What to see in the Dominican Republic away from mass tourism

What to see in the Dominican Republic? In this article you will not see me mention Punta Cana, Bayahibe or Isla Saona, as these are the most touristy locations on the island and you may have already heard of them.

Since I have been living in the Dominican Republic for about a year and a half, what I am proposing is a relaxing vacation to the most characteristic places less frequented by tourists.

Are you ready to plan your alternative and cheap vacation to the Dominican Republic? Take notes, because the tour is about to start!

What to see in the Dominican Republic: the wildest and least touristy destinations

The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean, with nearly 10 million tourists a year, thanks to its exuberant beauty, paradisiacal atmosphere, tropical climate, location, and the hospitality of its people.

This Caribbean paradise features more than 1,600 kilometers of coastline and 400 kilometers of beaches, mountains, rivers, and lagoons. It is a tropical country with an average temperature of 27 °C, which varies very little throughout the year.

It also has great biological diversity, which makes it very attractive to travelers seeking some sunshine and contact with nature.

What to see in the Dominican Republic depends a lot on how many days you have available. Whenever someone writes to me to ask for advice telling me they only have a week or ten days available, my response is always the same. Avoid Punta Cana and the Bayahibe area, Isla Saona, and environs, and focus on the other side of the coast.

Samaná Peninsula: The most beautiful landscapes to see in the Dominican Republic

The Samaná Peninsula hides some of the best beaches in the country, such as Playa Frontón, Playa Madama, Playa Rincón, Playa Ermitaño, and many others.

It is the greenest and wildest area of the Dominican Republic, where you can see beautiful landscapes such as El Valle, the Limón waterfall or the Los Haitises Natural Park.

Samaná has not yet been invaded by mass tourism, but it is increasingly being discovered by a growing number of travelers wishing to visit pristine beaches.

I have traveled a lot, but I have never in my life seen more beautiful beaches than those visited in this corner of the world.

Las Galeras

If you are short on time and want to see as many beaches as possible, I recommend going to the main beach of Las Galeras, and haggling with the fishermen to give you a boat tour.

I imagine you can also find these tours online, or by asking your hotel. But I assure you that, in this way, it would cost you at least twice as much. From personal experience, I can tell you that haggling with locals has a double benefit: you will pay much less, and you will help local tourism!

Remember that the average salary in the Dominican Republic is no more than 200 euros per month. And very often the only ones who make money from tourism are those who are already rich . All the work is done by the employees, to whom -alas- they really pay a pittance.

Also, if you are looking for a cheap and spartan place to stay, I recommend the hostel Il Triangolo, right in the center of the small town. The owner is Italian and is very nice and willing to help you should you need it!

Las Galeras is a small town that has really stayed in my heart. The boat tour was spectacular. The beaches I liked best are definitely Playa Frontón, Playa Ermitaño, and Playa Rincón. During the tour we also saw so many others whose names, however, I do not remember. In any case, once there, ask for a tour of all the beaches. I paid about 30 euros, but we were a group of 8 people (almost all of whom I met in the hostel) so the price also depends on how many of you will be.

Las Terrenas

On the northeastern coast of the famous Samaná Peninsula, we find the beautiful village of Las Terrenas. Miles of beautiful coastline and countless white sand beaches surrounded by tall palm trees and large fishing boats.

Among the beaches I recommend you see are the main beach (Pueblo de los Pescadores), Playa Bonita (where they surf), Playa de Las Ballenas, and Playa Cosón.

The main beach features countless inviting restaurants and bars such as Babylon, where you can go salsa, bachata, and merengue dancing. There you will find professional dancers who will invite you to dance and teach you the steps. It is really a very fun experience!

While on the other hand, as far as places surrounded by nature that should not be missed in the area, there are the Cascada del Limòn, Parque Nacional Los Haitises, and El Valle beach. They are breathtakingly beautiful places. You will have to walk a bit to get there (except for El Valle), but it is absolutely worth it!

In conclusion, I would dedicate at least 5 full days between Las Galeras and Las Terrenas. That way you can fully enjoy the magnificent natural beauty these places have to offer.

Cabarete: The water sports capital of the Caribbean

In addition to the beautiful paradise beaches that Cabarete has to offer, what attracts tourists who come here are water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.

Each area of Cabarete is dedicated to a different water sport. The beach where surfing is done is called Playa Encuentro, while kiting is most practiced at Playa Cabarete (the downtown beach), Kite Beach, and Playa El Rocón. The same is true for windsurfing.

Cabarete has been my home for a year and a half. I got there in October 2021, while I was touring Latin America. I learned about it while looking for a surf spot in the Caribbean . Since then I decided to stay and live there at least for a period of the year.

If you love water spots or feel like trying them for the first time, I definitely recommend visiting this town in the northeast of the country. Cabarete is also famous for its nightlife, countless beach bars, and mouth-watering seafood restaurants.

In addition, day trips can be made from here to:

• Rio San Juan

  Here I recommend visiting Playa Grande and Playa Preciosa

  

  Playa Preciosa – Rio San Juan

• Cabrera

There is a very nice beach in this area, not at all frequented by tourists, called La Entrada. Also, if you are looking for something other than a beach, in Cabrera you can visit a beautiful waterfall called “El Saltadero” and Laguna Dudu.

 

 

• Puerto Plata
  

  Its very quaint downtown and waterfront are the most popular areas of Puerto Plata. However, if you want to surround yourself with nature, you will find the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua in the area. This is a fantastic trek that requires some physical endurance. Not far from the center, however, you will find a viewpoint with a statue of Christ the Redeemer as in Rio de Janeiro… Only smaller! You can get there by cable car or by car.

If you need more information or would like to arrange a tour in the area, feel free to contact me on my Instagram page.

Bahia de Las Aguilas

Also known for being the most crystal-clear beach in the world, Bahia de Las Aguilas is a vast unspoiled area of white sand and turquoise waters that is not easy to reach.

I haven’t been there yet, but since everyone speaks so highly of it, I couldn’t help but mention it in this article.

Its remoteness from the rest of the country’s tourist areas and a winding, unpaved road is what has allowed this paradise to be preserved to this day. In fact, it is a semi-desert ecosystem with coral reefs and rich biodiversity that absolutely must be protected.

So if you only have a few days to spare but still want to visit this paradise, keep in mind that it is about 6 1/2 hours by car from Santo Domingo, so you should devote your vacation to this part of the coast alone. Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to get there. Santa Cruz de Barahona is closest town to this enchanting place on the border with Haiti.

Conclusion

What to see in the Dominican Republic depends greatly on each person’s preferences. However, who doesn’t like to get away from mass tourism and relax on pristine, virgin beaches?

This Caribbean country really has so much to offer. However, unfortunately, Italians usually only learn about the most expensive and touristy parts of the country. I propose that you stand out from the crowd and visit the areas I have recommended throughout the article. And you will see that you will not regret it! For any other information you can write to me and we will organize together your dream vacation in the Dominican Republic.