Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours
Day 1
Arrival in Santo Domingo
Welcome to the Dominican Republic! Personal welcome at the airport of Punta Cana and transfer to the old town of Santo Domingo. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the oldest city in the New World. If you land in Santo Domingo, your transfer to the old town is also included.
Included meals: none
Santo Domingo
Overnight stay at Hotel Hodelpa Novus Plaza *** (or similar)
Day 2
History, music and culinary delights in the World Heritage Old Town
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at the hotel reception at 10:00 am. Today you will get to know the first city built by Europeans in America. It was here that the first cathedral in the New World was built, the first governor resided, the first bishop was consecrated and the first hospital opened. This bustling city of over a million people has a number of cultural, especially architectural, attractions to offer that you won't find anywhere else on the island of Hispaniola. You will spend the day in the historic old town, the so-called Zona Colonial, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour includes palaces, forts, museums, churches and squares. You will walk through Calle de las Damas, the first street paved in Santo Domingo for the ladies of the Spanish nobility to stroll, and the pedestrian zone El Conde with its many stores and street vendors, as well as bars and restaurants. After the city walk, we will serve you one of the most typical Dominican dishes for lunch. The stew called Sancocho is for every Dominican a flagship of his gastronomy. In addition to various meats, the dish combines a variety of local Caribbean ingredients such as yam, musk gourd, cassava and plantain, which give the stew its characteristic flavor - a dish as rich as Dominican culture. Rice and avocado are served as side dishes. After dinner, you will be escorted back to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax, or to stroll around the city. In the evening, you will be picked up at the hotel at 6:00 pm to experience an outdoor concert of a special kind. Every weekend, the group Bonyé plays in the enchanting setting of the San Francisco ruins. The group of about 20 people with singers and various instruments plays merengue, son and jazz. The concerts are attended by Dominicans of all ages, who celebrate exuberantly, listen to the music or dance happily. European guests in particular are always delighted by the joy of the locals and get carried away by the atmosphere.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay at Hotel Hodelpa Novus Plaza *** (or similar)
Day 3
Santo Domingo off the beaten track
During today's excursion you will get to know Santo Domingo from a different side. Off the beaten tourist track you will see the life of the less privileged population and contribute a small part to improve their circumstances. After breakfast and check-out, you will be picked up by your driver at 09:00, you will deposit your luggage in the car. Then you will drive to one of the most precarious neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic, Gualey. The neighborhood is located north of the old town on the west bank of the Ozama River. Here you will visit the non-profit Rincón de Luz Foundation. The foundation has been doing work in education, nutrition and health for socially disadvantaged children, youth and seniors for over 18 years. Children from preschool age to the beginning of middle school receive schooling and participate in lunch. At the foundation you will hand over a food donation (included in the price of the excursion, will be provided for you in advance). The founder and president Leyda Alvarez will give you a tour of the premises and present her work. You will also have the opportunity to interact with the school children. Afterwards you will get a guided tour through Gualey. You will get an impression of the living conditions in one of the poorest neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. You will visit the four pozos, small lakes fed by natural springs, which are popular with local residents. One of the pozos has recently been used as a breeding pool for ornamental and food fish. Drinks are available during the walk from local corner stores called colmados. After the end of the tour, you will head to the cable car station of Gualey. You will board the cable car, from which you will enjoy a spectacular view. You will cross the Ozama River, passing through the Tres Brazos and Sabana Perdida stations to the Charles de Gaulle terminus in the north of Santo Domingo, and then return to your starting point. During the tour you will gain a new perspective on the city and get an impression of the different living conditions. From the gondola you will have numerous opportunities for spectacular photos. A quarter of the price of the excursion will be donated to the Foundation in the form of a food donation, which you will hand over on the day of the excursion.
Continue to Jarabacoa
Afterwards, the journey continues in a northerly direction. On the oldest highway of the Dominican Republic you will drive to Jarabacoa. The route leads through rural areas characterized by intensive agriculture. On the way you will stop at the Reposteria Miguelina. The restaurant offers typical dishes of the country and is especially known for its traditional desserts. In La Vega you will leave the highway. Here begins the mountain world of the Cordillera Central, also known as the Dominican Alps, where many locals spend their summer vacations because of the good climate. The small town of Jarabacoa is located at 600 meters above sea level and is surrounded by pine forests, rivers, mountains and valleys. Spring-like temperatures prevail here all year round. The climatic health resort is the center for hiking lovers and nature lovers.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel Gran Jimenoa*** or similar
Day 4
Coffee tasting, mountain walk in the Dominican Alps & tobacco culture
After breakfast you will visit the Monte Alto coffee factory, where everything about the cultivation and processing of coffee will be explained to you. Of course, there will also be a coffee tasting. Afterwards, you will take a walk through the mountains of the Dominican Republic to one of the famous waterfalls of the region. Enjoy the impressive view and landscape and immerse yourself in the unique nature with endemic flora and fauna.
Santiago de los Caballeros
Afterwards, the journey continues to Santiago de los Caballeros. Here you will visit one of the most renowned cigar factories in the Dominican Republic, La Aurora, where everything about tobacco processing will be explained to you. You will have the opportunity to watch the employees as they skillfully handcraft the coveted tobacco products. After the tour, the driver will take you to the hotel. Use the afternoon to relax or take a short walk around town.
Included meals: Breakfast
Overnight stay at Hotel Hodelpa Centro Plaza *** (or similar)
Day 5
Cocoa plantation and Caribbean magic
After breakfast, the journey continues in the direction of Samaná. After driving through a fertile valley, you will reach San Francisco de Macorís. In the shade of the huge jungle trees you will visit the Sendero del Cacao. Here you will have the unique opportunity to learn everything about the coveted fruit of the cacao tree, from the cultivation of the cacao bean to chocolate processing, at the Hacienda La Esmeralda cacao plantation, which supplies world-renowned chocolate factories. Of course, a cocoa and chocolate tasting is also part of the program. A lunch will be provided during the tour.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
San Francisco de Macorís - Las Terrenas
From here the tour continues via Nagua to Samaná. The peninsula of Samaná is 63 km long and 10 to 20 km wide. It is a tropical paradise with secluded beaches, clear mountain rivers and steep cliffs. Las Terrenas is the bustling center on the north coast of the peninsula. Here you will experience authentic island flair and can feel the magic of the Caribbean. Included meals: Breakfast at the hotel, lunch during the visit to the cacao plantation and All-inclusive in Las Terrenas.
Las Terrenas
Overnight stay at Hotel Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo***** (or similar)
Day 6
Las Terrenas
Let your soul dangle on the beautiful and unique sandy beaches of this peninsula. Here you will experience pure Caribbean life. Palm trees swaying in the gentle wind, cool cocktails and freshly prepared seafood, as well as the sounds of the music of merengue and bachata. Take optional excursions or relax in a Caribbean atmosphere!
Included Meals: All-inclusive at the hotel
Übernachtung im Hotel Alisei *** (oder ähnlich)
Day 7
Optional excursions available today include the following:
- Coffee Route by Bike (add-on/ minimum 4 participants):
This bike tour includes some more challenging routes around Las Terrenas. You will climb some steep hills that lead to the famous "Ruta del Café", the coffee route. Over the hills above Las Terrenas you can taste the local honey, coffee, cocoa and "Mamajuana", a rum flavored with herbs and spices. The path goes along magnificent hills where you can see cacao trees, coffee plantations, mango trees and bamboos. In the right season, you will also notice the fragrance of coffee flowers. The tour ends with a beautiful descent through the jungle. In the afternoon you will have free time to relax on the beach or swim in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Optional Services: Rental bike, helmet and English/Spanish speaking tour guide. Bike distance: 45 km, 600 hm Take along: Sunscreen, sunglasses, camera and sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
- Catamaran excursion to Bacardi Island (add-on/ minimum 4 participants):
You will be picked up after breakfast at 08:00. Your transfer will take you first to Samaná. Here you will board a catamaran. You will start with a sailing trip in the bay of Samana. There you will reach a ferry that sank many years ago, which today serves as a retreat for various schools of fish. Take the opportunity to snorkel, dive and enjoy the colorful fish passing by. Afterwards, the trip continues by catamaran to the picturesque island of Cayo Levantado with its white and palm-fringed sandy beaches. This is where the famous commercial of the rum producer Bacardi was filmed in the 1970s. Take advantage of your time in this paradisiacal place for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear sea, a beach walk or take a nap while listening to the sound of the waves. For lunch you will be served a rich Dominican buffet right on the beach. In the afternoon you sail back to the bay of Samana in about two hours. Around 5:30 pm you will dock and from here you will be taken back to Las Terrenas. Optional services: Boat ride (includes drinks on board and lunch on the island), snorkeling equipment, English/Spanish speaking tour guide and transportation with Spanish-speaking driver. Take along: Swimwear, towels, sunscreen and sunglasses, cap or hat, camera.
- El Limon Waterfall (add-on/ minimum 2 participants):
On this optional excursion you will visit the highest waterfall on the Samana Peninsula. It is an impressive waterfall of about 50 meters high. The waterfall is made up of smaller waterfalls that cascade down a green wall into a natural pool. Either on foot or on horseback, you will reach the top of the Limon waterfall under the guidance of a local guide. Remember to wear good walking shoes if you go on foot, as the path is difficult due to the tracks left by horses. Along the way, you will be able to see different plants and tropical fruits. Once you reach the top, you will have to walk down for about fifteen minutes to swim in the natural pool of the waterfall. Take photos, rest and afterwards return to the ranch with your guide, where you will enjoy a very good Dominican buffet lunch. Optional Services: Transportation to/from your hotel in Las Terrenas with Spanish-speaking driver, local English/Spanish-speaking tour guide and lunch at the ranch. Take along: Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat or cap, camera and sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes, tip for local guides (not mandatory).
Übernachtung im Hotel Alisei *** (oder ähnlich)
Day 8
Las Terrenas - Santo Domingo / Punta Cana
Transfer to the airport of Punta Cana or Santo Domingo.
If you want to enjoy your time on the island a bit more to revel in the impressions of the trip, book a beach extension. Relax on the beach of Bayahibe or Punta Cana, your transfer is included as long as the beach extension is also booked with us.
End of the trip or start of a post program.
Included meals: Breakfast