Planning for The Best Dominican Republic Excursions? Here Are 8 Exhilarating Activities To Do

Being a geographically diverse country of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic surely fascinates a lot of tourists from all over the world. Have you or your friends planned to take your adventures to the next level?

With these Dominican Republic excursions, you will certainly have so much fun going to different places seeing the nicest natural creations in the country. Before you pack your things and book a flight ticket, you must know where to go and how to make the most of your travel goal this year.

A Short Info About the Dominican Republic

Widely renowned for its famous beaches, cloud-forest treks, and hidden villages, the best offers of the Dominican Republic do not end there. As you visit its cities, you will witness its magnificence through the presence of exotic wildlife, pristine shores, and sparkling lagoons.

This is the dwelling place of the Caribbean’s highest peaks and all-inclusive resorts located at Puerto Plata (north) and Punta Cana (east). Santo Domingo is the country’s capital and the home to the oldest establishments found in the West hemisphere. What makes this place so inviting is the traditional feel and great attitude of the locals.

For those who love partying and adventures, the Dominican Republic is a good pick. Here, you will enjoy kitesurfing, windsurfing and all kinds of aqua adventures. It shares Hispaniola’s Caribbean island with Haiti and occupies the island’s huge eastern section.

The main language is spoken by the locals in Spanish and there are 10 Million populations in it. They use Dominican Republic Peso (DOP). As you stay in this place, you can also learn about its interesting history and be amazed by the Zona Colonial’s colonial architecture which can be found in Santo Domingo city.

What To Do In Dominican Republic

1. Boca Chica

Boca Chica is a town situated on an island’s south coast which lies close to Santo Domingo. It has been a part of the Caribbean’s biggest reef-protected bay. Boca Chica is famous for its clean waters and white sand making this place perfect for different aqua adventures. Here, you can go kayaking, jet-skiing, windsurfing, banana boats, or sailing.

On the other hand, you can also perform land-based activities like cycling, golf, horse-riding, and motorbiking. When you get hungry, you enjoy fresh seafood. This town is renowned for its lively vibe. You can party all night in the pubs or clubs and mix with its locals. Then, you can probably learn dancing the “Merengue”.

2. Punta Cana Choco Museo

For chocolate lovers, this place is for you. Give yourself a delicious treat by visiting the Chocolate Museum located in Punta Cana. You will also have a free tour of the chocolate factory and the museum. You will see how artisans work on raw organic Dominican-native cacao beans and transform them into luscious chocolate pieces.

3. HorsePlay

HorsePlay is an adventure ranch owned by Canada which measures around 300 acres of abundant forests, tobacco plantations, and cacao plantations. The rivers offer a place for thrilling excursions in such an authentic environment.

This ranch also boasts five-line and ten-platform Zip Line Adventure Tours. You can choose to stay half or live comfortably as long as you want while enjoying horseback on its tropical forests. If you like a full-day adventure, take the River Tour which comprises zip-lining, cacao sampling, horse riding, and cigar rolling.

4. The Blue Hole (Hoyo Azul)

Get amazed by Punta Cana’s natural sinkhole which is blessed with crystal-clear water. The Hoyo Azul, or Blue Hole, can be found at the bottom of the towering cliff making it a major tourist attraction in this area.

If you choose a full-day tour, you can have short hikes as you take a walk in the tropical rain forests. You will see a variety of plant species like bromeliad, orchids, and ferns. Before reaching the blue pool, you will step on the stairs down until you reach this refreshing dip. You can also combine the Blue Hole tour with zip-line adventures. Included in these options is the hotel pick-up.

5. Macao Surf Camp

For another incredible surfing adventure, you can try the Macao Surf Camp which operates on Punta Cana. This place offers a one-stop-shop to meet your needs. This business is owned and operated by 3 surfing veterans. There are 12 dedicated assistants and 6 instructors providing lessons to make every guest become a pro instantly.

For newbies, they can stay on the beach to learn the basics. On the other hand, advanced surfers can enjoy the water to enhance their skills. They teach their lessons in different languages such as English, Russia, Spanish and Italian.

6. Mount Isabel de Torres

Mount Isabel de Torres lies close to the Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic’s northern coast. At present, it is one of the hottest tourist spots that offer a plethora of fun activities. There are tours available and taxi rides from Puerto Plata if you want to take a break from aqua adventures.

A scenic ride on a cable car will make you end up enjoying the coastline and the city views on the mountain top. You will get to enjoy more attractions while at its peaks such as the huge Jesus Christ statue and the National Botanical Gardens. Well, there are also numerous sellers of jewelry as well as other beautiful souvenirs. You can find these vendors at the statue base.

7. National Botanical Gardens

You can find this lovely garden at the Mt. Isabel de Torres and it provides a fresh, beautiful environment for both the tourists and locals. It also offers perfect spots for running and walking as you will find a network of trails and paths.

However, if you don’t feel like exercising, you can ride on their mini-train going to a garden tour. This is where you are going to learn so many things about different species of plants and habitats. You will encounter about palms, orchids, bromeliads, etc. You can also find a breath-taking Japanese Garden and the Butterfly Garden.

8. Paradise Island

The Paradise Island and the Mangroves are situated at Punta Rusia’s small town. This place brings a little coral island and pristine white sand in the Caribbean. That coral island is a part of the Dominican Republic’s National Park of Montecristi. The Dominican Republic excursion lets you experience snorkeling on its untouched reef.

This country is proud to introduce a great road network. This way, you can explore the scenic spots in the country in a safe, easy and convenient option. You can use their public transportation system if you wish to get rid of the hassle hopping on local buses.

Facts to Know Before Planning for Dominican Republic Excursions

Make sure you note down the details provided below before taking the next steps of your trip. Here, we will give you information about traveling to the Dominican Republic and what you must consider.

1. Getting There

Depending on your place of departure, the flight time to Puerto Plata or Punta Cana may take more or less 10 hours. Check on the details from the reliable airline websites that offer flights to these cities.

2. Best Time to Visit

Being a part of the Caribbean, locals, and tourists experience sunny days all year. If you are looking for some refreshing places, you can visit the mountainous areas such as Constanza and Jarabacoa. From November to April, the Dominican Republic experiences winter season. So, if you prefer the coolest time to go, then you can book your flights within this period.

On the other hand, if you prefer trekking, you can visit DR from January to March where you can whale watch. If you like spotting wildlife, choose the dates between May and July. You can go to Laguna de Oviedo and Lago Enriquillo. This is where you are going to see flamingos around. While September and October are Atlanta’s most active period for a hurricane, it is August for the Caribbean.

3. Going Around the DR

As you book the flight, you can also visit some car rental businesses. You can check TripAdvisor.com and other travel websites to check for more adventures if you are in the southwest part of the country. There are also bus companies that provide extensive services for bus networks.

Take note that no-frills buses are traveling to urban routes. They are called “guaguas” and costs less than RD$25 like the concho cars. Furthermore, if you are taking long trips, you can look for motoconchos. These are motorbike taxis that cost below RD$100.

4. Travel Costs

Staying in the Dominican Republic can be inexpensive if you stay away from luxury resorts. You can stay at mid-range hotels for US$25 to US$35 daily. Sandwiches generally cost around RD$100 while tostones and fresh fish along the coast may be priced for RD$300.

5. Accommodation

As you stay in Santo Domingo, you will hear about Hotel Doña Elvira. This colonial building has been restored and it is a part of the historic center. It has an internal courtyard costing US$79 and beyond for a visit.

When you stay in Pedernales, there is Doña Chava which a family-owned and operated hotel in a rustic style. It is well-known for its sumptuous meals, especially for breakfast.

Lastly, if you are in Jarabacoa, you can visit Rancho Baiguate, an impressive all-inclusive ranch that caters to the adventure market. Its cost doubles from around USD47 per pax with meal inclusions.

6. Food and Drink

Explore the rich taste of the DR traditional food. While on the coast, choose from a variety of freshly served fish – deep-fried, grilled or steamed. You can have standard sides such as avocado, plantain, and rice. Well, you should not miss mangu which mashed plantain served with salami and onions. This is a perfect meal for breakfast as it boosts your energy for any outdoor activity for the day.

7. Safety And Health

You do not have to prepare any special requirements such as vaccine certificates for your Dominican Republic excursions. Although malaria is an issue, this is not so risky aside from those people living near the Haiti border.

Final Conclusion

Planning for Dominican Republic excursions can be smooth and easy if you know and understand the factors to consider. We hope that you can plan carefully your future trips to the DR. Go and find the beautiful spots mentioned above. Since this is a safe place to go, you can travel alone, with your partner, friends, or loved ones.

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