TRAVEL THE ISLAND

We'd love to have you experience our home from our point of view. We have listed our favorites by city on this map and below.

Getting Around

  • Santo Domingo (SDQ) is convenient if you want to arrive close to the wedding location. Ubers and car rentals are available at the airport.

    Punta Cana (PUJ) has cheaper direct flights but a 2:30 hour drive to Santo Domingo. From PUJ you will need to either rent a car, or hire private transport like GoServicesTour or Dominican Airport Transfer.

    If you're up for an adventure, and possibly a neighbor with a live chicken, try Expreso Bavaro bus from Punta Cana. Take an Uber from PUJ to the bus stop in Veron, and get off at Parque Enriquillo in Santo Domingo. No online reservations, just vibes, and show up with enough time and around $600 DOP. Buses typically depart at 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM and 1:00, 3:00, 4:00 PM.

  • You can move around in a rental car or Uber within major cities and towns. If you really want to try public transport, Santo Domingo has a very limited Metro system.

    To travel intercity you can either drive, hire private transport or use intercity buses like Metro or Caribe Tours. If you decide to drive, please expect the unexpected, drive slow, and don’t attempt at night.

Samaná

Samaná Peninsula is our favorite place. Las Terrenas is the main town with a laid back vibe, surf schools, waterfalls, and beach bars, with lush mountains rolling into the ocean. February is also peak season for humpback whales!

You'll need a car here since Uber is very limited. Tolls run about $1,500 DOP. The drive along Bulevar del Atlántico is beautiful and worth it!

  • Blue Lagoon

    This freshwater sinkhole near Cabrera is super nice to visit on a weekday when it's less busy (avoid the weekend like the plague). Entrance fee should be around 200 DOP cash.

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  • Playa El Anclón

    One of my favorite mangrove beaches near Las Terrenas. Arrival is a bit tricky, you'll drive partially through the beach, but don't be afraid, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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  • Salto el Castaño

    A small waterfall that is only accessible by foot or horseback, through the tropical forest. You’ll need a local guide to get you there, someone like Playa Ermitaño Tour.

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  • Playa Frontón

    Hands down the most impressive beach we've been to. Accessible by boat from Playa Rincón, or hiking with a local guide. Contact Darwin for a boat at around 5,000 DOP for aprox 8 people, with a stop at Playa Madama.

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  • Salto el Limon

    This is a larger waterfall that can only be reached by hiking or horseback. For either option, it's best to hire a local guide. Some reliable choices are Santi Limon or Playa Ermitaño Tour.

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  • Playa Bonita

    This beach is quiet, good for a chill day with nice restaurants and beach bars. There are also kite and windsurfing schools around this area and in Punta Popy.

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  • Los Haitises National Park

    Known for rainforest, mangroves, tiny islands, and caves. It was even a filming location for Jurassic Park. Visit from Samaná with guides like Bookingadventures.

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  • Whale Watching

    From Samaná City, you can take boat trips with guides like Whales Samana, out into Samaná Bay for whale watching.

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  • Playa El Valle

    This beach has serious Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. It's secluded and surrounded by lush nature, and the drive there passes several ecotourism spots like Dominican Treehouse Village.

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  • Las Galeras

    A bit of a remote area, with a few eco hotels and airbnbs that overlook the bay. If you’re lucky you might spot a whale with binoculars from your pool.

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Punta Cana

Punta Cana is internationally known for golfing, white sand and calm turquoise waters. Our favorite area to stay is Cap Cana for a more calm vibe. Bávaro and Uvero Alto is where most of the big resorts are concentrated, although some smaller hotels are available, a few below.

  • Cap Cana

    Cap Cana is a residential area with some hotels and Airbnbs, accessible if you are staying there or are going to a restaurant. It's less busy and has its own marina with our favorite restaurant, Noah Marina. The beach in front of Api Beach House is truly beautiful.

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  • Playa Blanca

    The sand at Playa Blanca is as white as it gets (hence the name, probably). There are several beach bars and restaurants along the beach, easiest accessed through Playa Blanca Restaurant.

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  • Ojos Indígenas

    Ojos Indígenas is a nature reserve within Puntacana Resort. It's known for its freshwater lagoons (similar to cenotes) surrounded by jungle. A 90 USD entrance fee include a private tour through the reserve.

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  • Cueva de las Maravillas

    The Cave of Wonders is about an hour's drive from Punta Cana, heading toward Santo Domingo. It's an underground cave system home to the first Indigenous Taino rock art museum in the Antilles.

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  • Playa Juanillo

    Playa Juanillo is within Cap Cana and the easiest way to get inside is either staying in Cap Cana or making a reservation at one of the restaurants.

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  • Montaña Redonda

    Montaña Redonda is about an hour drive from Punta Cana. The route is surrounded by nature and the countryside. The location itself has panoramic views of the lagoons, mountains and the beach.

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  • Isla Saona

    Isla Saona is part of Cotubanamá National Park, a day trip from Punta Cana. It's known for super white beaches, caves, baby turtles and coral reefs. You can check out different providers for direct trips.

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El Cibao

El Cibao is the fertile north region, home to Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, and coffee, cacao, and tobacco. The biggest city is Santiago de los Caballeros, my hometown! Nearby are Jarabacao, for hiking and countless rivers, and Cabarete, the kitesurfing capital of the world.

  • Río San Juan

    Maybe the furthest place to reach, but absolutely worth it. Dramatic sunsets spilling over hills thick with palm trees, and beaches of crystal blue water. Must visit Playa Grande, Caleton, Natural Pools, Laguna Gri-Gri, amongst many other beautiful places.

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  • Saltos de Damajagua

    This hike takes you through tropical rainforest and up a mountain, then back down by jumping between 27 Waterfalls into natural turquoise pools.

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  • Charco Río Partido

    Río Partido is a river near Salcedo, known for turquoise water and natural pools and waterfalls. Getting there means a steep 1 km hike, or by donkey, making it a more dramatic, less touristy freshwater spot up north.

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  • Carnaval

    February happens to be carnival season, and the biggest one in the Caribbean are in Santiago and La Vega. Every Sunday streets fill with lechones. If you're not on the sidewalk, you'll get hit by them :)

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  • Saltos de Jima

    These waterfalls and rivers are about an hour drive from Jarabacoa, with some areas where you can swim. It’s nicest on a weekday, since weekends are very popular and can get quite busy.

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  • Farms

    A local experience is visiting a cigar factory, cacao farm, or a coffee farm. Cafe Spirit Mountain or Cafe Monte Alto are some options near Jarabacoa.

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