East Coast Adventure
Seven days from Santo Domingo to Bayahibe and Punta Cana, with underground caves, island beaches, jungle swimming holes, and ziplines over a tropical mountain range
From the Colonial Zone to the Caribbean Coast
Three Stops Along the Dominican East
This custom itinerary moves east from Santo Domingo along the Dominican Republic's Caribbean coast. Bayahibe is a fishing town that doubles as the launch point for Isla Saona, with calm, clear water for snorkeling right off the beach. Punta Cana sits farther east, where the jungle terrain rises into mountain ranges strung with ziplines. Santo Domingo bookends the trip — you open and close in the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage site where centuries-old buildings house coffee shops, galleries of Afro-Caribbean folk art, and restaurants, and the plazas come alive with music and art at night.
Caves, Islands, and a Jungle Zipline
The week starts underground at Los Tres Ojos, a network of freshwater caves filled with turquoise water, with a guided boat ride through the rock formations. From Bayahibe, a speedboat takes you to Isla Saona, where the village of Mano Juan runs a grassroots sea turtle conservation effort. Back on the mainland, snorkel at Playa Magallanes and swim in Hoyo Claro, a natural pool surrounded by jungle. In Punta Cana, the Caribbean's longest zipline sends you across 12 lines and 18 platforms over a tropical mountain range. Offbeat Travel provides a private guide throughout the trip.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Seven days along the Dominican Republic's east coast with a private guide and transportation, from Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone to the beaches of Bayahibe and Punta Cana. This itinerary can also be configured as a self-drive trip. Every element can be adjusted to match your interests, pace, and travel dates.
Day 1: Arrival in Santo Domingo
Arrive in Santo Domingo, drop off your bags at the hotel, and head out for your first evening in the Colonial Zone. Old colonial buildings have been converted into coffee shops, restaurants, and community arts spaces, and the plazas come alive at night with music, art, and cultural expression. Welcome to Quisqueya!
Lodging: Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, Santo Domingo
Day 2: Los Tres Ojos and Drive to Bayahibe
Head to Los Tres Ojos National Park, home to a network of underground freshwater lakes surrounded by lush vegetation. Visit three main caves, known as "The Three Eyes," each filled with clear turquoise water. A guided boat tour across one of the caves offers a view of the stunning rock formations from the water.
After the caves, drive two hours east to Bayahibe, a fishing town on the coast and the launch point for nearby Isla Saona.
Lodging: Hotel, Bayahibe
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Isla Saona
Rise early and ride a speedboat to Isla Saona. Arrive in time for lunch by the beach, then explore the small island village of Mano Juan and learn about the grassroots turtle conservation efforts the community has taken on. Spend the afternoon on the picturesque beaches before heading back to Bayahibe.
Lodging: Hotel, Bayahibe
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Playa Magallanes, Snorkeling, and Hoyo Claro
Walk to Playa Magallanes, a small beach with calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling. You'll see a variety of colorful fish, coral, and other marine life close to shore.
After a Dominican lunch at a local restaurant, drive east to Hoyo Claro, a natural swimming hole in the middle of the jungle. The water is crystal clear and cool, surrounded by lush vegetation. Relax and swim before continuing to Punta Cana.
Lodging: Hotel, Punta Cana
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Caribbean's Longest Zipline
Twelve ziplines across 18 platforms on Anamuya Mountain — the two longest cables in the Caribbean, with the longest stretching approximately half a mile. The full course covers about two miles over the tropical mountain range, with a side-by-side cable where you can race a partner. The course takes approximately an hour and a half. Minimum age is six years old; children under 12 are limited to the first eight cables.
Lodging: Hotel, Punta Cana
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Return to Santo Domingo
Drive back to Santo Domingo, settle in at the hotel, and spend the afternoon exploring the Colonial Zone's architecture, restaurants, and galleries. So much of the vibrancy of the Colonial Zone comes from the respect and adoration for the country's rural towns and nature, and you'll see that resonate in the art and food now that you're back in the city after a week on the coast.
In the evening, enjoy a dinner and dance show at a Dominican restaurant.
Lodging: Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, Santo Domingo
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. ¡Buen Viaje!
Meals: Breakfast
What happens when you visit Dominican Republic
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