Altos de Chavon is an experience in and of itself. The home to many of the Dominican Republic’s artists is chiefly built of coral stone, in the Italian renaissance style. The village is full of art stores and restaurants serving delicious food. The village’s location, on the high shore of the Chavon river, guarantees stunning views.
The most eye-catching building in the town of Higüey is the "Basilica de Nuestra Señora", also called La Altagracia. According to local legend, a young girl received a statue of the virgin Mary, which suddenly disappeared. A short time later, it was found in an orange tree which was in full blossom - out of season! La Altagracia was built on that spot. Thanks in part to this miraculous event, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit Higüey every year on January 21st.
La Romana is a charming village with typically Dominican surroundings. Rustling sugar cane fields set against the background of the emerald sea, with the rhythms of merengue carried from the many small restaurants on a pleasant breeze. You can go on boat trips to the nearby island of Catalina or beautiful Saona, part of the Parque Nacional del Este, a nature reserve with unique flora and fauna. Among other things, Saona offers shelter to turtles and sea birds.
Manatí Park is a unique attraction, located in Bávaro-Punta Cana. Explore the stunningly beautiful gardens, brimming with wild orchids and other tropical plants. Get up close and personal with a variety of animals native to the Dominican Republic and the surrounding area. Grasp the opportunity and go for a swim with the dolphins! The park also features a replica of a traditional Taíno Indian village as homage to the island’s original inhabitants.
Ctra. Manatí, s/n, Bávaro/Higüey
The northern peninsula of Samaná (and the eponymous town) will prove once and for all that those travel brochures weren’t lying: beautiful sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. A great place to spend the day! Samaná is also the starting point for a whale-watching boat ride during the first three months of the year.