MERENGUE · BEACHES · CAVES
Merengue Circuit
6 days / 5 nights, A shorter trip for anyone who wants beaches, action and a taste of local life wi
Your trip
Your 6 days in the Dominican Republic
A shorter trip for anyone who wants beaches, action and a taste of local life without committing to two full weeks. You'll hit Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, ride the waves (or watch them) in Cabarete, explore caves and fire pits on the north coast, and finish in the European-flavoured beach town of Las Terrenas on the Samana peninsula.
At a glance
6 days5 nights
Private tripJust your own party
Easy to ModerateActivity level
Flights includedATOL protected
Flexible datesYou choose when you go
Dominican RepublicOur destination guide
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL
Trip highlights
Santo Domingo
Walk the Malecon in Santo Domingo and dine in the Colonial Zone's best restaurants
Cabarete
Try kitesurfing or windsurfing at Cabarete, one of the Caribbean's top wind spots
El Choco caves
Explore the El Choco caves and underground lagoons near Cabarete
The north coast
Relax at beachside fire pits on the north coast after sunset
Playa Grande
Swim at Playa Grande, regularly ranked among the world's most photogenic beaches
Las Terrenas
Discover Las Terrenas, a walkable beach town with French bakeries, Italian trattorias and coconut palms
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1Arrive Santo Domingo
Airport transfer and check-in. Evening walk along the Malecon waterfront followed by dinner in the Colonial Zone. Live merengue music spills out of the bars here most nights, hard to resist.
Day 2Transfer to Cabarete
Morning drive north to Cabarete on the Atlantic coast. Check in to your beachfront hotel. Afternoon free to try kitesurfing or windsurfing (equipment rental available locally) or just watch from a beach bar. Cabarete has a laid-back surfer vibe and some of the best street food on the island.
Day 3El Choco Caves & Playa Grande
Morning visit to El Choco National Park, a network of limestone caves with underground lagoons where you can swim. Drive east along the coast to Playa Grande, a long golden beach backed by cliffs. Return to Cabarete for a beachside fire pit evening with drinks and local music.
Day 4Transfer to Las Terrenas
Drive east to the Samana peninsula and the town of Las Terrenas. This place has a unique mix of Dominican, French and Italian influences, the bakeries and restaurants reflect that. Check in and explore the main strip on foot. Afternoon at Playa Bonita, a sheltered cove with calm water and palm shade.
Day 5Las Terrenas at Leisure
Full day to relax. Walk along Playa Coson, rent a motorbike to explore the peninsula, or take an optional boat trip to Playa Rincon, a half-moon bay only reachable by boat. Evening in town trying fresh seafood at one of the beachfront restaurants.
Day 6Departure
Breakfast, then transfer to El Catey International Airport (Samana) or back to Santo Domingo for your departure flight.
Your price covers
What's included
Flights
Return flights from London, booked with your holiday and ATOL protected
We can also book other airlines, including flights with one stop, to suit your dates and preferences.
Accommodation
5 nights with daily breakfast
Transport
Private air-conditioned transfers between all destinations
Experiences
Scenic stop at Playa Grande beach
Medical assistance
Medical assistance card for the duration of the trip
Support
English-speaking assistance at check-in points
ATOL protection
Your holiday is ATOL protected (ATOL 10898). You get an ATOL Certificate when you book.
Not included: Kitesurfing and windsurfing gear rental in Cabarete · El Choco National Park entrance fee (approx. US$5) · Lunches and dinners · Personal expenses and gratuities
Your next step
Dates and price
No commitment, we reply within one working day
Before you book
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. Cabarete is fun to hang out in even if you never touch a board. The beach bars, street food and sunset fire pits are the main draw for most visitors. Playa Grande and Las Terrenas are calm swimming beaches.
All transfers are included. The drive from Cabarete to Las Terrenas takes about 3 hours along the coast and through the mountains. If you're flying in or out of Samana, El Catey airport is only 30 minutes from Las Terrenas.
Surprisingly cosmopolitan. French expats run excellent bakeries and bistros, there's good Italian food, and the Dominican seafood restaurants serve fresh catch daily. Budget around £10-20 per meal at mid-range restaurants.
June through September gets the most consistent wind, trade winds blow side-onshore most afternoons. January to March is also good. Cabarete works year-round for swimming and beach time.
Yes. Extra nights in Las Terrenas are easy to add and it's a great place to decompress. We can also add a whale watching excursion in Samana Bay if you visit between January and March.
Interested in This Trip?
We price this trip to your dates and your party, with your UK flights booked by us, so the whole holiday is ATOL protected. Tell us who is travelling and when, and we will send you a tailor-made quote.
Real reviews
What our customers say
They organised excellent accommodation and transfers from airport to destination and between destinations which was seamless and gave us peace of mind for our trip. We stayed in the nicest casa particular in Havana right on the outskirts of the major hustle of the old town but within walking distance to every site and lots of lovely restaurants. Our hotel in Varadero had 5 a la carte restaurants which were delicious and wonderful beaches! Would definitely go back to Cuba and use TravelFab again.
Annabelle
Excellent service. Fabien responded to all our queries promptly and efficiently and was always willing to spend time talking to us. The itinerary was well-considered and well-organised with an adequate amount of time in each location. Locations were varied and interesting. The service provided by the B&B owners was good to outstanding. The organisation of the coach services for transfers from one destination to another was super with comfortable journeys in clean, air-conditioned coaches. Thanks, TravelFab!
David
I was very impressed with Fabian's dedication, patience and professionalism in organising a group of 8 young persons (over 60's) to get to Cuba. The whole experience has been a very positive one. Despite having to relocate to another hotel at the last minute, that change over went very smoothly. Our accommodations were excellent. We will definitely book with TravelFab again. Thank you!
Yvette T
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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
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