100% customisable travel idea
Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo - El Valle - Las Terrenas
100% customisable for you
Upon arrival, you’ll be met and directed to a private transfer to your hotel for one night. The property is located on a bustling street in the heart of the historic centre. There are several points of interest more or less on your doorstep, so it’s an ideal base for exploring the Old Town. This comfortable hotel is part of a charming collection of 16th- and 19th-century buildings that has been carefully restored. We especially love the original central courtyard, decorated with lush tropical plants. And, of course, the rooftop pool, especially welcome after a long flight or at the hottest time of day.
Already included - Morning bike tour of Santo Domingo’s colonial district.Combine heritage exploration with some (gentle!) exercise for the whole family, by hopping on your bikes and following your private guide. Located on the west bank of the Río Ozama (Ozama River), Santo Domingo’s colonial zone contains historic monuments, beautiful houses and fascinating museums on a gridiron pattern of streets. Enjoy the breeze on this pleasant ride through an open-air UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring the Church of Our Lady of Mercies, the beautiful shaded Alley of Regina, Duarte Park, Ozama Fortress, the majestic Plaza de España, and finally the picturesque Church of Santa Barbara. The tour ends with a walk around the legendary Parque Colón (Columbus Park), where the oldest cathedral in the Americas stands.
Collect your rental car and drive to El Valle. Stay for three nights in a property where protecting nature is a priority. This ecotourism approach is becoming widespread in the region. You’ll sleep just a few metres from the beach (one of the most untamed in the Dominican Republic), in a thatched-roof bungalow. Relax in a hammock in the cool shade, soak in a wooden bathtub, and wake to the sound of birdsong. At the end of the day, enjoy a cocktail before sampling the culinary specialities supplied by the local farm and served in your lodge.
Included - Private hike to El Catano Waterfall. Your guide will talk about the trees and plants along the route, and share the history of the old village of El Valle. Once you arrive at the waterfall, you can cool off in its natural pool. After a swim, head to a local cocoa farm that has made a name for itself in the region. Learn how cocoa is made, then it’s time to sample a delicious cup of hot chocolate or coffee, served with a piece of pan de coco (coconut bread). This pleasant hike concludes at Playa el Valle, so you can spend the rest of the day at the beach.
Optional - humpback whale watching (in season); boat trip to Playa Ermitano.
Drive to Las Terrenas to spend six nights in a hotel overlooking Playa Las Ballenas. The beach is several miles long, its fine sand edged with coconut palms. The complex where you’ll stay comprises small, two-storey buildings around a large swimming pool. In addition to the beach, the swimming pool - which is cleaned daily and equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas - and its bar area are popular spots during the hottest hours of the day. The restaurant is excellent - and that’s saying something! Tuck into a delicious, generous breakfast, and enjoy seafood specialities for dinner. The city centre is just a 10-minute walk along the beach. The hotel is peaceful, with plenty going on nearby but no disturbances. An excellent spa offers even greater relaxation.
Despite its rapid growth, the small town of Las Terrenas fiercely preserves its authenticity and beautiful, as yet unspoiled, beaches. Soak up the warm atmosphere of this Caribbean island with the soul of an old fishing village. Between diving, swimming and relaxing, enjoy the bars and restaurants, sightseeing, walks and quad bike tours.
Optional - spend a day in Los Haitises National Park.
Included - Private hike and finca visit. Set off from the village of Barbacoa, following steep trails that wind between hills covered with dense vegetation. As you walk through this preserved mountain range on the Samaná Peninsula, you’ll observe a wide variety of wildlife and plants, including medicinal plants once used by the Taíno people and still valued by Dominicans today. The hike ends at a finca, an organic farm specialised in permaculture that produces a variety of products, including passion fruit and turmeric.
Already included - private surf lesson. Playa Bonita is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is a long, beautiful bay, separated from Las Terrenas by a rocky point called Punta Bonita - ideal for learning to surf. The waves break gently, making them perfect for trying to stand up and get used to your first experience of gliding on the water.
Optional - Kayak tour between the sea and mangroves; explore the secret beaches of Las Terrenas by paddleboard.
Drive to Santo Domingo airport for your direct international return flight. Overnight flight, arrive the next day.
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