ef tours dominican republic

Dominican Republic trips

Fruity drinks on the beach. Whitewater rafting. Tan lines for your tan lines. A trip to the Dominican Republic is pure paradise with a side of cultural immersion. Tour bustling cities, sing karaoke like nobody’s watching, learn to surf, then kick back on a white-sand beach and embrace the Caribbean island life.

Caribbean Adventure: Dominican Republic

New Year's in the Caribbean

Save up to $200

Spring Break: Dominican Republic

Traveler photos from the Dominican Republic

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“This experience was absolutely amazing, from the breathtaking sunsets, beautiful art, amazing food, to those clearwater beaches, you truly cannot beat the DR. Our tour guide Gabriel was very knowledgeable of the DR and helped us learn more about the culture while also helping us have a great time!”

– Savannah, traveled on Caribbean Adventure: Dominican Republic Jan. 2023

Unforgettable

“As an 18-year-old with minimal experience in traveling, EF and my tour director Carol made it all very easy to be around. From the moment I arrived at the DR to the last dinner, we had together it was all unforgettable and full of memories that will last a lifetime.”

– Chris, traveled on Caribbean Adventure: Dominican Republic Jul. 2022

What do we do? What don’t we do?

Know before you go

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It’s fun and helpful to try your hand at the local language, Spanish! Try out some of these popular words and phrases:

• Hello: Hola
• How are you? ¿Cómo estás?
• Goodbye: Adiós
• Thank you: Gracias
• Please: Por favor
• I’m (your name): Soy (your name)
• I’m from (your country of residence): Soy de (your country of residence)
• How much does this cost? Cuánto cuesta?
• bathroom: el baño
• bus stop: la parada de autobús
• pharmacy: la farmacia

The people of the Dominican Republic are vibrant, proud, and very hardworking. And the more you express interest in their culture, the more you'll be welcomed with open arms. Here's just a handful of fact to get you started.

• Merengue and bachata music originated in the Dominican Republic. You'll hear these styles everywhere in your travels, so consider learning a few dance steps!
• It's the norm to announce yourself with a "Buenos dias/Buenas tardes/Buenas noches (Good morning/afternoon/evening)" when entering any establishment.
• Baseball is the national sport of the Dominican Republic, and many people are very passionate about it. You may see lots of people practicing or games being played if you pass by any parks.
• Especially in more rural parts of the Dominican Republic, siestas (midday breaks a lot of businesses close down for) are still common. For some this means having a long hearty lunch, for some it means taking a nap, and for some it means both of those things.
• Haggling is the way to shop in many places. Offer about half of the initial price, don't show too much interest, and don't be afraid to walk away.

Food & Drink

You’ll sample a variety of local dishes on your trip, but read on for tips, tricks, and delicacies you must try.

• Mangú: The breakfast staple is often served with eggs, fried Dominican salami and queso frito (fried cheese!) – also known as Los Tres Golpes (The Three Strikes). Yum.
• Pastelitos: Pastelitos are small, stuffed pastries made with all kinds of fillings, like meat, cheese, vegetables and potatoes, and then fried
• La Bandera Dominicana: Translating to “The Dominican Flag,” La Bandera Dominicana is the national standard lunchtime dish.
• Tostónes: Twice-fried and then salted, tostónes are made from unripened plantains and most commonly served as a side dish
• Tres Leches Cake: This three-milk cake is a sweet ending to any meal
• Yaroa: This street food favorite is just the ticket. Made from mashed plantain or fries, yaroa is loaded with shredded meat and smothered with cheese and sauces.
• Refrescos: In the land of fresh fruit, you must try the fresh fruit juices! Try cas (sour guava), maracuyá (passion fruit), tamarindo (tamarind), guanabana (soursop), piña (pineapple), sandia (watermelon), mora (blackberry), fresa (strawberry), and more!

We plan it all. And then some.

Our group trips to the Dominican Republic come with everything included. That’s accommodations, daily breakfasts, activities, and an expert Tour Director who can point you to the perfect beach.

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book ’em yourself)

Multilingual Tour Director & local guides

Sightseeing activities and excursions

Entrance tickets to top attractions

Metro passes in major cities

Hand-picked accommodations

New travel BFFs

Welcome Dinner & Farewell Dinner

Private deluxe motorcoaches

See everything we include →

More popular destinations

More regions to explore.

Latin America

North America

Middle East

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Caribbean Adventure: Dominican Republic

Experience Caribbean paradise from every angle—from up high in the mountains to down low on a white-sand beach. Strap in for nine days of exploring, eating, dancing, and hiking your way through your new favorite island.

Picture yourself

Admiring the many murals in Santiago

Exploring the oldest European settlement in the Western Hemisphere

Riding the rapids of the Yaque del Norte River

Sipping a fruity drink, gazing out at the Caribbean Sea

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)

8 nights in handpicked accommodations

8 breakfasts

Expert Tour Director

24/7 support

White water rafting excursion

Cigar factory tour

Cayo Arena snorkeling tour

Board your flight to Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic. You’ve got over a week of adventure ahead of you. So sit back, get some rest, and start quietly chanting “DR” to the confused person next to you on the plane.

Today's highlights:

• Meet an EF representative at the airport.
• Transfer to your accommodation and check in.
• Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.
• Meet your fellow travelers as they arrive.

Fetch your cocktail umbrellas, and throw on your comfiest walking shoes; this city is one part Caribbean paradise, one part bustling urban hub. And if you’ve ever considered combining rum, red wine, and honey, but been too nervous that people would judge you, Santo Domingo is the place for you. Locals combine these ingredients to create Mamajuana, a strong drink considered by some to be an aphrodisiac. Get the candles ready.

• Join your Tour Director on a tour of Santo Domingo.
• Wander through the Colonial Zone—founded in 1498, it’s the oldest European settlement in the Western Hemisphere.
• Open your third eye at Los Tres Ojos, an expansive cave with three lakes and plenty of stalactites and stalagmites for all you cave nerds.
• Enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at a local spot.

Hop on the bus to Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic and a tropical hotspot for Caribbean cigars and rum.

• Make your way to Santiago by bus.
• Participate in a street art walking tour where art and urban exploration combine.
• Toast to the DR with an included beer at a local brewery before showing off your karaoke skills.

Get ready for an epic day in the Dominican Republic. First stop, a cigar factory. Next stop, adventure—a whitewater rafting trip you’ll never forget.

• Visit the oldest Dominican cigar factory to learn how the pros do it.
• Answer adventure’s call and head to the Yaque del Norte River, the longest in the DR.
• Learn the basics of whitewater rafting from a local guide, and take on several different classes of rapids.
• Enjoy an included lunch.

After the previous day’s non-stop action, slow things down a bit at the resort town of Cabarete. It’s right along the beach, only has one major street, and is the watersport capital of the country. Kitesurfers, windsurfers, and even boring ol’ regular surfers hit the waves all day every day. But don’t worry—there’s plenty of room for non-watersport activities, too.

• Make your way to Cayo Arena, an islet and snorkeler’s paradise off the coast.
• Snorkel and swim with your new friends—the fish, of course.
• Put on your relaxation hat and travel by bus to Cabarete.
• Spend the evening doing exactly what you want to do.

Time for a day of exploring! After snapping the perfect pic (looking at you, Instagrammers), you’ll see a Spanish fortress that protected the city of Puerto Plata from pirates. *Cue “Pirates of the Caribbean” music*. Don’t forget an excursion to Macorix House of Rum to finish off the day.. and finish off some rum!

• Hop on the bus for a trip around the surrounding area with your Tour Director.
• Visit Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress built in the 1500s.
• Travel to Macorix Rum Tour in Puerto Plata for a tour of the museum, an explanation of their history and how the rum is made, and a tasting of different rums they make.

Another day in paradise, another day to soak up all the fun in the sun. Continue watching the surfers drop in, hang ten, and rip (#sickbro). And if you’re really into it, ask them for their tips and tricks. If not, just sit back, relax, and enjoy the beach.

• Hit the beach for one final day of saying “life’s a beach” to everyone around you.
• Lounge on the beach, or simply be present in this beautiful destination fit for a postcard.
• Spend the rest of the afternoon as you please, on the white-sand beaches of the Dominican Republic.
• Partake in a typical Dominican dance lesson, complete with a traditional Caribbean dinner and plenty of hip-shaking once you hit the dance floor.

Time to get like, totally radical, dudes and dudettes! Lend your ear to a local pro surfer for a lesson, then try it for yourself. You’ll be riding those gnarly waves before you know it. Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

Take your suitcase—and your new tan lines—back to where it all started in Santo Domingo. This is it, people. Your last full day in the DR. Once you’re back in Santo Domingo, get out there and soak in as much of the country’s capital as you can.

• Take a bus to Santo Domingo, enjoying views of the Dominican countryside along the way.
• Check in to your accommodation and get ready for a final night out.
• Cool off with a cold beer or cocktail at a local bar—it won’t be hard to find one.
• Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

¡Adiós, amigos! Translation: Goodbye, friends! Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, enjoy your last few moments together. Take one more group photo. Grab that final drink. (Fine, maybe a couple of drinks.) But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

1. Double the fun A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

2. Go ahead or stay behind Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.

Most fun I’ve had in years!

If you’re nervous about going with strangers, don’t be! Everyone was SO nice and by the end of the trip we all felt like family! The Dominican Republic is an extremely beautiful country and the food is to die for. Book this trip! You won’t regret it.

The DR is a very special place

Don’t think. Just Go.

There are really no words I can use to describe how awesome this trip was. Just book it!!

BOOK IT PLS, thank me later

I had the greatest getaway ever. Carol is the most organized and supportive lady and i loved how she treated me with love and kindness. i felt so alive with the passion and thrill. you’ll have a time in Cabrete, it’s a gorgeous windsurfing town and the hotels views were EVERYTHING. get that sun and live it up!!’

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