Dominican Republic · WORKSHOPS
Think of this as the list you would hand a friend at the airport: 15 workshops & classes worth the money, with the price, the traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend about two hours learning to surf at Macao Beach, with a short beach briefing and one-on-one instruction in the water. Your group is limited to nine, and equipment, a 50+ SPF rashguard, bottled water, and air-conditioned transport are included. Choose a morning or afternoon start; you must know how to swim.
“It was great! Very well organised. Videos and photos available and sent the same day. Overall great experience.”
At Macao Surf Camp, you’ll get a roughly two-hour surf lesson, a board, rash guard, water, fruit or coconut water, and round-trip hotel transport. Instructors work with your group of two or three, though some parties have had individual coaches. Choose a morning or afternoon session, and bring sunscreen, a towel, and cash for food or photos.
“I booked this excursion for my sons age 13 and 19. The instructors were great and the boys really enjoyed it. 2 hours is more than enough time. The instructor work with them and had them out in the surf within 20 minutes of arrival. Both my Read more”
At KahKow Experience in Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, follow cacao from fruit to finished chocolate through a holographic show, tasting stops, and a look at factory machinery. The 25 to 50-minute guided tour runs in English, Spanish, French, German, or Russian. Add a workshop to make your own chocolate bar or cacao-butter soap.
“Tour starts on time. We were taken through the process of cocoa growing and production. It was very informative. We made our chocolate and also bought some of the products.”
Spend an hour learning Salsa or Bachata with a private instructor in Santo Domingo. Ari, also known as Happy Feet, is named most often, and some classes have included Rosmary. Expect rhythm work, basic steps, partner practice, and coaching suited to your level. Classes meet at a park cafe or may be arranged at your accommodation by prior agreement.
“It was a very educational activity, well thought out & the instructor is amazing!”
Spend about 10 hours exploring Saona Island by motorboat, with stops at the Natural Pool, Canto de la Playa, Mano Juan and Playa Toro. Swim, visit the village and turtle sanctuary, and eat a Dominican lunch by the water. Guides speak Spanish, English and French. Shalomy is one guide named by a guest.
“Jammer van het weer maar gelukkig kwam later toch nog een beetje zon. Fijn dat het met de speedboot was. Vond het eind het mooist, met beetje ondergaande zon, midden in de oceaan zeesterren bekijken. Was een mooi en romamtisch eind voor Valentijnsdag!”
Spend about two hours learning to surf at Macao Beach with a private instructor, from basic theory and dry-land practice to coached time in the water. Hotel pickup, surfboard, rashguard, water, fruit, and coconut water are included. Lessons are offered in English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian.
“I had Vladimir and he was very patient with me as I was tiring quickly having just arrived the night before and not yet used to the heat. I got a number of good rides and greatly enjoyed myself but lost my sunglasses (prescription) even thoRead more”
Get picked up at your Punta Cana accommodation for a two-hour surf lesson at Macao Beach. After a safety briefing and dry-land practice, you’ll work with an instructor in the water. Boards, bottled water, and a 50+ SPF rash guard are included. Instruction is available in English, Spanish, or Russian.
“veldig bra instruktører. trygt og godt. transporten var noe treg men det er sikkert bare sånn det er her”
Spend two hours learning or refining your surfing at Playa Encuentro near Cabarete with Victor Bobo Peralta and his team. You’ll start with a beach warmup, safety guidance and surf theory, then spend about an hour practising in the water with supervision. Boards and other surf equipment are provided.
“Bobo is a great dude who has extensive expierence and teaches you the basics the right way 🤙🏼 Thanks to his guidance we were able to catch our first waves in no time and take full advantage of the time in the water 👌🏼”
Join Cabarete Surf Company for a 90-minute surf lesson at Playa Encuentro, a warm-water beach shaded by almond trees. The group is limited to four, and the school offers instruction and rentals for all levels. Orlando and Daniel are among the instructors, while Elizabeth can help coordinate a taxi from the cruise port.
“Elizabeth was very responsive and helped set up our taxi from the cruise port. Orlando and Daniel were our surf instructors. They were patient and had us surfing quickly. We were able to hang out on the beach and surf by ourselves for the rest of the day after the lesson. Safety was no concern. 10/10 experience! Highly recommend!”
Learn kitesurfing with Humberto and the Salinas Kitesurf team at Punta Salinas, a breezy spot at the end of Playa Salinas. This private, approximately three-hour lesson includes a kite, board, bar, harness, vest, and helmet. Bring your own long-sleeve rashguard, water shoes, and sunglasses with a rope.
“Excellent instruction and great conditions, plus the proximity to Santo Domingo, make this the best option to learn kitesurfing in DR!”
At Saoko Experience Dance Studio, instructor Alexa and her team teach salsa, bachata and merengue in a one-hour class tailored to your level. Choose English, Spanish or French, and book solo or with a group. Evening social dancing is offered separately from 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
“Me and my partner had a great time. Alexa is a great teacher, even when making mistakes we were all able to laugh about it. Would definitely recommend if you’re ever in Santo Domingo!”
At Taino Gourmet Cooking Lab in La Altagracia, learn chocolate-making from instructors such as Rudi or Santiago, sample cocoa and flavors, then make and decorate your own chocolate. The small-group class includes a welcome drink and free round-trip transport in the Bavaro and Punta Cana area.
“The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and had a warm, friendly demeanor that made the experience enjoyable. The class itself was nothing short of amazing, filled with fascinating insights and engaging activities that kept everyone captivated!”
Join a small-group cooking class near Punta Cana to prepare red snapper in freshly made coconut sauce, with cassava, plantain, and rice. Instructors have included Ruth, Randy, and Roody. Hotel pickup is included in Bavaro and Punta Cana; Uvero Alto pickups cost extra. The class also includes a Taino concept store stop.
“Randy was amazing ! We learnt so much, it was really fun”
At Punta Danza in La Altagracia, you get a private 60-minute lesson in Bachata, Salsa, or Merengue, with an instructor who adapts the pace to your level. The class includes an air-conditioned studio and cultural context. Ask whether Julio is teaching your time, and arrange your own ride to the third floor above SO GOOD gym.
“je n'avais jamais dancé de ma vie, je n'ai pas de rythme. cependant elle a réussi à m'apprendre les petites bases de la batachata en seulement une heure me permetant de pouvoir m'entrainer avec ma femme tout le long de mon voyage et en rentrant. Un grand merci pour ta patience et d'avoir su t'adapter a nos deux niveaux. je pense grace a ça prendre des cours en rentrant. encore une fois merci.”
Head from your Punta Cana hotel to Macao Beach for a two-hour beginner-friendly surf lesson. An instructor teaches balance, paddling, and wave-catching, with no more than two or three students per instructor. Boards and rash guards are included. Past sessions have included instructor Guillermo and photographer Rodolfo, though staff assignments can vary.
“The Macao Surf Camp team ran a very nice outing for my son and myself. They were able to easily pick us up at our resort in the Bavaro region of Punta Cana and take us to Macao Beach which was beautiful and warm. The instructor to surfer ratio was 1 to 1 with additional helpers to assist you with paddling your board back out into the waves for another round. The beach has a section with quieter waves for learning and larger waves for anyone that has developed more skill for the next time they want to try. The team was very professional and dropped us off back at…”
Choose a boat, a dirt track or a colonial street.
