To ensure we got a bit of culture and a little more adventure from this trip besides staying on the resort, we booked 3 excursions via Viator.
To experience a bit of the culture, I booked the Dominicana tour. We booked the 9AM slot (the earliest slot) and it practically was a private tour for my family. If you are looking to step into the DR culture and souvenir shopping, this place has the best prices and knowledge/history broken down for you.
We had Alexander take us around with many knowledgeable staff in their house of expertise at each location we stopped by.
We had a chance to taste a variety of cacao percentages. A range from 100% to 39% cacao chocolate – 82% & 33% were my favourites. Cacao powder was RD$660, Cacao Shells RD$440, chocolate bars RD$440 ($7USD). You can also purchase cacao based drinks.
There were 2 dance performances that were full of energy.
We got to taste a Dominicano coffee and purchase coffee beans. Price for a small bag is $10USD, Regular sized ranging from $14-20USD for premium.
The Rum tasting was also a fun little experience. The rum brand there isn’t available in other touristy areas that we saw.
In addition to the experience listed above, we also were given a chance to learn about the previous stone larimar and try polishing it ourselves. We were able to watch the cigar making process, try the golf and baseball simulators, decorate traditional woven straw hats, taste different forms of cassava and included was a little snack and beverage.
Our second excursion was ATV with a visit to Macao Beach & Taina Cave.
The actual ATV tour was operated by Action Motion with Max as our Guide. A fun activity to do with my family. We drove ATV’s (there were 4 of us) so we doubled up on the ATV. Pretty easy to drive with top speeds probably 35KM/HR.
You drive in a single file line. Definitely wear a mask/buff/bandana as it gets really dusty. Sunglasses/glasses are highly recommended as well. Closed toe shoes are a MUST to drive. We didn’t get wet (we avoided the 1 water pothole) but we did get coated in dust. The longest portion of the driving is the beginning.
First stop was to a souvenir store with tastings of some products DR produces. The round lid containers were $15USD, smaller resealable bags were $25USD & larger resealable bags were $35USD. (same price for majority of things such as coffee, cacao, cacao powder, cacao husk tea). Second location was to Macao beach. We got roughly 30 minutes there to chill and soak up environment. Third location was to the Taina Cave – a freshwater cenote. You do not need to jump in but you can if you’d like. We got there just before the massive crowds got there. There are also souvenir stalls around there too. After the cenote is the final drive back to finish off the tour.
Our third excursion was a Snorkel day at Bavaro beach with manta rays and shark encounters.
The actual tour was with Thom Tours on the waters. The boat consisted of 4-5 crew, my group of 4 and another family of 4. Perfect weather. Snacks & drinks were provided onboard and there were 2 restrooms and a waterslide. The first spot we stopped at was an area to snorkel and look at all the fish. Second location was the enclosed space to see sharks and manta rays. Third and final spot was originally a secluded beach front but the amount of seaweed made it difficult and not worth so we were brought to a sandbar instead in the middle of the waters which was lovely too. Bring with you a towel, sunscreen, waterproof case for your phone and some money to tip.
Our resort offered a free shuttle to a souvenir complex off site. We arranged a time the night before and went on our last full day in DR. The complex was the Jireh Market in Friusa. There are staff with walkie talkies that make sure the tourists are safe and guide them into the stores. There are 2 large souvenir stores mixed in with normal stores and medical offices for the locals. When I travel, I like to go to a local grocery store and purchase snacks the locals eat. My cousin had data and looked up the closest location and we walked about 10-15 minutes to get to Hipermercados Iberia (also locally known as Almacenes Iberia) a low cost grocery store.
The sun goes down early in DR. We felt that it was super late but in reality, it would only be 8 or 9PM. I found that our bad habits of doom scrolling increased once the sun went down and activities and entertainment were done. The upside of the social media in real time was that I saw another Toronto friend was in DR for a friend’s wedding at the same time. We messaged one another and it turned out were roughly 4-5 resorts apart. Both being morning people, we arranged to walk the beach and meet up. On my final morning in DR, I walked the beach at 7AM and met up with my friend Gayle on the shores and had a nice beach walk and catch for an hour or so. Walked 20000 steps that morning alone.
Made it back to have a final lunch with my cousins, shower, finish packing and finally head home. We got on our coach bus shuttle toward the airport with pick ups from other resorts. Traffic is always unreliable, so we arrived with plenty of time. The airport has loads of souvenirs to purchase if you didn’t get a chance. There is no air conditioning at the airport. The main food court has USA branded food chains. We purchased from Taco bell – the Big Bell Box for $13USD (a drink, a chalupa, taco supreme & a burrito supreme). Everything was in USD pricing throughout the airport.
The planes flying in and out are smaller ones which meant we would line up outside then walk over to the ramp to get onto the planes. Another 4 hour flight and we landed back in Toronto.
