8 days in Dominican Republic Itinerary

In an area boasting beaches that face both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, vacations in Punta Cana have been popular with tourists since the early 1970s.

Spend the 28th (Wed) spotting exotic species with a safari tour. Next up on the itinerary: enjoy the sand and surf at Bavaro Beach, get close to the beloved marine mammals with a swim-with-the-dolphins experience, tour the pleasant surroundings at Macao Beach, and stop by Coralina Tropical Shop.

To see traveler tips, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read Punta Cana online attractions planner.

Portland, USA to Punta Cana is an approximately 9.5-hour combination of bus and flight. You can also fly. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Atlantic Standard Time, which is usually a 1 hour difference. Expect much hotter temperatures when traveling from Portland in March; daily highs in Punta Cana reach 84°F and lows reach 71°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) early enough to take a shuttle to Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, remains the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the New World.

Start off your visit on the 29th (Thu): get a sense of history and politics at Palacio National and then make a trip to Zona Colonial. Here are some ideas for day two: contemplate the long history of Alcazar de Colon, then steep yourself in history at Fortaleza Ozama, and then appreciate the history behind Columbus Lighthouse (Faro A Colon).

To find maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Santo Domingo trip itinerary site.

Take a shuttle from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or fly. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.