Santo Domingo and Turtle Island - 2 days COMBO Tour
DAY 1: Santo Domingo City tour
Our tour begins with hotel pick-up in the areas of Bávaro, Punta Cana, Bayahibe, La Romana, and more.
We'll head along the Coral Highway to the country's capital, Santo Domingo. During the journey, we'll enjoy truly beautiful landscapes, very typical of this Caribbean island.
Once we arrive in Santo Domingo, our first stop will be the majestic Cave of the Three Eyes. Inside, we'll be able to contemplate the impressive eyes of water or cenotes, lakes of cold, crystal-clear water. This place is so impressive that it has been the setting for multiple films.
Our excursion will continue with a panoramic visit to the Columbus Lighthouse, where we'll have the opportunity to admire this submerged structure dedicated to the historic Admiral Christopher Columbus. We will also visit the presidential palace, an exact replica of Washington's Capitol, the White House. Here we can take some photographs from the main entrance and even have a photo opportunity with the friendly royal guard.
Once inside the Colonial Zone, we will visit the Imperial Restaurant to enjoy a delicious Dominican lunch. After lunch, we will visit the former Santo Domingo Cathedral, the first cathedral built in the entire American continent. We will take a panoramic tour of Fortaleza Osama and have the opportunity to see the former home of Rodrigo de Bastidas, Ponce de León, Hernán Cortés, and others.
We will walk along Calle del Conde and Calle de las Damas, two emblematic streets of the Colonial Zone with more than 500 years of history. We will visit the Museum of the Royal Houses and the National Pantheon. Our tour will take us to the emblematic Plaza de España, home to one of the most anticipated monuments, the Alcázar de Colón. Before concluding our visit to the colonial zone, we will enjoy learning how artisans create beautiful jewelry with the semiprecious stone Larimar in the museum of the same name.
Finally, we will have the opportunity to visit one of the largest colonial markets in Santo Domingo.
But that's not all. We still have a spectacular surprise in store for you: a visit to the National Aquarium. Located on the Santo Domingo seafront, this place is home to thousands of marine species, including turtles, manta rays, and sharks, as well as freshwater species such as crocodiles.
Without a doubt, the most comprehensive tour of the city of Santo Domingo.
DAY 2 Turtle Island
Boarding the famous Chavón River. The Chavón River is located just 5 minutes from the beautiful town of Bayahibe. This river has been and continues to be the setting for countless films, some of them world-renowned, such as Apocalypse Now, Rambo II, Anaconda, etc. The client will enjoy a peaceful cruise along this beautiful river for approximately 5-6 kilometers in the early morning. During the journey, they will have the opportunity to observe the varied fauna that inhabits the riverbanks, the rhinoceros iguana being one of the most striking animals.
Snorkeling on the Atlantis Princess
Our first stop will be on one of the most visited shipwrecks in the Caribbean, the Atlantis Princess, a former freighter that, after a major tropical storm, ended up sinking on a very shallow reef. The large colony of fish has made the wreck a perfect habitat.
Sandbar
This is a shallow area where, at low tide, a bank of fine white sand is exposed, surrounded by incredible crystal-clear turquoise waters. It's undoubtedly the ideal place for taking spectacular photographs. Here, our guests will enjoy a delicious snack and cold drinks.
Mangrove Protected Area
One of the most ecologically valuable places in the area is the mangrove area. This vegetation contributes enormously to the proliferation of countless fish and bird species. In this beautiful place, we will have the opportunity to observe species such as pelicans, frigate birds, marine species such as manta rays, hawksbill turtles, and small nurse shark pups, among many other species.
Turtle Watching
One of the great attractions of this activity is undoubtedly the long-awaited moment of seeing turtles in their natural environment. To do so, we will travel through the Catuano Channel to an area of shallow, crystal-clear waters where we will have the opportunity to observe these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.
Catuano Channel
Another of the tour's natural attractions is the Catuano Channel, the junction of two seas, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This area is used by small and medium-sized vessels that avoid going around Saona Island. We will enjoy a pleasant cruise through the shallow waters of the Channel.
Saona Island
Upon arrival at Saona Island, a delicious lunch will await us on a spectacular beach. Here, we will have free time to enjoy this area of fine white sand, lush palm trees, and crystal-clear waters. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots of the entire activity.
Our last stop will be the natural pools. Here, we'll be able to swim in the shallow water. We'll also have the opportunity to see majestic starfish, although you won't be able to take them out of the water. We'll then head to the disembarkation point to return to our hotels.