Santo Domingo, Jarabacoa y Samaná: 9 noches con Zona Colonial, rafting y quad

About the destination: Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic. Located on the south central coast of the island, it is considered the oldest European city in the Americas.The Colonial Zone is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. Here, between Independence Park and the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers. The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, featuring many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture, including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas, and the Alcázar de Colón. Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales, the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past. Nearby the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, considered the first cathedral in the New World. While touring the narrow streets of the Colonial Zone, visitors will feel that history comes alive here. The Zone ends at the Malecón. Also known as George Washington Avenue, El Malecón is a waterfront boulevard lined with bistros, bars and discos and is the location of the Dominican Carnival celebrated in February.Santo Domingo is a cosmopolitan and lively city full of historical colonial sites and oozing Latin charm from every street and plaza.

About the destination: Jarabacoa is a town and the second largest municipality in La Vega Province, Dominican Republic. Although many historical details are still unknown, it is very possible that the native people of the island inhabited the valley of Jarabacoa. It is assumed that the city's name was formed out of the words 'Jaraba' and 'Coa', meaning "Land of Waters" in the native language. Some say that the Spanish conquistadors actually made it to Jarabacoa in their search for gold, but later abandoned the expedition. Some reasons include, resistance by the natives or as some say, because no large finds were ever made, although to this day gold can be washed from some of the many rivers. Jarabacoa most likely belonged to the Chiefdom of Maguana making it part of the kingdom of Cibao. Necessary archaeological work has yet to take place, but it can be assumed that the natives lived in the area long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. It wasn't until 1805 that the area began being re-populated, during the Haitian invasion of the Cibao, when survivors from the massacres of Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega escaped to the mountains of the Central Range and settled in the valley of Jarabacoa. In 1854, a military post was established and the town was formally founded. On September 27, 1858 the town was incorporated as a municipality.

About the destination: Samaná, tucked away on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, feels like a different world from the country’s big resort hubs. The peninsula is lush and mountainous, framed by palm-lined beaches and bright turquoise waters. Its main town, Santa Bárbara de Samaná, curls around a scenic bay dotted with colorful fishing boats, while nearby Las Terrenas and Las Galeras offer laid-back beach villages with a bohemian vibe, boutique hotels, and lively seaside dining. Nature is Samaná’s greatest attraction. A must-see is El Limón Waterfall, reached by horseback or hiking through tropical forest and cocoa plantations, where you can cool off in a natural pool at the base of the falls. Boat trips to Los Haitises National Park reveal dramatic limestone karsts, mangrove channels, and caves decorated with pre-Columbian petroglyphs. From mid-January to late March, the bay becomes one of the world’s best spots for whale watching, as thousands of humpback whales come to breed and give birth. Beach lovers can choose from an impressive variety of shores. Playa Rincón, often ranked among the Caribbean’s finest, stretches for miles with soft white sand and calm, clear water, backed by coconut trees and simple beach shacks serving fresh fish. Las Terrenas offers a chain of beaches—Playa Bonita, Playa Cosón, and Playa Las Ballenas—each with its own character, from quiet and secluded to more active, with kitesurfing, paddleboarding, and sunset cocktail bars. Traveling around Samaná is part of the adventure. Roads are improved but can be winding, so renting a car or arranging local transport is recommended if you plan to explore multiple areas. Accommodations range from eco-lodges and small guesthouses to stylish beachfront hotels, many emphasizing sustainability and local culture. Expect a relaxed pace of life, warm hospitality, and cuisine featuring fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and classic Dominican dishes—perfect fuel for days spent hiking, swimming, and discovering one of the country’s most unspoiled regions.