Dominican Republic Active Island Experience

Arrive at the airport and transfer to your hotel in the Colonial Zone. Spend the rest of your day walking the charming streets, visiting local restaurants, bars, and shops at your own pace. Eat dinner at one of several excellent spots while enjoying views of Christopher Columbus' son's historic house. The evening is free for you to explore the vibrant local nightlife.

Explore the oldest cathedral in the New World along with a fortress and ruins on a guided bike tour through the Colonial Zone, which also passes the historic house of Christopher Columbus's son. The team fills you in on the details of your upcoming trip over a welcome drink at the office in the Colonial Zone. After lunch, wander the neighborhood's alleys and the Malecón seaside promenade on your own, or take a taxi beyond the old town. One option is Los Tres Ojos ("Three Eyes"), part of a collapsed cave system. In the evening, explore Santo Domingo's nightlife at your own pace.

Begin your road trip with a scenic drive along a well-maintained panoramic road through beautiful mountain countryside at close to 900 m (2,953 ft) above sea level. Along the way, stop for a short hike to the imposing Gran Jimenoa 1 waterfall, which drops nearly 80 m (262 ft). Spend the rest of the day at your accommodation beside a mountain stream.

Distance: approx. 165 km (103 miles)

After breakfast, choose a sporty, action-packed excursion in the Dominican Alps, as locals call this mountain region. Pick from river rafting, canyoning, or mountain biking. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast, drive to Tubagua and stop at a panoramic restaurant with views over the Cibao Valley. Visit a cacao plantation to learn about the cultivation and processing of this fruit. Your eco-lodge for the next two nights features a unique view over the north coast and caters to nature lovers.

Driving distance: 95 kilometers / 59 miles

Set out on an excursion from your eco-lodge, choosing from a variety of hikes, a visit to a crystal-clear natural pool, or a walk through a nearby village to learn about Dominican traditions. The lodge also shares its approach to sustainability, including a closed recycling system, locally produced food, a purpose-built sewage system, and a staff drawn almost entirely from the neighboring village.

Today's drive brings you to Cabarete, a lively surfer town known for sports and action. Your hotel sits right on the beach, within walking distance of the town center's bars and restaurants.

Distance: approx. 35 km (22 miles)

Explore the tropical and wild surroundings of Cabarete. You have time to explore the area with our recommendations, or take an adventurous guided canyoning or river tubing tour. Enjoy the beach and local activities.

After breakfast, continue along the rugged north coast, passing Playa Grande, one of the island's most beautiful beaches and a good stop for a typical Dominican lunch. You can also stop at the Dudu freshwater lagoon and swing out on a zipline into the water below. Arrive in Las Galeras, an idyllic fishing village at the far end of the Samaná Peninsula, and spend the rest of the day on the snow-white beach right in front of your accommodation.

Distance: approx. 205 km (127 miles)

Explore Las Galeras and its beautiful beaches. During an approximately 3-hour guided hike, discover seven secluded beaches and coves while learning interesting facts about the local flora, fauna, and culture. Return to Las Galeras by boat.

Today brings you to El Valle, another highlight of the Samaná Peninsula and a genuine local secret. Your accommodation connects directly with nature, putting a pristine beach just a few minutes' walk away, framed by densely overgrown hills. Between 500 and 3,000 years ago, the Taino people, the island's indigenous inhabitants, settled here, giving El Valle ("the valley") its name and added significance.

Distance: approx. 35 km (22 miles)

After breakfast, your guide picks you up for a hike into the tropical surroundings, leading to a hidden waterfall in the jungle where you can swim and cool off. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the pristine local beach, mingling with locals and taking in daily village life.

After breakfast, head back to Santo Domingo along a well-maintained highway. Depending on your itinerary, return your rental car at the airport or continue to your extension.

Distance: approx. 175 km (109 miles).