The Dominican Republic is 48,000 km\u00b2 \u2014 the size of Switzerland. A small country, great diversity. Here are three ways to enjoy it.<\/em><\/p>\n The classic mistake in the Dominican Republic is staying at a resort. The country is small \u2013 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.<\/p>\n Three main poles: Santo Domingo + South, Saman\u00e1 + Northeast, Cibao + North Coast. A 7-day trip = one pole in depth. 10 days = two poles. 14 days = the full tour.<\/p>\n Day 1 \u2014 Arrival Santo Domingo, overnight in the Colonial Zone.<\/strong> A walking discovery of the oldest city in the Americas. Calle Las Damas, Alc\u00e1zar de Col\u00f3n, Primate Cathedral.<\/p>\n Day 2 \u2014 Santo Domingo + Saman\u00e1 route.<\/strong> Morning: Mercado Modelo + Malec\u00f3n. Travel to Saman\u00e1 (4h). Settle in at Las Terrenas or Santa B\u00e1rbara.<\/p>\n Day 3 \u2014 Rinc\u00f3n Beach.<\/strong> The most beautiful beach on the peninsula. Boat from Las Galeras or 4x4 drive. Full day, fresh fish lunch on the beach.<\/p>\n Day 4 \u2014 Los Haitises.<\/strong> Boat excursion in the national park. Karstic mogotes, Ta\u00edno caves, mangroves, birds. Full day.<\/p>\n Day 5 \u2014 El Lim\u00f3n Waterfall + beach.<\/strong> Hike or horseback ride to the 40m waterfall. Afternoon beach in Las Terrenas.<\/p>\n Day 6 \u2014 Whale Watching (Jan-Mar) or Cayo Levantado.<\/strong> In season, humpback whale watching excursions in the bay. Off-season, day trip to Cayo Levantado or Playa Bonita.<\/p>\n Day 7 \u2014 Return to Santo Domingo, flight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Days 1-2 \u2014 Santo Domingo.<\/strong> Colonial Zone in depth. Local gastronomy: the Bandera (rice, beans, meat), mang\u00fa for breakfast, natural juices.<\/p>\n Days 3-6 \u2014 Saman\u00e1.<\/strong> Follow the 7-day itinerary (days 3 to 6).<\/p>\n Day 7 \u2014 Route to Jarabacoa.<\/strong> Crossing of the Cibao Mountains (3h). Settling in Jarabacoa \u2014 fresh air, rivers, pine trees.<\/p>\n Day 8 \u2014 Jarabacoa Adventure.<\/strong> Rafting on the Yaque del Norte River, canyoning at Salto de Jimenoa, or hiking in the mountain forests.<\/p>\n Day 9 \u2014 Constanza + Santiago route.<\/strong> Excursion to Constanza (1.5 hours), the vegetable valley at 1,200 m. Return via Santiago de los Caballeros \u2014 Centro Le\u00f3n (art and history museum), cigar lounges.<\/p>\n Day 10 \u2014 Santiago + flight from Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo.<\/strong><\/p>\n Days 1-2 \u2014 Santo Domingo.<\/strong> Colonial Zone, gastronomy, Malec\u00f3n.<\/p>\n Days 3-6 \u2014 Saman\u00e1.<\/strong> Beaches, Los Haitises, waterfall, whales.<\/p>\n Days 7-9 \u2014 Mountainous Cibao.<\/strong> Jarabacoa (adventure), Constanza (mountains), route to Santiago.<\/p>\n Days 10-11 \u2014 North Coast.<\/strong> Santiago \u2192 Puerto Plata (cable car, fort, Victorian houses). Cabarete (kitesurfing, beach, nightlife). 27 Charcos de Damajagua.<\/p>\n Day 12 \u2014 Southwest Route.<\/strong> Crossing to Barahona (5-6h, spectacular scenery). Settling in on the south coast.<\/p>\n Day 13 \u2014 Bah\u00eda de las \u00c1guilas + Lake Enriquillo.<\/strong> Morning: boat to the most beautiful beach in the country. Afternoon: salt lake, iguanas, crocodiles.<\/p>\n Day 14 \u2014 Return to Santo Domingo (4h), flight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dominican Republic + Puerto Rico (10-14 days)<\/strong> 7 days: Roundtrip flight or ferry to Puerto Rico. San Juan, El Yunque, Vieques.<\/p>\n Dominican Republic + Haiti (10 days)<\/strong> For experienced travelers. Land border crossing to the Citadelle Laferri\u00e8re and Cap-Ha\u00eftien. Demanding logistics but a unique experience.<\/p>\n Find our Travel journal Dominican Republic<\/a> and our Practical guide<\/a> to prepare for your trip.<\/em><\/p>\nThe Golden Rule: Get out of the bubble<\/h2>\n
7-Day Itinerary: Saman\u00e1 in Depth<\/h2>\n
10-day itinerary: Santo Domingo + Saman\u00e1 + Cibao<\/h2>\n
14-Day Itinerary: The Grand Tour<\/h2>\n
Combine RD + other Caribbean<\/h2>\n
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