How to See Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in Six Days

Photo courtesy of The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

It’s winter time. For many cold climate dwellers, that means it’s time to take off to a sun-soaked location and laze around the beach. But there’s so much more to island life than the beach. Why not explore two islands instead of holing up on the shore of just one?

Take in the Dominican Republic’s old world cobblestone streets as well as the natural landscape. Traverse Puerto Rico’s sophisticated urban scene and hike the sprawling rainforest. These are my favorite islands for easy travel and exciting adventures. Here’s an itinerary for the perfect island hopping getaway:

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Day 1: Stretch your legs after the flight in the ancient city of Santo Domingo. As the oldest city in the New World, this bustling metropolis claims the first street, university and cathedral in the Americas. Wander the seafront path of the Malecon, which winds along the coastline and stretches around the heart of Santo Domingo.

Dotted with palm trees, obelisks, bistros and clubs, it’s the ultimate place to catch street performers and meet friendly locals. Try the sopa depescado (red snapper chowder) in the limestone cavern of El Mesón de la Cava. Then kick up your heels at the three-tiered Bachata Rosa nightclub.

Day 2: Take a two-hour bus trip to the sugarcane-covered southeastern coast of La Romana (pictured at left). This is a quieter area that focuses on soft adventure. Head to Fun Fun Cave in Hato Mayor, for the biggest caves in the Caribbean. Start the tour with a scenic horseback ride through forests to the cave’s mouth and end it by rappelling six kilometers to the cave floor for a dip in the underground river.

To wind down, visit the beautiful beaches of the Samana Peninsula. Enjoy pearly sands, the world’s largest coconut plantation and (in January–March) whale watching.

Day 3: A short flight and bus ride away is Puerto Plata on the gorgeous northern coastline. Head to Cabarete beach – the so-called kite boarding and windsurfing capital of the world. The best place to be here is dipping into the warm Caribbean water. Take a lesson from a local and have a go at riding the waves. Then head to Damajagua, which has an amazing 27 waterfalls for you to climb, slide and cliff-jump from.

PUERTO RICO

 Day 4: Next up is Puerto Rico’s vibrant capital, San Juan. This dynamic city has over 500 years of history and Taino, African and Spanish influences. Make sure you try a local tradition: Puerto Rico’s signature cocktail, the pina colada, which was created in the 1950s at the iconic Parrot

Club. Head to the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan; explore the imposing forts of El Morro and La Fortaleza.

Hop onto one of the free trolleys to take in a local favorite, Platos Restaurant. Mingle with boriquas (as locals are known) and get a taste of classic Puerto Rican dishes such as the hearty mofongo and spicy asopao. Top the night off with some salsa at the Nuyorican Café.

 Day 5: Take a 20-minute flight to Vieques and head for the pretty vistas of La Isla Nena, or Baby Girl Island as the locals call it. A tiny slip of land along Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, Vieques has mangroves, tropical forests and pristine beaches to explore. Stroll along the colorful malecon (boardwalk) of Esperanza and then kayak or ride an electric pontoon boat out into the spectacle of Mosquito Bay, also known as the Vieques Biobay.

You’ll flip when you glimpse the water glow neon-green in the dark, the result of millions of microscopic, single-celled organisms.

Day 6: Catch a one-hour ferry ride from Vieques to Fajardo. This town has charming open air seafood cafes, seven marinas and a jaw-dropping submerged coral reef. It’s the perfect base for a visit to El Yunque National Forest (pictured at left), the only subtropical rainforest in the US Forest Service. Rent a car for the day, pull on your hiking boots and take a guided tour through the 28,000 acres of wet terrain. Listen for the calls of the coqui tree frog and cool off under the waterfall on La Mina Trail.

Say adios to Puerto Rico with a stop by Luquillo kiosks, a local hangout of about 50 ramshackle stalls all serving up bacalaitos (deep-fried salted cod).