Are you planning a trip to the Dominican Republic? This Caribbean gem is perfect for a sunny beach getaway, but it offers much more than Punta Cana and its popular resorts. Think palm-fringed white-sand beaches, vibrant colonial cities like Santo Domingo, and lush, diverse nature waiting to be explored. Get carried away by the rhythm of the merengue and discover the perfect 2-week itinerary for exploring the Dominican Republic.
Everything you need to know before traveling to Dominican Republic
Together with Haiti, the Dominican Republic forms the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. Is it safe to travel to the Dominican Republic? Definitely yes! This itinerary focuses on the east of the country, which is growing in tourism and therefore safe to travel through. Only the border with Haiti is best avoided, as there is a tense atmosphere there. The border between the two countries is also closed due to unrest in Haiti.
The Dominican Republic was one of the first islands where the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus set foot and later founded a colony. You can still see influences of this Spanish colonization in the streets today. The official language in the Dominican Republic is Spanish but in many tourist areas English is also widely spoken. The currency is Dominican Peso and €1 is approximately $66 DOP.
How to get around in the Dominican Republic
The best way to get around in the Dominican Republic is by renting a car. The distances in this itinerary are not very long and there are highways between all the main cities. However, the roads are not always in good condition and there are many potholes and cracks in the roads. Also, Dominicans drive very assertively and especially in cities such as Santo Domingo, the roads can be crowded. Therefore, be sure to take a rental car including insurance!
Where to stay in the Dominican Republic
For this two-week travel itinerary Dominican Republic, we always give you recommendations for where to stay in each place. The Dominican Republic is very affordable as a destination, which means you can get a lot of luxury without paying a fortune for hotels or resorts. In the high season, we do recommend booking your stays in advance.
The perfect travel itinerary Dominican Republic in 2 weeks
In two weeks you can explore the best of the Dominican Republic at a leisurely pace, but you can also shorten this itinerary to 10 days. This Dominican Republic itinerary starts and ends in Punta Cana where there is an international airport. Alternatively, you can start and end in the capital city Santo Domingo as there is also an international airport here.
Day 1 – 3: Bayahibe
+/- 70 km ● 1h drive
After you land in Punta Cana and you picked up your rental car, drive straight to Bayahibe. This small fishing village is still authentic and not very touristy. Here you can visit one of the beautiful beaches such as Playa Bayahibe or stroll through the village and eat something in one of the cozy restaurants or bars. Bayahibe is especially the perfect base to explore Isla Saona. This piece of tropical paradise has one of the whitest beaches we have ever seen. In addition, it is located in a protected nature reserve which makes it feel very pristine. From Bayahibe you can book a day excursion including a delicious lunch to Saona Island, one of the best things to do in the Dominican Republic!
Where to stay in Bayahibe
We slept at the cozy Altea Tropical Inn, within walking distance of the center of Bayahibe and with a nice rooftop terrace to meet fellow travelers. The Tracadero Beach Resort in turn is fantastic with its five pools overlooking the ocean where you have all the comforts.
Day 3 – 5: Santo Domingo
+/- 140 km – 1h45 drive
On day 3 of this itinerary, you will drive to the capital of the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo. On the way, you will first pass the Los Tres Ojos national park, something you absolutely can’t miss! After entering, you walk through a patch of jungle and descend into an enormous limestone cave. Inside this semi-open grotto are three crystal-blue lagoons, called the “Three Eyes” or Tres Ojos, surrounded by tropical plants and hanging vines that create a stunning, almost otherworldly atmosphere. There’s even a hidden fourth lagoon, which you can reach only by a small boat.
Opening hours Parque Nacional Los Tres Ojos: daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Admission: 200DOP (€3) per person.
From Los Tres Ojos, it is about a 10-minute drive to the historical center of Santo Domingo, better known as the Zone Colonial. This is the oldest colonial city in Latin America and therefore a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The center is not very large and all the sights are within walking distance of each other. Visit some of the impressive buildings such as the Catedral Primada de América, Alcazar de Colón which was the palace of Columbus’ son. Or stroll down Calle El Conde where you can buy handmade cigars and other souvenirs. Finally, be sure to eat at Buche Perico, where you think you are sitting outside while you are inside.
Where to stay in Santo Domingo
The best place to stay in Santo Domingo is within the Zone Colonial. At El Beaterio Casa Museo you sleep in an old 16th century monastery, or as the name implies, a veritable museum. Hotel Villa Colonial in turn has a beautiful indoor garden with a swimming pool, which is certainly welcome in the tropical temperatures of the Dominican Republic.
Day 5 – 7: Las Galeras (Samaná)
+/- 200 km – 3h drive
We continue our itinerary toward the Samaná Peninsula in the north of the Dominican Republic. Samaná is truly a slice of tropical paradise, where you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Las Galeras is located all the way in the west of Samaná and is a sleepy fishing village that is not so touristy yet. You should be here mainly for the beautiful beaches such as Playa Rincón, Playa Fronton and Playa Madame. The latter you can only reach by boat, but in the village you will find plenty of boaters willing to take you here. In the evening you can enjoy a beautiful sunset at one of the beach bars.
Where to stay in Las Galeras
In Hotel Villa Serena we ate the best breakfast in all of the Dominican Republic! Also nice is that yoga classes are offered daily. Solazul in turn has tropical huts set in a beautiful garden with a pool.
Day 8: Los Haitises National Park & Cayo Levantado
As you drive from Las Galeras toward your next stop in Samaná, you’ll pass through Santa Bárbara de Samaná. While the town itself isn’t the coziest place to stay, it makes a perfect base for visiting Los Haitises National Park and Cayo Levantado. Los Haitises is often called the “Halong Bay of the Dominican Republic” because of its dramatic limestone formations rising out of the water. During your visit, you’ll glide through mangrove forests, explore caves filled with ancient petroglyphs, and you may even spot dolphins along the way.
Be sure to combine this with a visit to Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island. It gets its name from the commercials shot here in the 1990s for Bacardi. Now you can still find one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Finally, Samaná is also where you need to be to spot whales! Are you visiting the Dominican Republic between January and March? Then you have a very good chance of seeing whales. Here you book a whale watching tour and visit to Cayo Levantado together.
Day 9 – 12: Las Terrenas (Samaná)
+/- 70 km – 1h30 drive
From Las Galeras you can drive to the more developed Las Terrenas in about an hour and a half. This is the most popular place to stay on Samaná thanks to its many cozy shops, restaurants where you can eat on the beach and cool bars and clubs for an atmospheric evening. Here again you will find beautiful beaches such as Playa Coson (here you can also surf), Playa Bonita and Playa Punta Popy. In addition, a half-hour drive from Las Terrenas you will find the El Limón waterfall. With its 52 meters, this is the highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic. A hike through the jungle of about 30 minutes will take you to the waterfall where you can also swim. So don’t forget your swimwear because this is one of the most fun things to do in the Dominican Republic!
Where to stay in Las Terrenas
Just for the beautiful Takuma Boutik Hotel is worth descending to Las Terrenas. Hotel Coco Plaza is a good, budget-friendly option and has a fantastic breakfast that you can sample even if you’re not staying there.
Day 12 – 14: Punta Cana
+/- 300 km – 3h30 drive
We end this 2-week Dominican Republic itinerary in the popular Punta Cana. Known for its many resorts, this is a nice place to end your Dominican Republic vacation relaxed. Still want to do something active? Punta Cana has a beautiful underwater world, and especially around Catalina Island. Do you like diving? Then you should definitely this diving excursion near Punta Cana! Not a water rat after all? Then a baby carriage tour through the sand might be a more fun option for you.
Where to stay in Punta Cana
There is no shortage of accommodations in Punta Cana, as one all-inclusive resort alternates with another. Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa and Caribe Deluxe Princess are cited as among the best resorts. Prefer something on a smaller scale? Then you should join Riviera Punta Cana Eco Travellers are.
Best time to visit Dominican Republic
The best time to visit the Dominican Republic is from December through April. This is the dry season with the best chance of good weather. From April/May the rainy season begins, which often involves short but strong showers. The advantage is that accommodations and flights become much cheaper. In July and August, many international tourists still travel to the Dominican Republic for the summer vacations. Especially avoid the months of September and October, when it is hurricane season in the Dominican Republic.
Do you have any questions about this Dominican Republic itinerary? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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It’s a fantastic route. Thank you so much, I really enjoyed it. We’re going there in December, and we have 12 days. I think I’ll be basing it on your plan, except for Punta Cana.
Thank you Seda! That sounds like a great plan :). If we would skip one place it would be Punta Cana too, you’re not missing much!
What a fantastic and comprehensive route! I really appreciate that you moved beyond the all-inclusive resorts to showcase the incredible diversity the Dominican Republic has to offer. The mix of colonial history in Santo Domingo, the raw mountain beauty of Jarabacoa, and the pristine beaches of the Samaná Peninsula is a perfect blend.
Your inclusion of Los Haitises National Park is a great call—it’s a world away from the bustling Punta Cana resorts and feels like a true adventure. I’m particularly intrigued by your suggestion for Bahía de las Águilas. It seems like the ultimate off-the-beaten-path beach destination.
My question is about logistics: For travelers who are a bit more cautious about driving, how feasible is it to navigate this entire route using a combination of public transport (like guaguas) and the occasional private driver? Or would you say renting a car is non-negotiable to make the most of this specific two-week itinerary?
Hi Joel! Thanks for your comment. We would say having your own car is an added bonus as you have the freedom to go wherever you like. But it is absolutely possible with public transport as well, altough the local busses are not that comfortable (very small and no AC). But you’ll find enough taxi’s or tours that can bring you to your next destination as well.