AHH! Every time I think about my trip to the Dominican Republic (DR) a mix of emotions invade me. Peace, beauty, simplicity, happiness, are all characteristics that describe the island, and the feelings it evoked in me. DR is such a nice country, providing plenty of fun activities to do, breathtaking sceneries to see and a local experience to live. Not to forget the delicious pineapples, coconuts and other fresh fruits you could indulge in. Piña colada will become your water.
Earlier this year, I had the chance to visit DR with my twin brother. We had a great time and I highly recommend visiting this place, especially if you live in North America. The island is an amazing break from the city life, a reconnection to nature and simpleness. Continue reading for my recommendations and tips on where to go and the best things to do for 10 days in DR.
The Westin Resort Punta Cana
WHEN TO GO
Honestly, it is always a good idea to go to DR – the weather is very tropical year-round, with mostly sun and some sudden rainfalls. However, it is said that the best time to go is usually December to March since the DR is a hurricane prone country and the hurricane season runs from June to late October.
My brother and I went in December, and although we did have some sudden rainfalls and gloomy days, these did not really impact our plans. We got a lot of sun, and definitely a nice tan.
HOW TO GET THERE
There are a lot of airports in DR; but the two major ones that tourists usually use are in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo (the capital). These 2 airports are 2h away from each other by car, so depending on the itinerary you decide to do, you will have to choose where to land and depart from.
We landed and left from Punta Cana, which was not a bad idea, but since we roamed around the city picking Santo Domingo would have been a smarter choice. In fact, Santo Domingo is more central and easier to move from/ to it vs. Punta Cana that is located southeast. Additionally, both these areas provide different things: Santo Domingo more of a colonial city, whereas Punta Cana is a beach spot. Depending on what you are looking for, choose your airport. My recommendation would still be Santo Domingo.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Okay this is an important one – if you plan on roaming the island, which I definitely recommend, you will need a way to get around. Places in DR are far away from each other and getting from a place to another requires commuting by car. You can opt to use ubers and local taxis but these are usually expensive, and not always accessible.
My brother and I rented a car and I would advise you to do the same. However, it is important to note that driving in DR is not easy. Locals drive fast (like really fast) and highways don’t have lights at night. That being said, it is definitely doable: rent a car with insurance, drive slowly and choose to commute during the day before the sun sets. Having a car will really transform your experience.
Other things I would highly recommend to have are a sim card and cash. A sim card is super easy to get, usually would cost around 10$ for a full week of unlimited internet and calls/texts. We bought ours from a mall in Punta Cana (called the Blue Mall), but I am sure sim cards are accessible everywhere.
Regarding cash, try to have some wherever you go. Most places take credit cards, but there are a few local shops and restaurants that require cash instead. Particularly, the highways in DR have a lot of tolls, and these only accept cash – we had to beg once the officer to let us pass when we had no cash, luckily the officer was nice and allowed us to cross for free.
Driving in Dominican Republic
WHAT TO DO
Dominican Republic has so much to offer, and depending on the vibe you are looking for, you will have to make your plans accordingly. A lot of people go to DR, just to relax in a resort in Punta Cana, the most touristy spot in the country. They usually book an all-inclusive hotel for 4 to 5 days, with the aim of just eating, sleeping, tanning by the beach and not leaving the resort. That’s one way to do DR, and if that’s what you are looking for, I definitely encourage you. However, my brother and I were looking for a different kind of experience, we wanted to see it all in a more local fashion.
Below you will find my 10-day itinerary for DR, feel free to make the same plan or get inspired for snippets of it. I hope you enjoy!
Day 1 – 3: Explore & relax in Punta Cana
I started my trip landing in Punta Cana and spending the first 2 days there. Punta Cana is a resort town along the east coast of DR. My brother and I had been very busy with work in New York and a little burnout from that. We decided to start our trip with pure relaxation, before exploring other parts of the island.
We booked our stay at The Westin Punta Cana hotel, a few minutes away from the airport and within the PuntaCana Resort & Spa complex. Our hotel was not an all-inclusive, but definitely a very good spot that I would recommend. The hotel was big, with many restaurants, pools, bars, beaches and other entertainment options in it.
There are several options of accommodation along the coastline of Punta Cana, some of which have all-inclusive resorts . From my research some of the best areas are:
- PuntaCana resort & spa – a gated resort complex, a few minutes away from the airport, with a few hotels, luxurious home rental options and many amenities. There are several bus services within the complex allowing you to move along the coast for different restaurant options. That’s what my brother and I did, and it was perfect!
- Bavaro – another resort complex, around 20mins away from the airport, Bavaro is potentially the most famous due to its numerous all-inclusive options for families and big groups. It is also known for its very fun vibes, with many restaurants, bars, clubs and water activities.
- Playa Macao – a little further from the center (around an hour drive), Playa Macao is a small town, far less touristy than the other resort areas in Punta Cana. It is known for its crystal-clear waters and its big waves, perfect for surfing. This place usually is for travelers craving something very local and off-the-beaten path.
- Uvero Alto – surrounding Playa Macao but a little further, Uvero Alto, could be another spot to stay in if you are looking for a laid-back vibe, with high-end resorts. This place is home to gorgeous beaches and sand, however, it is known for its undercurrent, so it’s not ideal for water activities or swimming.
During our time in Punta Cana, we spent our days by the pool and beach, and had dinners in the different restaurants around the complex. If you decide to stay at the PuntaCana resort & spa, you should try La Yola and Playa Blanca restaurants.
There is also a small village around 5mins away from the airport, that has many local stores, restaurants, and gelato shops. You can easily spend one of the afternoons there after a relaxing day by the shore.
You can even decide to visit the Punta Cana downtown. There you will find several malls, shopping stores and beach clubs. Some of the beach clubs that were recommended to us are: JellyFish and Zoho.
Mesmerizing beach & nature in Punta Cana
Day 4: Spend the day at Isla Saona
After some relaxation, I would recommend venturing around Punta Cana. A must do is Isla Saona, an island ~30mins away from the coast of DR. The island, although small, is gorgeous: filled with huge palm trees, crystal clear water and cute little restaurants.
To get to Isla Saona, you would need to book a tour in advance or buy one at the Bayahibe port. Booking a tour that would pick you up from your hotel would be the most convenient, but these could be very early and packed with a lot of tourists. Since we had our car, my brother and I decided to make the tour alone. We drove to the Bayahibe port (~1h away from Punta Cana center) and asked the different boat owners to take us to the island. Luckily, there were 3 other people that wanted to go as well, so we decided to take a large private launch all together.
That day was one of the best days in my whole trip. Our ride to the island was unforgettable. We passed by the “natural pool”, known to be one of the largest in the world. The pool is so clear and shallow, allowing you to walk into the ocean with the water only coming up to your waist. Most importantly, it is house to many starfish. We stopped to swim around and touch the beautiful creatures. We were so happy to see something so unique. These starfish are so gorgeous, I was shocked by their size and their texture. They are very solid (almost like a rock) and not wiggly as I expected. But please remember that if you plan on touching these creatures, don’t take them out of the water for more than a few seconds as they need water to survive!
For your trip to Isla Saona, make sure to pack a book, music or a journal as the island is very calm. You can opt to have lunch on the island, since there is a restaurant or two that serve food. We had eaten a very big breakfast that day so skipped lunch, but ordered piña coladas and a big platter of fresh pineapple. It was delicious! On the way back to our hotel, we stopped by Punta Cana downtown to have dinner at Citrus. It was a great choice!
Isla Saona
Day 5 – 6: Immerse yourself in the cultural scene of Santo Domingo
After 4 full days of relaxation, I would recommend moving to another spot in the island. We decided to go to Santo Domingo (SD), the capital city of DR.
SD is ~2h away from Punta Cana. The drive is rather easy since it is a straight high-way, HOWEVER (and as I already mentioned), people drive very fast in DR and the high-ways are usually never lit up at night. If the car breaks down in the middle of your drive and it’s night-time, NO ONE can come to your rescue. So, don’t take the risk and drive after 4PM! My brother and I had an incident with our car and had to leave Punta Cana at 10pm, arriving to SD at 1am and although (thankfully) nothing happened to us, it was a BIG risk.
SD is not a beach town, although you can get to the beach from it by driving 30mins to Boca Chica for example, but these beaches are still not the best you will get in DR. I would recommend using your time in SD to do more of the cultural exploration.
In my opinion, spending 2 days in SD is enough. Dedicate the first day exploring the Zona colonial, which is the historic central neighborhood of SD. There, you will be able to walk around very small streets, characterized by a charming gothic architecture. You will feel like you were taken back to the 1450s. In fact, this area became the heart of the colonial life once Christopher Columbus arrived and created a Spanish colony there.
Start with the Columbus Park, which is the center square of the Zona colonial. The square is mostly notable for its statue of Christopher Columbus after whom the square was named. Just in front of the square, there is a large cathedral “The Cathedral of the Americas”, known as the oldest cathedral in the Americas embodying the finest examples of Gothic architecture outside of Europe.
The square is also at the beginning of Calle del Conde, the town’s most famous street; a very good starting point to explore the whole area. You will find a lot of cafes, cigar shops, churches and markets.
The streets of Zona Colonial, Columbus Park with the Colombus statue in the last picture
If you are in the mood for a special experience, you can visit the Choco museo (museum of chocolate) in Zona colonial. There you will learn about the history of chocolate, the process of farming cocoa and its cultural importance in DR. You can even make your own chocolate if you participate in one of the workshops offered by the museum. Enjoy the chocolate-based delicacies including cocktails and wine made out of cocoa.
At night, go for a dinner in a nice restaurant. We were lucky to have a few Dominican friends that took us to Larimar restaurant. A very classy spot with indoor and outdoor seating. There were a lot of options on the menu but mostly seafood. Honestly, it was delicious and the presentation beautiful. The restaurant itself is also very nicely decorated. The place has a private party room that you could venture to after dinner as well. I would highly recommend that place.
Larimar restaurant in Santo Domingo
On your next day, head to the Three eyes National Park, around 15mins by car from the center of Santo Domingo. This a natural reserve that is one of the most visited places in DR. The place is an open-air cave, that has 3 main lakes. The blue waters and views are stunning; you can even take a boat ride to see a 4th lake. There is so much walking, and the floor could be a bit slippery, so wear good shoes and get ready to burn some calories!
On your way back, try the local cuisine in one of the restaurants around zona colonial. Meson de bari is a good option. The restaurant serves very authentic Dominican food. There is a whole variety of seafood and steak dishes. Most importantly, don’t forget to try the Concón (the layer of burnt hard oily rice left behind when cooking in pot) and the Mangu (mashed plantain) for a true Dominican experience!
Day 7- 10: Indulge in a true beach experience in Samana
On your 7th day, plan to go to Samana. Samana is a peninsula of the DR. It is located on the northeast area of the island and characterized by its secluded, paradisiacal clear beaches, coconut plantations, and rainforests. To get there, you will need to drive 2h away from Santo Domingo. The drive is breathless with many beautiful palm trees and an overdose of greenery.
Samana is a very local authentic town. It feels like one of those towns that globalization has not hit yet; you won’t see any major international brands or restaurants there. For accommodation, you won’t find any of the big hotel chains; opt for an Airbnb or one of the boutique hotels.
Samana has many beautiful towns, and you can choose to stay in any, depending on which side of the peninsula you would like to be on. The main town however is Santa Barbara de Samana; that’s where we stayed but if I would go back in time, I would choose Las Terrenas instead (I’ll tell you about that place later in the guide).
Santa Barbara de Samana is a very nice local beach town, filled with small houses where locals reside. It is known for its main street that is filled with colorful buildings and many restaurants overlooking the sea. As you venture your way around town, you will find fruit and souvenir markets. However, honestly, aside from the beach, there is not much to do there. Planning day trips to other beach towns around is what I would recommend doing.
We decided to stay at an Airbnb and luckily, the place we got was part of a larger hotel complex called The Bannister Hotel & Yatch Club. Although, we only took an apartment there, we had access to all the amenities of the hotel, including restaurants, pools, tennis courts and entertainment floors. I highly recommend staying at the Bannister if you are looking for something nice and relaxing; you could literally stay the whole time in the hotel since it has so much to offer.
The Bannister Hotel
On your first day in Samana, spend the day relaxing by the beach nearby your Airbnb. You can also explore the downtown area. One restaurant that is great for dinner is Santa Bahía; a nicely decorated place with a mix of local and international dishes.
But now, get ready for the next day, Las Terrenas is AMAZING.
On your second day, prepare to go to Las Terrenas. This is a beach town an hour away from Samana downtown. Some people decide to stay in that area the whole time while in Samana peninsula, and if I would go again to DR, I would probably do the same.
Las Terrenas is honestly one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The huge palm trees, the blue waves, the coconuts and the surfers crowding the shores create a very authentic beach experience, that I personally have never witnessed. In fact, Las Terrenas has 25km of different beaches, one of which is called Playa Bonita (the beach we went to) meaning beautiful beach, because of its glorious shore. At Playa Bonita there is also a beach club, surrounded by many small souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, making it super easy and fun to spend the full day there.
If you are into surfing, this is definitely your spot to practice this activity, otherwise, take a book and indulge in reading at the sound of the waves, while eating some of the freshest fruits or sea food.
Playa Bonita in Las Terrenas
On your next day in Samana, head to another beach, Playa Rincon, a little calmer but as beautiful as Playa Bonita. Playa Rincon is also an hour away from Samana downtown; it is ranked by Conde Nast traveler as one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Playa Rincon is characterized by white sand beaches lining turquoise waters; another one of the best spots for surfing in DR. There, you will also find the ‘cano frio’, a gorgeous crystal-clear river with cold water that runs into the ocean.
Playa Rincon is a perfect place to relax, since the beach is a virgin area with no hotels or resorts, and a limited number of restaurants and cafes. Unfortunately, when we went, the weather was not amazing, so the beach was cold and almost empty; we spent a few hours tanning before heading back to our hotel.
Playa Rincon
If you have more time in Samana, I would highly recommend spending more time in Las Terrenas. This place stole my heart, and I wish I had stayed more days in there. But mainly, this area is all about the beach. Some of the main spots to explore are: Playa Moron, Playa El Portillo, La Playita Beach, Playa Coson, Playa Fronton among many others.
Beautiful beach in Dominican Republic
To end your trip, you would have to go back to either Santo Domingo or Punta Cana, depending on which airport you are departing from. Make sure to plan your departure properly. From Samana it will take you 2h to get to SD, but 4h to get to Punta Cana. Try to leave early to enjoy the beautiful views during day-light one last time!
Buy some souvenirs on your way back and maybe some Rum in the airport. Let me know how your trip to DR was, and any highlights you experienced. I hope you like this island as much as I did.
