You will be picked up from the airport and taken to hotel Hodelpa Caribe Colonial in the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. After check in we will welcome you in our office in the Zona Colonial. Enjoy a cocktail, a briefing about the country and all the support DOMINICAN EXPERT has to offer you. The rest of the day is at your free disposal where you can explore the streets of the colonial city, restaurants, bars and shops on your own. Meals included: None Accommodation: Hotel Hodelpa Caribe Colonial***(*), Superior Room

After breakfast, you will pick up your rental car and travel through the interior of the island, with the possibility stop at a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the jungle for a freshening bath. Then, you will visit Samaná. During the mating season from the beginning of January until mid March, humpback whales splash in the warm water of Samaná bay. You can take this opportunity to see these giant marine mammals up close; we are happy to book you a trip with a local supplier. Some of these excursion suppliers include in their whale watching trip a stop at the paradisiacal island Cayo Levantado, also called "Bacardi Island", where you can enjoy a typical Dominican lunch. If it’s not whale-watching season or upon request, you can go on a horseback ride to the waterfall "El Limón", the most spectacular waterfall on the Samaná peninsula with its height of 50 meters (164 feet). In the afternoon, you will drive to your hotel located in small fishing town of Las Terrenas where you will have time to relax on the beach or visit one of the bars, restaurants or souvenir shops nearby. Driving time: 3 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel Playa Colibri***, Standard Room Typ B (Typ B + for triple occupancy)

After breakfast you will continue driving to the west, crossing rivers and enjoying lush landscapes, passing banana plantations, rice fields and beautiful beaches. If you would like to take a break during the drive you can stop by at a crystal clear lagoon called Laguna Du Du where the adventurous can jump into the water from rocks up to 12 meters high (39 feet). Depending on which you location you're staying at you will have also the possibility to drive to Playa Grande, one of the most beautiful beaches on this island. Here you can enjoy a hearty lunch of lobster, fish or chicken. In the late afternoon you'll arrive at your accommodation, a peaceful place in Rio San Juan or Cabrera. Driving time: 2 hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: North Coast Sportfishing B&B **, Standard Room or Las Puertas del Paraiso **, Standard Room

After breakfast the trip continues westward to an idyllic fishing village called Punta Rucia. A fishing boat will be ready and waiting to take you to a small island with a surface of only 200 square meters (2,153 square feet) featuring sand as white as snow. The greatest show of nature however takes place underwater. The coral reefs that surround the tiny island are a magnet for a vast variety of fish in a rainbow of colors. Snorkeling in an environment this spectacular makes it an unforgettable experience. A trip through the mangroves of the National Park eventually takes you back again to the white sandy beach of Punta Rucia where you will find your hotel for a relaxing evening. Driving time: 2 ½ hours Meals included: Breakfast Accommodation: Punta Rucia Lodge****, Standard Room

After breakfast you will travel to the interior of the island to Imbert, where you can find the "27 Charcos". If you choose to go on this trip you will hike for about 20 minutes through the tropical landscape until you reach the river canyon Damajagua. Protected with a helmet and vest, you will jump and slide down the 27 waterfalls and swim through deep canyons. The journey continues through Santiago, the second largest city of the island. Then on through the beautiful valley of Cibao, which is surrounded by mountains of up to 3,000 meters (9,843 ft). At the end of the day you will return your rental car to one of the offices of our partners in Santo Domingo. Alternatively, if you have a flight booked home, you can as well return your car at the airport. Driving time: 4 hours Meals included: Breakfast

- Transfer from/to the airport "Las Americas" to the old town of Santo Domingo - Car rental with unlimited mileage and full insurance coverage Car Type Double Kia Picanto or similar Single Kia Picanto or similar Triple Kia Rio or similar Quadruple Honda CRV or similar (Pick up in the morning of day 2 in the city of Santo Domingo; drop off day 5 (time as desired) in the city of Santo Domingo) - All overnight accommodations at hotels mentioned in the program - All meals mentioned in the program