Highlights
- Tour the historic capital of Santo Domingo by bicycle
- Explore the open-air limestone caverns of Los Tres Ojos National Park
- Take to Cabarete's beaches to learn to how to surf
- Hike through jungle to pretty El Limón Waterfall
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santo Domingo, Cycling City Tour | Santo Domingo |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Cabarete via Los Tres Ojos National Park | Cabarete |
| Day 3 | Surf the Waves in Cabarete | Cabarete |
| Day 4 | 7 Waterfalls of Damajagua Adventure & Zip line | Cabarete |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Samaná via Playa Grande & Laguna Dudu, Explore | Samaná |
| Day 6 | Hike to El Limón Waterfall | Samaná |
| Day 7 | Free Day in Samaná | Samaná |
| Day 8 | Snorkel Cayo Levantado | Samaná |
| Day 9 | Quad Adventure | Samaná |
| Day 10 | Return to Santo Domingo, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santo Domingo, Cycling City Tour
Welcome to Santo Domingo! Upon arrival, your private driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. After settling in, meet your guide to explore the capital on a cycling tour. Founded in 1496, Santo Domingo is the Dominican Republic's capital and the site of the Americas' first European settlement. On today's tour, you'll see the city from a different perspective as your charismatic local guide reveals interesting facts about the history and culture of the capital. Explore the fortified historic colonial center, which dates back to the 16th century, and pass 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 Cabarete via Los Tres Ojos National Park
After breakfast, you'll transfer north to Cabarete (about five hours) stopping to visit Los Tres Ojos National Park first. Located just a few minutes from central Santo Domingo, Los Tres Ojos National Park is a series of open-air limestone caverns, and colorful lakes formed thousands of years ago. There are indications the early Taíno people once inhabited the caves, and it was an important sacred site to the island's Indigenous tribes.
Once in Cabarete, the Caribbean capital of water and adventure sports, you'll check into your hotel. Located in the province of Puerto Plata, very close to Sosúa, this municipality is the best destination in the Dominican Republic for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. This unique town, nestled in the Bay of Cabarete, is perennially popular for the best waves and the best winds on the entire island.
Day 3: Surf the Waves in Cabarete
Learn to surf or improve your skills with this fun two-hour surfing lesson in Cabarete. Your surfing instructor will give you a full rundown of surfing theory, rules, and the mechanics of wave formation. Paddle out into the warm waters on a provided board, chosen specifically for your skill and body type, to learn to catch a wave.
This activity is suitable for complete novices and accomplished surfers that want to learn from a master.
Day 4: 7 Waterfalls of Damajagua Adventure & Zipline
Your exciting day of adventure begins the moment your guide picks you up at the port and transfers you to Damajagua, a world of intense greenery, cascading waterfalls, and turquoise river pools. Beginning with a moderate 60-minute hike that leads to a summit and where the fun begins, you'll jump, slide, and swim your way back down seven waterfalls to base camp! The tour includes jumps of up to 25 feet (8 m), though the larger ones have walkarounds if you don't feel inclined to make the leap. Then, you'll begin your zip lining adventure, sailing across a waterfall over five zip lines before drying off and enjoying a lunch buffet.
Afterward, your private transfer will take you back to your hotel in Cabarete, where you'll have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
Day 5: Transfer to Samaná via Playa Grande & Laguna Dudú, Explore
Today you'll bid Cabarete farewell and transfer east to Samaná, stopping en route at Playa Grande and Laguna Dudú. Playa Grande, as its name implies in Spanish, is a vast stretch of spectacular beach, perfect for taking long walks, sunbathing, or enjoying a plate of local lobster accompanied by a cold beer. Nearby you'll find Laguna Dudú, a remarkable and biodiverse ecosystem where natural tunnels connect two freshwater lakes.
After visiting these two spots, your journey continues to Samaná. Bordered by white sand and cream beaches with its crystal clear turquoise waters and mountains full of coconut palms and forest. Samana is a peninsula in the northeast of the Dominican Republic known for hosting the highest concentration of coconut palms per square meter in the world.
Popular highlights of the region include Cayo Levantado, a small island in the northeast of Samaná Bay, Cascada Limón, a beautiful waterfall nestled in a natural forest, and the spectacular Los Haitises National Park. After settling into your hotel, the afternoon is free to explore. Start with a walk around the village, where you can stop into the many craft shops for handmade souvenirs, then head to one of the many stunning beaches to soak up some sun.
Day 6: Hike to El Limón Waterfall
After breakfast today, you'll set out on an exhilarating hike to El Limón Waterfall. Trek through lush jungle landscapes to reach an idyllic waterfall that plunges from the top of the Sierra de Samaná at 130 feet (40 m). At the end of the 1.5-mile (2.5 km) journey, you'll be rewarded with a refreshing dip in the cool water and plenty of free time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. After making your way back down, finish today's excursion with a traditional Dominican lunch. You can also choose to make the journey on horseback!
The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach.
Day 7: Free Day in Samaná
Today you have a free day to relax at one of Samaná's many beaches or join an optional activity. With so many beaches to choose from, consider heading to Las Terrenas to visit Cosón, Las Ballenas, Las Terrenas, Portillo beaches, and Playa Bonita. Alternatively, if in El Limón, check out its 3-mile (5 km) beach of the same name, just east of Las Terrenas and Portillo. Pass through plantations, fruit trees, and over rural roads to reach Playa Morón, complete with leftover historic cannons. Surf at El Valle, protected by two mountains north of the Samaná Bay, and with few tourists.
Optional activities may include snorkeling or diving in Samaná, a full-day trip to Playa Rincón, or, depending on the time of year, a whale watching excursion.
Day 8: Snorkel Cayo Levantado
This snorkeling experience is a delightful way to spend your day and is suitable for both beginner and experienced snorkelers alike. Explore the underwater world of Samaná at two prime snorkeling spots.
The first destination is offshore the island of La Farola, where you'll see some corals, starfish, sea eggs, trumpet fish, and other tropical species. The second spot is the shallow wreck of a ferry which is a real aquarium, with shoals of fish, puffer fish, sergeant fish, damselfish, parrotfish, porcupine fish, and much more.
Day 9: Quad Adventure
Today offers a reprieve from the water as you hop aboard your personal ATV and ride through the town of El Limón, mountains, and rivers on your way to unspoiled beaches of the area, taking routes best known to locals. Covering destinations like La Cana, Lanza del Norte, and Plata Morón, you'll break for lunch before returning to Samaná.
Day 10: Return to Santo Domingo, Depart
After breakfast, your trip draws to a close as your private driver takes you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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