esmeralda cacao plantation, which supplies world- renowned chocolate factories. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting are also part of the program. A lunch will be provided during the tour. Closed on Mondays.
From here, the tour continues via Nagua to Samaná. The peninsula of Samaná is 63 km long and 10 to 20 km wide. It is a tropical paradise with secluded beaches, clear mountain rivers and steep cliffs. Las Terrenas is the bustling center on the north coast of the peninsula. Here you will experience authentic island flair and can feel the magic of the Caribbean.
Day 6 – Las Terrenas
Let your soul dangle on the beautiful and unique sandy beaches of this peninsula. Here you will experience pure Caribbean life. Palm trees swaying in the gentle wind, cool cocktails and freshly prepared seafood, as well as the sounds of the music of merengue and bachata. Take optional excursions or relax in Caribbean atmosphere! Possible excursions from/to your accommodation in Las Terrenas.
Day 7 – Las Terrenas
Possible excursions from/to your accommodation in Las Terrenas.
Day 8 – Las Terrenas – Punta Cana Airport / Santo Domingo
Transfer to the airport of Punta Cana or Santo Domingo according to your flight details.
