Excursion Los Haitises + Cayo Levantado (Bacardí Island) from Santo Domingo

This experience is about seeing a quieter, more natural side of the Dominican Republic, all in one long but rewarding day. It’s a 14-hour private day trip starting early from Santo Domingo, with transportation, boat rides, and meals included so you can relax and focus on the places you’re visiting.

After pickup, you’ll head out of the city and toward the northeast, where the landscape slowly changes. Once you reach the coast, you’ll board a boat and enter Los Haitises National Park. The ride through the mangroves is slow and peaceful. Water channels wind between small islands, steep green hills, and limestone cliffs. It’s common to see birds resting in the trees or flying close to the water. Your guide explains how the park is protected and why it’s such an important habitat.

You’ll stop at several caves along the way. Inside, the air feels cooler and quieter. Some caves are wide and open, while others are darker and more enclosed. On the walls, you can still see Taíno carvings, a simple but powerful reminder of the people who lived here long before modern tourism.

Later, you’ll continue on to Cayo Levantado, where the mood changes completely. This is your time to slow down. You can swim, walk along the shore, or sit under the palm trees and rest. The beach is clean, and the water is usually calm. A local lunch is included and served nearby, giving you a chance to refuel without leaving the island.

Because the tour is private, the pace feels easy and flexible. You’re not rushed or tied to a large group. By the time you return to Santo Domingo in the evening, you’ll feel like you’ve spent the day exploring, not just checking off stops.