The 21-Day Best of the Dominican Republic

If you can swing it, three weeks in the Dominican Republic would give you sufficient time to dive into each of the various regions. With such biodiversity in one country, you may be surprised to discover just how wide the spectrum of activities ranges. This itinerary is for someone who is active and excited to dig into the nature and culture of the Dominican Republic. It is meant only as a “highlights to hit” itinerary. If you’re traveling along and happen to fall in love with the surf scene in Cabarete, for instance, simply stop and keep surfing.

Day 1

Arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas in Santo Domingo and settle into your hotel in the Ciudad Colonial. If you arrive during the day, set out on foot to explore the colonial sights and orient yourself. For dinner go to one of the restaurants on the Plaza de la Hispanidad.

Day 2

Spend the day exploring the Ciudad Colonial and all of its sights, including the New World’s first street, Calle de las Damas, and ruins of the first hospital, Ruinas de Hospital San Nicolás de Barí. Leave time for the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, the Catedral Primada de América, and the Museo de las Casas Reales. Have dinner along the water at Adrian Tropical for a wonderful view of the stars and the surf while enjoying typical Dominican favorites like mofongo (mashed plantains). Afterward, stroll along the Malecón to the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel to dance the night away in its hot club, Jubilee.

Day 3

In Santo Domingo’s Plaza de la Cultura, the Taíno artifact exhibit at the Museo del Hombre Dominicano is a first-rate way to learn about the pre-Columbian history of the nation. Catch a taxi to the peaceful Jardín Botánico Nacional to learn about the biodiversity of the Dominican Republic. Grab dinner in the Ciudad Colonial and save all your energy for dancing at Guácara Taína, located in the belly of an enormous cave. Make sure your rental-car reservations are in place for your drive to Barahona the next day.

Day 4

On your way to Barahona, in the arid region southwest of Santo Domingo on the Península de Pedernales, detour to see the Reserva Antropológica El Pomier north of San Cristóbal and marvel at hundreds of ancient Taíno drawings. Check into the Hotel Costa Larimar before heading out to dinner and dancing at Los Robles.

Day 5

Get up very early for a day of beautiful scenery and a visit to a deserted beach. Drive to Las Cuevas, a small community of fishermen who can also give you a boat ride to your ultimate destination, one of the last completely unspoiled and most remote beaches in the country, Bahía de las Águilas. If time permits, on your way back stop for a dip in the freshwater lagoons (balnearios) of San Rafael or Los Patos.

Day 6

Take Highway 46 toward Lago Enriquillo, making a quick stop at the Polo Magnético to witness first-hand the quirky phenomenon of your car rolling mysteriously uphill. Continue your drive around the Lago Enriquillo loop, stopping at the Parque Nacional Isla Cabritos to see crocodiles, flamingos, and iguanas lounging by the saltwater lake. Head back to Barahona by night and enjoy a more casual dinner at the locally popular Restaurante and Pizzería D’Lina.

Day 7

Return to Santo Domingo to return the rental car and catch a bus to the cooler mountainous village of Jarabacoa. Visit the waterfalls and swimming holes of the Saltos de Jimenoa and Salto de Baiguate. Stay at the Rancho Baiguate and make reservations with its excursion team to try an adventure sport such as canyoning or rafting on the Río Yaque del Norte. Rest up for your next day of adventure.

Day 8

While canyoning is indeed a thrilling and mind-boggling adventure, don’t forget to enjoy the scenery as you navigate down waterfalls and across streams. Later go for pizza in Jarabacoa’s Pizza de Calidad, off the main drag in a quieter section of town.

Day 9

Catch an early bus north along Highway 5 and stop in Santiago to visit the Centro León cigar factory and art museum in the morning. Eat lunch in Puerto Plata at Aquaceros Bar & Grill, right along the Malecón, and then take a taxi to Fuerte San Felipe and the Museo del Ámbar Dominicano before heading to the snorkeler’s favorite haunt, Sosúa (about 25 kilometers east of Puerto Plata) via bus or guagua.

Day 10

Dive or snorkel off the coast of Sosúa with a reputable outfitter like Fat Cat Diving. Have dinner at Sosúa’s romantic La Puntilla de Piergiorgio for Italian food with an out-of-this-world view of the Atlantic.

Day 11

Early in the morning take off to the surfer-filled hot spot of Cabarete and settle in to your hotel. Explore the one main drag running parallel to the beach and then head over to Playa Cabarete and sign up with a windsurfing outfitter, like Vela, to teach you the ropes or rent you equipment. Cabarete’s lively yet casual nightlife revolves around the bars along Playa Cabarete.

Day 12

Head over to Kite Beach to try out kitesurfing. Kite Club has lessons available, and you can join the club for weeks at a time. It’s also a super-cool place to just chill by the surf and watch an international cast of surfers.

Day 13

Continue farther east toward the town of Samaná on the skinny arm of La Península de Samaná. If it’s whale season (January–March) take a tour with Victoria Marine to see the humpbacks in the bay with an afternoon stop on Cayo Levantado, where lunch is served on the beach and a catamaran ride back to shore is included. If it’s not whale season, take a horse-riding trek to see Salto El Limón, a waterfall that ends in a spectacular pool.

Days 14–15

Head to Las Galeras along Highway 5, the sleepiest of towns on the peninsula, and hire a boat captain to take you to the exquisitely undeveloped and natural Playa Rincón. Or, if a day of relaxing on a beach plus a night of dancing sounds more your speed, head over to Las Terrenas instead. While the beach isn’t pristine like Playa Rincón, this town has a more lively feel and more nightlife to choose from. For dinner and dancing, head over to the Pueblo de Los Pescadores.

Days 16–19

Return to Samaná and take the ferry across the Bahía de Samaná to Sabana de la Mar, then catch a bus to Punta Cana and check in to an all-inclusive resort like Bahía Principe Clubs and Resorts and begin the pampering portion of your trip. Spend your days at the pool, the beach, or getting a massage. At night, this resort offers many options like dancing, cabaret-style shows, and karaoke.

Day 20

Rent a car in Punta Cana and take your time getting back to Santo Domingo. Don’t miss the Altos de Chavón artists’ village, a fantastic place to stop for lunch and watch artists at work, and perhaps buy a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry or art. At 15 kilometers east of San Pedro de Macorís stop and see the Cueva de las Maravillas, with more than 500 Taíno pictographs on the cave walls.

Day 21

Back in Santo Domingo, spend part of the day shopping along Calle El Conde for last-minute gifts and souvenirs, like rum, cigars, and art. Try Mercado Modelo for any jewelry and tourist gifts. Have lunch at Bar & Restaurant Anacaona before you leave for the airport.