We are indeed blessed to call Casa de Campo and the Dominican Republic home. This country is incredible, and even though it really has become a little cliché, there is no doubt that “the DR has it all”.
Which is why here we start a new series of articles, “Exploring the Dominican Republic” in which we will bring you our marvellous adventures as we travel around discovering all this incredible country has to offer. In recent months, we’ve enjoyed great little day trips, fabulous weekend retreats, and even took a 2-week road trip around the North.
When we’re just hours or indeed minutes away from so many new and exciting things to discover, there’s nothing wrong with taking a few days to explore the country… before returning back to the eternal paradise that is Casa de Campo.
We’ll be continuing this series next week with “El Mundo King”, a bizarre museum / art gallery featuring Haitian, zombie and alien art – something that has to be seen to be believed, and soon after that with the Samaná Bay – just in time for whale watching season. In the meantime here we bring you a quick overview of some of our favorite sights so far!
Playa Grande Beach Club (Río San Juan)
A magical hotel on Playa Grande beach on the north coast. Simply stunning.
Los 27 Charcos (Puerto Plata)
An amazing “canyoning experience” – jumping, walking and sliding down the “27 charcos” (27 waterfalls) of the Damajagua river. Located in the north near to Puerto Plata.
Laguna Redonda & Montaña Redonda
This beautiful area is located north of Casa de Campo, you can now get there pretty easily using the new Bavaro – Uvero Alto – Miches highway via Bavaro / Punta Cana. It’s very remote, but breathtakingly beautiful. Above is a view from Montaña Redonda.
El Mundo King (Sosúa)
A Haitian art museum, which is also an alien and zombie art museum, and yes it’s as bizarre as it sounds. Located in Sosúa on the north coast.
Rafting in Jarabacoa
Rafting is one of those things you simply must do in Jarabacoa, and we loved it!
Manantiales – Laguna Dudu and GriGri (Cabrera)
Located just a short drive from Playa Grande Beach Club (above), these 2 “manantiales” are very well kept and something fun to visit on a hot day.
Puerto Bahía, Samaná
This hotel/resort on the Samana Bay treated us to a romantic sunset dinner for 2!
Cayo Arena
Pictured top, “Cayo Arena” is also known as paradise island. It’s a small sand bank in the middle of nowhere surrounded by a reef teaming with fish.
Los Haitises national park (Samaná)
Los Haiteses park in the north is dramatic – a dense forest, most often visited from sea on a boat trip – which is what we did.
Jamaca de Dios (Jarabacoa)
A restaurant in the sky – and with incredible food!
Xëliter Vista Mare
Nestled in the mountains high above the Samaná Bay, not only does this hotel offer a beautiful (and dramatic) view of the bay – but you can even spot whales while you enjoy a cup of coffee or eat breakfast! (Whale season is mid-January to the end of March every year.)
Davidoff Cigar factory (Santiago)
Where all the Davidoff Cigars are hand-rolled. A fascinating place!
Casa Colonial (Puerto Plata)
A lovely hotel where I may have drank a few too many of those mimosas…
More about each one of these amazing places very soon!
Where do YOU recommend!?
Everywhere and everything we have enjoyed so far has been recommended by friends and family (with the exception of “El Mundo King” which I found on TripAdvisor), so please help us keep exploring by letting us know where and what you recommend we do next! Email us at rhughes@silgon.net or just use the contact us form below. Thank you!
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