A Tale of Two Tropics: One Week in the DR, Two Weeks in Costa Rica

First Stop: The Dominican Republic

You don’t have to ask me twice when it comes to traveling! I pounced on the opportunity to join an old friend on a trip to the Dominican Republic for a week and linked up with his friends for some adventures at Monkey Land and then off to explore the best food options the DR had to offer.

My trip to Punta Cana was short but memorable—to say the least. I explored beaches along side the locals, found some amazing street food vendors, and tasted foods that left savory flavors on my palate that I still find myself day-dreaming of today.

With only a few days to explore, I chose to spend one of the days exploring Monkey Land. It was the highlight of my experience in the Dominican Republic.

People often brush off the relentless vendors with timeshare offers and excursions off—But every once in awhile you find an offer worth listening to.

We actually took advantage of a steal of a deal as we were exiting the airport in Punta Cana.

We were offered a free day trip to The Hard Rock Café Resort—unlimited food and drinks included—if we purchased one excursion. This was perfect for me, as I was already planning on doing the Monkey Land excursion to check out some wildlife. The Monkey Land tickets were $50 each and we received 4 day passes to spend a day of our choice at The Hard Rock Café Resort. I could not pass this up!

Monkey Land was the first stop on this adventure and easily the most memorable.

As I made friends with the Spider Monkeys, milked some cows, love bombed a baby goat and gossiped with the MaCaws, I found myself wanting this day to never end; It felt like stepping into my own little animal kingdom where the cast of characters kept me endlessly entertained—each one stealing the spotlight in their own way. By the time I was done, I wasn’t sure if I had gone on a wildlife tour or joined a Party Bus! The adventure began with a warm introduction to the Spider Monkeys.

Meet Punta Cana’s Jungle Acrobats

If you hear branches rustling high above in Punta Cana’s lush reserves, chances are it’s not the wind—it’s a troop of spider monkeys showing off. With awkward limbs and a tail that works like an extra hand, these primates can launch themselves across trees like they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil.

Spider monkeys aren’t actually endemic to the Dominican Republic, but they’ve made the tropical forests around Punta Cana a lively home.

You can spot them in ecological parks like Indigenous Eyes, swinging through the canopy in noisy, social groups or at conservation parks like the one I visited, Monkey Land. Native to the rainforests stretching from southern Mexico down through Brazil, they play an important role in their ecosystem—scattering seeds as they snack on fruits and keeping the jungle thriving.

So if you’re wandering through Punta Cana’s greener side,

keep your eyes up—you might just catch a spider monkey dangling upside down, making you feel like you’re the one hanging around for the show. When I booked this excursion, I did it solely for the wildlife encounters, but it had so much more to offer.

Our guides showered us with so many fun facts about all the animals we interacted with—too many facts to recount in one single blog so I will move onto the sweetest part of this excursion: The Coffee and Chocolate.

Dominican Buzz

In the Dominican Republic, coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s practically a personality trait. The plants grow on misty mountain slopes, where shiny red cherries ripen under the Caribbean sun. Inside each cherry? The magic beans that get picked, pulped, and either sun-dried on patios or washed clean before roasting.

Once those green beans turn a deep, aromatic brown, they’re ground and brewed into the rich, smooth coffee that the island is famous for. From mountain harvest to your morning Cafecito, it’s a full-on tropical love story—one sip and you’ll taste the soul of the island.

Once the last drop of rich coffee hit the cup, we traded beans for cacao and jumped headfirst into making chocolate.

From Pod to Paradise

In the Dominican Republic, chocolate doesn’t start in a wrapper—it begins tucked inside colorful cocoa pods hiding under the rainforest canopy. Farmers crack them open to scoop out the sticky, sweet pulp and beans, which are then fermented, dried under the sun, roasted, and ground into rich cocoa.

I was surprised to find these the sticky white pulp tasted nothing like chocolate. Instead, it was this tropical burst of sweetness—tangy and refreshing, almost like nature’s candy. Imagine a mix of lychee and passionfruit with a hint of pineapple—nature’s tropical blend.

The real magic happens when those glossy beans are scooped out of their colorful pods, left to ferment in the tropical air, and then spread wide to dry beneath the blazing Caribbean sun. It’s a process that feels as natural to the island as the rhythm of the waves, slow and unhurried, with plenty of time for the flavors to deepen and develop.

Once the beans are roasted, the air fills with this warm, nutty, almost intoxicating aroma that makes you want to follow your nose straight to the source.

Then they’re ground down into rich cocoa—smooth, bold, and earthy at its core. Add in a little island magic (and just the right amount of sugar), and suddenly you understand why Dominican chocolate doesn’t just have a reputation for being good—it’s celebrated as some of the best in the world.

From the pod to the bar, every step feels like a labor of patience and passion, shaped by the island’s sun, soil, and spirit. The final bite is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a reminder that paradise doesn’t only look beautiful… it tastes it too.

Now, fasten those belt buckles—you’re going to need to for this next blurb. Our next informational stop was all about MamaJuana. IFYKYK—but if you don’t, let me share!

The Dominican Love Potion

Meet Mamajuana, the Dominican Republic’s cheeky little secret. This boozy concoction blends rum, red wine, honey, and a handful of herbs and tree bark that looks like it was scooped straight from the jungle floor. Legend has it the drink first came from the Taíno people, the island’s Indigenous inhabitants, who used it for medicinal and spiritual purposes long before tourists were knocking back shots of it. Over the centuries, it’s evolved into a national treasure—part folk remedy, part liquid mischief..

When I tried it, I’ll admit I was a little skeptical. (Tree bark in alcohol? Really?) But after the first smooth, spiced sip, I got it. Suddenly I understood why locals call it an aphrodisiac. By the second sip, I was laughing, vibing with strangers, and realizing this drink isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about the experience. It’s a social glue, a reason to dance in the rain with people you just met, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love with the Dominican Republic—or whoever’s standing next to you, haha.

The Cenote Experience

After learning about the island’s staples—coffee, chocolate, and the audacious Dominican aphrodisiac, mamajuana—our tour led us to a hidden cenote tucked into the jungle.

Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed when limestone caves collapse, creating crystal-clear freshwater pools. While they’re most famously associated with Mexico, the Dominican Republic has its own enchanting versions, and this one felt like stepping into a secret oasis.

Unlike the glassy-clear cenotes you might have seen pictured on Instagram, this one glowed a striking turquoise, its color popping against the limestone walls and rainforest canopy. I didn’t hesitate—I jumped right in, the shock of the fresh water instantly waking up every sense after the tastings.

Then, as if the moment wasn’t magical enough, music blasted through the rain. Tourists and our local guides alike started dancing, laughing, and vibing together at the water’s edge, turning a serene swim into a spontaneous jungle party.

It was more than just a swim—it was an immersion into the island’s spirit: refreshing, vibrant, and a little wild. Dominican cenotes aren’t just places to cool off; they’re where nature and culture collide in the most unforgettable way.

I don’t think enough people give credit where it’s due—because honestly, the guides are the unsung heroes of these adventures. Ours were phenomenal. They didn’t just rattle off facts; they brought the island to life with stories about the animals, their role on the land, and the traditions woven into the culture and food. Between the music blasting, the jokes flying, and their contagious energy, they had us vibing from start to finish. By the end, it felt less like a tour and more like hanging out with your coolest island friends who just happen to know everything about everything.

This experience? 100% recommend to anyone heading to Punta Cana!

An excursion? Or a Party? Alongside a beautiful Cenote, our guides delivered music, vibes and the Energy that kept the group smiling from ear to ear.

As our time at MonkeyLand came to a close, the vibes did not. Our bus ride back was a place to be!

The Resort Life

On my last day in the Dominican Republic, I decided to cash in my day-trip to the resort. An ALL-DAY FREE PASS with unlimited drinks? What could possibly go wrong? I’ll leave that to your imagination… haha.

This little blurb won’t be too long, since my memory of that day is—let’s just say—long and hazy. The food at the resort was delicious: buffets stacked high with endless options that had me questioning how on earth I managed to fit that much food into one sitting. Diets really do become a thing of the past when you’re staring down a surplus of the island’s delights, each plate more tempting than the last. And of course, when the bartender keeps your glass full without even asking, let’s just say self-control packs up and takes a vacation of its own.

The beaches, however, didn’t leave me too impressed—too many tourists, too little charm. I love talking with locals when I travel, soaking in the culture and the pace of island life, but here I found myself surrounded mostly by other Americans on vacation, staking out chairs at the pool and crowding the —basically the same crowd I could’ve run into back home.

The local beaches, on the other hand, were far more scenic and enjoyable. They didn’t come with unlimited booze, sure—but they offered something better: space to breathe, a taste of authenticity, and a reminder of why I’d come in the first place. Walking along those shores, I felt the island’s rhythm in a way the resort could never quite capture. It wasn’t polished or packaged, but that’s what made it a Dominican Experience.

My adventures at the resort weren’t exactly ones for the books, but the place itself looked beautiful—like something out of a fairytale. Perfectly manicured gardens, postcard-worthy pools, and staff who seemed determined to keep everyone in a permanent state of vacation-mode.

I pumped enough booze into my system to make the day worthwhile—after all, free drinks are a challenge I rarely back down from. But once the buzz wore into a blur, I found myself craving something real. And so I headed back to my Airbnb, where I felt I could enjoy a more authentic Dominican experience. Maybe I’ve outgrown the resort life… and honestly, I’m okay with that.

The most memorable part of the Dominican Republic wasn’t the resort anyway—it was the food, the culture, and the people I met along the way.

I wandered the streets outside my AirBnb and chatted with the locals and found my way a not-so-hidden treasure. The street food—Punta Cana’s affordable little secret. It is no surprise that this area is typically very expensive, as it is known to be concentrated with tourists. Here’s a little secret, the street food taste better and it’s about 1/4 of the price.

And so, my time on this island was coming to an end. As I geared up to leave the DR, I found myself in a bit of a pickle (personal reasons), but the locals were nothing short of amazing—supportive, helpful, and quick to remind me why I’d fallen in love with traveling in the place in the first place.

I’ve learned so much through my travels around the world, but one lesson keeps repeating itself: the Island Way of Life. Everywhere I’ve been, the islands share this same rhythm—people who are genuinely kind, unhurried, and pure of heart.
 

Shoutout to my last cab driver, who went above and beyond to keep me safe and even stayed with me until I was ready to board my flight. He showed me a kindness in a time of need that I’ll never forget. Not all heroes wear capes. <3

As I said my goodbyes to the culture, the island, and my new Dominican friend, I boarded the plane—off to my next adventure.

Crossing Into Costa Rica

…To be Continued