• Tubagua - A picturesque hillside drive leads you to the quaint village of Tubagua along the scenic “Calle Turistica” route from Puerto Plata to Santiago, offering stunning ocean and mountain vistas. It’s just over a half-hour drive from Puerto Plata or Sosua / Cabarete.
• Taino Valley Tropical Park - Our first stop is the “Taino Valley Tropical Park,” where you’ll find a lush tropical forest. Our guide will introduce you to the flowers, trees, palms, plants, bamboo, fruits, vegetables, and condiments that thrive in the Dominican mountains. Some flowers have unique growth patterns typical of the Caribbean. Scattered throughout the park are small statues from the Taino era, each representing a Taino god. Detailed explanations of each statue and the reasons behind the Tainos’ worship are provided. The forest’s water flows through several natural ponds teeming with fish. Along the route, there’s a viewpoint with benches overlooking a verdant valley with mountains in the background. We will demonstrate traditional Dominican coffee-making and cigar-rolling techniques. You’ll also enjoy a fresh fruit tasting, featuring produce grown in the surrounding hills.
• Taino Valley Tropical Park - Nestled in a lush tropical setting near the park entrance, you can participate in various workshop demos on coffee, chocolate, and cigar making, all in collaboration with local small farmers who support their families through these activities. You’ll receive general information about the production processes and taste the finest products that Dominican nature offers. Additionally, a fruit-tasting experience and a traditional lunch are not to be missed.

• Coffee: Learn about coffee cultivation and processing, from the tree to the traditional brew. Discover the different varieties and qualities of coffee and how to brew the perfect cup in the traditional Dominican way. Enjoy a tasting session where you can savor the aroma and flavor of the finest coffee.

• Taino Valley Tropical Park - • Chocolate: Explore the chocolate-making process, from cacao pods to delectable bars. Indulge in a chocolate tasting, sampling everything from dark to milk chocolate, plain to flavored. The chocolate is produced by the “Chojoba” non-profit association, comprised solely of local women. Founded 10 years ago, this group empowers women to be productive and valuable members of their homes and community, beyond their roles as housewives.

• Taino Valley Tropical Park - • Organic Fruit Tasting: Directly from nature! You’ll be introduced to various fruits that grow in the area, such as mangoes, pineapples, bananas, papayas, melons, avocados, and more. Delight in a fruit tasting, enjoying the freshness and sweetness of the fruits straight from the land.

• Yasica Arriba - • Cigars: No visit to the Dominican Republic is complete without witnessing the art of cigar making, from leaf to smoke. Learn about the different types of tobacco and cigars, and how to cut, light, and smoke them. Optionally, you can participate in a cigar tasting ($), where you’ll appreciate the aroma and taste of the finest Dominican cigars.

• Casa Antigua, Tubagua - • To top it all off, enjoy an authentic woodfire-prepared lunch in a typical Dominican house over 100 years old. The meal is cooked the traditional Dominican way in a “fogon” by a passionate team using organic ingredients from the house and local farmers. Savor delicious dishes like rice, beans, chicken, salad, and more. The garden behind the house grows bananas, avocados, pineapples, tomatoes, and much more. You can stroll around the house and see that a supermarket is unnecessary, as almost everything grows in the surrounding yard.

• Rio Sonador - Depending on the available time (for cruise ship guests), we may visit “Doña Mariana” for a paddle in a crystal-clear creek with small waterfalls, about a half-hour drive further into the hills, passing through some typical Dominican hamlets. (Note: if time allows)

• Bottled water
• All fees and taxes included
• Lunch included

• Alcoholic Beverages are not included, available at the restaurant
• Carbonated beverages