With that said, I am here to bring you an awesome one-week Dominican Republic itinerary that doesn’t involve staying at an all-inclusive resort! It will let you see three different sides of the country and give you a small glimpse into life there.

Traveling the more local way in the Dominican Republic requires some preparation, especially if you’re going to rent a car. The island is pretty big and there is a good chunk of places to visit in the Dominican Republic. People fall in love with this destination, especially a lot of older European men if you catch my drift. For me, it was probably a one-time stop but nonetheless, I did have an awesome time here. Today, I am here to give you an awesome itinerary on how to spend 7 days in the Dominican Republic!

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Let’s get to the logistics

Tips on traveling to the Dominican Republic

• DR ain’t cheap. I’m not sure why but I imagined that I would be spending very little money there. Although some things were indeed pretty cheap, things added up quickly at the end of the trip. FYI the currency is the Dominican dollar and the conversion between USD is about 55:1.
• Renting a car is an adventure and gas costs a shit ton. More on that below.
• Restaurant bills are confusing. First, you pay an additional 18% tax, and then a 10% service charge. That charge is supposed to be a tip but from talking to locals, I learned that a lot of times that amount doesn’t even go to the waiter. So if you really did like your service, some people leave an extra tip on top of that. When you think your beer is only $3 because of the menu price, think again.
• Speaking of restaurants, the service is honestly the worst I have EVER experienced. And in every corner of the island too. Only at a couple of places, I had amazing and friendly waiters but at most, it was just plain annoying. The locals have no problem snapping and yelling at the waitstaff but I just couldn’t do it. Patience will be your best friend when eating out.
• DR is a poor country so don’t be shocked at the number of ladies/gentlemen for hire there. An older European gentleman accompanied by a young local girl is a total norm there. Walking on certain beaches you might also be offered unsolicited services.
• While you should always be purchasing travel insurance anywhere you go, make sure to purchase it for the Dominican Republic. I always personally use Allianz as they came in clutch when I got robbed in Spain 🙂

Best time to go to the Dominican Republic

February to April is a good time because the temperatures are decent and it’s not hurricane season but it’s also peak season with a good chunk of tourists. May and June get hotter, drop a little in crowds, and chances of rain increase (most of the rain is very quick to pass through). After July the months are known for lots of rain. A detailed list of the best months along with national holidays can be found here.

I visited in March and the weather was perfect, although tbh I expected the ocean water to be slightly warmer than it was. Whenever it rained, it would pass by quickly and didn’t affect my exploring too much. The nights would be summer chilly meaning I’d have to wear a light sweater at night.

How to get to the Dominican Republic:

There is no shortage of airports in the Dominican Republic. If you’re traveling during peak season and Punta Cana flights are crazy expensive, try flying to other airports instead. I personally flew into Puerto Plata (POP) airport in the north and flew out of Santo Domingo (Las Americas SDQ). It saved me about $400 in airfare and allowed me to see more than just touristy areas of Punta Cana! There are a couple of other smaller airports on the island too, depending on your origin/destination connections. Things to consider:

• Puerto Plata Airport: Located in the north part of the island. Not very crowded and easy to fly into from the NYC area. It’s close to Puerto Plata and Cabarete.
• Santo Domingo Airport: This is a very local airport and I did not see many tourists there the two times I was there. Flights are early in the morning and late at night which makes it a little more difficult to get to. I had to drive to this airport at 3 am despite all advice not to drive at night. It’s located about 30-45 min from Santo Domingo and 2 hours from Punta Cana.
• Airport in Punta Cana: As a tourist, this is probably the most convenient location as almost all people who stay at Bavaro area resorts fly here. It’s also the most expensive.

To rent or not to rent a car in the Dominican Republic

For most countries that I visit, unless I know that the public transport is amazing, I always rent a car because I like the freedom of getting around. Before my trip, I went into the deep hole of the travel forums on the safety of renting a car in the Dominican Republic. The majority of online people tell you that it is a horrible idea due to crazy drivers, lack of rules, corrupt police, and the danger of driving at night. Naturally, I wanted to see whether everything that was said was true and rented a car there. Even after arrival when we talked to locals they were surprised that a young tourist (and a woman) would rent a car and go on a driving adventure.

Was it all true?

Yes. Yes, it was. Driving in the Dominican Republic is nuts. There are cars, motorbikes, animals, and people, sometimes not even going in the correct direction of traffic. Would I do it again? Absolutely. While driving there isn’t for the nervous driver, if you follow the rules, stay aware, and are super careful, you will be ok. However, this is coming from someone who drives in New Jersey and New York in her day-to-day life. If you’re not a confident driver and you tend to get nervous and stressed, skip the rental. Otherwise just know that while driving won’t be easy, it will give you the freedom to see more than you would otherwise.

Car Rental in Puerto Plata airport

At Puerto Plata airport, I rented my car with Europcar from Booking. I never had bad rental experiences until my trip to Mexico and since then, now I always triple-read the fine print and make sure to have all my paperwork ready. The agent was nice but he did try to pull a couple of tricks to get more $$ out of me. I used my credit car insurance which includes putting down a hefty $3k deposit. My Chase Saphire has not failed me yet with car rental coverage even when my car got broken into in Tenerife, so I always decline all coverage and go with the card one. A person in front of me said she waited over 1 hour to get the car but I got mine in about 15 minutes after finishing the paperwork.

Car Rental in Santo Domingo Airport

Even though I picked up my car in Puerto Plata, I was flying out of Santo Domingo so I had to drop off the car there. This, by the way, includes a one-way fee that you will need to pay with the rental company. Dropping off the car rental in Santo Domingo was not a great experience as the agent tried to tell me that a dime-sized imprint on the car is subject to damage. Although I took many initial pictures, the size of this was so small you couldn’t see it. He insisted on filling out a damage report in Spanish and blaming me for the “dent.” I refused to sign anything and left. It’s a shame that even after paying a ton of money (peak season rates) the car companies still try to screw you over, leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth. So, shame on you Europcar.

Gas Station Scams

Another thing that can royally piss you off is the gas-station scams. The most common is the pump not being zeroed out before you fill your tank. In DR you cannot do it yourself and there isn’t a shortage of gas attendants trying to pull tricks on tourists. During my first gas station stop (near Juan Dolio), I got out of the car and made sure to watch the zeros on the pump. The attendant could not have been nicer, washed my windows and we had a nice interaction.

My second stop (near Boca Chica) was a disaster. Although the attendant zeroed the pump, mid-way he asked me to check if my tank is full, and while I looked away for a second, he zeroed the pump and started it the second time. I didn’t get to see the first amount but I know for a fact that his number was at least double what it should have been. He also insisted I sad premium rather than regular. Despite my protest in Spanish, I had to pay most of his scam price but I disputed the charge with my credit card company. So moral of the story, when pumping your gas, get out of the car and watch the pump like a hawk.

So … with all that said, should you rent a car in the Dominican Republic?

If reading my stories above would affect your overall mood on the trip in a very negative way, then maybe you shouldn’t rent a car. If you’ve dealt with similar situations above and look at them as part of your travel experiences, then rent a car 🙂 If you choose not to rent one, there is public transportation connecting the major cities.

Ok, now that you have the basics of what to prep for before your visit, let’s get to the one-week itinerary! I divide up the plan into 3 stops and include awesome places to visit in the Dominican Republic.

An awesome one week Dominican Republic itinerary

The Dominican Republic is a big country. Compared to driving in its neighbor Puerto Rico where places were reachable within a couple of hours, in the DR, you won’t be able to see the whole island. I suggest the following general route with local activities: Puerto Plata -> Santo Domingo -> Punta Cana. These three areas are very different allowing you to see different angles of the island.

Stop 1: Puerto Plata & Cabarete – 3 days

Where to stay in Puerto Plata area

Located in the northern part of the island, Puerto Plata is an area not as commonly visited by the majority of tourists compared to Punta Cana. Not only is flying there is cheaper but you will also experience the variety of landscapes that this part offers. You will have the Atlantic Ocean side, cute beach towns, mountains, and a nice local town. It’s known for water activities, relaxing or adventure tours. Since this was my first stop, I didn’t know I would end up liking it the best. I would say that if you want similar vibes to a resort stay but don’t want the resort part, Puerto Plata area is your answer. Although there are many less crowded resorts in Puerto Plata area too.

I personally stayed at the best hotel ever Cabarete Eco Lodge. It was a beachfront eco-hotel with open-air rooms, a small pool, and a bar & restaurant. Now it’s certainly not for everyone as the open-air concept doesn’t allow for much privacy (you do have curtains though). For me though, it was brilliant. The location was decent, it took about 30 minutes by car from the airport, and then to get to the main part of Cabarete, it was another 10 minutes by car. There are many other hotels and even more Airbnbs in the area too, the only thing I would recommend is being beachfront.

Things to do in Puerto Plata

I recommend 3 days in Puerto Plata but rather than my usual day-by-day plan style, I will give you a la carte list of things to do in Puerto Plata. That way you can choose to have 3 full days of activities or 3 full days of laying on the beach.

Puerto Plata Beaches – Half to full day

Puerto Plata is an actual town and the Atlantic Ocean beaches are located east and west of the town. And Beaches in the Dominican Republic are just amazing so make sure to spend at very least half a day relaxing on one. If you like water sports, Cabarete has a ton of them including kite surfing. If you like to tan and drink cocktails on the beach instead, there are plenty of spots to do that as well. Needless to say, whatever you choose to do, you will love what the area offers for this activity. Here are the most popular spots in the area:

• Sosua: A very popular beach for locals and tourists alike. It gets very busy on the weekends too. You will have white sand and turquoise water along with many beach shops and restaurants.
• Cabarete: The small town of Cabarete has a nice beach with some bars and restaurants. There are neighboring beaches like Kite Beach known for water sports.
• Playa Dorada: A beach to the west of Puerto Plata town. Has a lot of all-inclusive resorts
• Key Paradise: This little sandbar can be accessed on a tour and includes snorkeling, swimming in crystal clear waters, and little booths for lunch. Keep in mind that mind day a ton of people arrive there.
• For a complete review of beaches, Two Monkeys post has an awesome full list of the beaches too.

27 Waterfalls/27 Charcos/Waterfalls of Damajagua – Half day

This half-day excursion is amazing and something you should certainly do when visiting Puerto Plata but before you book it, let me tell you what it entails. I personally booked the excursion without knowing what I would be doing exactly. Naively I assumed that I would simply do some hiking and admiring of the local waterfalls. When we got to the first waterfall, my heart almost exploded out of my chest as I stood on the edge …

Here is what the excursion consists of:

• You can book an excursion with tour providers ($70-80) or you can drive yourself if you have a car and pay ~$10 entry that includes the same thing. Although I had a car in DR, I choose a tour provider because I had no idea you can do this independently … If you have a car, there is no need to book a tour online.
• Once you arrive you will get your vest, helmet, and water shoes. Make sure you rent/bring water shoes! It will be very uncomfortable if you don’t. A tour guide will take you through the waterfalls.
• First, you will walk about 30 minutes through the jungle to reach the waterfalls. It’s mostly uphill but nothing crazy. Your introduction to the river will begin there, you will slowly start your walk toward the first waterfall.
• Ok, here is where I realized I had no idea what I signed up for. From the start, you’re told that you can jump, slide or go down the ladder if you’re scared. When you reach the first waterfall, you quickly realize that you pretty much only have the option of jumping. The ladder in my opinion is scarier.
• I had no idea I was scared of jumping into the water. Although the jump was a little over 20 feet, the narrowness of the caves gave me legit anxiety. I was shaking and my heart was pounding but I jumped because there was no better alternative to get down.
• You repeat this a couple more times and toward the end, there are a couple of slides.
• In my group, everyone jumped, including the older tourists too so it felt like I had to as well. Some people were just as scared as me though but we overcame our fears and just did it.
• Would I do it again? No way. As beautiful as the location and the hike are, this was not enjoyable for me because I was scared. If you know you don’t like cliff/cave jumps, do not do this. If you do enjoy this type of adrenaline you will absolutely love the whole thing 🙂

Puerto Plata Town – Half Day

Most beachfront hotels are located within the Puerto Plata area, not necessarily near the actual town. The town itself is a cute little half-day excursion so make sure to set some time aside for seeing this gem.

Start your trip by taking a ride to the peak of Mount Isabel de Torres on the local cable car or Teleferico. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes and includes stunning views of mountains and the town. When I visited in March, it was closed for maintenance but has reopened since. Its operating hours are between 8:30 am to 3 pm.

After your cable car ride, head over to Fortaleza San Felipe Fortress, a historical fortress built to defend the city. The structure offers panoramic views of the ocean and a nice park to stroll around. Locals like to catch the sunset from there too in case you want to come back later in the day.

When you’re done exploring the fortress, take a 15-minute walk into the center of the historical Puerto Plata. Parque Central is the main plaza with beautiful Victorian buildings and Cathedral San Felipe. Two blocks over you will find two cute picture stops, the Umbrella Street (Calle San Felipe) and the vibrant pink Paseo de Doña Blanca. Lastly, if you like drink/food “museums” there is the Macroix House of Rum or Del Oro Chocolate. Personally, you couldn’t pay me to go into one but some people love these types of places 🙂

Puerto Plata Nature Activities – Half Day

There are multiple awesome activities you can do in the Puerto Plata region:

• Monkey Jungle: A monkey sanctuary and/or a zipline adventure located near Cabarete.
• eXtreme Hotel: Has a trapeze school!
• ATV & Horseback Riding Tours: There are a ton of tour providers in town for both of these activities. I don’t have a specific one to recommend but a simple TripAdvisor search will give you a bunch of them.
• Kiteboarding School: Puerto Plata is known for kiteboarding. Why not try something extreme and take a lesson from the pros.
• Laguna Dudu: This beautiful Nature Preserve is located almost two hours from Cabarete. It has a cenote and a small lagoon into which you can zipline jump. There is a park in which you can picnic or a restaurant on-site too.

Where to eat in Puerto Plata

Staying in Cabarete Eco Lodge, I was spoiled with their awesome hotel restaurant’s homemade food so I honestly did not venture out much during this leg of my trip. GaminTraveler has an awesome Puerto Plata Food Guide post and Alex in Wanderland has a beautiful post on Cabarete food.

Stop 2: Santo Domingo – 2 days

From North to South

The transport between Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo is fairly easy. If you rented a car, the drive is mostly on the highways. Driving near Santo Domingo is stressful though so I won’t even sugarcoat it. If you don’t have a car, jump on a bus like Caribe Tours for example, and take this 3.5-hour journey to the southern part of the island.

Fun detour: If you have the time, you can take a small detour toward Jarbacoa, to the Jamaca de Dios restaurant. It’s certainly not a short one and the drive requires some local driving but the views from up-top are super worth it. The restaurant is located on a hill in a gated community, which honestly has the worst roads I have seen in such an upscale area. It’s an in-and-out drive though, you can’t make a loop back to the highway.

Where to stay in Santo Domingo

Whether you decide to stay in a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, just stay in the Zona Colonial area. The rest of the city isn’t that appealing although the Airbnbs with rooftop pools do look enticing. As a huge fan of hostels, there aren’t many hostel options in town, you pretty much only have Island Life as an option. That is where I stayed and although there is nothing wrong with it, it wasn’t the most exciting hostel I have stayed in. I wish they organized some activities like walking tours or hostel dinners to make the stay in Santo Domingo a little more interesting.

Things to do in Santo Domingo on your Dominican Republic itinerary

Zona Colonial

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about Santo Domingo: there isn’t much to do in the city aside from Zona Colonial (and don’t be mad because you know I’m right). Zona Colonial is a charming area though so spending half to one day exploring is the ideal time there. Many people that I have met there love it as a place to live and I could see the charm of it, small town, good food, cheap cost of living and a community feel. But as a tourist, after you see the highlights, you just end up walking around the same area. Nonetheless, here is a list of places you should add to your walk:

• Parque Colon: This town square/park is the heart of Zona Colonial is where you will find many locals and tourists hanging out. There is a church, a small park (with lots of pigeons), and some restaurants surrounding the area.
• Calle El Conde: The main shopping street in town. It’s a nice walkway with some street vendors, bars, and restaurants. Connected to Parque Colon, you won’t have to go far to find it. Walk all the way down and you will reach Parque Independencia.
• Plaza de la Hispanidad: A beautiful plaza with Alcazar de Colon, a fortified palace owned by the Columbus family as the backdrop.
• Calle Las Damas: The first paved street in the Americas which has a ton of history. If you don’t read about the history you will be a lost puppy like I was. It carries a lot of significance and you should either read about it prior or do a walking tour on the street.
• Mercado Modelo: A market with tons of souvenir shops.

Don’t forget to come back to the square at night either.

Tres Ojos

Tres Ojos or Three Eyes is a park a short ride away from Zona Colonial. As the name suggests, there are 3 cave pools, kinda like the famous Mexican cenotes, which you can admire on your walk. You can enjoy this natural wonder and takes some awesome pictures too. The park is the perfect oasis in the middle of a busy since but the bad news is that you can’t swim there. The whole excursion won’t cost you much, an Uber from Zona Colonial will run you about $5, and the entrance to the park another $2.

Day Trips to Beach Towns

You can see everything you want to see in Santo Domingo in a day so I recommend heading to a local beach town for the second day of your stay in the area. You can take the highway Route 3 east or west to visit some beautiful beaches.

Boca Chica: To be clear, I am not recommending a day trip here but rather telling you to avoid this place. I actually ended up staying a night there to be close to the airport and expected a quick cute local beach town stop. A lot of travel blogs show you pictures and hide certain aspects of a place. I knew Boca Chica had its reputation but I didn’t realize to what extent. So let me be totally honest with you here, Boca Chica is grimy and unless you’re staying at a hotel with a private beach, you might not like it. The hotel I stayed at was on the cleaner side of town and I visited some crazy overpriced restaurants. A walk on the beach was gross and I was scared to walk around there at night.

Juan Dolio: There are two parts to Juan Dolio. One is a local, much nicer alternative to Boca Chica and the second is a smaller town that has some luxury gated communities near Playa Hemmingway. If you have an extra day or so, I recommend renting an Airbnb in that area as many of those complexes provide resort-style amenities. Both of the beaches have crystal clear waters, white sand, and amazing palm trees. There really isn’t much to do there aside from lounging on the beach.

Additionally, I will say that I had amazing meals there (although not cheap) so I will recommend a couple of restaurants in the area that I tried myself. Major disclaimer, these are not local style, they’re located in the more boujee Playa Hemingway area so the crowd there is very different.

• El Concón: Located literally at the very end of Juan Dolio, this place was super tasty. The ambiance of the restaurant was also super cool with all the plants and decor.
• El Mesón Español: Also another gem in the area with really tasty food. I recommend sitting outside too for a nice patio atmosphere.
• Sal Marina: The food here was 10/10. I really enjoyed this spot.
• Gulia’s: Every travel blog and TripAdvisor post talks about this place for breakfast but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to visit. Maybe you should and then report back about how it was 🙂

Dunes of Bani: Want to experience a random dessert with views of a baby blue ocean as your background? Speak no more and head to Dunes of Bani. It will take you about an hour and a half from Santo Domingo. You can rent a sandboard and have some fun sliding it down.

Stop 3: Punta Cana – 2 days

Getting there

Continuity on our Dominican Republic itinerary, to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana you can drive for about 2 hours or if you don’t have a car, the option of a $10 Aptpra bus from city to city. Private transfers run between $100-$150 for the trip. If you’re driving, as a tourist do not drive over 100 km/hr as you will be certainly stopped by police that wants to make some money 🙂

Prepare for a change of vibe – tourists

I debated going to Punta Cana on my itinerary as the goal for this trip was to stay away from resorts. But at the same time, I felt like I wanted to see that side of the country too and why it’s so popular. I didn’t hate being there but at the same time, I quickly remembered why I didn’t want to stay at a resort to begin with. As soon as I drove past the Punta Cana Airport, the “resort-tourist” vibes began.

Don’t get me wrong, people love their resorts and I love a more local way of travel. At the end of the day, I get scammed at a gas station and have to worry about bribing the local law enforcement and my resort counterpart gets to sip on margaritas in the pool …

After spending time in Cabarete, Santo Domingo, and then Juan Dolio, this was a mini-culture shock on my itinerary. I decided to add this part to the itinerary because at least this way you get to see the contrast between the North, the capital, and the touristy east.

Where to stay in Punta Cana

Obviously, Punta Cana is known for resorts, here are some decent ones too, so that might not be a horrible option if you stayed in Airbnbs and non-resort hotels for the first part of your trip. I personally stayed in an Airbnb in the Los Corales gated community. The location was right next to the beach and within a short walking distance of restaurants. The Airbnb itself was just ok so I won’t recommend it to you.

Things to do in Punta Cana

Staying two days in Punta Cana you have the following options: beach day for day 1 and a day trip to Saona Island or an adventure park. If you’re a person who likes activities, sorry pal, there aren’t that many of them here 🙂 This is truly a town for a resort person.

Beaches in Punta Cana – Full Day

Punta Cana is known for its beaches and there is a good reason for that. And if you’re going to visit any beaches in the Dominican Republic, it should be there. They are really really pretty and the first time you see that amazing baby blue water you understand why people love the location so much. If you’re not staying at a resort, don’t worry, you can rent beach chairs, hang out at bars like Soles, or do any water sports pretty much anywhere. The beach is pretty long, you can walk up and down to find the spot that vibes with you the most.

Some places will have beach chairs available to guests only but you will notice that a lot of bars and others advertise daily rentals for a small fee. There are areas in which you can simply lay on a towel too.

Day Trip to Saona Island

Ugh, I really really hoped this wasn’t a tourist trap because I booked it on Airbnb but it was a total tourist trap. Hear me out though …

You book a day excursion from Airbnb experiences where you’re promised an all-inclusive boat ride to a small island where you will lounge, starfish, and then a party catamaran return later. You look at the pictures and you think, omg this looks amazing, how can they possibly ruin this …

Ok here is the sad reality: You spend 2 hours on the bus in the morning picking up random people from resorts, you take a crowded boat to a natural pool where a photographer forces you to take photos (that you obviously have to pay for), you drink cheap rum out of mouthwash cups, you get to the island which is so crowded that you can’t find a spot to lay, the all-inclusive part is a plate of chicken and rice, and when you return on a catamaran which is actually cool.

Were the views amazing? Yes.
Did I see a starfish? From far away, could have been a crab tbh.
Was it enjoyable? Some parts.
Would I do it again? Not again but the scenery was so beautiful that the headache was worth it.

Activity Parks – Full Day

For a resort town, there aren’t many good activities in the Punta Cana area. Compare Playa del Carmen in Mexico where although touristy, the majority of the tourist parks are actually fun. I didn’t do any of the activities because the more I read people’s reviews on them, I knew that it was not really up my alley. However, in case you want to do your own research here are your options:

• Ecological Park Ojos Indigenas: An ecological park in which you can swim in some lagoons, enjoy nature and walk around. The reviews are mostly positive for this place but note that there is a $50 entry fee. It doesn’t seem like you get much out of that though.
• Scape Park: An adventure park with zip lines, cave swimming, a buggy ride (for an extra fee), and some nature trails. It’s crazy expensive for what it offers too, $130 or $160 entry fee. Reviews seem mixed, some love it others say the price is way too high for what you get.
• Bavaro Adventure Park: Another adventure park with buggy rides, horses, and zip lines. Also crazy pricey at $140 a person pop and without the ability to take your own photos. I had fun reading Google Reviews about this. It seems like this park holds you, hostage if you make a small dent in the buggy.

Final Thoughts on a week in the Dominican Republic itinerary

When I look back at my one week in the Dominican Republic, I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I really enjoyed my time in Cabarete and the northern part of the island. It was a beautiful beach destination and not crazy touristy. I wish I spent more time there and had the chance to see more of the northern cities. Visiting Santo Domingo was ok, nothing that spoke to my soul. The city felt limited in terms of what to do and outside the colonial zone, there really wasn’t much to see. Lastly, as beautiful as the beaches were in Punta Cana, that whole area was just too resort-y for me. The whole trip was pretty expensive too for what it was.

Would I recommend visiting? I’ll take a neutral stance here. I don’t think we’re meant to love each place to the same extent and each person is supposed to have their own experiences in a particular destination. I’m very happy I got to do this trip outside of resorts as it allowed me to see many different parts of the country and get a glimpse into a more local side of it. I hope that at the end of the day, my itinerary either gave you an awesome Dominican Republic itinerary for your visit or clarity if you’re on the fence about going. Rather than hyping up a destination for what it’s not, I always try to be honest about what it entails and I hope I accomplished that here too.

My favorite part was certainly the beaches in the Dominican Republic and that’s the one thing that made this whole trip worth it.

Map and Downloadable Dominican Republic Itinerary

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Before jumping straight into the itinerary, I want to prepare you with the necessary logistics of visiting Puerto Rico. While they might not be as involved as visiting Bolivia or Peru for example, knowing what to expect will go a long way and save you any possible stress on arrival.

Puerto Rico FAQ

• Puerto Rico is a US territory so you can just travel as you would in the states. Your license is enough and you don’t need a passport to travel there.
• The currency in Puerto Rico is the American dollar. Although the prices in smaller shops and restaurants aren’t too expensive, expect more US comparable prices in the main touristy areas.
• A lot of people are bilingual so you can get away with speaking English in the tourist areas but knowing basic Spanish will make your life much easier.
• The drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 but a lot of clubs will be over 21.
• Tipping is standard just as it is in the US, especially in areas like San Juan.

Best time to go to Puerto Rico

Good news, the best time to visit Puerto Rico is any time! You can visit Puerto Rico all year round as temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the year. The high season is June to August and expect it to be a tad colder between late November to early March. Don’t forget that September is also the peak of hurricane season so it might be more rainy compared to other months. Note that the mountains are more chilly than more coastal locations so consider where you’d like to travel and pack accordingly.

I visited the island twice, both times during May which is considered the shoulder season. In my opinion, it is the perfect month to visit the island. The water in the ocean was decent to swim in and I was able to get a good tan. I stayed in three different parts of PR, San Juan, Aibonito, and Guanica, and loved the weather in all those locations during that time.

How to get To Puerto Rico

I am lucky because from NYC, there are multiple daily flights from all the airports in the area to Puerto Rico. However, there are connections to the main airport in San Juan from pretty much all major airports in the US.

When you land, you can now get an Uber pickup at the airport which wasn’t the case a couple of years ago. Alternatively, you can grab a cab for a little over $20. If you have a lot of luggage or have a bigger group there are shared airport transfers or private ones as well.

Transport on the Island

I will just say that renting a car is the best way to see Puerto Rico in 4 days. There is an island Metro Bus but with changing schedules and a reputation for being late, I would save myself the headache if you want to see more than one area of the island. However, if you’re only planning to stay in San Juan, Ubers will be sufficient and I would not get a rental in that case.

I picked up my rental at the airport, had no issues at the counter, and was super happy to have the independence of traveling around. If you decide on a little road trip in Puerto Rico, prepare for some twists and turns in the mountains.

I always use RentalCars.com for my car rentals as they have a good selection of vendors and are available in most places.

If you’re from New Jersey like me and never had to pump your gas, when I rent cars, I always google how local gas stations work 🙂 In Puerto Rico, you will have to pump your gas (just like anywhere else outside of New Jersey really). Simply pull up to the pump and go inside the station to pay for the pump that you parked at. A full tank is Spanish is el tanque lleno.

Where to stay during 4 days in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has it all, fun historical cities, stunning beaches, small neighboring islands, and mountains so if you only have 4 short days, plan out your stay based on the route you will take. I recommend reading my guide before deciding on where to stay. For this particular itinerary, I suggest San Juan -> Culebra -> Ponce area but if that’s too dense for you in 4 days, consider San Juan and Ponce only.

San Juan Area

In the northern part of the island, San Juan offers history, a lively atmosphere, and beaches. But San Juan isn’t just one area to stay in, it has a couple of neighborhoods to choose from:

• Old San Juan: This area is the historical portion and also the most touristy. Stay there for a city vibe, restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Consider the colonial El Palacio Hotel
• Condado: Right next to Old San Juan, you will find boujee Condado with luxury hotels, high-end stores, and of course awesome beaches. Consider the beachfront La Concha Resort
• Ocean Park: Going away from Old San Juan, the next beach area where people love to stay for its more quiet vibes is Ocean Park. You’ll find really nice hotels and more of a tranquil kinda vibe. Consider the Bohemian Duna Apartments
• Isla Verde (Carolina): The next town over is closest to the airport. I liked this area for the beach and the restaurants. It’s way quieter too but still super stunning.
  Consider the beachfront Marriot Resort

Here is an awesome blog that goes into a ton of detail about San Juan areas with specific recommendations for hotels and restaurants!

People & safety in Puerto Rico

Overall, Puerto Rico is considered a safe destination for tourists with crime rates lower than a lot of parts of the US. If you’re staying in Old San Juan, you should be ok but don’t let your guard down either. Driving there is pretty safe, the roads are good and drivers are fine for the most part. Oh and also, apparently car theft is still an issue so make sure not to leave any belongings in it and lock up!

Sightseeing options in Puerto Rico

There is so much to do on the island, especially if you only have 4 days in Puerto Rico. We will dive in below on the specifics of what to see! The route I recommend for a first-timer that wants to see the most from the island is the following: San Juan -> East Side: Yunque and Fajardo -> Culebra -> Drive through mountains towards Ponce.

Perfect 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary

Don’t forget to save my map at the bottom of the page with all the recommendations below.

Day 0: Arrival in Puerto Rico

If you’re like me and you channel an old (but active) lady traveler, I love to fly in the night before your trip. It lets me settle in, nest in my Airbnb, and get a good night’s sleep before starting my busy itinerary 🙂 So, if that’s something you relate to and your first night is in the San Juan area, settle in and head out for a quick bite or a drink.

I flew into San Juan airport in the early evening. For my first night there, I stayed in the Condado area. It’s close enough to Old San Juan but after settling in, I decided to walk down the street and eat at Tayzan Sushi which 1) was delicious and 2) was open pretty late which worked with my arrival, and 3) it has interesting fusion dishes. There are many spots on Ashford Ave (main street of Condado) that serve late-night food so finding a place to grab a bite shouldn’t be a problem on late arrival.

Day 1: Exploring San Juan

Ok guys, this one is kind of obvious but you should start with San Juan for your day 1 of the 4-day itinerary. I get that walking around cities might not fascinate you much but I promise that this town, especially Old San Juan shouldn’t be skipped. It’s nice and colorful, full of history and tasty stops for food and drinks. It can be done in half a day if you really wanted to but that would require an early start. Here is a simple route to see the highlights of San Juan on your first day in Puerto Rico!

La Ventana del Mar

If you’re coming from the Condado direction, before entering the historic zone of Old San Juan stop at this cute little park called La Ventana del Mar. It is a public space with a beautiful view of the ocean, a small beach, sculptures, and a couple of restaurants and bars. It’s a nice first impression of San Juan and I enjoyed this beautiful spot before heading into the historic areas.

Castillo de San Cristobal

There are two fortifications in the city of San Juan, one of them being Castillo de San Cristobal. If you’re not planning to dive deep into the history of San Juan’s defense, it is a nice area to take a stroll through. The views from there are awesome and it’s worth stopping at.

Tip: If you’re also planning to visit the second fortification, the $10 entrance fee covers both entries.

Plaza Colon

After visiting the fort, head over to Plaza Colon. It’s a lively town square surrounded by shops and bars. I recommend grabbing a street snack or a drink in this area and taking time to pause and do some people-watching. This is also a good place for some artisan shopping. Don’t forget to grab a chichaito shot at Los Tres Cuernos 🙂

If you’ve read any of my other guides, you will notice that I almost always catch a walking tour of the city. I did attempt to go on one in Old San Juan that had a meeting point at Plaza Colon. But it never showed up … So I’m happy that I prepared a plan beforehand because otherwise, I would have been scrambling last minute on Google.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

After soaking in some Old San Juan vibes, head to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Many people recommend going inside and experiencing the beautiful views that you will get from above. Personally, after visiting the first fort, I simply enjoyed spending time on the lawn. It’s a huge outdoor space and it was nice to relax there for a little. The lawn is also a very popular place for people flying kites.

While there, don’t forget to grab a street snack like an empanadilla, alcapurria, bacalaito or chicharrones! If you’re in the mood for something refreshing, try a Puerto Rican shaved ice or piragua!

Another noteworthy location in that area is Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery. It’s a beautiful burial ground facing the ocean. You can walk past it and say a little prayer to all those buried there.

Street Stroll

Heading back to the main part of Viejo San Juan, take a stroll among the most known streets in town. First walk along Calle del Cristo, a nice colorful street that’s a perfect backdrop for some awesome photos as well as a spot for some shopping. Next walk over to Calle de San Justo, which had a beautiful view leading into the ocean. Calle de la Fortaleza is the street with all the colorful umbrellas or kites (whichever display is there at the moment). And lastly, Paseo de la Princesa will lead you to the port and the famous fountain. That’s a good spot for sunset if you will be returning at night too.

La Perla

I will briefly mention this place for awareness but since I did visit I am in no condition to provide you any advice on it. This ocean-front neighborhood connected to Old San Juan got more attention as it became the filming location for Despacito.

Upon my first visit, I was told by two people who grew up in San Juan that I should not visit this place under any circumstance. More recently, I noticed a ton more articles popping up about the tourism efforts and being able to visit. Even Discover Puerto Rico promotes it on its page. So I say do your research to decide whether or not to visit this part of town but know that it has a very dangerous history due to poverty and drugs. No matter what you decide, I wouldn’t recommend going there at night.

Food & Drinks in Old San Juan

For some good food and drink grabs, try the following places:

• El Jibarito: A popular spot in town but who wouldn’t wait for a little for authentic Puerto Rican food that gets consistently good reviews?
• Hecho en Casa: Awesome spot for mofongo.
• Marmalade: For an upscale experience that is worth every cent, visit the amazing Marmalade.
• La Factoría: Arguably the most famous bar in town and of course, the filming location of Despacito.
• Barrachina: Another very know place in town that claims to be the birthplace of the Piña Colada. It was pretty but I found it extremely touristy for my own taste.
• La Verguenza: A nice spot with rooftop views of the ocean.

Here is a very descriptive guide on more restaurants in town to try.

And for your nightlife in San Juan, which you certainly shouldn’t miss out on, I have a couple of places for you too.

• La Placita de Santurce: A part of the Santurce neighborhood that comes to life as it gets darker outside. It’s a connection of a couple of blocks filled with music and dancing.
• El Cafetin: A fun bar in the heart of Old San Juan.
• Club Kronos: If you want to feel a club atmosphere, head to Condado to visit this gem.
• El Bar Bero: A cocktail bar speakeasy if classier nights are your thing.
• El Batey Bar: A little divey but nonetheless very fun.

Day 2: El Yunque & the Beach

During your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary, you won’t be able to see everything so I suggest picking something that aligns with your interests. However, if you’re a first-time visitor, I strongly recommend going to El Yunque, the national forest.

El Yunque National Forest

Located a short drive from San Juan (a little over an hour), you will find a stunning tropical rainforest, the only one in the US. There are two entry time windows, one morning and one afternoon and you pay per car. Don’t forget to make a reservation before your visit.

Once there, you’ll have numerous waterfalls, stunning viewpoints, and hike routes to choose from. If you’re hiking make sure to plan your routes ahead of time but if hiking is not your thing, you can just simply take a drive through it too. Make sure to stop at Yokahú Observation Tower.

If you’re planning to see this stunning forest, I recommend Angie’s guide which is a very detailed plan for the day.

Afternoon options

Now, option one for the night: If you’re planning to head back to San Juan I recommend driving to Carolina (Isla Verde), the nice and chill beach area of San Juan. Take a nice dip in the ocean and relax for a bit. The area has many restaurants and bars to enjoy during the second part of your day. Recommendations for your food and drinks in that area:

• El Alambique: A beach club restaurant with really good food.
• Lupi’s Mexican Grill: Mexican food in PR? Why not?!
• Panaderia España: Although not beachfront, I made a quick stop there for some croquetas and I was not disappointed.
• Bebo’s: A local spot that might not look the most inviting but has a selection of some tasty BBQ. It is also a short drive from the beach.

For your second option, you can spend the night on the eastern side of the island to be closer to the Ceiba port from which you can take the ferry to the stunning islands of Puerto Rico on the next day. Another bonus of staying in that area for the night is the option of seeing the Bioluminescent Bay (Laguna Grande) located in the city of Fajardo. The drive from Fajardo to Ceiba Port (the departure port for the islands) takes only 20-25 minutes compared to over an hour from San Juan.

Day 3: Visit one of the amazing islands of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has stunning islands on its east side that are reachable by flight or ferry. The flights from San Juan can be pricey but will certainly save you some travel time. They are also accessible from the Ceiba Port located an hour from San Juan airport. That’s why if you’re planning to take the ferry, I recommend spending the previous night closer to the port.

Note that you cannot take your rental car to the islands which might be ok for a day trip or an organized tour. The islands are also connected to each other by ferry so who says you can visit both (although that might be a little hectic). You have the option of doing a day trip or spending the night there. Make sure to know your ferry times well if you’re just spending the day there.

Culebra:

The first island is Culebra. It is home to the famous Flamenco Beach, named one of the best in the world, and a spot to dive or snorkel or just simply relax! Culebra has stunning white sand beaches. I did not visit the island (which I deeply regret) so I cannot give you a detailed guide but I found this blog that has an amazing plan for a trip there.

Vieques:

The second island, Vieques, is a nature lover paradise with some stunning beaches too! In Vieques, you will find the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world Mosquito Bay. Also, there are only 5 of them in total and 3 are in Puerto Rico! Here is another super informative full guide to the island. Side note about the bays, if you google them, most of the pictures you’ll find are heavily photoshopped. Don’t expect them to be that bright.

I’d say that staying a night on the island will give you a little more flexibility with exploring and not stress you out by making sure you take the ferry. Even with staying one night, when you get back the next day you can still have enough time to explore more of the island.

Day 4: Exploring a more local side of Puerto Rico

If you’ve either returned to San Juan or if you spent the night on one of the islands, today you will take a scenic drive from either direction toward Ponce. Most of the roads in the middle of the island offer amazing views of the mountains and are perfect for a super short Puerto Rican road trip. What will distinguish an awesome trip to Puerto Rico from simply a typical one that everyone else takes is days like today.

Although a one-day road trip may not seem too short to see much, I promise you that on this leg of the itinerary you will see a more local way of life, practice more of your Spanish, and see places that a lot of tourists do not venture off to. This is why I recommend getting a car for the island. It will give you the freedom and allow you to dive deeper into the local culture.

Mountain drive toward a lechonera

No matter where you’re driving from, I recommend putting Lechonera Los Pinos in your GPS. That area in the mountains is known for the restaurants that serve amazing roasted pork or Lechon. Honestly, most of the restaurants in the area will have similar dishes but debate with the locals which ones are their favorite 🙂 It is certainly one of those Puerto Rican bucket list items you will remember! I vividly remember sitting at an outside table, sipping on a cold Medalla with a nice plate of rice and pork. I’m pretty sure I was the only tourist there too at that time.

Quick stop in Aibonito

After your lechon stop, put in La Curva del Árbol in your GPS for the first scenic spot, it is a really nice viewpoint. It should take you a little over 30 minutes to get there. After that, head toward Aibonito (20 minutes), a small mountain town that is the highest elevation on the island. There isn’t much to do in the town per se but the drive through the mountains will be worth it. If you choose to stop there, the town has a main plaza with nice surrounding streets so you can grab a drink or ice cream in town. If you’re short on time, you can skip Aibonito and head to Ponce from the last viewpoint.

Exploring Ponce

For your last spot of the day, you’ll head toward Ponce which is another amazing town in Puerto Rico. From Aibonito, it will take another hour. There you can wander around La Guancha Boardwalk or visit Parque de Bombas, or do a wine tasting at Museo Castillo Serralles.

As your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary is coming to an end, you can head back to San Juan (1.5 hours) to prep for your flight home. If your flight isn’t until the next day, I recommend staying in the area of Ponce. I personally spent a night at Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa arriving late afternoon. Although it was only one day, I really enjoyed the resort. It was waterfront, had a nice bar and jacuzzis, and pretty nice rooms.

More ideas for your 4 day Puerto Rico itinerary

If for some reason you’d like a different option for one of the day options above, feel free to swap it for some other amazing things to do in Puerto Rico:

The western side of the island:

If you rented a car, another road trip you can take is toward the western side of San Juan. Rincon is one of the bigger towns there, is known for surfing and other outdoor activities. More specific ideas on what to do there can be found in this super awesome guide by Vanessa from Travel Lemming.

Here are some stops for your road trip from east to west:

• Parque Las Cavernas del Rio Camuy: These a local caves which look pretty impressive. The tour times run on a schedule and people spend a couple of hours there. If this is something you would like to see, make sure to research current operating times as well as requirements.
• Cascada Gozalandia: A waterfall hike from which you can take a jump into the pool below. Here is some more useful info on making this stop on your western drive.
• Faro Punta Higüeras: Closer to Rincon, you will find this picturesque lighthouse.

And some restaurant spots worth visiting:

• Restaurant El Platanal: Low-key mofongo spot.
• Guayabo’s Tropical Sunset: A beachfront restaurant offering some tasty bites.
• Villa Cofresí Hotel: In Rincon, a place known for its pirata drinks.

Other spots on the island:

• Cabo Rojo Salt Flats: These pink salt flats located in the southwestern part of the island near Cabo Rojo are sure to grab your attention! Since they’re located a little far from San Juan, they might not be reachable on your 4-day itinerary but nonetheless, they should be added to your future itineraries.
• Playa Sucia: Despite its name, this beach is actually a hidden gem for tourists on the island. Located near Cabo Rojo, it’s definitely worth a visit. Here is a super informative blog on this location to help you plan the visit there.
• Cueva Ventana: While you will have to put a little bit of effort to reach this place, it will be worth the unique view it provides. Cueva Ventana means cave window and that is exactly what this place is. Read more on this place and get the details for the hike here.
• Toro Verde Adventure Park: If you like zip lining (the biggest zipline in America) and other adventure activities, head over to this park for the day to get an adrenaline rush in your veins!

Final Thoughts

Puerto Rico is a gem of a destination and being so close to the US, you have no excuse not visit. Even if it’s just a short 4 days, the island will fill your soul with amazing things to do. I hope my plan shows you the best that Puerto Rico has to offer. If you have any additional feedback or thoughts, please comment below!

Downloadable Itinerary

Before downloading the itinerary, which is a pocket summary of the content above, remember to read the full guide so you are best prepared for your travels!

Map for your Puerto Rico Itinerary

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