Itinerary
- Day 1
New York
You'll land in New York and make your way to the hotel to get settled in. After dropping off your bags, head out to catch some of the city's most recognizable sights. The Edge offers views from way up high if you're willing to pay extra, and Times Square hits differently when you're there in person with all those neon signs and massive screens everywhere.
Optional Activities
- Visit The Edge for skyline views
- Explore Times Square
- Yellow Cab ride to hotel
Landmarks The Edge Times Square 
- Day 2
New York
Start before dawn to catch the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise, when the light turns everything golden over Manhattan. Grab breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel for a proper NYC bagel experience, then hop on the free Staten Island Ferry to float past the Statue of Liberty and get that skyline view from the water. After, swing by the 9/11 Memorial for some quiet time, then wander through Greenwich Village hitting up boutiques, vintage shops and local cafes.
Included Activities
- Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise
- Staten Island Ferry
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ess-a-Bagel
- Visit 9/11 Memorial
- Explore Greenwich Village
Landmarks Brooklyn Bridge Statue of Liberty 9/11 Memorial & Museum Greenwich Village - Day 3
New York
Kick off with breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner where the waiters actually sing between courses, and the pancakes are worth the scene. Check around for last-minute Broadway deal boards if you're interested. Spend the afternoon in Central Park with coffee, just hanging out and watching people go by. As evening comes, explore Midtown's big buildings like the Empire State and Flatiron, then grab dinner from food trucks scattered around the area.
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at Ellen's Stardust Diner
- Broadway show tickets (last-minute deals)
- Central Park visit
- Explore Empire State Building
- Explore Flatiron Building
- Street food in Midtown Manhattan
Landmarks Ellen's Stardust Diner Central Park Empire State Building Flatiron Building - Day 4
New York to Santo Domingo to Jarabacoa
Fly out of New York and land in the Dominican Republic, then pick up your rental car and drive into Jarabacoa in the mountains. The drive takes you through tropical countryside with cocoa plants, coffee fields and banana groves along the way. Once you settle into your room, soak in the local atmosphere and take it easy as you get ready for what comes next over the next few days.
Optional Activities
- Scenic drive through Dominican countryside
Landmarks Jarabacoa 
- Day 5
Jarabacoa
This day is entirely up to you with several options available. If you want action, there's river rafting or paragliding over the forested mountains. The waterfalls at Salto Jimenoa are worth the trek if you prefer something less intense. There's also a tour through an organic coffee factory if that sounds better. Everything is optional and you pay on the spot, so go at whatever pace feels right.
Optional Activities
- River rafting
- Waterfall tour to Salto Jimenoa
- Paragliding
- Coffee factory tour
Landmarks Salto Jimenoa - Day 6
Jarabacoa to Cabarete
Drive north out of Jarabacoa with a stop in Santiago de los Caballeros to check out Mercado Modelo for empanadas and fresh fruit. Climb up 175 steps to Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración if you want the city views (there's a small fee). Walk through Los Pepines to see the street art, then head to the coast and arrive in Cabarete. Get checked in, then head to Playa Cabarete to watch the sunset and feel the ocean breeze.
Optional Activities
- Visit Mercado Modelo
- Climb Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración
- Explore Los Pepines street art
- Sunset at Playa Cabarete
Landmarks Mercado Modelo Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración Los Pepines Playa Cabarete - Day 7
Cabarete
Spend the full day at the beach doing whatever calls to you. Kite and surf schools operate here with lessons available, or just plant yourself on the sand and watch others ride the waves. Playa Encuentro is famous for surfing if that interests you, or stick on the main beach with fresh juice and that laid-back vibe. The wind and waves are there if you want them, but you can also just relax.
Optional Activities
- Kite surfing lessons
- Surf lessons at main beach
- Visit Playa Encuentro
- Beach relaxation and people-watching
Landmarks Playa Encuentro Cabarete Main Beach 
- Day 8
Cabarete
You've got two solid options for today. Head to Puerto Plata's old town to see the brightly painted houses, murals and street energy, check out the Amber Museum if archaeology interests you, visit the old fort or grab food in the plaza. Or take a boat out to Cayo Arena, a sandbank in the middle of turquoise water where you can snorkel, swim or just soak up the sun on white sand.
Optional Activities
- Visit Puerto Plata old town
- Amber Museum entrance
- Fortaleza San Felipe visit
- Boat trip to Cayo Arena
- Snorkeling at Cayo Arena
- Relax on Cayo Arena beach
Landmarks Puerto Plata Amber Museum Fortaleza San Felipe Cayo Arena - Day 9
Cabarete to Las Terrenas
Drive down to the Samana peninsula and roll into Las Terrenas, a laid-back surfer town with real Caribbean character. Check into your place and walk around town to get a feel for it. For dinner, find fresh fish right on the beach where you can watch the sunset over palm trees. Later, head to Playa Punta Popy to grab a cocktail and feel the sand between your toes as the sun goes down.
Optional Activities
- Beach dinner with fresh fish
- Evening visit to Playa Punta Popy
- Sunset cocktails
Landmarks Las Terrenas Playa Punta Popy 
- Day 10
Las Terrenas
Relax at whatever pace suits you in Las Terrenas. Playa Las Ballenas is super chill with soft sand and calm water, good for spending hours with a book. Rent a bike or quad to cruise the palm-lined coastal roads and stop at beach bars along the way. Try a mojito at Playa Bonita, and if you're into it, there's optional paragliding over the ocean. Otherwise, just lay by the water and work on your tan.
Optional Activities
- Visit Playa Las Ballenas
- Bike or quad bike rental
- Coastal cruise along palm-lined roads
- Visit beach bars on Playa Bonita
- Mojito at Playa Bonita
- Paragliding flights over coast
Landmarks Playa Las Ballenas Playa Bonita - Day 11
Las Terrenas
Head inland to see Salto El Limón, a massive waterfall that drops into a natural pool surrounded by jungle. The hike takes about 30 minutes through thick vegetation and it's muddy, but honestly worth the mess. You can do it on foot or go horseback if that's more your speed. Jump in the cool pool to swim around, then get back to Las Terrenas for the evening. Hit up beach bars with your feet in the sand, share stories and look up at the stars.
Optional Activities
- Hike to Salto El Limón waterfall
- Horseback ride to Salto El Limón
- Swimming in natural pool
- Evening at beach bars
Landmarks Salto El Limón - Day 12
Las Terrenas to Santo Domingo
Drive south to Santo Domingo, the capital and the biggest city in the West Indies. Wander through Zona Colonial on its cobblestone streets lined with colorful buildings and ceiling fans in the cafes. Stop by the Catedral Primada, relax in Parque Colón, and grab cold drinks at a rooftop bar where you can look out over everything. In the evening, the streets come alive with bachata music and dancers.
Optional Activities
- Explore Zona Colonial
- Visit Catedral Primada
- Relax in Parque Colón
- Rooftop bar with city views
- Experience evening nightlife and music
Landmarks Zona Colonial Catedral Primada Parque Colón - Day 13
Santo Domingo
Look back on everything you've done from New York to the Dominican Republic. Pack up your stuff and organize your photos and memories. Take one last look around Santo Domingo before heading to the airport to fly out.
- Day 14
Arrival
Land back home with your luggage and a head full of memories from the trip. Think back on the new places you saw, the people you met and which moments stood out most during your time away.
