Postcard beaches, mountains, waterfalls, whales, colonial cities: the Dominican Republic offers much more than its all-inclusive hotels. We live here and have tested every one of these experiences. Here is our selection to discover the country differently, region by region.
On the East Coast: Bayahibe and Saona Island
1. Spend a day on Saona Island
It’s the most famous tour in the country: white sand, coconut palms and a natural pool in the middle of the sea. Leaving from Bayahibe in a small group, you avoid the crowds of the big tours. Discover our day trip to Saona.
2. Swim in the Padre Nuestro cave
In the heart of East National Park, a short hike leads to a crystal-clear freshwater cave where you can snorkel. See the Padre Nuestro tour and our guide to Bayahibe and La Romana.
On the Samaná Peninsula
3. Watch humpback whales
From mid-January to mid-March, thousands of humpback whales come to breed in Samaná Bay. An unforgettable sight, best experienced with a guide. The whale watching tour.
4. Hike to El Limón waterfall
A walk through the rainforest to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, with a swim at its base. The El Limón hike.
5. Explore Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves, rocky islets covered in vegetation and caves decorated with Taíno drawings, to discover by boat. The Los Haitises tour.
6. Take a boat to Samaná’s most beautiful beaches
Playa Frontón, Playita, Playa Rincón or the wild Playa Ermitaño: Samaná’s most beautiful beaches are best discovered by boat. Playita and Playa Rincón can also be reached by car. The 3 most beautiful beaches by boat and Playa Ermitaño.
7. Discover coffee and cocoa by ATV
Country trails between sea and mountains, with a stop at local producers. The ATV safari.
In Santo Domingo
8. Stroll through the Colonial Zone
The first city founded by Europeans in the Americas, Santo Domingo has a UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone with the first cathedral on the continent. The complete Santo Domingo tour or the bike tour.
In the mountains: Jarabacoa, Constanza and the center
9. Go rafting in Jarabacoa
In the heart of the Cordillera Central, the Yaque del Norte river offers thrills among the pine trees. Rafting in Jarabacoa.
10. Pick strawberries in Constanza
Cool climate, farmland and the Aguas Blancas waterfall: another side of the country. The strawberry farm.
11. Roll your own cigar near Santiago
The Santiago region is the cradle of Dominican tobacco: from leaf to cigar, discover all the craftsmanship. The tobacco plantation.
In the wild South-West
12. Bahía de las Águilas, the wildest beach
Several kilometers of untouched white sand, reachable by boat, in Jaragua National Park. The day at Bahía de las Águilas.
13. See the flamingos of Laguna de Oviedo
The country’s largest lagoon is home to flamingos, iguanas and mangroves. Laguna de Oviedo by boat.
14. Visit the world’s only larimar mine
This blue stone is found only in the Dominican Republic, near Barahona. The larimar mine.
On the North Coast
15. Snorkel at Cayo Arena
A sandbank in the middle of the sea, surrounded by reefs, off Punta Rucia. The Cayo Arena tour.
How to organize these experiences?
All these experiences can be booked separately or included in a tailor-made itinerary. Find them on our tours in the Dominican Republic page, and read our guide best time to visit the Dominican Republic to choose the right season.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in the Dominican Republic in one week?
In one week, combine two regions: for example Santo Domingo and its Colonial Zone, then the Samaná Peninsula for its wild beaches, El Limón waterfall and, in season, the whales.
What to do in the Dominican Republic outside the resorts?
Explore Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, the mountains of Jarabacoa and Constanza, the Samaná Peninsula and the wild South-West around Barahona and Pedernales.
What is the best tour in the Dominican Republic?
Saona Island and whale watching in Samaná are the most famous. To get off the beaten track, Bahía de las Águilas and Los Haitises National Park are exceptional.