Highlights of the Dominican Republic - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo, Guided City Bike Tour

Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Upon arrival at the Santo Domingo Airport, your private driver will transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, get ready to start exploring the city with a local guide on a bicycle tour. 

Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's capital and the site of the Americas' first European settlement. Today, you'll experience the city from a different perspective as your expert local guide reveals interesting facts about its history and culture. Cycle around the fortified colonial center, which dates to the 16th century, passing highlights like the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, the Monastery of San Francisco, Fortaleza Ozama, the Hospital San Nicolás de Bari, and Colón Lighthouse.

Day 2: Transfer to Bayahibe, Stop at Cueva de las Maravillas

After breakfast, your private car will take you to Bayahibe, one of the most beautiful beach destinations on the Dominican's southern coast.

On your way, you'll stop at Cueva de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders). The cavern is located in the province of San Pedro de Macoris and measures 2,625-feet (800-m) long and 82-feet (25-m) deep. Inside, there are around 500 ancient pictographs and petroglyphs that were made by the Taíno people and which date back thousands of years. Also here is El Espejo de Agua, (The Water Mirror), an artificial lake whose glassy surface reflects the roof of the cave. 

Once you finish the guided tour, you'll continue on to Bayahibe. This stretch of coast offers all the beauty of Punta Cana without the mass crowds. Here, you'll enjoy a bit of tranquility combined with cultural activities and adventures. Witness the stunning Parque Nacional del Este, which encompasses the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Saona Island.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax.

Day 3: Explore Bayahibe, Visit VegaFina Cigar Factory

Today is free to spend as you see fit. Relax at the beach or enjoy an optional activity. 

Bayahibe is known for its beauty and welcoming atmosphere, as it preserves the essence of the Dominican people. Surrounded by abundant vegetation, local fishermen still live in brightly painted wooden houses along the coast. Experience the best of this region with a plate of fresh fish while on a catamaran cruise around the coast.

Or, should you choose, you can spend the morning strolling the town of Bayahibe and stop in at one of its many restaurants and bars. Or walk just outside of town to Playa Dominicus, a secluded beach far from the tourist crowds. All the beaches around Bayahibe are excellent spots to spend a quiet morning relaxing in perfect tranquility. 

In the afternoon, a local guide will lead you on a tour of the VegaFina Cigar Factory. Throughout the tour, you'll glean the finer details of the cigar culture of the Dominican Republic and how these fine products are made. It's a multi-sensory experience where sight, taste, and smell reveal the virtues of one of this country's most famous exports. 

Optional day trip activities:

• Day trip to Isla Catalina: Snorkel in one of the most beautiful marine ecosystems in the Dominican Republic. Board a catamaran for a full day of fun in the sun on Catalina Island and discover the most beautiful turquoise waters and white-sand beaches in the Dominican Republic.
• Bayahibe 4x4 Buggy and Monkeyland Tour: Feel the adrenaline of driving your own 4x4 buggy in the Dominican countryside. After the adventure, stop by the Casa de Coco (Coconut House) to learn how coconut oil is produced. You'll also get to sample organic products like Caribbean fruits, roasted coffee, and cocoa. Finish the day with a visit to Monkeyland to interact with the park's friendly and playful squirrel monkeys.

Day 4: Day Trip to Saona Island, Catamaran Experience

You're in for a real treat today when you visit Isla Saona, located just off the southern coast of the Dominican Republic. This island is famous for crystal-clear waters, beautiful white sand beaches, and offshore coral reefs home to exotic marine life. Coming here is undoubtedly one of the highlights of a stay in the Dominican. 

From the port of Bayahibe, you'll board a catamaran and travel to Saona. Upon arrival, enjoy a decadent lunch of wine and lobster followed by time to relax on the beach and swim in the crystalline Caribbean waters. If you have the energy, play some beach volleyball or even take part in a meringue class.

Then it's time to board a speedboat and explore the coast around the island. Along the way, you'll stop at a place called the Natural Pool. The shallow waters of this sandbar mean you can wade waist deep in turquoise waters even hundreds of meters from shore. A major highlight is spotting the large number of starfish that call this area home.

Optional day trip activity:

Visit Altos de Chavón: In 1976, Charles Bludhorn, president of Golf & Western Corporation, had the idea to build this 16th century Mediterranean village on the Dominican's north coast. Italian designer Roberto Coppa made Bludhorn's dream come true, creating a village that is a convincing recreation of Mediterranean Europe in the heart of the Caribbean. Its position on a hill also affords spectacular views of the Chavón River and the ocean. During your visit, a private guide will take you on a tour the village's highlights, like the Roman-style amphitheater.

Day 5: Depart the Dominican Republic 

After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport in Santo Domingo, where you'll catch your flight home. Until next time!