Activities
CATAMARAN
Sail on a catamaran to Saona Island during this full-day adventure right from the front door of your hotel. Relax aboard the boat as you sail over aquamarine waters to an idyllic island, home to coconut palms, sandy beaches and crystalline waters. Spend three hours on the island playing games, learning Merengue or simply relaxing on the powdery sand. Barbecue lunch, open bar and round-trip transportation from your hotel is included.
HIGHLIGHTS
Catamaran Cruise 3 hours of leisure on Saona Island BBQ lunch and beverages on the beach (vegetarian options available) Beverages and fruit on board the catamaran. Hotel pickup and drop off, board a comfortable bus for a scenic ride to the dock to meet your boat. Climb aboard the catamaran and find a spot to relax and enjoy the view during your journey. Watch the beautiful tropical coastline of the Dominican Republic recede as you head out into the turquoise ocean. Get to know the captain and knowledgeable crew who will be your hosts for the day. Stop at the ‘Natural Pool’ lagoon, home to a large number of starfish. Marvel at the flexible, five-armed creatures and enjoy a cocktail while you wade in the water. Board a speedboat and continue to the idyllic island of Saona, where you’ll spend 3 hours exploring. Dig in to a barbecue buffet lunch set out under the shady coconut palms. Choose how you’d like to spend the rest of your day on this island paradise. Relax with a tropical drink in the soft sand, learn to Merengue, play volleyball or swim in the warm, serene waters that lap the shores. Sail back to the dock on the party boat, enjoying an open bar and musical entertainment on the way. Your 10-hour island adventure ends with drop-off at your hotel.
JEEP SAFARI
Take an all-terrain vehicle ride through the interior countryside of the Dominican Republic on this all-day tour from Bayahibe, La Romana or Juan Dolio. Pass sugarcane fields and traditional Dominican villages while you listen to your guide talk about the ancestral way of life here. Explore the unspoiled parts of the island and learn about how sugarcane, fruit, and coffee are grown here.
After pickup at your hotel, you are bussed to where you climb aboard your all-terrain vehicle. You leave the tour buses behind as your jeep travels deep into the very interior of the Dominican Republic, along bumpy dirt roads, past traditional villages, sugar cane fields, tobacco plantations and even a giant waterfall. Learn about the island’s history, culture and ancestral way of life from your local guide. Make stops along the way to see how sugarcane, coffee and fruit are grown, all major exports for this island nation. Sample some local produce, fresh off the tree, before returning to your hotel at the end of your off-the-beaten-path adventure.
SANTO DOMINGO TOUR
Santo Domingo de Guzman
Nobody can visit the Dominican Republic without knowing its Magical, Historical, Romantic and first city founded in America.. Santo Domingo city, capital of Dominican Republic, the country’s largest city and chief seaport, coextensive with the National District. Located at the point where the Ozama River.
Flows into the Caribbean Sea, the city has a fine artificial harbor accessible to most commercial and passenger ships. It is connected by both ship and airlines with principal points in North and South America and is at the hub of a network of modern roads. Santo Domingo is a tourist, economic, and administrative center. It is the site of factories manufacturing processed foods, alcoholic beverages, metal products, chemicals, cement, and textiles and serves as a distribution outlet for the sugarcane, beef and cattle, and other products of the surrounding region.
Points of interest include the Cathedral of Santa Mariá la Menor (built 1514–20), believed to contain the remains of Christopher Columbus; the palace (built 1510; a museum since 1957) of Diego Columbus (in Spanish Diego Colón; c. 1480–1526), son of Christopher Columbus and a viceroy of the island (1511–26); 16th-century churches, such as San Nicolás and San Francisco; and the fortified walls of the original Spanish town.
Educational institutions include the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (1538), said to be the oldest university in the Americas, and Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (1966). Cultural institutions include the National Gallery of Art (1943); the Museum of Dominican Man (formerly the National Museum, 1973), known for its pre-Columbian collection; the Museum of Modern Art (1976); the National Library (1971); and various public, private, and university libraries. Founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus (1445?–1514?), brother of Christopher Columbus, the city is the oldest European settlement extant in the New World. In 1930 it was heavily damaged by a hurricane but was subsequently rebuilt.
In 1936 it was renamed Ciudad Trujillo for the Dominican President Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. It became Santo Domingo again in 1961 after the assassination of Trujillo and the subsequent fall of his regime. In 1965 the city was the scene of an uprising against the country’s ruling government. Pop. (1993, greater city) 2,193,046.
No other city in the Caribbean has a greater variety of restaurants and night life. There are so many restaurants in this city that it is practically impossible even for those who live here to have visited them all. And it’s a city that never sleeps. A great place to meet people. A lot of young single executives who come here to work end up leaving (if they leave) married to a Dominican.
Santo Domingo has great shopping. Major chains from all around the world have opened branches here and more will be opening soon. Discount stores offer great prices on designer brands, the leading shops offer clearance sales several times a year and there are many designer shops for more exclusive wear.
Santo Domingo is the most bustling and diverse city in the Caribbean. It has a population of over three million inhabitants within the city and the Province of Santo Domingo and sprawls out over 250 square kilometers
Colonial City
The Colonial City is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. Here, between Independence Park and the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers, including Columbus’s brother, Bartholomew, and his son, Diego Columbus.
The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, the site of numerous historic buildings including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas. There is also the house of Nicolás de Ovando, governor of Santo Domingo in the early 1500’s and a ruthless warrior against the Taino Indians.
Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past. Nearby is the Alcázar de Colón (Castle of Columbus) built by Diego Columbus and his wife Maria de Toledo, niece of the Spanish King Ferdinand.
A few streets over in the center of the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, pronounced the first cathedral in the New World by Pope Paul III in 1542. While touring the colonial city, visitors can learn all about amber, the stone made even more famous by Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park film. The Amber Museum on Calle Arz. Meriño features exceptional educational exhibits of this semi-precious jewel.
Plaza de la Cultura
From the old to the new, Santo Domingo takes visitors on a trip through time with its dozens of national museums celebrating all aspects of Dominican life, past and present. Many of these museums are located in the Plaza de la Cultura, a large park area where visitors can stroll easily from one museum to another.
They include The Museum of Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of History and Geography, and the National Museum of Natural History. Visitors to the Museum of Dominican Man will enjoy the fascinating look into the history of the Dominican people including original Taino artifacts, the Spanish conquerors and the African slaves. The Museum of Modern Art has an impressive collection although small by developed world standards.
Columbus Lighthouse
Another site not to be missed is the Faro a Colón (Columbus Lighthouse) an impressive structure in the shape of a cross which was constructed to mark the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas in 1492. It houses his remains in an impressive tomb and features numerous exhibits. After exploring it by day, it is exciting to view the Lighthouse at night from the Colonial City, when the powerful lights are reflected into the sky in the shape of a cross. The lighthouse is located in the Mirador del Este Park.
Botanical Gardens & Parks
With about 2 million square meters, the Santo Domingo Botanical Gardens is the largest in the Caribbean. The park is viewable by small train. Within are exhibits of the natural flora of the island and areas dedicated to palm trees, orchids and exotic plants. Also on the grounds is what was once the largest floral clock in the world.
Those who have visited Japan will agree that the Japanese Garden here is one of the most lovely in the world.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Explore white sand beaches on horseback during this half-day riding trip from Boca Chica. Visit Rancho Caribe, get to know its friendly guides and horses and ride through the Dominican countryside’s stunning natural scenery and snow white beaches. All ages and experience levels are welcome, making your Dominican horseback riding adventure one to remember.
ATV
Experience the real Dominican Republic and get outside the resorts on this full-day tour from Boca Chica. Take a trip in a safari-style vehicle through lush farmlands and journey out to the island’s famous tropical beaches. Stop at a local school, learn about Dominican history and boogie board in turquois waters while sipping on unlimited beer, rum and sodas on this all-inclusive tour. This popular experience ranks tops by reviewers for things to do in the DR. It is not to be missed! Highlights Full-day trip in the Dominican Republic aboard an all-terrain, safari-style vehicle Visit a coffee and chocolate plantation, children at a local school, and meet a typical Dominican family Check out crocodiles, iguanas, turtles and more animals at a local ranch Learn about the island’s history and culture from an expert guide and swim at a remote and quiet beach. Enjoy free-flowing rum, beer, soda and water on this all-inclusive tour Snacks, lunch and round-trip transport from your hotel included
RAFTING ADVENTURE
An exciting adventure awaits you in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, a land of unusual and unspoiled beauty. Explore an inspiring region where the rivers, mountains, and natural landscapes will inevitably leave you captivated. Adventurers will love the rush provided by rafting down the cool waters of the Yaque del Norte River, the largest in the Caribbean.
Adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers will love the thrills and spills of white water rafting. As you set out for a full-day tour, you’ll make your way through the idyllic scenery and lush landscapes of Jarabacoa from Puerto Plata.
Previous experience is not needed in order to live this amazing experience. Professional guides will teach you how to use the equipment and of course inform you of some safety rules that must be applied. Yaque del Norte River offers intense Class II, III, IV rapids. This unique trip lasts for about 3.5 hours, so don’t forget to have a good breakfast.
Going down ”Tyson rapid” with a 3.6 m/12 ft vertical drop is the absolute highlight. After that, you won’t wonder anymore why they call it that way. Enjoy the twist and turns of the river, as well as the gorgeous scenery. Maximum adventure and fun for everyone are guaranteed!
LOS HAITISES NATIONAL PARK
Los Haitises National Park is a genuine trek into the Dominican wilderness. Haitises means “highlands” or “mountain range” in the Taino Indian language (the Dominican Republic’s original inhabitants) and at 1,600 square kilometers, only a portion of the park is open to the public. This Caribbean oasis is home to untouched mangrove forests, Taino cave drawings, secluded beaches, pirate hideouts and a grand diversity of endemic flora and fauna.
Arriving at our destination, the coastal town of Sabana de la Mar, we’ll board a catamaran on the outskirts of Los Haitises National Park and maneuver through the winding canals of the park’s majestic mangrove forests which act as an ideal home for hundreds of species of birds, fish, reptiles and crustaceans. Leaving the mangrove forests, the scenery opens up into the San Lorenzo Bay with photo-inspiring views of the park’s lush outcroppings and the mountains of Samana in the distance. If we’re lucky, we may even have some company in the bay’s deep waters as dolphin sightings are not uncommon.
During our tour of Los Haitises, we’ll visit two caves once used by Taino Indians for more than a millennium. The first, Cueva de la Arena, is located on a secluded beach. The cave’s several waterfront caverns hold Taino sculptures in the rock and bats in their natural habitat. The second, Cueva de la Linea, is located deeper in the forest and is filled with Taino pictoglyphs, giving us a better sense of how these indigenous people lived before the arrival of Christopher Columbus.
From the park, it’s time to eat. Lunch will be served at Yanigua Spa, a small ranch deep in the region’s countryside with lush vegetation and even an amazing waterfall! You’ll be treated to a typical Dominican lunch of chicken, rice, beans, vegetables, salad, fruit and a delicious fish typically eaten in the local area called Minuta. After lunch, to the river we go where you can swim in the refreshing waters, jump from the waterfall, or apply the riverbed’s curative muds to your skin. After your swim in the cool waters, have some hot chocolate or coffee made at the ranch itself.
CASCADA EL LIMON
The Waterfall of Cascada El Limon is located about 20 Kilometers from the Town and Port of Samana. There is a Restaurant located right at the entrance of the beginning of the trail. The Waterfall itself is very secluded and accessible only by Hiking (30 to 45 minutes) or by Horseback riding (15 minutes). The landscape surrounding the region of the falls is picturesque. Small houses are painted in vivid colors and made from locally available materials such as palm wood and thatch. The area is predominantly agricultural, with home gardens and vegetable plots bordering plantations of banana, cacao, coffee and coconut. In the rainy season between May and November the trail can get pretty muddy and wet, so wearing good shoes and bringing rain gear is recommended. The Waterfall is about 40 Meters tall and falls into a nice natural pool of cool waters below, so be sure to bring your bathing suit to enjoy a refreshing swim.
It is crucial that the watershed of Arroyo Chico, the river which plunges 40 meters down the falls is conserved to insure the long-term future of the falls and water supply for the communities, as well as the inherent biodiversity. So, please be respectful of the nature surrounding the waterfall. Although it is difficult to see the original vegetation from the road, fragments of humid subtropical forest is found along the riverbanks and trails to the waterfall.
ZIPLINE
Take to the air and zipline through this beautiful forested area of the Dominican Republic Countryside. A 40-minute air-conditioned bus ride takes you to the site bordered by the unique beauty of the Cumayasa River. After a safety briefing and donning of equipment, your guides will lead you through the 7 fun and ecologically designed runs. The platforms link from tree to tree to cover almost 1km of ziplines in total. When you have made it to the last platform by the river, enjoy fresh fruits and cold bottled water, alcoholic beverages available to purchase.
NOTE: For safety reasons, cameras are not allowed on the course, professional photographs are available to purchase. Pregnant women, guests with back/neck injuries or heart conditions are not permitted. Minimum age is 8 years Maximum weight limit 265lbs, guests must fit comfortably into the harness. Closed-toe shoes are required.