Dominican Republic Itineraries: 7, 10, and 14 Days

The Dominican Republic is 48,000 km² — the size of Switzerland. A small country, great diversity. Here are three ways to enjoy it.

The Golden Rule: Get out of the bubble

The classic mistake in the Dominican Republic is staying at a resort. The country is small – you can cross the island in 4-5 hours. In a week, you can see the sea, the mountains, the colonial capital, and the countryside. All-inclusive has its place, but it only shows a fraction of the country.

Three main poles: Santo Domingo + South, Samaná + Northeast, Cibao + North Coast. A 7-day trip = one pole in depth. 10 days = two poles. 14 days = the full tour.

7-Day Itinerary: Samaná in Depth

Day 1 — Arrival Santo Domingo, overnight in the Colonial Zone. A walking discovery of the oldest city in the Americas. Calle Las Damas, Alcázar de Colón, Primate Cathedral.

Day 2 — Santo Domingo + Samaná route. Morning: Mercado Modelo + Malecón. Travel to Samaná (4h). Settle in at Las Terrenas or Santa Bárbara.

Day 3 — Rincón Beach. The most beautiful beach on the peninsula. Boat from Las Galeras or 4x4 drive. Full day, fresh fish lunch on the beach.

Day 4 — Los Haitises. Boat excursion in the national park. Karstic mogotes, Taíno caves, mangroves, birds. Full day.

Day 5 — El Limón Waterfall + beach. Hike or horseback ride to the 40m waterfall. Afternoon beach in Las Terrenas.

Day 6 — Whale Watching (Jan-Mar) or Cayo Levantado. In season, humpback whale watching excursions in the bay. Off-season, day trip to Cayo Levantado or Playa Bonita.

Day 7 — Return to Santo Domingo, flight.

10-day itinerary: Santo Domingo + Samaná + Cibao

Days 1-2 — Santo Domingo. Colonial Zone in depth. Local gastronomy: the Bandera (rice, beans, meat), mangú for breakfast, natural juices.

Days 3-6 — Samaná. Follow the 7-day itinerary (days 3 to 6).

Day 7 — Route to Jarabacoa. Crossing of the Cibao Mountains (3h). Settling in Jarabacoa — fresh air, rivers, pine trees.

Day 8 — Jarabacoa Adventure. Rafting on the Yaque del Norte River, canyoning at Salto de Jimenoa, or hiking in the mountain forests.

Day 9 — Constanza + Santiago route. Excursion to Constanza (1.5 hours), the vegetable valley at 1,200 m. Return via Santiago de los Caballeros — Centro León (art and history museum), cigar lounges.

Day 10 — Santiago + flight from Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo.

14-Day Itinerary: The Grand Tour

Days 1-2 — Santo Domingo. Colonial Zone, gastronomy, Malecón.

Days 3-6 — Samaná. Beaches, Los Haitises, waterfall, whales.

Days 7-9 — Mountainous Cibao. Jarabacoa (adventure), Constanza (mountains), route to Santiago.

Days 10-11 — North Coast. Santiago → Puerto Plata (cable car, fort, Victorian houses). Cabarete (kitesurfing, beach, nightlife). 27 Charcos de Damajagua.

Day 12 — Southwest Route. Crossing to Barahona (5-6h, spectacular scenery). Settling in on the south coast.

Day 13 — Bahía de las Águilas + Lake Enriquillo. Morning: boat to the most beautiful beach in the country. Afternoon: salt lake, iguanas, crocodiles.

Day 14 — Return to Santo Domingo (4h), flight.

Combine RD + other Caribbean

Dominican Republic + Puerto Rico (10-14 days) 7 days: Roundtrip flight or ferry to Puerto Rico. San Juan, El Yunque, Vieques.

Dominican Republic + Haiti (10 days) For experienced travelers. Land border crossing to the Citadelle Laferrière and Cap-Haïtien. Demanding logistics but a unique experience.

Find our Travel journal Dominican Republic and our Practical guide to prepare for your trip.

Compose your custom itinerary on Toucan Discovery Dynamics — your trip, your pace.