SURPRISING ISLAND PARADISE
Aside from the package tourism, the Dominican Republic surprises especially in the south with untouched bays , picturesque nature and the impressive mountain landscapes of the Cordillera Central up to 3,000 m altitude, the so-called “Dominican Alps”.
Also worth seeing are the lively colonial capital Santo Domingo , the flamingos in the freshwater lagoon Oviedo or the natural paradise of the Samaná peninsula with its lonely beaches and the Los Haitises National Park. The hotels built in the Caribbean style are increasingly blending harmoniously into the landscape.
The beaches regularly occupy the best ranking positions for beach holidaymakers. According to relationshipsplus, the Dominican Republic occupies two thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles between the Atlantic and the Caribbean. The neighboring state of Haiti occupies the western third of the island.
COUNTRY INFORMATION DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
National language: Spanish
Capital: Santo Domingo, 3.5 million inhabitants
Local time: CET -6 hours
Entry requirements: a passport valid for at least 3 months a tourist card for a stay of up to 30 days (US $ 10, to be paid upon entry).
Currency unit: Dominican Peso (DOP)
Recommendation: Credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels, otherwise it is advisable to always have enough small notes with you, as there is often not enough change to pay with large notes.
Power supply: voltage 110 volts; Adapter required
Best travel time: dry season from November to the beginning of May.
Food: Creole cuisine is typical of the country. This is essentially based on chicken, fish, pork, beef and goat meat. Freshly caught and inexpensive fish, as well as seafood (lobster, shrimp, mussels) can be found everywhere. The side dishes are rice with beans (arroz con habichuelas), plantains (platanos), fried plantains (platanos fritos) and plantain puree (mangu). A Dominican specialty is “sancocho”, a kind of stew made from different types of meat, plantains, onions and peppers. The national dish of the Dominican Republic is the Bandera dominicana, which translates as the flag of the Dominican Republic. The dish consists of braised meat, black beans and rice. It is especially popular with tourists.
Drinking water: Tap water and the water from wells must not be drunk, as the water is relatively dirty! Ice cubes can generally be drunk in drinks without any problems, as these are made from clean water. However, the drinks should not be enjoyed too cold, as the temperature difference between the outside temperature and the coldness of the drinks often leads to gastrointestinal problems.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DOM REP
8 days round trip from / to Santo Domingo
- everything from a single source: can also be booked with flights from Germany / Austria / Switzerland
- from 2 people
- maximum group size 8 people
- can also be booked as a trip with a private guide
During this varied tour through the Dominican Republic, you will get to know the highlights of the country: colonial heritage in Santo Domingo, the charming landscape around Barahona, the Dominican Alps and the wonderful beaches of the Samaná peninsula with the famous Los Haïtises National Park.
Day 1: Santo Domingo
Upon arrival at Santo Domingo Airport, transfer to the hotel in the old town.
Day 2: Santo Domingo – Barahona
During a city tour through the old town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) you will see the palace of Diego Columbus, the fortress Ozama and the Parque Colón with the bronze monument of Christopher Columbus. Then walk through the “Calle de las Damas” and experience the hustle and bustle of the famous pedestrian zone “El Conde”. Past countless orchards, extensive sugar cane fields and arid desert landscapes, you then drive to the provincial capital Barahona – allegedly a former pirate lair. F / M
Day 3: Barahona – Laguna de Oviedo – Bahía de las Aguilas – Barahona
Along the picturesque coastal road you drive via the fishing village Enriquillo to the Laguna de Oviedo, a sweet and salt water lagoon, which is only separated from the sea by a narrow stretch of land. You can explore the islands of the lagoon by boat with the opportunity to observe iguanas and flamingos in the wild. You can explore one of the small islands on foot. The barren island overgrown with cacti is inhabited by iguanas. At the observation tower you can expect a fantastic view over the lagoon, the Jaragua National Park, the Caribbean Sea and the mountains of the “Sierra de Bahoruco”. Continue by boat to the largest flamingo colony in the Dominican Republic. Then it goes south to the beautiful natural beach Bahía de las Aguilas in the Jaragua National Park. The bay stretches for 8 km and the crystal clear water is ideal for swimming or snorkeling. F / M
Day 4: Barahona – Jarabacoa
Past sugar cane fields and through typical Dominican villages you drive north into the mountains of the Cordillera Central. Jarabacoa is 600 m above sea level. M. and is surrounded by pine forests, mountains and valleys. The climatic health resort is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. FA
Day 5: Jarabacoa – Santiago de los Caballeros
Visit to a coffee factory with explanations about the cultivation and processing of coffee. Then a short hike to one of the region’s famous waterfalls. Then drive to Tamboril, where you visit a cigar factory and learn interesting facts about tobacco processing.
Day 6: Santiago de los Caballeros – San Francisco de Macoris – Las Terrenas
Drive through a landscape characterized by cocoa and coffee cultivation to San Francisco de Macoris. On the way stop at the monument and museum of the famous Mirabal sisters who opposed the decades-long dictatorship of Trujillo. On a cocoa plantation you will then learn everything about the production process from cocoa beans to chocolate – of course, a tasting is also included. Continue to the Samaná peninsula with its heavenly tropical landscape of lonely beaches and hidden bays. F / M
Day 7: Las Terrenas
This day is free for you to swim.
Optional: boat tour to Los Haitises National Park with its labyrinth of waterways, mangroves and limestone cliffs. The national park encompasses one of the largest still untouched areas of humid tropical jungle in the Caribbean. Visit to a cave and short hike in the impressive national park.
Day 8: Las Terrenas – Santo Domingo
Transfer to the airport in Santo Domingo.
