Private Tour: Puerto Plata Merengue and Cacao Discovery

Detailed lecture; listing needs update. Our guide was friendly and entertaining, offering local insight, and the Ciudad Colonial is lovely. However, please note, as of... read moreOur guide was friendly and entertaining, offering local insight, and the Ciudad Colonial is lovely. However, please note, as of the date of this review the itinerary for this tour has changed and the TripAdvisor event description is not up to date; the visit to Los Tres Ojos, coffee, monastery beer, bakery stop, etc. are not included. Please contact the agency for modified tour details. read less

Excellent tour of the historic area and outlying areas of Santo Domingo As luck would have it, I was the only person on this tour! (And I very much appreciate doing it... read moreAs luck would have it, I was the only person on this tour! (And I very much appreciate doing it with just one person.) My guide, José Uribe, could not have been any nicer or knowledagble. I learned much more than I expected. I'm a details person and I sure got them! Don't hesitate scheduling this tour, and if you can, request José. read less

What a wonderful cultural exerience! Jose (my friend) you are the best!!! When I started planning our honeymoon trip, I wanted to include a true cultural experience, in our plans. We had... read moreWhen I started planning our honeymoon trip, I wanted to include a true cultural experience, in our plans. We had reservations at a very nice all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, but I know (from experience) these type places actually kind of shield you from the true flavor, culture and experience of the country they are supposed to represent. So, I set out to find an experienced and highly regarded local guide. Using the internet and friending several people on FB, I found several people that had wonderful experiences with Mr. Jose. After contacting and discussing what I was looking for myself and Wife to experience, I felt I could not go wrong. Well, I was SO right. Jose is a fine gentleman and true steward of his fine country. His knowledge and passion is second to none. We only had a day to go to the city and he utilized every second of our day to the fullest! He gifted me with exactly what I had asked him to provide, a true taste of The Dominican Republic. The city, the rich colonial history, the forest, a waterfall (that we had all to our selves), a wonderful little rural town (where we dined on very authentic, amazing food with locals), some freshly prepared milk candy that was to die for and all the history and local flavor that we could soak in, within the 12 hours we spent together. We... When I started planning our honeymoon trip, I wanted to include a true cultural experience, in our plans. We had reservations at a very nice all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, but I know (from experience) these type places actually kind of shield you from the true flavor, culture and experience of the country they are supposed to represent. So, I set out to find an experienced and highly regarded local guide. Using the internet and friending several people on FB, I found several people that had wonderful experiences with Mr. Jose. After contacting and discussing what I was looking for myself and Wife to experience, I felt I could not go wrong. Well, I was SO right. Jose is a fine gentleman and true steward of his fine country. His knowledge and passion is second to none. We only had a day to go to the city and he utilized every second of our day to the fullest! He gifted me with exactly what I had asked him to provide, a true taste of The Dominican Republic. The city, the rich colonial history, the forest, a waterfall (that we had all to our selves), a wonderful little rural town (where we dined on very authentic, amazing food with locals), some freshly prepared milk candy that was to die for and all the history and local flavor that we could soak in, within the 12 hours we spent together. We so enjoyed ourselves that I am already planning to bring my 17 year old stepson and stay in the city, so we have more time to soak up the beautiful Dominican culture. That day was truly one of the most memorable I've ever had traveling and to top it all off, we gained a new friend. Muchos gracias amigo, Brian K Pinsonat & Angela T Pinsonat

Hope to see you soon! More read less

Walking food tour This was a very interesting experience. I wasn’t expecting to go to a Chinatown but as my wonderful guide Lewis... read moreThis was a very interesting experience. I wasn’t expecting to go to a Chinatown but as my wonderful guide Lewis explained the food reflects the history. He told me about immigration policies and their influence on food. The tour was good but when I explained I was having trouble with ATMs he went above and beyond helpful. He took me to banks I didn’t know about. He took me back to the office to ring the card centre. He didn’t leave me until it was resolved. As an older woman travelling solo with only English it can be very stressful dealing with problems. Lewis was calm and courteous. Thank you again Lewis. You are the best read less