Explore the Southwestern Dominican Republic - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo, Guided City Tour

Welcome to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic! Not only is this one of the Caribbean's most impressive capitals, but it's also the site of the very first European settlement anywhere in the Americas. Upon arrival at the airport, a private car will be waiting to take you to your hotel. 

After unpacking and unwinding, head out for a guided tour of the city. Sightseeing with a local expert is the best way to experience Santo Domingo, founded in 1496. As the oldest city in the Caribbean, its Zona Colonial (colonial center) is packed with historic architecture. Your guide will highlight the most impressive landmarks, such as the Basilica Cathedral of Santa María la Menor. Built in 1514, this is the first church in the Americas, as well as the oldest.
 
Other highlights include the Alcázar de Colón (the first Spanish palace in the Americas), Fortaleza Ozama (the oldest military fort in the Americas), and the remains of the Northern Walls, the defensive structures that once protected the city from attacks on both land and sea. You'll also stop at the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco and the ruins of Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, among other places of interest.

Day 2: Santo Domingo to Barahona

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the 1.5-hour drive west to the city of Barahona. After checking in to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day to head out and explore. This coastal region is one of the real gems of the southwestern Dominican Republic.

 

Nicknamed "the Caribbean's Bride," Barahona is known for its stunning coast. Here, forested mountains run up to white-sand beaches where water the color of a clear blue sky laps at the shore. Overlooking these stretches of sand are majestic sea cliffs with sweeping views out to the horizon. For these reasons, there's a solid argument to be made that the beaches in Barahona are among the best in the country.

 

If you're a sun-seeker, hit the beach and spend the day relaxing on the sand. However, nature lovers should venture inland to the virgin rainforests teeming with great biological diversity. You can find different eco-systems in this region that range from humid tropical forests to interior dry forests. Avid birders will love the exotic species that call this region home, including the Hispaniolan emerald, broad-billed toady, and the endangered bay-breasted cuckoo. 

Day 3: Day Trip to Jaragua National Park

After breakfast, you'll embark on a 5-hour guided tour of Jaragua National Park. This 500-sq-mile (1,295 sq mile) reserve is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts. Located on the country's southern tip, it encompasses a wide array of ecosystems that include offshore islands, inland forests, lagoons, caverns, and an unspoiled virgin coastline. After all, this area is part of the first-ever Unesco Biosphere Reserve in the Dominican Republic.

 

The wildlife here is just as diverse as the landscapes. Common marine animals include manatees and various species of sea turtles, which typically nest on Jaragua's beaches between May and August. Also, the wetlands in this reserve are home to over 130 species of birds and include herons, ospreys, and even American flamingos. 

However, before arriving at the park, you'll kick off the adventure with a stop at the charming fishing village of Las Cuevas. This town is unique as many of its residents have settled in the surrounding caves and still live here to this day. Next, you'll take a boat into the park and to Eagle's Bay, where you'll discover a paradise of white sands and crystalline waters. For lunch, enjoy a delicious Caribbean meal right on the beach.

Day 4: Hike to Cueva de la Virgen, Optional Activities

A real adventure is in store today, one in which you'll travel inland up to the base of the Bahoruco Mountain Range and the most romantic cave lagoon in the country, Cueva de la Virgen. This is a three-hour excursion into the mountains, but you won't be arriving on foot. Instead, you'll hop on a quad and drive into the hills with your local guide.

The adventure begins with a drive down the coast from Barahona a couple of miles to the Casa Bonita tropical lodge. From there, you and your guide will grab your helmets and quads, then embark on a 2.5-mile (4-km) ride up to the natural pool of Los Morones. Here you'll take a break for a refreshing swim, then continue another 1.8 miles (3 km) to the trailhead leading to the cave. 

 

After a 30-minute hike, you'll arrive at Cueva de la Virgen and its gorgeous lagoons and waterfalls. Go for a swim and take plenty of pictures—there aren't many places quite like this in the world. After some time at the cave, you'll return to your hotel.

Because the tour of Cueva de la Virgen only takes about three hours, you'll have the remainder of the day free to enjoy some optional activities. Perhaps visit Laguna de Oviedo. Surrounded by mangroves and palm groves, it's one of the best sites in the country for spotting aquatic birds like flamingos. Getting to the lagoon involves a hike through one of the best-preserved coastal forests in the Caribbean.

Day 5: Day Trip to Cachote

Today, you'll head out at 8 am for a five-hour day trip inland to the cloud forests of Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. The destination is Cachote, a protected area in the forest home to a tiny, remote community. The villagers live simply in the mountains 3,600 feet (1,097 m) above sea level.

 

You'll arrive at the village in an off-road vehicle, as the paved road turns into an uphill route on rougher gravel paths at a certain point. Halfway through the drive, you'll stop at the home of a local agrarian family that grows their coffee, cocoa, and bananas, among other things. On an informal tour of their farm, you'll learn about the cultivation of this fresh produce, and of course, you can enjoy some samples.

 

The route then continues to Cachote. As the altitude increases, the temperature lowers, and the topography becomes a misty cloud forest. Upon arrival, embark on a forest hike for 45 minutes to the community. Here, enjoy a picnic at the home of a resident. If weather conditions are favorable, you'll return via another route that will take you across the crystal clear waters of the Río Nizaíto.

Day 6: Hike to Lake Enriquillo

In the morning, you'll head back into the unspoiled wilderness of the Dominican's southwestern region. Today's destination is Lake Enriquillo, located between the Bahoruco and Neyba mountain ranges. This body of water is noteworthy for a couple of reasons: at 135 sq miles (350 sq km), it is the largest lake in the Caribbean; and it's also the only such lake in the region sitting at 140 feet (43 m) below sea level.

 

Most interesting is the exotic fauna to see. The ecosystem at Enriquillo is excellent for wildlife enthusiasts, as it's home to iguanas, pink flamingos, and the largest population of American crocodiles in the Caribbean. Also, the area around the lake includes both tropical and dry forests.

 

You'll explore the region on a 1-hour hike along the "cacao route," which will take you through a tropical forest surrounded by exotic fruits like mangoes, avocados, coconuts, pineapples, and more. At the apex of this walk, which is about 984 feet (300 m) above sea level, the route switches to a flat path for two hours and offers panoramic views over the town of Paraíso to the stunning coast. 

The route is so-named for the cacao trees in this area, the fruit of which produces delicious cocoa. You'll get to sample fresh cacao fruit right off the trees on the hike. In doing so, you'll discover the unique taste of the seeds, which are both sweet and bitter at the same time.

 

After a short descent, you'll arrive at the farming town of Villa Nizao, where the inhabitants mainly cultivate coffee, cacao, oranges, and other citrus fruits. Then enjoy lunch next to the gently rushing waters of the Río Nizaíto. Afterward, you can bathe in the river's many freshwater pools. Finally, you'll hike along the river valley until you arrive at the town of Paraíso, where the river ends at a beautiful white-pebble beach.

Day 7: Hike in La Sierra de Bahoruco, Transfer to Santo Domingo & Depart

Today you'll enjoy one last hike in Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. In the morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel for an excursion that lasts three hours. On the hike, be sure to snap photos of the unique flora, including tall pines and over half of the country's 32 endemic species of orchids.

You can also see 49 different bird species in this area, 19 of which are endemic. These include rare birds like the Hispaniolan emerald, golden swallow, and various species of warblers. In addition, lots of reptiles, like snakes and lizards, call this area home, as do mammals such as the shrew-like solenodon. 

Your guide will take you back to your hotel at the end of the hike. At the appropriate time, a driver will pick you up for the transfer to the airport in Santo Domingo, where you'll catch your flight home. Come back soon!

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the DR? Check out these other Dominican Republic itineraries, with outdoor adventures, beach vacations, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.