The Dominican Republic in 3 days
Palm trees leaning over the sand at Punta Cana, Saona Island by catamaran and the colonial old town of Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is the big all-inclusive destination of the Caribbean, warm all year round.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- All day
Saona Islanda full dayAn island within Cotubanamá National Park, reached by catamaran or speedboat, with palm-lined beaches and a shallow natural pool full of starfish.
Day 2
- All day
Samanáfree · a full dayA wilder peninsula of quiet beaches, coconut groves and the El Limón waterfall, less visited than the big resorts and liked by nature lovers.
Day 3
- Morning
Colonial Santo Domingofree · about 2 hThe UNESCO-listed Ciudad Colonial, with the oldest cathedral in the Americas, the Alcázar de Colón and cobbled Calle Las Damas.
- Afternoon
Whale watchinghalf a dayFrom January to March, humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to mate and calve, watched from boats leaving the town of Samaná.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: Punta Cana.
Where to sleep in the Dominican Republic
- Hotel Casa Robinson · €35 a night
- Island Life Hostel · €40 a night
- Casa Barbara · €55 a night
- Hodelpa Caribe Colonial · €80 a night
- Hotel Class Colonial · €90 a night
- Hotel Alisei · €145 a night
- Barceló Bávaro Palace · €250 a night
- Sublime Samana · €260 a night
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana · €340 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.