Playa Macao and Redonda Montaña Day Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

This trip was supposedly a planned 2 days tour on two different best beaches of Dominican Republic. The first day was in Playa Macao and Buggy ride and the 2nd day was in Saona Island. Unfortunately, I received a whatsapp message just afternoon of the 1st day from the tour operator declaring the 2nd day was cancelled due to lack of joiners. Since I don't wanna waste my time in Dominican Republic doing nothing, I change the trip to Redunda Montana + Playa Macao.

Playa Macao is declared by UNESCO as one of the best in the Caribbean for its fine sand and abundant palm trees, this stunning beach is virtual eye candy! Natural, expansive, virginal and 3.2 miles long, Playa el Macao is what dreams are made of.  As soon as arrive atop the hillcrest, all you will be able to say is… “WOW”! There is so much space to explore and not many people. Playa el Macao is never crowded because the beach is so big – except on weekends as it is a popular destination for Dominicans -At times, there will be excursions from the resorts with a busload of tourists and buggy excursions (which have pretty loud engines) which traverse the white dunes but there is plenty of room for everyone.

http://visitpuntacana.org/playa-el-macao/

It is a scenic place that has been operating as a tourist place since (1999). Its owners are the “Pión Martínez” family. Round Mountain in Miches, is an unforgettable place, being surrounded by the nature of the countryside, enjoy a panoramic view, where the reflection of the lagoons combine with the sun rise on the beach and sunset with the green of the mountains, clean air and singing birds, peace and tranquility.

Day 2: October 13, 2020 Tuesday / Dominican Republic

0530H ETD Hostel; Morning refreshments 60

0630H ETD Santo Domingo

Playa Macao + Buggy 1,890 (paid)

1800H ETA Santo Domingo; snacks 80

TOTAL: 140 DOP

Day 3: October 14, 2020 Wednesday / Dominican Republic

0530H ETD Hostel; Morning refreshments 195

0630H ETD Santo Domingo

Redonda Montaña + Macao Day Tour 1,590 (paid)

2030H ETA Santo Domingo; snacks 235

TOTAL: 430 DOP

Playa Macao and Redonda Montaña Day Tour

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic, and it prides itself in being the first European city in the New World. The old city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Founded by Christopher Columbus's brother Bartolome Colombus in 1496, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas and was the first seat of the Spanish colonial empire in the New World. For this reason, the city of Santo Domingo has a really rich historic and cultural heritage that makes any visit extremely worthwhile.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Santo_Domingo

Day 1: October 12, 2020 Monday / Dominican Republic

Island Life Hostel $72; Free breakfast

0830H Colonial Zone Historic Walk Tour

Exchange $1= 58DOP; $100=5,800DOP

Lunch 290; magnet 100; ATA Excursions 3,880

Refreshments + snacks 465

TOTAL: $72 + 4,735 DOP

Santo Domingo Colonial Historic Walk Tour

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

My 112th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 91st solo backpacking trip, 3rd country in North America, 2nd time in Caribbean and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

As part of the Caribbean the Dominican Republic has the North Atlantic Ocean lying to its north and the Caribbean Sea to its south. It's situated on the island of Hispaniola and occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island while Haiti occupies the western third. After attaining independence in 1844 the Dominican Republic endured many years of a largely non-representative rule until Joaquin Balaguer became president in 1966 holding office until 1996. Today regular elections are held and the Dominican Republic now has an impressive and fast growing economy with tourism playing a major role. For the adventure tourist this Caribbean country offers a diverse countryside comprising tropical rainforests, arid desert expanses, alpine ranges and steamy mangrove swamps. It's a playground for trekkers, mountain bike enthusiasts and water-sport junkies.

https://wikitravel.org/en/Dominican_Republic

4 Days Solo Trip in Summer Dominican Republic

Miami City Transit Visit

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

This trip was very spontaneous. My original plan was to cross the border of Dominican Republic through Ouanaminthe in Haiti. Unfortunately, the border was closed which was why the Caribe Tours bus station is closed. I just booked my ticket just night before the flight.

Miami, officially the City of Miami, is a metropolis located in southeastern Florida in the United States. It is the second most populous metropolis on the East coast of the United States, and it is the seventh largest in the country. The city is an economic powerhouse, serving as the financial and business capital of Latin America. Miami is a major center and leader in finance, commerce, culture, arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America" and is the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami

Day 5: October 11, 2020 Sunday / Miami Transit

0952H Port Au Prince UTC -0400H; flight AA1181

1157H ETA Miami UTC -0400H; 6hr transit

Miami aftenoon tour; bus #150 to South Beach

Miami South Beach; Burger King $10; souvenirs $17

1830H ETA Miami Airport; dinner $17

2030H ETD Miami; flight AA1511

2245H ETA Santo Domingo; Uber to hostel $16

TOTAL: $60

Miami City Transit Visit

9 Days Solo Trip in Summer Hispaniola Island (Caribbean)

2nd Wave of Pandemic Adventure and 1st time in Caribbean

October 07 to October 15, 2020

32 Li backpack and 1st time to bring my laptop on the road... I did not bring my real backpacking stuff as everything was planned only during my Abu Dhabi departure flight going to Manila. Spontaneous minimalism adventure for summer and winter season awaits.

Hispaniola is an island in the Caribbean archipelago known as the Greater Antilles. It is the most populous island in the West Indies and the region's second largest after Cuba. The 76,192-square-kilometre island is divided into two separate, sovereign nations: the Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic (48,445 km2) to the east and French / Haitian Creole-speaking Haiti (27,750 km2) to the west. Hispaniola is the site of the first European settlement in the Americas, La Navidad (1492–1493), as well as the first proper town, La Isabela (1493–1500), and the first permanent settlement and current capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo (est. 1498). These settlements were founded successively in each of Christopher Columbus' first three voyages.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniola

9 Days Solo Trip in Summer Hispaniola Island (Caribbean)