Adventurous Family Tour of the Dominican Republic - 14 Days

Visit one of the Caribbean's most beautiful spots today, the island of Saona. Located off the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, Saona is famous for crystal-clear waters and offshore coral reefs teeming with marine life. In the morning, you'll head to the port of Bayahibe and board your boat, cruising along the ocean and arriving at the island in time for some beach volleyball, or the whole family can participate in a merengue class if you're interested! 

Enjoy a delicious lunch, play on the beach with the little ones, or just relax and watch the waves. This afternoon, return to town via speedboat, stopping along the way at a spot known as the Natural Pool. The shallow waters of this sandbar mean you can wade far out from shore, making it a perfect place for families with smaller children. The kids will also love seeing the many starfish that reside here, as well as fish and other marine life. Tonight, head to a local restaurant for some authentic Caribbean fare.

Day 3: Swimming Fun at Hoyo Azul

Today's excursion takes you and your family to Hoyo Azul, a stunning "blue hole" cenote located in nearby Scape Park, an ecotourism area that offers a wide range of outdoor activities. After breakfast, meet your driver at the hotel and make the one-hour, scenic drive to the park. From here, you'll set out on foot, crossing a suspension bridge and through a gorgeous orchid garden to this hidden oasis. 

Once there, you're free to dive right in! The cenote is approximately 45 feet (14 m) deep and sits at the foot of a 246-foot (75 m) limestone cliff covered in vegetation. Older kids will love leaping off the nearby rocks, and even the littlest ones will enjoy the cool spring waters (floaties definitely suggested for non-swimmers) and paddling around. On the drive back, you spend some time relaxing or having lunch in Bayahibe, a fun resort town with long stretches of beach and coral reefs. 

Day 4: Horseback Riding Adventure

Learn all about the life of real Dominican cowboys on a horseback riding adventure. You'll meet with your driver in the morning and drive to the city of Higuey, located about 40 minutes away. After the kids get acquainted with the horses and everyone receives an equipment and safety briefing, you'll embark on a 5.93-mile (9.5 km) ride, which takes you across fields and up mountains, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the countryside.

With instruction from your guides, you'll ride among more than 300 head of cattle, helping staff herd them and hearing the stories of the cowboys that work here. After the ride, you'll visit the ranch's cocoa plantation, where you and the kids can try some of their exotic fruits and learn more about cocoa processing. End with a traditional Dominican meal, while enjoying a showcase of the ranch's prize-winning horses. 

Day 5: Cabeza de Toro Scuba Doo & Snorkeling Tour

Day 6: Playa de Macao Family Buggy Excursion

Take a wild ride via a family "buggy" tour, exploring the beaches and trails around the island. You'll meet with your guides and set out in your Polaris dune buggy, an ATV-style vehicle that has power steering and a covered chassis–a comfortable ride for kids and adults alike. If you've got older kids, your guides might even allow them to take the wheel for a bit!   

Drive to Playa de Macao, a popular surf spot with wide sandy beaches, then head to a coffee plantation, where you'll see how they grow, harvest, and process the coffee, cocoa, and Dominican tobacco grown there, while the kids stretch their legs and play. Finish the day by cooling off in a 1,000-year-old cenote, located in a nearby cave and replete with a subterranean river. 

Day 7: Puna Cana Beach Day

Make it a beach day today, relaxing on the gorgeous white sands that the Dominican Republic is so known for. Start at Playa Blanca, easily considered one of the most pristine beaches in Punta Cana, with pure white sands and a gentle shore break that the little ones will love. For a quieter start to the day, visit Playa Cabeza de Toro. There are a few resorts here, but if you walk just a short distance north, you'll find a peaceful palm grove and a relatively untouched beach.

Families looking for active fun can opt for Playa Bavaro, one of Punta Cana's main beaches. There are several big resorts here and four public access points, and your family can rent equipment, join tours, or do some souvenir shopping with one of the many vendors along the beach. Playa Bavaro is also considered one of the best beaches in Punta Cana for swimming, so the kids will be able to burn lots of energy playing and diving in the clear waters. 

Day 8: Transfer to Samaná, Explore 

Your next destination is Samaná, a peninsula that hugs a tranquil bay of the same name and is a truly secluded Dominican paradise. Its endless stretches of rainforests, unspoiled white-sand beaches, and hidden islands have long made the region desirable to everyone from marauding pirates and invading armies to migrating humpback whales looking for a romance! Now, you'll get to experience the highlights of this singularly beautiful region with your family.

After breakfast, your private driver will transport you to Samaná, a drive of about four hours. Once you've gotten settled at your accommodations, you're free to see more of this charming town on your own. For some family time out on the water, hop on the ferry and make the hour trip to Cayo Levantado, a small island located in Samaná Bay. You can go kayaking, paddleboarding, or laze on the beach. Tonight, have dinner at a local restaurant and browse the boutiques and shops around town. You can find souvenirs such as Dominican rum and coffee, or handmade crafts and toys that the kids might like. 

Day 9: Hike to El Limón Waterfall

Head into the mountains today for an epic hike through the incredible jungles of Samaná. You'll meet with your guide in the morning and begin your trek into the Sierra de Samaná mountains, a 1.5-mile (2.5 km) journey that takes you through fertile rainforests, lush greenery, and an abundance of wildlife. You'll have the option of traveling on foot or via horseback, and the kids should keep their eyes peeled for birds such as parrots, palmchats (the national bird of the Dominican Republic), or the various reptiles that call the forest home. 

The trail ends at the roaring El Limón Waterfall, a cascade of 131 feet (40 m) with a shimmering green pool. Take a dip and cool off, let the kids play, and relax for a bit amid the beautiful jungle surroundings. Afterward, you'll make your way back to the main trailhead, finishing the day with a delicious Dominican lunch.

Day 10: Discover the Beaches of Samaná

One of the best things about the Dominican Republic is the miles and miles of incredible beaches, especially on the Samaná peninsula. See more of those beaches with your family, starting with a drive to nearby La Terrenas and a visit to Playa Cosón. This popular beach for surfing enthusiasts is the perfect spot for a peaceful morning beach walk with the kids. From here, head to Playa Bonita, which has calm, crystal-clear waters that the little ones can spend hours enjoying. The beach also sits near several hotels, bars, and restaurants, so you can grab a bite to eat here if you'd like.

Not far from Las Terrenas lies Las Ballenas. This stretch of sand sits at the mouth of the Río Marico, with cool flowing waters that are great fun for the kids. Sports enthusiasts in the family will also love this beach, as there are all kinds of equipment rentals—you can Jet Ski, sea kayak, or take a boat excursion. Other beaches include Las Terrenas, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, or for walks along golden sands, drive east to Portillo. You may also want to see El Limón, a spectacular 3-mile (4.8 km) stretch of sand that offers views of Cayo El Limón.

Families who want to practice their surfing can spend some time on the protected beach of El Valle, which sits just north of Samaná Bay, or you can end the day relaxing at the peaceful Las Galeras, which retains a fishing village feel and is quieter than some of the other beaches. You can also consider some offshore fun with a water taxi over to Cayo Levantado, a small island with relaxing, quiet beaches and shady palm trees. 

Day 11: Day Trip to Los Haitises National Park

Today's adventure takes you on a full-day tour of Los Haitises National Park, a protected area that spans 618 square miles (1,600 sq km). The park is home to dense rainforests, mangroves, ancient caves, and blue ocean. It serves as a sanctuary to more than 200 species of birds, including the endangered Ridgway's hawk, woodpeckers, pelicans, herons, and more. You and the kids are also likely to see dolphins and manatees in the park's waters. 

Your guides will collect you from your hotel in the morning, and you'll make the one-hour drive to the port of Samaná, where you'll board a boat that will transport you across the bay and into the park. The name "Los Haitises" translates to "Mountainous Land," and upon arrival in the park, you'll quickly see it's an apt description. You'll pass limestone rock formations rising dramatically from the sea, set against the dense mangrove forests along the shore. There are also ancient caves here that are notable for having the largest number of petroglyphs in the country.  

Witness all of these highlights alongside your expert guide, who will share insight into the history of the area while offering an education on the importance of the protection and conservation of the animals that live here. Afterward, you'll take a boat back to the dock and return to your hotel, where the rest of your evening is free. 

Day 12: Family Trek to the Wild Beaches of La Cana, Lanza del Norte & Morón 

Visit Samaná's wildest beaches on a guided hike around the remote and uninhabited landscapes that make this region so beautiful. In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you'll head to the trailhead to begin a three-hour hike. Travel deep into the rainforest, skirt around mountains, and see panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. There are a few different routes available, and your guide will adjust based on the ages and abilities of all family members.

Your first stop will be the windswept shores of La Cana, with its golden beaches and gentle waves. From here, you'll head to the rugged Lanza del Norte, then arrive at the tranquil beaches of Playa Morón, where turquoise waters lap at the shore. Along the way, your guides will explain more about the history of the beaches, and how these stretches of coast are little changed over the past 500 years. After all that hiking, the whole family is likely to be quite hungry, and your guides will take you to the local restaurant Santi Rancho for lunch. 

Day 13: Whale Watching Experience

Get up close and personal with the whales of Samaná Bay today. Meet up with your guides in the morning and depart from the Port of Miches via catamaran or boat, cruising out into the bay to see these gentle giants. Humpback whales gather in Samaná every season to meet, give birth, and nurse their young, making it one of the best places in the world to see these incredible mammals.

Known to be one of the most active whale species, you and the kids will likely see them breaching, swimming, and playing right alongside the boat. Spend the morning viewing the whales and talking to your guides about their habits, then return to shore and make the most of your last night in the Dominican Republic with dinner at a local restaurant or a sunset walk on the beach. 

Day 14: Depart Samaná

It's time to bid farewell to the Dominican Republic! Your driver will collect you from your hotel in the morning, transferring you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!