Expert on Dominican Rep. · 1 contributions
Africa & Americas Desk — Mowando·Editor- · Families with kids 6+ (all-inclusive)
- · Couples seeking accessible Caribbean budget
- · Travellers liking beach + colonial culture mix
December, January, February, March, April
Optimum 7-day DR itinerary: massive accessible all-inclusive (€500-1000/person, lowest Caribbean market) + first European city in America (Santo Domingo 1496) + humpback whales (Samaná Jan-March) + world kitesurf (Cabarete).
Trip map
Click each numbered marker to see the corresponding day.
Day by day
- 1Day 1
Arrival Punta Cana
Direct Paris-Punta Cana (PUJ) flight Air France/Corsair/Air Europa (9-10h, €500-1100 return), sometimes via Madrid. $10 USD tourist card included in flight ticket (or buyable on arrival, not a real visa). e-Ticket Migración to fill 72h before (free, online). Time difference -5h winter, -6h summer. Land Punta Cana airport (PUJ): palms + tropical immediately. Transfer to Bávaro (north-east coast, 20-30 min): the massive all-inclusive zone (50+ hotels). Emblematic hotels: Iberostar Grand Bávaro (€350-600/night all-inclusive), Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana (€400-700), cheaper option Riu Republica adults-only (€200-350). Evening first all-inclusive dinner or local outing: mofongo dominicano (mashed plantain + meat, $8-15), La Bandera (rice/beans/meat/salad, $6-12).
Tips- · Tourist card: $10 included in flight ticket or at arrival
- · e-Ticket Migración: fill 72h before, FREE online
- · Bávaro all-inclusive hotels: Iberostar (€350-600), Hard Rock (€400-700)
- · First dinner: mofongo or La Bandera (national dish), $8-15
- 2Day 2
Punta Cana beaches + coconut palms
Beach relax day Punta Cana / Bávaro: 30 km of coconut palm beaches white sand, turquoise water. Bavaro Beach: most emblematic, lined with coconut palms, shallow water, snorkeling possible. Macao Beach (8 km north): wilder, surf possible, few hotels. Playa Juanillo (Cap Cana, south): the most exclusive, powder sand. Activities: snorkeling natural pools (Hoyo Azul cenote at Scape Park), day catamaran with natural pools ($60-90/person), Saona Island excursion (from Bayahibe, $80-120/person, full day, 1h boat). All-inclusive dinner or Bávaro restaurant (Jellyfish Beach Restaurant, €60-100/person).
Tips- · Bávaro Beach: 30 km coconut palms white sand, iconic beach
- · Macao Beach: 8 km north, wilder, beginner surf
- · Day catamaran: $60-90/person with natural pools
- · Saona Island excursion: $80-120, full day from Bayahibe
- 3Day 3
Saint-Domingue: UNESCO colonial zone
Day excursion Saint-Domingue from Punta Cana (2h30-3h drive, 200 km, or internal flight 30 min $80-120). UNESCO COLONIAL ZONE: first European city in America (1496, founded by Bartholomew Columbus, Christopher's brother). Mandatory visits: Calle Las Damas (first paved street in America 1502), Alcázar de Colón (Diego Columbus's palace, Christopher's son, 1510, $4), Catedral Primada de America (1521, first cathedral in the New World, $2), Museo de las Casas Reales, Plaza de España. Lunch Pat'e Palo (on Plaza España, $25-40). Afternoon Malecón (4 km waterfront) + Mercado Modelo (crafts). Back Punta Cana evening.
Tips- · UNESCO Colonial Zone: 1496, first European city in America
- · Calle Las Damas: 1502, first paved street in America
- · Alcázar de Colón: Diego Columbus palace 1510, $4
- · Catedral Primada: 1521, first cathedral New World, $2
- 4Day 4
Samaná: whales + El Limón waterfall (season)
Day excursion Samaná (north-east peninsula, 250 km Punta Cana, 3h30 drive OR internal flight 30 min). Humpback whales January-March (STRICT SEASON): 3,000-5,000 whales come to breed in Samaná Bay, one of the world's best observations ($80-100/person, 3h boat, 95%+ success rate). Off-season: El Limón waterfall (50 m high, 30 min hike or 1h horseback, $40-60 with guide), Rincón beach (3 km of white sand + coconut palms, classified among the world's most beautiful). Lunch Mi Corazon (Las Terrenas, $25-40). Back Punta Cana evening.
Tips- · Samaná humpback whales: STRICT SEASON Jan-March, $80-100
- · El Limón: 50m waterfall, 30 min hike or 1h horseback
- · Rincón beach: 3 km of white sand, world top 10 most beautiful
- · Punta Cana-Samaná internal flight: 30 min, $80-120 (saves 3h driving)
- 5Day 5
Bayahibe + Saona Island
Drive to Bayahibe (south-east coast, 1h30 from Punta Cana). Small fishing village turned excursion base. ISLA SAONA EXCURSION: full day catamaran (8am-5pm, $80-120/person, meal + drinks included) — the Dominican Republic's most popular excursion. National Park del Este: natural pool in middle of ocean (1.5m water, starfish), Palmilla beach stop (white sand), arrival Isla Saona (Coconut beach, BBQ feet-in-water lunch, palms + turquoise lagoon). Coral reef snorkeling. Back Bayahibe evening. Bayahibe dinner (Restaurant Mare Nuestro $25-40).
Tips- · Isla Saona: most popular DR excursion, full day $80-120
- · Natural pool: 1.5m water in middle of ocean, starfish
- · Saona beach: palms + turquoise lagoon, BBQ lunch included
- · Bayahibe: authentic fishing village, Park Del Este excursion base
- 6Day 6
Puerto Plata + Cabarete kitesurf (flight option)
Day option with internal flight Punta Cana → Puerto Plata (45 min, $100-150 return) or 6h drive. Puerto Plata: Pico Isabel de Torres cable car (793 m, panoramic view over bay + north coast, $10), Long Beach (white sand + palms). Cabarete (1h from Puerto Plata): world kitesurf capital (constant winds 20-25 knots April-August, 2 km beach dotted with colourful kites), lessons available (1h beginner $60-80). Alternative Sosua (10 km Puerto Plata): crescent beach + snorkeling. Dinner Mares Restaurant (Cabarete, $30-50). Back Punta Cana evening (flight) or Puerto Plata night.
Tips- · Internal Punta Cana-Puerto Plata flight: 45 min, $100-150 return
- · Pico Isabel cable car: 793m, panoramic view, $10
- · Cabarete: world kitesurf capital, $60-80/hour lessons
- · Sosua: crescent beach + snorkeling, 10 km Puerto Plata
- 7Day 7
Punta Cana morning + Paris return
Free morning Punta Cana: last swim Bávaro, all-inclusive hotel brunch, souvenir shopping (Brugal/Barceló Dominican rum $15-30, Cuban or Dominican cigars $30-80 for 10, Dominican amber jewellery $50-200, larimar national stone $20-80). Plaza Bávaro or Coco Bongo not mandatory. Return car at PUJ airport. 3h airport margin (controls + e-Ticket Migración exit). Direct Punta Cana → Paris CDG/Orly flight (8h30-9h return, tailwind). Time difference +5h or +6h depending on season. End of trip. Souvenirs: Brugal Anejo rum or Barceló Imperial (very renowned quality versus Cuba), cigars (Dominicans now rival Cubans), larimar (blue stone unique to DR).
Tips- · Souvenirs: Brugal/Barceló rum ($15-30), cigars ($30-80 for 10)
- · Larimar: blue stone UNIQUE to DR, $20-80
- · Dominican amber: jewellery (including amber with fossil insects), $50-200
- · 3h PUJ airport margin + e-Ticket Migración exit required
Frequently asked questions
Faut-il un visa pour la Republique Dominicaine ?+
Quand visiter ?+
Quel budget ?+
All-inclusive ou pas ?+
Sa securite est-elle preoccupante ?+
Our verdict
This 7-day itinerary is the Dominican Republic's best compromise: Punta Cana (accessible all-inclusive beaches) + Santo Domingo (UNESCO 1496 colonial zone) + Samaná (whales + nature) + Bayahibe (Isla Saona) + option Puerto Plata/Cabarete (north coast). Direct Paris flight 9-10h, no visa, $10 tourist card. Visit in December-April for dry season. Remarkably accessible budget (€1,000-2,000/person all-inclusive), best Caribbean value. For culture lovers, 10-14 days allows prioritising Santo Domingo + Samaná + Cabarete (non-all-inclusive). For families, 7 days all-inclusive at Bávaro = proven formula.
Read also
- Dominican Republic — Complete country guide.
- Punta Cana — All-inclusive beaches.
- Santo Domingo — UNESCO colonial zone.
Written by La rédaction · Updated 6/8/2026
Dominican Rep.