Nature Tour of the Dominican Republic: Between Mountains and Tropical Jungle
Starting at US$2,000 per person13 days / 12 nights
Who said the Dominican Republic was all about paradise beaches? What if you ventured beyond the postcard? With our unique itinerary, discover breathtaking landscapes from the mountains of the Cordillera Central to the tropical jungle, by way of the north coast. This 13-day itinerary offers an unforgettable experience off the beaten path and close to nature.
Who: The whole family
Transport: Private driver or self-drive option with car rental
Accommodation: Charming boutique hotels, eco-lodges and homestays
Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Our driver will meet you at Santo Domingo or Punta Cana airport, depending on your flight. Head to your boutique hotel in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone.
Check-in, free evening and dinner on your own.
You will find all our recommendations for dining and going out in Santo Domingo in your travel guide.
Today you discover the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo. With a driver and your local guide, you will leave the historic center to explore hidden gems few travelers know, before exploring the Colonial Zone and its secrets. Lunch in a local restaurant where you will taste Dominican specialties.
Back to the hotel at the end of the day. Free evening and dinner.
Make the most of your free evening and dance to the rhythm of bachata and merengue in the Colonial Zone’s bars.
From your hotel, dive into Dominican flavors with a local cooking class in a family home. With the help of your guide, you will enjoy a warm moment of sharing around Dominican cuisine.
After a shared lunch with your host, you will drive to Jarabacoa, a magnificent mountain region nestled in the heart of the island. Your destination? A spectacular eco-lodge, a true cocoon of serenity in the heart of the island’s majestic mountains.
Discover the Saltos de Jimenoa, stunning waterfalls hidden at the end of little-known hiking trails. Treat yourself to an exclusive swim in this unique setting before continuing to one of the best coffee plantations on the island.
For lunch, your driver will take you to the heart of the village to experience Jarabacoa’s unique atmosphere. Lunch on your own in one of our favorite restaurants.
Back to the lodge in the early afternoon to enjoy the setting and the peace of the place.
We will share our favorite places for lunch and dinner in your travel guide.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Drive to Moca for a pottery workshop about Dominican culture: you will make your own Muñeca sin cara, a faceless doll symbolizing the country’s ethnic diversity and paying tribute to the history of the Dominican Republic and its people.
After a good lunch with your host, head for the spectacular landscapes of the north coast. You will settle into a new green sanctuary near Puerto Plata.
After breakfast, head to Rio Grande, where a Dominican family will open its doors to share its passion and traditional know-how around cocoa. During this warm encounter, you will discover all the secrets of cocoa growing, from harvesting the pod to the artisanal making of chocolate.
Back to the hotel in the early afternoon to enjoy the lodge’s setting and facilities. Free evening and dinner.
Breakfast and check-out.
Leave the lodge to continue exploring the north. You will stop in Puerto Plata to discover this coastal town steeped in history. Stroll at your own pace through its historic center with its superb Victorian façades, walk along the famous Malecón by the ocean and admire the architecture of its majestic cathedral.
Then drive up into the hills of the hinterland for a unique experience: a night camping under the stars with a local family.
Breakfast with your hosts. Set off on a kayak trip: you will paddle 5 kilometers along a beautiful turquoise river winding through unspoiled landscapes, lined with sandy beaches and century-old trees.
Free afternoon to explore the surrounding nature and a friendly evening around the fire.
Breakfast with your hosts and check-out. Drive to the Samaná peninsula, a preserved ecotourism paradise famous for its wild, palm-fringed beaches and lush mountains. We will share our must-see spots along the coast in your travel guide.
Settle into a new eco-lodge, an idyllic setting to recharge close to nature.
Breakfast at the hotel. Leave your hotel with our driver and guide for Sánchez. From there, you will take a boat to discover Los Haitises National Park, its mangroves, caves and birds.
Lunch in a local restaurant and return to your hotel around 3 pm.
Free late afternoon and evening.
Breakfast and check-out.
From your hotel, enjoy a jewelry-making workshop with Larimar, the emblematic gemstone of the Dominican Republic. This extremely rare blue pectolite is found only in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. Its white-veined turquoise color recalls the beauty of Caribbean waters, making it a gem unique in the world and the mineral symbol of the island.
Then drive to El Valle, a perfect destination for travelers looking to fully unplug in a bohemian atmosphere.
Check in to your eco-lodge and free evening.
Breakfast at the eco-lodge.
After a short boat ride from El Valle beach, you will discover Playa Ermitaño, a wild paradise that can only be reached by sea. In its crystal-clear turquoise waters, enjoy an unforgettable snorkeling session among tropical fish and preserved coral.
After an exceptional barbecue lunch with your feet in the sand, you will return to your hotel in the mid-afternoon.
A last free evening to celebrate the magic of this trip.
Breakfast and check-out.
It’s time to leave! Enjoy your last moments in the Dominican Republic before heading to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airport with your private driver.
All year round
13 days / 12 nights
- 10 nights in a boutique hotel or eco-lodge, standard double room with breakfast
- 2 nights camping in a homestay with breakfast
- All private transfers between each stop
- All excursions mentioned in the program with a guide
- Lunches mentioned during the excursions
- A SIM card with Internet
- A personalized travel guide
- Assistance whenever you need it
- International flights
- All dinners
- Your international travel insurance
- Any service not mentioned in the program
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