Dominican East-West Expedition: Small-group Authentic Cross-Country Adventure
The Dominican East-West Expedition is a small-group authentic cross-country adventure across some of the country’s most diverse and less-explored regions. Journey from the crystal-clear waters of the east to the remote western frontier, combining speedboat rides, scenic boat journeys, river stops, and overland travel. Discover Saona Island, Lake Enriquillo and its crocodiles, Oviedo Lagoon, Bahía de las Águilas, dramatic landscapes, and local communities far beyond conventional tourist routes.
Fully guided and thoughtfully designed, this is a true expedition for curious and adventurous travelers who value authentic experiences and discovery over luxury accommodation. Comfortable, essential lodging allows you to travel deeper into the country, explore more destinations, and focus on the journey itself.
Dominican East-West Expedition: Small-group Adventure Overview:
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Tour Type
Guided small-group Tour
Group Size
10 adults
Guided in
English, Spanish
Age Range
18+ yrs
Duration
10 Days / 9 Nights
Activity Level
Moderate
Tour Type
Guided smal-group tour
Group Size
10 adults
Guided in
English, Spanish
Age Range
18+ yrs
Dominican East-West Expedition - Cross-Country Adventure Tour Map:
Punta Cana – Bayahibe – Santo Domingo – Neyba – Barahona – Cabo Rojo – Santo Domingo
The total travel distance for this multi-day Dominican East-West Expedition package is approximately 950 km, all comfortably covered by private coach.
The Dominican East-West Expedition 10-Day Detailed Itinerary:
DAY 1. Arrival at Punta Cana Airport & Transfer to Bayahibe
The group arrives together at Punta Cana International Airport and is met for a private transfer to Bayahibe. Check in at the Bayahibe Village Hotel, followed by free time to relax and settle in after the journey. An optional guided night out in Bayahibe Village can be arranged for those who wish to explore the local atmosphere.
PUJ Airport Private group Transfer
- Meet & Greet at Santo Domingo Airport | Bottled water
- PUJ Airport private group transfer to Bayahibe village
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located hotel in Bayahibe village. Bed & Breakfast
Scheduled Activities
- Welcome short briefing – meet your expert guide
DAY 2. Saona Island Festive Escape
On this full-day guided Saona Island adventure, speed across turquoise waters and sip a tropical piña colada upon stepping onto the pristine white sand beach. Swim at the Blue Lagoon sandbar, relax on the sun-kissed shore, enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch buffet with open bar, and return aboard a lively catamaran cruise with music, dancing, and Caribbean vibes.
On-Tour Transportation
- Shared Sailing Catamaran from Bayahibe to Saona Island
- Shared speed boat from the Island to Bayahibe
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located hotel in Bayahibe village. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast in Bayahibe
- Traditional lunch buffet on Saona island beach
- Saona beach open bar included: aged rum, sodas, water
Scheduled Activities
- Full-day shared Saona Island tour with a private guide
- Bayahibe village guided evening walk & nightlife
DAY 3. Cave Exploration & Santo Domingo Discovery
After breakfast and check-out in Bayahibe, travel to Santo Domingo, where you will immerse yourself in the city’s colonial history and vibrant culture, visiting iconic museums, Los Tres Ojos National Park, and hidden city gems. Enjoy a traditional buffet lunch before checking in at your Santo Domingo hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore at your own pace.
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located hotel in the colonial city of Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast at Bayahibe hotel
- Traditional lunch in Santo Domingo
Scheduled Activities
- Guided visit to Los Tres Ojos Natural Park, including entrance fee
- Guided walking tour through Santo Domingo’s historic Colonial City
DAY 4. Westbound Adventure
After breakfast and check-out from your Santo Domingo hotel, begin your journey west toward one of the Dominican Republic’s most diverse and less-explored regions. Stop in the historic town of Azua and make selected stops along the way to gain a deeper understanding of the country’s culture, landscapes, and everyday life. As the scenery gradually changes, arrive at your countryside hotel, located near a natural river bathing area, and check in. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Locally owned family hotel in Neyba. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Buffet breakfast in Santo Domingo
Scheduled Activities
- Azua town panoramic tour
- Scenic drive through Sierra de Bahoruco National Park
DAY 5. Discovering Lake Enriquillo
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Locally owned family hotel in Neyba. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast in Neyba hotel
Scheduled Activities
- Half-Day Guided Tour of Lake Enriquillo
- Evening Visit to Neyba
DAY 6. Through the Sierra de Bahoruco to Barahona
After breakfast and check-out in Neiba, continue west through the spectacular landscapes of Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, heading toward Barahona. Discover Barahona and its surrounding area, and experience the striking contrast between the beaches of the Dominican Southwest and those you encountered in the east.
Check in at a beachside ranch-style hotel, offering a relaxed setting close to the coast. In the evening, your guide will take you to a local restaurant for dinner and an authentic taste of Barahona’s local cuisine and atmosphere.
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Beachside Ranch-style family hotel. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Continental breakfast in Neyba hotel
Scheduled Activities
- Main activity: Barahona Exploration
DAY 7. Larimar, Oviedo Lagoon & the Far Southwest
After breakfast and check-out, begin the day’s adventure with a visit to the Larimar Workshop School and Museum, where you’ll learn about the Dominican Republic’s unique blue gemstone and the local craftsmanship behind it. Continue to Oviedo Lagoon for a guided boat excursion through its rich coastal ecosystem and wildlife habitats.
After the lagoon visit, continue into Pedernales Province, traveling through spectacular landscapes toward your beachfront glamping eco-lodge. Check in and enjoy the peaceful coastal setting, surrounded by nature.
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Glamping Accommodation
- Beach Glamping Eco Lodge. Garden Tent. Bed & Breakfast.
Included Meals
- Breakfast at Beachside Ranch-style family hotel
Scheduled Activities
- Guided Visit to the Larimar Workshop School and Museum
- Guided Oviedo Lagoon Eco Tour
DAY 8. Bahía de las Águilas Beach Adventure
The day begins with an immersion into the ecological national reserve, exploring one of the Dominican Republic’s most untouched natural wonders. Continue by speedboat to the breathtaking Bay of Eagles – named for its eagle-shaped coastline seen from above. Enjoy free time on its powder-white sands, then savor a delicious Dominican surf-and-turf lunch in this pristine Caribbean paradise.
On-tour Transportation
- Speedboat to the Bay of Eagles
Glamping Accommodation
- Beach Glamping Eco Lodge. Garden Tent. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Dominican breakfast at Glamping Eco-Lodge
- Surf'n'Turf menu Dominican lunch
Scheduled Activities
- Half-Day guided private tour to the Bay of Eagles
- National eco-reserve of the Dominican southwest
DAY 9. To the Capital Through Mountain Waters
After a hearty Dominican breakfast at the glamping eco-lodge, begin your journey back to Santo Domingo through lush mountain landscapes. Pause along the way at refreshing natural river pools, where cool, crystal-clear waters invite you to swim, unwind, and enjoy one last touch of nature before returning to the vibrant capital.
On-tour Transportation
- Comfortable private coach | Bottled water
Hotel Accommodation
- Conveniently located hotel in Santo Domingo. Bed & Breakfast
Included Meals
- Dominican breakfast at Glamping Eco-Lodge
Scheduled Activities
- Mountain natural river baths
DAY 10. Departure. SDQ Airport.
Private group transfer to SDQ International Airport. Departure to Santo Domingo International Las Americas Airport (SDQ).
Included Meals
- Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Santo Domingo hotel
- Check out at 12 p.m. (the latest time)
SDQ Airport Private Group Transfer
- Private Group Transfer from Santo Domingo hotel to Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ).
- Depart at any time.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
Arrival & Departure
The group tour is quoted per person, based on a minimum required group size of 10 travelers, with all the group participants arriving at Punta Cana and departing together from Santo Domingo International Airport. Group may also arrive at or depart from Santo Domingo International Airport; in this case, please request a separate quote. Additional private airport transfers can be arranged for an extra charge.
Accommodation & Rates
Published rates are per person, based on double occupancy (sharing a double room) at budget-category hotels. The published price is an approximate price per person. The final rate depends on the exact number of travelers, discounts and tour dates. Please provide these details to receive a customized final quote.
Accommodation includes:
- 2 nights at a hotel in Santo Domingo
- 2 nights in Bayahibe village hotel
- 2 nights at Beach Glamping Eco Lodge | Tents | Shared toilets and showers
- 2 nights in locally owned hotel in Neyba
- 1 night at a Beachside Ranch-style family hotel in Barahona
- Breakfast is included throughout the stay.
- Supplemental Rates: Rates for single occupancy (SGL room) or a third person in a double room are available upon request.
- Age Restriction: This tour is exclusively for participants aged 18 years and older.
- Pre/Post-Tour Services: Extra nights in Santo Domingo Hotel or additional airport transfers can be arranged at a special rate. Please inquire at the time of booking.
We recommend bringing:
- Water shoes
- Beach towel
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Any personal medication you may need
Health, Safety & Dietary Requirements
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants, please review the following requirements carefully.
- Dietary Requirements
Please advise your booking agent of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. While we strive to accommodate requests, we must assess in advance whether we can fully meet your needs for all included meals and food-related activities. - Health & Fitness Acknowledgement
All participants must be in good physical and mental health. This tour is not suitable for individuals with certain conditions, including but not limited to: heart disease, vertigo, seizures, balance disorders, or severe allergies to foods or materials involved in the tour activities. - Participation Restrictions
For safety reasons, participation is not recommended for:
- Pregnant women
- People who do not meet the health and fitness criteria outlined above.
The Published Price is per Person and Includes:
- Group meet-and-greet upon arrival
- Round-trip group airport transfers: PUJ Airport - Bayahibe | Santo Domingo - SDQ Airport
- Private group transportation throughout the tour
- 2 nights at a hotel in Santo Domingo
- 2 nights in Bayahibe village hotel
- 2 nights at Beach Glamping Eco Lodge | Tents | Shared toilets and showers
- 2 nights in locally owned hotel in Neyba
- 1 night at a Beachside Ranch-style family hotel in Barahona
- Meals: 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches
- Official tour guide assistance
- Colonial walking guided tour in Santo Domingo & museums entrance fee
- Los Tres Ojos National Park guided tour
- Bayahibe village guided night out
- Full-day shared Saona Island tour with a private guide
- Local Bayahibe colmado evening cheers
- Panoramic Azua town guided cultural tour
- Barahona town panoramic tour
- Los Patos beach and river visit
- Half-Day guided private tour to the Bay of Eagles
- National eco-reserve walking tour
- Mountain natural river baths visit
- Enriquillo Lake guided private group tour
- Guided Visit to the Larimar Workshop School and Museum
- Guided Oviedo Lagoon Eco Tour
- Entrance fees for all listed tours and excursions
Not Included:
- Some local taxes and applicable payment fees
- Airfare and airport fees
- Mandatory international medical and travel insurance
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Tips
Booking Information
- How to Book: All bookings for the Dominican East-West Expedition & Cultural Adventure should be made via email at book@academtours.com.
- Tour package duration: 10 days / 9 nights
- Plan ahead and save 10%!
Enjoy this exclusive discount when you book and make your deposit 90 days before your journey. - Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of USD 500.00 per person is required to secure and confirm your reservation.
- Booking Inquiry: Selected tour package, Group Arrival Date, Flight Details (e.g., AA987), Full names of all passengers.
Payment
- Payment Methods & Currency
All payments should be made in US Dollars (USD) via bank wire transfer or a payment link.
- Deposit
To confirm your booking, a non-refundable deposit of USD $500.00 per person is required. An invoice for this deposit will be sent upon receipt of your booking request. - Final Payment
The remaining balance must be settled no later than 16 days prior to the tour start date.
Cancellation Terms
- Officially confirmed bookings: Deposit is retained.
- Cancellations less than 15 days before the tour date: 50% of the total package cost is retained.
- Cancellations within 7 days of the tour date: No refund.
From: USD 1,800
