Munoz Getaway

Introduction
Puerto Plata Dominican Republic

Experience life the way it used to be, on an exceptional horse riding vacation amongst the tropical beauty, mountains and beaches of the Dominican Republic!

Muñoz is located in a small tropical village, 2.5 km from the Playa Dorata Hotel Complex and beach in Puerto Plata.

For budget minded riders, we offer a simple, unforgettable riding experience in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.…the real Dominican Republic.

While enjoying simplicity, the tropics and traditional laid-back culture, take advantage of riding in the rich nature - through Sugar canes fields, fruit trees, astonishing water falls and many very characteristic villages. Taste the delicious fresh fruits of the season. while gazing at the breathtaking scenery. Discover with your guide, the genuinely friendly people and their culture in the most pleasant mild tropical weather!

Our weeklong getaway includes studio or apartment accommodations with 5 riding days (more upon request). The rural apartments, the shelter for your riding enchantment, will set you up for a happy, relaxing and rewarding outdoor holiday. You will feel like you are in the fountain of youth when you are splashing in the crystal clear waters at the local swimming hole.

Accomodation

The 24 apartments at Sun camp dr are located across the hotel Complex of Playa Dorada in the safe and quiet paradise of Muñoz Village. 

The studios and apartments are simple and basic, but fully furnished with an equipped kitchen.

Sorry - no phones or TVs. Guests have a public phone to call and receive calls.

There is no air conditioning in the apartments, but they stay cool due to the open layout and with the fresh air coming from the river. Each apartment has a fan. Windows have screens only, no glass.
There is a laundry place and a barbecue area

There is a restaurant on site and and there are others within walking distance. Meals are available at the on site restaurant or in the village nearby for ~$6 to $12 per meal.  You can also cook in the apartments, and there is a corner stores nearby to get the ingredients you need. Do not hesitate to try the local food products. They are not only cheaper, it is natural and healthy! We recommend you don’t eat the food sold on the streets, it might not be fresh.

Studio: one big space with the kitchen area + bathroom.
One bedroom apartment: two separate spaces, the bedroom with a door and the kitchen-living area + bathroom.
Two bedroom apartment: two separate bedrooms, plus a kitchen-living area + bathroom.

The Apartments have kitchens, and the studios have kitchenettes. They are basically equipped with what you need to start preparing a meal. All apartments and studios have refrigerators and gas stoves.

Drinking Water: Five gallons water containers are for sale on site – we don’t recommend drinking the tap water.

Internet: High-speed internet available: you can use one hour for 100 pesos (3 USD)

Riding
More experienced riders will be able to do some extra riding. For example when you reach the beach, there is a nice bar-restaurant, after a little riding on the beach the more experienced rider can go for long, fast runs on the beach while other people rest. Similarly, during our rides through the sugar cane fields, there is usually more than one guide - One guide takes some riders on a fast gallop while the other guide will keep a slower pace, and may even take a short cut to reach a restaurant or other specific areas.

Itinerary

Riding Excursions
(suggested itinerary - not necessarily in the same order)

Beach Tour (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Appreciate riding through the local villages and witness breathtaking views of this Caribbean island. A gallop through the Sugar cane fields will lead you to your exclusive tropical ride along Boca Nueva and Bergantine beaches…an emotional and rewarding experience!

(Beach riding possible if allowed by the Tourist Office at this specific time).

After your ride the ideal temperature of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean welcomes you for the refreshing swim you deserve

Round off your day with a typical lunch buffet, or fresh fish or lobster. Delicious food!

Sunset ride (3.30 – 6:30 p.m).
Evening ride through the countryside & mountain trails.  You will be in awe of the stunning colors that appear when the sun goes down and shines across the palm tree leaves.  On the back of your horse, climb to the high elevations in order to enjoy a better view. At some points, your can see out to the ocean and as far as Sosua!

Stop for soft drinks or try coconut water or sugar cane juice (guarapo).

Mountain Tour (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Mountain trail riding through the rich, green vegetation will lead you to the true discovery of the secrets of the Dominican Republic.  Your guide will point out all the different Palm trees and their uses, either for construction or food. You will pass by different fruit trees and plantations: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, guavas, coconuts, avocados, mangos and other agricultural products of the tropics. Depending on the season, you can taste the different fresh fruits.

Welcome to the local villages! You will be amazed by the originality of their construction and materials! They hang their clothes to dry on the trees or cactus which form the fence around the house. Witness a different way of living, chat with the happy people and enjoy the stunning scenery - you will feel like you are part of a movie….almost unreal!

A refreshing swim in a lagoon is your next stop. You will not be able to resist the crystal clear water. The relaxing swim will leave you feeling rejuvinated and ready for a healthy lunch. 

A Typical Dominican lunch buffet offering you a choice of chicken in a Creole sauce, fried beef meat, rice and beans, spaghetti, different salads and fresh coffee.

Discovery tour (9 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.)
Today we encounter Mother Nature and the culture of local people. Ride across tropical plantations, gallop through the country side, stop and learn about important export products like cacao and coffee. Learn about the important sugar cane industry (used to be number one industry in the country), and socialize with the farmers. Discover more facts about Dominican life ( facilities, work, wages, values, etc). Visit a Dominican family in their humble house and see how they live with basic facilities and tools, and their traditional ways of cooking. Watch the children play at school and learn about their educational system. Join in with a Domino game - a favorite pastime!

Stop for soft drink. You can also taste the local rum made of sugar cane!

Cascades Tour (9.00 a.m. – 12.00 pm)
Explore new trails towards spectacular small cascading waterfalls. You will discover remote villages with limited services. On the way, indulge all your senses, listening to the song of a variety of birds, the breeze along the river, and the footsteps of the horses, admire the brightly colored houses and beautiful environment they stand in, and smell the plants and flowers, such as orchids, hibiscus, cayenne, bougainvillea and more that decorate the houses and line the trails. Your guide will explain the use of different cactus, some of which are medicinal. Take with you some leaves or roots to prepare a delicious natural tea in your apartment.

Stop at a friendly corner store (like in the old times!)

Lunch at another very traditional location.

Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Munoz Getaway

Dates Note: arrival can be any day of the week

Other Info
Meeting: Puerto Plata
Airport: Puerto Plata
Transfer: Puerto Plata

Climate:

The weather in Dominican Republic is tropical year round, with slight variations dividing it into basically two seasons, summer and winter. The average annual temperature is around 25° (77°F).

Average Daily Temperature

These temperatures are in Celsius (Average High is 87o F, Average Low is 73oF )

Cool season
The so-called "cool" season is from November to April. You will experience pleasantly warm weather, relatively low humidity and low precipitation. On the coast, i.e. near the beaches, the temperature hovers fairly constantly around 29°C (84°F) during the day and drops to around a comfortable 20°C (68°F) at night.

Hot season
The "hot" season is roughly from May to October. Then, the average temperature rises to 31°C (87°F) during the daytime and drops to about 22°C (72°F) at night. However, with the accompanying high humidity that is more common during this season, it usually feels much hotter. It does rain a bit more often during this season, especially from May to August, but usually this turns out to be no more than a 30 minute tropical (sometimes heavy) shower.

Mosquitos are really not a problem at this location due to the breeze from the river and natural setting. In the city, the mosquitos are much worse! The bedrooms all have screens in the windows, and if you keep the door closed you will have no problems. If you wish we can provide a mostquito net.  There is only about one hour in the evening, when the sun goes down and there is less breeze, that mosquitos become more abundant, especially if it has recently rained.

Long pants are required for riding. Please, no sandals. Riding helmets and Beach Towels are provided.

Don’t forget toiletries, any medicines you usually take, eye drops, Aspirin, anti-inflammatory ointments for insect bites; medicines for fever and stomach illnesses.