Dominican Republic

Including Los Haitises National Park, Montaña Redonda, Isla Saona and Cotubanama National Park

Looking out to the beach from our resort in Punta Cana
February 3rd - February 9th, 2025

The Dominican Republic

Since we were already close by to the Dominican Republic after visiting the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, we decided to include a one week stay at an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

We had a good time here, the resort was nice and the white sand beaches had beautiful clear blue water. The resort provided entertaining nightly shows and other activities during the day.

We also went on two different all day excursions. One was an excursion to Saona Island, and another was a 3 in 1 tour including Los Haitises National Park.

All Inclusive Resort

While we were in the Dominican Republic we stayed at an all inclusive resort called "Impressive", which we really liked. The food was good, the pools were nice, and there were good nightly shows and activities.

The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
The pier at Impressive Resort
The pier at Impressive Resort
The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
The view from the pier at Impressive Resort
Dinner at the Japanese restaurant at Impressive Resort
Dinner at the Japanese restaurant at Impressive Resort
Dinner at the Japanese restaurant at Impressive Resort
Dinner at the Japanese restaurant at Impressive Resort
Our pool at Impressive Resort
Our pool at Impressive Resort
It was fun to get dressed up for dinner every night at the resort
It was fun to get dressed up for dinner every night at the resort
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant
Our pool at Impressive Resort
Our pool at Impressive Resort
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant
The view from one of the dinner restaurants at Impressive Restaurant

Eco Saona Island Excursion

The first all day excursion we went on was a Saona Island excursion. This tour included multiple stops, including Cotubanama National Park, the small village of Mano Juan on Saona Island, Catuano for lunch, and snorkeling at Palmilla.

Getting on the boat for our all day excursion
Getting on the boat for our all day excursion
Some interesting cliff sides along Cotubanama National Park
Some interesting cliff sides along Cotubanama National Park
Debarking at Mano Juan
Debarking at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
The beach at Mano Juan
Beach dogs at Mano Juan
Beach dogs at Mano Juan
Mano Juan
Mano Juan
The village of Mano Juan
The village of Mano Juan
The village of Mano Juan
The village of Mano Juan
Canto De La Playa
Canto De La Playa
We had lunch at Catuano, where island cats begged for food
We had lunch at Catuano, where island cats begged for food
Hanging out at Catuano after lunch
Hanging out at Catuano after lunch
Hanging out at Catuano after lunch
Hanging out at Catuano after lunch
The last destination of our excursoin was Palmilla, where there were giant starfish
The last destination of our excursoin was Palmilla, where there were giant starfish

Los Haitises National Park + Yanigua Waterfall + Montaña Redonda

The second all day excursion we went on was a 3 in 1 tour, which included Montaña Redonda, Los Haitises National Park and Yanigua Waterfall. We loved Los Haitises National Park, it was actually the filming location for some scenes in Jurassic Park.

Views from the top of Montaña Redonda
Views from the top of Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Views from the top of Montaña Redonda
Views from the top of Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda
Boating through the mangroves at Los Haitises National Park
Boating through the mangroves at Los Haitises National Park
Turtle head rock at Los Haitises National Park
Turtle head rock at Los Haitises National Park
Boating through the mangroves at Los Haitises National Park
Boating through the mangroves at Los Haitises National Park
If you look close, you can see a tiny crab at the bottom of the tree. These crabs were crawling literally everywhere in Los Haitises.
If you look close, you can see a tiny crab at the bottom of the tree. These crabs were crawling literally everywhere in Los Haitises.
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Ancient pictographs in Taino Caves
Ancient pictographs in Taino Caves
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Taino caves in Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises National Park
Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves in Los Haitises National Park
Our tour stopped at Salto de Yanigua for lunch, where we got to eat cacao beans from a cacao pod (where chocolate comes from).
Our tour stopped at Salto de Yanigua for lunch, where we got to eat cacao beans from a cacao pod (where chocolate comes from).
A cacao pod where cacao beans (chocolate) comes from
A cacao pod where cacao beans (chocolate) comes from
We also ate some native apples from an apple tree
We also ate some native apples from an apple tree
Cacao beans, which actually taste pretty good plain
Cacao beans, which actually taste pretty good plain
Yanigua Falls at Salto de Yanigua
Yanigua Falls at Salto de Yanigua
Previous Adventure

Puerto Rico

The fort “El Morro” in old San Juan