Although the Dominican Republic boasts an assortment of spectacular beaches, the island is much more than white sand, turquoise water and tropical weather. While the mountain paths and rapid waves of the northern coast allow for a more adventurous experience, the relatively secluded areas of the south make for a low-key retreat.
Children of all ages will be entertained by the many activities the island has to offer. From nature excursions and water sports to horseback riding and mountain biking, the diversity of the land and overall affordability makes the country a fantastic destination for a family getaway.
Animal Parks & Aquariums
Tours
Water Parks
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking
Whalewatching
Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking
Animal Parks & Aquariums
Acuario Nacional, Santo Domingo
Phone: (809) 766-1709
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 5:30 pm.
Bordering the Carribean Sea, the national aquarium offers visitors a glimpse of the Caribbean's diverse, colorful sea life. The aquarium's Plexiglas tunnel surrounds spectators with water, sharks, rays and conger eels. A variety of colorful fish swim throughout the tunnel, while exhibits explain different types of marine environments.
Ocean World, Puerto Plata
Phone: (809) 291-1000
Website: www.oceanworld.net
This large marine theme park offers interactive experiences such as swimming with bottlenose dolphins in the world's largest dolphin lagoon, feeding stingrays, exploring an artificial reef, getting close to sharks in the world's first shark interaction pool and swimming just inches from tigers. Parents need not worry, as children and tigers are safely separated by glass. Guests have the opportunity to experience a rainforest complete with waterfalls, beaches, lagoons and wildlife. Birds, iguanas, lizards, frogs, snakes, fish and tigers will captivate park visitors.
Manati Park, Bavaro, Punta Cana
Phone: (809) 221-9444
Website: www.manatipark.com
Manati Theme Park focuses on nature, animals and the history of the Dominican Republic. Located in Bavaro-Punta Cana, the park is centered on an incredible landscape of magnificent gardens abundant with orchids and tropical plants. This park is a huge hit with kids as it encourages them, with the assistance of professionals, to hold non-poisonous snakes and play in a pool with dolphins.
Parque Zoologico Nacional, Santo Domingo
Phone: (809) 562-3149. http://www.zoodom.gov.do/
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Located north of Santo Domingo, Pargue Zoologico is one of the largest zoos in Latin America. The 320-acre park provides guests with the opportunity to see intriguing animals like tigers, chimps and hyenas, while also offering glimpses of crocodiles, flamingos and nocturnal anteaters. Whether children are discovering creatures in the large landscaped grounds or going for a ride on the shuttle train, they're sure to enjoy their visit to Santo Domingo's National Zoo.
Tours
Islabon Jungle River Tour
Phone: (809) 248-2818
Located about three miles east of Cabarete, the Islabon Jungle River Tour allows kids to explore the Islabon river area by boat and walk through jungle trails to a mini zoo that includes iguanas, snakes, turtles, ravens and North American crocodiles. The tour includes an informative chat about the nature found in the area.
Monster Truck Safari
Phone: (809) 244-4060
This full-day adventure tour allows participants to experience the diversity and beauty of the Dominican countryside in a fun, comfortable and safe environment. Holding approximately (28 people for small jeeps, and 32 for large), the large eight-wheel drive safari jeeps are driven by professionals on a variety of terrain. Participants are seated up high to ensure an exceptional view of the countryside and will be covered in case of rain. Various stops throughout the day offer a glimpse of true Dominican culture and life.
Insider's Tip: Many tourists enjoy bringing small gifts with them on the Monster Truck Safari for distribution to Dominican children in remote villages. These gifts may include pens, crayons, clothing and small toys.
Fun-Fun Cave
Phone: (809) 553-2812 / Email: ranchocapote@cuevafunfun.com / Website: www.cuevafunfun.com
This adventure goes beyond the limits of what we know, taking participants back to the Stone Age. Guests start the tour by riding horseback through Los Haitises National Park. Once at the banks of Fun Fun Cave, participants descend on a rope with a free fall of more than 60 feet into the cave. Upon their arrival into the dwelling, people can explore colorful tunnels, gigantic corridors and mystical underground rivers.
Water Parks
Aqua Center, Puerto Plata
Phone: (809) 571-3690, Ext. 3118
Website: http://www.aqua-center.com/uk/nonsub3.asp
Located less than a mile from Sosua's Marine Park, this water sport and diving center has a variety of trained instructors who can meet the needs of divers or snorkelers at any level. The Discovery Scuba program allows families to explore the underwater world together, while an Aqua Center professional takes pictures. Children must be at least 10 years old to become a certified diver.
Horseback Riding
One of the most popular vacation excursions for families in the Dominican Republic is horseback riding. Many of the horseback riding operators offer Creole horses, known for their tameness and trained specifically to go slowly for children's safety. Ranches are located all over the island, offering rides along the beach, on flat field areas, or in the more mountainous terrain of the Dominican Republic. Almost every all-inclusive beach resort will be able to recommend, if not provide, horseback riding facilities.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking can be done all over the island, with the majority of rides taking place in the northern mountain range (Cordillera Septentrional) and the central mountain range (Cordillera Central). Trails vary from beginner to challenging all-day or overnight advanced levels through rolling hills and rugged mountain areas. With its countless unpaved roads and mule trails, the country is a fantastic setting for mountain biking. Enthusiasts will find that most of the larger cities in the country have a mountain biking club that welcomes foreigners for participation in their weekly rides. Regardless of the location on the island, a breathtaking setting is guaranteed.
Whale Watching
Between January 15th and March 25th each year, thousands of humpback whales of the North Atlantic population migrate to the Samana Bay region, located on the east coast of the DR. Tour operators provide boat excursions deep into the bay so visitors may witness these large, warm blooded mammals as they play in the sea. Many tour operators also provide educational commentary about the whales during each excursion.
Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking
Home to the Caribbean's highest mountains and longest rivers, the DR is a great place to take the family for some adventurous fun. It's recommended that rafting be done during the fall and winter, as this is just after the island's rainy season. Located near the mountain resort of Jarabacoa, the Rio Yaque is the longest river in the Caribbean and offers both challenging and easy stretches. It includes amusing features such as "Mike Tyson," a 12-foot vertical drop and "The Cemetery," a great stretch of rocks sticking up like tombstones, but also offers winding curves of calmer water for easy drifting.
- Rancho Baiguate (809-574-4940), rafting and kayaking $95/day, waterfall $65/day, mountain trek www.ranchobaiguate.com
- Colonial Tour Rafting (809-688-5285), rafting, waterfall
- Iguana Mama (809-571-0908), www.iguanamama.com
- Rancho Jarabacoa (809-222-3202), rafting or kayaking