Roadtrip Domenican Republik

Let the Roadtrip begin!

Our first stop from Santo Domingo to Punta Rucia was a hell of a ride. With almost 250 km, which is not that much of a ride, if you dont consider the worst road traffic, drivers, road blocks (cows, rivers, open streets). After all we made it save and with a lot of fun to the tiny fisher village Punta Rucia. 

Our Destination Cayo Arena, which is a little sandy Island, good for Snorkeling, Kitesurfing or just simply enjoying the Sun and beautiful clear water. To get there is really easy and a fun Adventure-Ride. In the small Village you can see right away a lot of fisherman, who are trying to sell you a Tour to Cayo Arena. The people around here are really friendly and always full of laughter, loud music and rum. You will see right away that everyone is eager to help and also trying to sell you anything they can. Choose a fisherman and you are ready to go. Cayo Arena is only a short Boadtrip away, about 20min, for about 10 dollars per person. It includes a way back rollercoaster ride threw mangroves and around the coastline which is pretty rat and beautiful. You can stay as long as you want on the Island, you just let your Fisherman know whenever you wanna leave. 

Leaving Punta Rucia to go on with our Roadtrip to reach Cabarete the mecca of Kitesurfing. We are spending 4 nights, 5 days in the most beautiful place called "Mangohouse" . This place is built and managed by an awesome Italian Lady. The whole concept is like a Hostel, but with seperate appartments, lofts or studios. You can choose whatever fits your needs. There are common areas, where you can meet new friends and hang out or you chill for yourself on your goregous balcony surrounded by Jungle and Nature. Its famous for its wind, unique vibe and charm. The best place to BE in Cabarete, thats for sure.

Cabarete used to be a fishing village, now its a high geared getaway for Kitesurfers, Surfers or for Party People. The whole Town is just a long ass Beach/Street surrounded by Restaurants, Bars, little Shops and loud Music. The Towns big clame to fame is Kite Beach. That's where its all at. Every Friday you can join there Beachparty and stroll around the little Market.  

Encuentro Beach is a beautiful Surfers Paradise. You can either enjoy yourself surfing, watch locals getting loco or chill and realx on their beautiful lounge right there on the beach. If you are an Early bird I highly recommend the Sunrise at Encuentro, its the most beautiful Sunrise I have seen around the Domenican Republik. 

Take one Day or simply an Afternoon away from all the People and have a lovely stroll threw the old part of town called 'Callejòn de la Loma'. At the End of this Street you can visit the beautiful 'La Cuevas de Cabarete'. If you get to know some Locals on your Party-nights, they easily can take you to some Caves that are for free. Its a beautiful walk threw the Jungle and there are some Caves you are able to swim in. If you more likely to take a tour and spend around 20$, right at the entrance of this small National Park, there are some Tour-guide's already waiting to show you there beautiful caves and treasures. 

The best Breakfast you will ever have around this Area will be in Vagamundo. Its an amazing Coffee and Waffle place. Who ever has been to Australia - Byron Bay, knows the vibe and deliciousness I am talking about. Its a little pricey, but totally worth your money. With its urban, boho style and its healthy and fresh food you can simply enjoy your food, work or listen to live music every day of the week. 

Leaving Cabarete - 154 km later - arriving in Samana! This drive was absolutely stunning and scary at the same time. Roads in the Dominican Republic are not the best. YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR HOLES, COWS, HORSES, DOGS. Just simply watch out for everything that could give you a bumpy ride or is having a heartbeat. 

Our first stop is going to be Salto El Limon. An Experience like no other. Jumping from the rocks into the river was amazing and the view was incredible. Cascada el Limon is one of the biggest Waterfalls in the country. It is located in the middle of a valley. The walk to the waterfall lasts about an hour or two, depends on how you enjoy the jungle around you. Its an easy walk and you are able to swim in two waterfalls. There is also the possibility to take Horses up the trail. On the way back you are able to stop at the Salto El Limons Restaurant and treat yourself with delicious typical food such as rice, chicken,fish, beans and salad. 

Our final destination after a couple hours is Samana Bay. Samana Bay is mostly known for its humpback whale season and Bacardi Island. With its lovely port, brightly painted houses, shops and restaurants, it looks much different than other parts of this country. Its the departure point for Excursions to world class beaches. It is really touristy and not much else to see or do so. 

The next day we are on our way to the Humpback whale watching Tour. Operated by this beautiful lady Kim Beddall. A unique opportunity to observe Humpback whales in their natural calving and mading grounds. Kim is an Marine Mammal Specialist answering all your questions and giving you as many insides of the life of the Humpback whales. It was an amazing and incredible Experience to be so close to the whales and see the mothers teaching their calves to jump and enjoying life. 

El Valle 'Home away from Home'

Its one of the best secret virgin Beaches in the Dominican Republic. You can either stay in the beautiful Tree House Village, different kind of Hostels or your own Bungalow. El Valle is a small corner of paradise ideal to disconnect for a few days between hills, caves and rivers. 

Our Choice of stay was the Ganesh El Valle Hostel. It is a beautiful small boho vibe Hostel. Featuring a Bar, delicious Food, a Pool and evening entertainment activities. They often also have small markets from handmade pop up brands around the village or some arts and crafts vs artists and musician Events or Evenings where everyone is welcome to join. 

El Valle is really popular for its nearby little village where you can go and see how delicious chocolate and coconut oil is made. You just simply find a Guide in the Village, to show you the way. Its a simple Tour threw the amazing jungle and river. You can swim and jump of a little Waterfall and at the end of the Tour you will see the Chocolate and Coconut Farm.The owner of this farm knows how to do chocolate from a decade. His grandfather showed his father and so on... You can taste some delicious hot chocolate and fresh coconut bread, you can help him and his family with some money or you buy some chocolate or oil. The whole place is really nice, they welcome you at there home and small business and will show you there world and how they live together in such a tiny house with all there family. Its a nice experience if you are looking to see how locals live and work with nature and ingredients which mother earth provides them.

We spent our New Years Eve at the Unique Eco Hotel's Party. Its was amazingly beautiful. The Hotel is built up a hill surrounded by Jungle. You have a big pool and dancing area overviewing Samana Bay and the Jungle. It was an amazing night and experience, with lot of fun, good music and nice people.

Especially the drive from El Valle to Las Galeras is really stunning. Surrounded by jungle, hills and mountains, ocean views and cliffs, its just simply breath taking. Before you get to Las Galeras you can see on your right an amazing Blow Hole, make a quick stop and enjoy this natural spectacle. 

1st Stop:  take a boat from the main beach to playa fronton. It's like a 30 minute ride. On the way, you will see amazing views, little beaches and big 20 meter rocks or more! The boat ride was a real adventure with a small fisherman's taxi boat. It was a really bumpy ride nothing for people who get easily sick. Arriving on Playa Fronton you can explore the nature and its crystal clear waters, so make sure you brought your snorkel equipment! My friends never snorkel before and they where amazed about the clear water and all the fish. Its a really tranquil beach, being up close and very personal with many lizards, sand crabs, birds and you can find a couple small caves.

2end Stop: Our accommodation for those two nights was incredible. We were staying at an AirBnB real Tree House. It reminded me about Peter Pan and the lost Boys. The Owners of this amazing place, a French Couple, built this stunning home with there bear hands. It s located 5meters from the beach. The beach is good for snorkel and Paddle boards. We saw some turtles and enjoyed some nice cocktails right there on the beach bar.  

3Th Stop: Playa Rincon
How to get there? its only a 30min drive from las Galeras to playa Rincon. Miles of pristine sand encased in a forest of palms. It is really beautiful and stretches for 5km. There was some rubbish along the main beach where locals had been partying and it was hard to find the place where you were a little solo but it was a great day out and not too sunny, mostly cloudy and windy.