Explore the Beaches of the Dominican Republic - 10 Days

Highlights

• Relax on the beaches of Punta Cana and Bayahibe
• Go horseback riding and drive buggies in the jungle
• Take boat tours to offshore coral islands
• Go snorkeling and exploring in a Scuba Doo

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Punta Cana, Optional Activities

Welcome to the Dominican Republic! This Caribbean island was the site of the first-ever European settlement in the Americas. Besides being a bastion of history and culture, the country boasts some of the finest beaches in the Western Hemisphere. You'll see for yourself when you touch down in Punta Cana. This resort town in the easternmost end of the country is famous for its 51 miles (82 km) of powdery white-sand beaches and crystalline waters. 

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing on Playa Bavara, the main beach in town. Or, strap on a mask and do some snorkeling, go off-roading on a buggy or quad bike, visit a nearby cenote (limestone sinkhole), take a fishing trip, or go for a bicycle ride along the waterfront.

Day 2: Horseback Riding in Punta Cana

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for the 30-minute ride to the interior of the country and the city of Higuey. Here, you'll hop in the saddle and become a Dominican cowboy for a day on a 6-mile (9 km) horseback ride. During this 2.5-hour excursion, you'll take part in a drive to help herd more than 300 cattle under the supervision of expert guides. During the experience, you'll ride through woodland trails, enjoy panoramic mountain views, and stop at a working cacao (cocoa) plantation. At the end of the tour, you'll return to the stables and transfer back to Punta Cana.

Day 3: Punta Cana Free Day

Today is yours to relax and enjoy the region around Punta Cana however you wish. Sunbathing and snorkeling are popular options. Or you could drive about 20 minutes south of town to Hoyo Azul, a cenote whose sapphire waters are made for swimming. If you like, you can also hop on a catamaran for a day cruise around the offshore isles. Perhaps sign up for a local cooking class and learn to prepare Caribbean favorites like coconut fish and Dominican beef stew. The itinerary is yours to create.

Day 4: Scuba Doo Experience

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In the morning, you'll board a boat and travel to a reef where you'll take to the water in a unique way—by Scuba Doo. This combined marine scooter/dive suit allows you to explore the underwater kingdom of the Caribbean without any diving experience, so it's perfect for the whole family (the minimum age is seven). Accompanying you on this unforgettable half-day outing is an expert guide who will point out the exotic marine biodiversity.

The Scuba Doo apparatus fits over the head and shoulders and receives free-flowing air from a tank in the scooter's hull. With clear visibility through the mask and the propulsion of the scooter, you can navigate around the reef while enjoying 180-degree views of the sea life. The Scuba Doo can descend to a depth of 13 feet (4 m), and it travels at a safe speed.

After some drinks and a snack of fresh fruit, you'll travel to the beach at Cabeza de Toro. Here you can snorkel at the shallow dive site El Niño, where you'll view schools of fish amid unspoiled corals. Leading the excursion will be an experienced lifeguard/guide. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel. 

Day 5: Transfer to Bayahibe, Optional Activities

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up for the one-hour drive to the Dominican's south coast and Bayahibe. This resort town offers all the beauty of Punta Cana without the mass crowds. Here, you'll enjoy some tranquility combined with cultural activities and adventures. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and will have the rest of the day free.

Perhaps venture into nearby Parque Nacional del Este, a protected area that encompasses the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of Isla Saona. Or stay in town and relax on palm-fringed Playa Bayahibe, the main beach in town. You could also tour the VegaFina Cigar Factory to learn the finer details of how one of the Dominican's most famous exports is made.

Day 6: Buggy Ride & Monkeyland Experience

In the morning, you'll meet your guide and embark on an off-roading adventure as you drive your own 4WD buggy through the Dominican countryside. After the two-hour adventure, stop by the Casa de Coco (Coconut House) to learn how coconut oil is produced. You can also sample organic products like Caribbean fruits, roasted coffee, and cocoa.

Finish the day with a stop at Monkeyland, a natural jungle habitat where you can interact in close proximity with the park's playful squirrel monkeys. It's a great outing for kids and adults alike, as these are some of the friendliest primates in the animal kingdom. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 7: Diving at Isla Catalina 

After breakfast, you'll head back to the marina and board a boat for a scenic five-hour trip off the coast to Isla Catalina. Once here, you'll snorkel in one of the most beautiful marine ecosystems of the Dominican Republic. The beaches are breathtaking, and the marine life around the coral is abundant. You'll also enjoy a buffet lunch on the beach.

Should you choose, you can also discover one of the most colorful seabeds on a scuba trip around the island. It's the perfect activity for ocean lovers and anyone curious about marine nature. If you don't already have a PADI certification, the tour includes a monitor. At the end of the day, you'll return to the marina at Bayahibe.

Day 8: Bayahibe Free Day

Take a free day to relax and enjoy Bayahibe at your own pace. If you like, spend the day relaxing on the main beach. Or walk just outside of town to Playa Dominicus, a secluded beach far from the tourist crowds. You can mingle with the local fishermen here, then, at lunchtime, sit down for some fresh grilled fish. Of course, a catamaran ride out on the water is always a fun way to spend an afternoon here.

Day 9: Day Trip to Isla Saona 

Get ready for another epic island adventure. In the morning, you'll take a four-hour trip to Isla Saona, just off the Dominican Republic's southern coast. This island is famous for crystal-clear waters, beautiful white sand beaches, and offshore coral reefs, home to exotic marine life. 

Upon arrival at the island, enjoy a decadent lunch, relaxing beach time, and a swim in crystalline waters. If you have the energy, play beach volleyball or participate in a merengue dance class. Then it's time to board a speedboat and explore the coast around the island. Along the way, you'll stop at a sandbar called the Natural Pool. Here, you can wade waist-deep in turquoise waters hundreds of meters from shore. At the end of the tour, you'll return to Bayahibe.

Day 10: Transfer to Punta Cana & Depart

Make the most of your last day in paradise by waking early for a sunrise stroll on the beach in Bayahibe. At the appropriate time, your driver will pick you up for the one-hour drive back to Punta Cana and the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Adiós!

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