100% customisable travel idea
The Caribbean adventure With your children in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo - El Valle - Las Terrenas
Together under the coconut palms
Your trip
We have designed this journey to fulfil the wishes of the whole family, from historical visits to more playful activities - starting with a guided bike ride in Santo Domingo. You will then set off with your rental car, heading towards the north coast and the Samaná Peninsula. Scheduled: a hike through the heart of the jungle to a waterfall, a visit to a finca specialising in passion fruit cultivation, and around Las Terrenas, you’ll enjoy a private surf lesson on one of the island’s (and, dare we say, the world’s) most beautiful beaches. Everywhere, you stay in comfortable and well-located accommodation - in the colonial district of Santo Domingo, in an eco-lodge surrounded by nature in El Valle, or on the beach in Las Terrenas. And throughout your journey, our on-site concierge is at your disposal should you need anything or have any last-minute requests. In coordination with your travel specialist, they can even adjust your itinerary along the way. Improvisation also has every right to its place in paradise!In the Dominican Republic, they’re going to adore…
Jumping into the pool as soon as you arrive at the hotel to recover from the flight; exploring the first city of the New World by bike; playing Robinson Crusoe on picture-postcard beaches; strolling through lush vegetation and splashing about under waterfalls; savouring a hot chocolate, delicious mangoes, bananas, papayas and passion fruit; learning to master a surfboard; observing all kinds of animals in their natural habitat: birds, flamingos, iguanas and whales; discovering the Indian carvings in the Los Haitises caves; swimming in turquoise waters; and dancing to the lively rhythms of bachata and merengue.
Itinerary
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.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Humpback whale watching
Since 1986, Samaná Bay has become a sanctuary for the protection of whales. Every year, between mid-January and mid-March, several thousand whales take refuge there to breed in the warm waters of the region. The spectacle of 40-ton males breaching is narrated by a specialist who has been following these marine mammals for several years and shares their passion by helping visitors observe and understand every action and behaviour of these fascinating cetaceans.Boat trip to Hermit Beach
This wild beach, hidden in a small cove on the Samaná Peninsula, can only be reached by boat. Aboard a fisherman’s boat guided by a local guide, we follow the coast towards the west. The lush green hills of El Valle seem to plunge into the ocean, while in the distance glimmers the Ermitano Lagoon, bordered by countless coconut trees. Like Robinson Crusoe, you explore this untouched piece of land before enjoying the beach, swimming, and a gourmet picnic, feet in the sand.Day at Los Haitises National Park
This area, which covers more than 200 km² (77 square miles) in Samaná Bay, is characterised by lush tropical vegetation and beautiful mangroves. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sites on the island, remarkable for its rock formations, its wildlife and plant life, its underground rivers, caves and islets. The landscapes there are grandiose, especially those of San Lorenzo Bay and Bird Island, populated by pelicans. Between land and water, this unique place exudes timelessness. A guide facilitates the day.Kayak excursion between the sea and the mangroves
Kayaking lends itself beautifully to exploring the magnificent Cosón Bay and its surroundings. Accompanied by a guide who is passionate about the sea, the whole family paddles up to the source of a small river, observing the wildlife and plants that line the marshes and nestle in the mangrove. You then reach the mouth of the “Dos Rios” before continuing on to the coral reef, where a few lucky visitors sometimes spot marine turtles.Along the secret beaches of Las Terrenas by paddleboard
On crystal-clear water, let yourself drift on your paddleboard, gliding along the coast between mangroves and pristine beaches. With a bit of luck, you might spot the manatees, rays or turtles that inhabit this ecosystem. We set off from Playa Portillo, accompanied by a local guide who joyfully reveals the treasures of these wild, little-visited beaches.
Why visit Dominican Republic with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Dominican Republic
- Globally unique concierge service
- CO2 absorption
