Dominican Republic Surfing, Canyoning, Beaches and More
Overview
2023 trip is confirmed! Let’s go!
This isn’t your typical Dominican Republic vacation. Heck no! Enjoy surfing, yoga, rafting, trapeze lessons, and more! It all takes place from your own beachfront accommodations. The soul-filling hospitality of the Dominican Republic goes so much deeper than the bottom of a tiki glass. Encounter lush jungles, sandy beaches, dramatic mountains, friendly locals, and authentic farm-to-table food along the north shore of Hispaniola Island. Join other adventurous women on our multi-sport Dominican Republic Adventure Vacation!
Cabarete Beachfront Hotel
Your vacation in Cabarete begins the second after arriving at our beachfront home away from home. Sink your toes into the sand for the very first time that week. Read a book by the pool with a view. Go ahead and exhale away every ounce of chaos back home. Then, spend the next week stirring up all the FOMO from your friends who opted for the beach vacation at a mundane, ubiquitous All-Inclusive.
Surf Lessons, Trapeze and Water Activities
Your vacations never looked (or felt) this adventurous before! Take to the waters at Encuentro Beach to learn how to surf. (Yes! You could be that rad chick flashing the hang loose on a surfboard in two hours’ time!). Fly like an acrobat swinging from a trapeze with a crowd of Explorer Chicks cheering you on from the ground. Hike from the countryside down into a river canyon to LEAP FROM WATERFALLS. Such epic payback for the days you couldn’t climb a rope in gym class. Zipline across a sinkhole before dropping into the crystal clear waters. Get acquainted with the real Dominican Republic on a home visit in the countryside including a tasty lunch.
Beachfront Yoga
Think to yourself new body, who dis? as you become a stronger version of yourself every day in the Dominican Republic—all while on vacation! Besides your outdoor playground, you’ll have included access to evening open-air yoga classes overlooking the ocean. No Post Malone is necessary as the waves crash beside your mat.
You’ll have plenty of rest and recovery time as you dine on meals sourced locally and kick back happy hour mojitos from the beachfront bar.
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Adventure Highlights
- Beach to Ocean Surf Lesson at Encuentro Beach
- Canyoning, river trekking, and waterfall jumping
- Flying on a Trapeze
- Swimming and Ziplining into a sinkhole
- Bachata dancing lesson.
- Countryside farm tour including a picnic lunch and swimming
- Three Beach front Yoga practices
- Accommodations in a beachfront hotel with wi-fi, a pool, and a restaurant/bar.
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes the logistics, transportation, navigation, meal planning, lodging, and everything in-between easy.
- Geek out with supportive and encouraging Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
Day 1 – Welcome to Cabarete!
¡Bienvenida to your Dominican Republic vacation! You’ll meet your Explorer Chick Guide in the lobby at our Eco-Hotel right on the beach. She’ll show you around your digs for the next week, and then the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Might we suggest an sunset Yoga practice before we meet in the evening for our official Welcome Dinner.
Meals: D
Day 2 – Surfing Encuentro Beach
You are jumping right into the adventure after filling up on a yummy breakfast with a view of the ocean. Your surf lesson starts on land as our instructors teach you proper form. Then it’s your turn to hop on the “surf simulator” to practice your pop up. Afterwards, we warm-up on the beach before splitting into small groups to take to the water. Your instructors will be with you out in the ocean coaching you the entire time and helping you catch your first wave. Will you wipe out? Heck yes! We all do. Will you scream your face off when you finally ride out a wave? Hell yes! (And we’ll be on the beach cheering you on!).
The afternoon is your’s to enjoy! Hang by the pool. Read a book on the beach. Explore the town of Cabarete. Your Explorer Chick guide can direct you to tasty places to grab lunch too!
Meals: B, D
Day 3 – Run off to the Circus (thanks to Trapeze Lessons)
Today you give new meaning to the phrase: Trap Queen. Yes, you will be soaring through the air with style and grace hanging from a trapeze. Our experienced instructors will walk you through all the steps and make the calls from the ground below. Next thing you know, you’ll be dangling from your knees and flying through the air like a pro. Nail the knee hang, and you’ll be doing your first release into the arms of a catcher!
It’s another free afternoon for you to enjoy! You can fill on your own or if you opt for any optional excursions our Explorer Chick Guide will send you out on your adventure.
Meals: B, D
Day 4 – Countryside Farm Tour and River Swimming
After breakfast, we head to the countryside to experience the Real Dominican Republic. We’ll visit the home of a local family who will show us around their farm and feed our hungry bellies with Sancocho – a traditional Dominican Soup prepared for special occasions. There will also be plenty of time to swim in the river.
Once we dry off, we’ll sit down for a true farm-to-table lunch prepared exclusively for us. Trust us, when we say it’s lip smacking good!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5 – Canyoneering
This is your biggest day yet and the most challenging! We’re talking some real, backcountry canyoneering in lush jungles through a turquoise river. You’ll emerge out of the canyon a whole new woman. Tired, bruised, and stronger than ever!
We’ll depart after breakfast to base camp and then it’s time to suit up in wet suits, harnesses, helmets, and life jackets. We’ll hike down into the canyon! Canyon is the operative word. Go down and come up! It’s steep in both directions and can be challenging. Remember, you’re not in Disneyland, but in the backcountry.
Once in the river, you’ll enjoy a mix of swimming, trekking, and scrambling. Depending on the weather, you’ll have up to 15 jumps from waterfalls from as tall as 35 feet. (Some jumps will have the option for a rappel if you second guess yourself). You’ll have your group of Explorer Chick sisters with you the entire time encouraging each other throughout the entire journey down river.
The hike out is probably the most challenging as it steep (Remember, you’re in a canyon!) We’ll take our time hiking out with frequent rests. BUT, the pay off is a yummy, home cooked, authentic Dominican lunch waiting for you back at base camp. (And bring a few extra pesos to buy a celebratory cerveza!)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6 – Sink Hole Swimming and Beaches
Following an epic day of Canyoning, it is time for a rest day! Pack your swimmies and a day bag as we take a little road trip east. Our first stop is an enchanting sink hole. With it’s crystal clear waters, it’ll be a no brainer to jump right on in. If you’re feeling extra brave, head to the top to zipline across and then make a splash dropping about 30′ into the pool. After playing in and exploring some of the other caves, we’ll make our way to new beach. Here, you can play in the waves while our lunch is prepared for our beach lunch. Oh, and there will be boozy concoctions served in pineapples.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7 – Free Day
Today is completely yours to enjoy! Perhaps end your trip with a massage, an extra surf lesson, or another go on the trapeze. Or maybe you just want to relax on the beach enjoying the waves crashing. It’s a good day to shop for souvenirs in town like some Larimar jewelry – a rare blue stone found only in the DR, or a bag of coffee to share with family back home. In evening we’ll head out for one last special dinner together! Feeling feisty? Stay out late to dance Bachata and Salsa at LAX!
Meals: B, D
Day 8 – Departures
It’s time to trade beach life for real life. Hug your Explorer Chicks tight, and take home unforgettable memories and bad jokes from our untamed, wild paradise.
Meals: B
*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.
Throughout your week of adventure, you’ll have plenty of free time to relax by the beach, read a book by the pool, explore Cabarete, or grab a mojito at the bar.
Some Explorer Chicks want to fill every second of their trip with adventure, so we have hand-selected optional excursions to fill your free time.
Massage – Enjoy a massage at our hotel in your room, on your patio, or on the sun deck. Cost – $65
Horseback Riding: Enjoy an easy 1 hour ride on the beach. Cost – $65
Sunset SUP: Watch the sun set over the ocean from your SUP board in Sosua Bay. Cost – $65
Trapeze: Spend more time swinging and flying through the air on the trapeze. Cost – $40
Surfing: Get back out on the water and catch more waves. Cost – $40
You are welcome to book as many activities as your adventurous heart desires! We will squeeze your options into our itinerary. We will let you know your schedule once we are in the Dominican Republic. The weather can change fast in the tropics and so can our itinerary. If we must cancel one of your optional excursions, we will issue you a refund in the same manner that you paid.
You will be able to book your Optional Adventures at check-out or during your trip in the Dominican Republic with your Explorer Chick Adventure Leader.
*Price does not include Tips for your Optional Adventure Guide. Tipping is not mandatory, but our Explorer Chicks enjoy the opportunity to thank their guides. Recommended 10-20%
- 8 days/7 nights of shared occupancy accommodations at a Beach Front Hotel. The rooms have an ocean front view with a mini fridge, drinking water, A/C, a private balcony, and safe.
- Accommodation amenities include a pool, Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar and on the Beach location.
- Two hour Surf lesson including transportation, surf board, reef shoes and all other necessary gear on Encuentro Beach.
- Canyoning, hiking, and cascading including transportation, helmet, wet suit and all other necessary gear. Plus, an authentic Dominican lunch.
- A Bachata dance lesson
- A trapeze or aerial silks lesson
- Zipline and Sinkhole swimming with a beach lunch
- Countryside Home and Farm Tour with an authentic lunch
- 3 Yoga classes in open air with a beach view
- All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-7, L-3, D-7.
- A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt.
- All tips for included meals and local guides.
- A detailed Travel Guide upon booking with everything you need to know for your trip.
- The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!
- One experienced Explorer Chick Leader ensuring your trip is seamless and unforgettable!
- Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 12 women.
*Packages do NOT include your airfare, airport transportation, alcoholic beverages, Explorer Chick Leader Tips, or costs for additional activities.
*Does NOT include your Explorer Chick Guide’s Tips – Tipping your Explorer Chick Guide is optional, but customary. If you wish to recognize your Explorer Chick Guide for exceptional service, we recommend you tip them 10-25% of your trip costs.
*A passport that is valid for at least 6 months past your arrival date is required.*
Arrival: Plan to arrive anytime on your Day 1.
Transportation costs are not included, but we will arrange for shuttles pairing you with other Explorer Chicks to save on the fare.
The airports, transfer times, approximate one-way fares are below. Fares are listed for the entire shuttle which can be shared. You will pay your driver directly.
- Puerto Plata – Gregorio Luperon (POP) – $35, Road travel time approx. 25 minutes
- Santiago – Cibao International (STI) – $100, Road Travel time approx. 90 minutes
- Santo Domingo – Las Americas International (SDQ) – $250, Road travel time approx. 2-3 hours
Departure: Plan to depart anytime on our final day.
You will receive a travel guide attached to your booking confirmation with all the information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip!
We require a minimum of 4 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking your airfare.
We highly recommend training prior to this Dominican Republic vacation. The itinerary is packed full of adventure! To get the most from your trip we recommend having a solid fitness base, otherwise you can expect muscle soreness.
Canyoning includes very steep climbs that are taxing on legs. This is your biggest day with hiking into the canyon, trekking and swimming through the river, and then hiking out. It is a single track trail into the canyon that can be muddy and very steep. Once in the river, expect some scrambling and some slippery rocks. Our guides will be quick to point out slick spots and to offer a hand. This should not be under estimated! It is a true backcountry adventure. (And you are rewarded with the best lunch ever!).
The next most challenging day is Surfing – it takes a lot to paddle back out after every wipe out. It’s earned, baby!
The biggest challenge through out this adventure is mental especially for our Explorer Chicks with a fear of heights. Our founder, Nicki, conquered hers here while jumping from waterfalls and swinging on trapeze. It’s all about learning to trust your body and shutting off your mind and down your fears. You got this, Explorer Chick. (And we’ll be there cheering you on!)
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.
Still not convinced that THIS is the adventure for you?
We’ve rounded up some of our most popular blog posts, so you can get to know us a bit better and learn what really goes down on your Explorer Chick Adventure.
- Remember How it Feels to Play
- You are NOT Alone
- The Power of Explorer Chick
- What Does an Explorer Chick Look Like?
- We are ALL IN
- We Do Dumb Stuff
- The Explorer Chick Purpose
- The Traveler vs. the Tourist
- 6 Benefits to Booking with a Tour Company
You can always reach us by email with more questions! Info@ExplorerChick.com
To protect your travel investment and your hide, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive an no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes.
$2,599
Save $300 with our Early Bird Discounts!
Just book at least 6 Months in Advance! Discount is automatically applied.
Non-Refundable Deposit: $300 due at booking to secure your spot
- Single Room Upgrade: $699
Payment Plans are Available!
- Email payments@explorerchick.com after booking to set up an automatic monthly payment plan.
- OR make your own custom payments in your Explorer Chick account (Created after booking).
7 Reviews
Melissa
October 15th, 2016Goodbye DR, it was as incredible and beautiful as I had hoped it would be! What a great group of ladies who I now have the privilege to call friends. Love you ladies! #explorerchicks
Theresa L.
November 16th, 2016Well worth it. I’m so glad I went on this trip. I was a little nervous about whether or not I could keep up with everyone. It was an exciting and challenging adventure and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Made new friends, ate new foods and learned a lot about myself. So much better than a boring all inclusive resort.
Heather G.
November 16th, 2017Amazing adventure and so happy to have been amongst this wonderful, bad ass group of ladies!!! Nicki is an incredible tour leader/inspiration/“cheerleader”/hostest with mostest who not only embarked on this incredible journey with us but ensured we had the best experience as possible! It is soooooo nice to have had “Explorer Chick” to organize a memorable adventure such as this so we could simply enjoy all the different activities for the week!
Words cannot convey how impactful this trip was for me personally. I experienced so many “firsts” and all I can think about is what other “firsts” still await in my future!
Thank-you again to Nicki, Explorer Chick, Extreme Hotel, and the many adventure partnerships you have flourished for future adventurers!!!
Watch out because I know I will be back!!!!
Julie K.
February 24th, 2018I got to go on the DR trip back in March 2017 and I had the time of my life. Were surfing and waterfall jumping is so much fun that you want to do it over and over again.. I not only made new friends I pushed myself to do things I would have never done by myself. I have a great group of women there to help each other, I had an awesome person who was in charge of making sure everyone was happy and encouraging everyone to have fun. Nikki’s is an amazing lady and a great person who I call a friend. I’m planning on going on another trip in the future.
Cheryl J.
February 24th, 2018My trip to the Dominican Republic with the Explorer Chick Adventure CO. was INCREDIBLE!!! Nicki was a Rock Star!!! All the tours that were planned went off without a hitch and were an Experience of a lifetime. She really went above and beyond to make sure she had the Best tour operators/instructors, Badass adventures, delicious restaurants and an Awesome hotel so that we could have the BEST week ever. Every night she would prep you for the next day,so you were always very well prepared for the next adventure. It was so much fun being with a group of women encouraging and inspiring you throughout the week. I can’t wait to go on my next Explorer Chick Adventure!!!
Abbey T.
February 24th, 2018Guuuuuurl book that trip! ♀️
2016 was a bit of a rough year for me and was filled with some big life changes. To say the least I was not in a good place. I happened to come across EC randomly on the app Meetup and quickly started checking out all the adventures. I had never been out of the country before so the Dominican trip immediately caught my eye. It took me a few days, but finally decided I needed to go on this trip.
At first I was a little intimidated; I was a solo traveler on my first trip out of the country meeting up with women whom I’ve never met. But, the minute I arrived at the hotel and was greeted by a very enthusiastic Nicki that intimidation went away. This is the exact trip that I needed, and let me just say you’ll walk away feeling like such a complete BADASS!! My favorite part was probably the canyoning trip through Ciguapa Falls. It was a challenge and I loved it. I was sore the next day, but it was the good kind of sore. 🙂
I left the Dominican with new friends and feeling so empowered. This was such a great start to my 2017, and made me completely forget about my crappy 2016. Since then I’ve been on the overnight backpacking workshop to red river gorge, and I can’t wait for more EC adventures in the future!
Randi
March 30th, 2018I had an amazing trip with Explorer Chick in the Dominican Republic and can’t recommend the company enough. From the ease of booking and the attention paid to my individual needs, to the time and effort put into curating exciting, challenging and memorable experiences, each part of this trip was well planned and executed. I have no doubt each adventure offered is equally fulfilling and fun.