Santo Domingo: Full Day Private Tour - Salinas Beach and Dunes Rural Food Adventure

Our adventure starts from Santo Domingo. We’ll head out in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and make our way to the barely explored southwest of the island. Here nature and culture remain almost untouched by tourism and modern life.

Our first stop will be at a local parador, a sort of luxury residence where you will learn about Dominican cuisine. You will also have an opportunity to try local dishes such as pastel en hojas, made with plantain and roots, stuffed with mouth-watering stewed beef and covered with plantain leaves.

If your visit happens to coincide with the mango season, we will visit Bani, known by locals as mango land! Here we will stop to taste some of the sweetest and most delicious varieties of the fruit that you're likely to taste anywhere.

At our next stop you will try some really special native treats made from locally grown corn. The recipe goes back hundreds of years and the sweet and salty varieties remain popular with locals. As we eat our snacks, you will be served a refreshingly cold coconut water (in the coconut of course!) and your guide will talk to you about the types of handicrafts that are indigenous to the island. 

With our bellies happy, we will arrive at the Dunes National Park, where we’ll channel our inner explorer and go and study the biggest dune. If you are feeling adventurous, you can climb to the top where you will be rewarded with dazzling views of the Caribbean and the secluded, cobbled beach below.

From here we’ll take you to Salinas Beach — with its powdery sand and palm trees, this is that tropical beach you dream about during the long, cold winters back home! We will spend some time here, soaking up the beach vibes and maybe going for a swim, all the while admiring the beauty of this secluded bay.

After some relaxation time on the beach, we’ll make our way to the nearby salt works, where you will learn how organic sea salt is traditionally made, right here on the island. Get your camera ready because this place is impossibly picturesque and will be an envy-inducing addition to your social media feeds!

Finally, we will enjoy a fabulous dinner together at a local family restaurant where you can enjoy delicious Dominican seafood (most likely caught that day) with an ice-cold beer in hand.

Your guide will then take you back to your accommodation. Before you go, don’t forget to ask for more tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay in the stunning Dominican Republic.