Puerto Plata VIP Experience: City & Countryside Escape

Our family had an incredible excursion touring the Puerto Plata countryside, and it was all thanks to our driver and guide, Jahaziel Mercado. From the moment we found him waiting at the taxi stand near Gate 5, he made us feel less like tourists and more like close friends or family visiting for the day. Jahaziel took us through the countryside, sharing coffee with us and giving us a genuine window into the local community’s way of life. His warmth, knowledge, and passion for his home were obvious in every stop we made — we honestly could have spent all day out there with him.

Jahaziel was an awesome guide who was friendly, flexible and accommodating throughout. Since we had extra time, he was able to extend the tour way beyond our expectations. We booked our tour based on many of the excellent ratings and the personalized tour. Jahaziel and his tour lived up to those expectations and far beyond! We highly recommend booking!

We had a wonderful tour of the DR with our guide Jahaziel, He arrived early and was so friendly. He took us to the countryside to have coffee with a local family. It was such a unique and wonderful experience, he explained so much about the city and culture while we drove. We also went to the museums and got out at different sites. Despite a lot of rain off and on, we were still able to see all of the best sites Puerta Plata is known for. We had a really great day and loved having the private tour. I highly recommend Jahaziel. Thanks so much!

Excellent tour! Jahaziel is an excellent and really professional guide. Very friendly service and you see lots of the island on this tour. Highly recommended !!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you’re visiting the Dominican Republic, I highly recommend booking a private tour with Jahaziel Mercado. He provided one of the best experiences of our entire trip! Jahaziel is extremely knowledgeable and customized the tour to match exactly what we wanted to see and do. We explored the beautiful countryside, visited the city, learned how local chocolate is made, and stopped at authentic local hotspots we never would have found on our own. He was professional, flexible, kind, and personable, and he made us feel comfortable from start to finish. If you’re looking for a personalized, authentic experience in the Dominican Republic, Jahaziel is the perfect guide. I would absolutely book with him again and highly recommend him to anyone visiting the area!

I can't say enough good things about this excursion! Jahaziel was an amazing guide and person! He was so gracious and considerate of our needs. It was very hot the day we took the tour, provided us with water and food to keep us hydrated and nourished, and took us to the most amazing places! We visited a little village/plantation in the countryside where they grew mangos, coconut, bananas, educated us about local trees and plants they used for medicinal purposes, and even was able to try some hot tea made from local leaves, plants, and fruit they were boiling over a open fire. We visited a local chocolate factory where they make different products from the locally grown Cacao tree and pods, and was able to try and purchase their product. We visited the Amber Museum and many other local historical sites, and enjoyed that. But the highlight of the trip for us was a visit to the home of his friends, 85 year old grandmother, Ms. Carmen, out in the countryside. Even though there was a language barrier because we don't speak Spanish, and she doesn't speak English, she was so welcoming and gracious! She prepared us a cup of local coffee, (maybe the best I have ever had, and I love coffee!), we visited with her for a while with Jahaziel translating for us, took a walk through her garden, and fruit trees, and spent time with her just relaxing and talking under an open air building where her family gathers to eat dinners together that had a roof made from palm tree branches. We also visited a very small local bodega on the corner just down the road from Ms. Carmen's house, and the lady that owns the store was gracious to show us their local money and the way they do things out in the country side. If you have never been to Puerto Plato and want to get an real experience of local culture and sites, you need to tour with Jahaziel! I almost forgot to mention this! When it was around lunchtime, and we had came back into the city to tour some places like the chocolate factory, Amber Museum, etc., he pulled up to a local food vendor just down the road from his house, who was smoking and grilling different meats, rolled down his windows, purchased smoked meat and bread for us to enjoy as we continued on our tour! We had the most amazing day in Puerto Plata! You need to book this tour! You will not regret it!

Our 5-hour tour with Jahaziel Tours was easily the highlight of our time in the Dominican Republic! Jahaziel gave our group of 6 a truly authentic and personalized experience that went far beyond a typical tour. We loved seeing how locals live and experiencing genuine Dominican hospitality firsthand. One of the most special moments was visiting Carmen, an absolutely beautiful soul who is 85 years young. She welcomed us with the biggest hug and made fresh coffee for us herself — a memory we will never forget. The tour through Maimón included local plantations, coffee, chocolate, tropical fruit tastings, and breathtaking countryside views. We also explored the heart of Puerto Plata and enjoyed spectacular ocean views from Fortress San Felipe. Jahaziel was incredibly informative without overwhelming us with information, and he customized several stops based on our interests and requests. Transportation was modern, comfortable, and spotless, complete with WiFi, ice-cold beverages, and much-appreciated AC. Jahaziel was a safe, skilled driver and an AMAZING guide who made us feel welcome everywhere we went. One of the coolest surprises was the incredible drone footage he captured of our family from a stunning hillside home overlooking the city. Every detail of this experience felt thoughtful, personal, and unforgettable. If you want a true local experience in Puerto Plata, book with Jahaziel Tours — you will not regret it!

We were given the upmost service from a very friendly owner/driver (Jahaziel) of our AC equipped, large van. Two of our group of 5 had mobility issues and he adapted the trip for us. He also adapted our trip to what our interests were. He is a local person who knows the area and was easy to listen to and understand. I highly recommend him and this tour for others. Jeff S

This was a superb experience. We hit all the points on the itinerary, as well as visiting a family in the countryside, and returned to the ship in plenty of time. It was a terrific introduction to Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic. Our guide could not have been more patient, informative and kind. I highly recommend this excursion.

It was the absolute best. My husband really enjoyed himself! We both had such an unforgettable experience. Learned a lot. The transportation had ac & drinks. The countryside was super enjoyable & relaxing. The city tour was perfect. Also the owner who gave us our tour was awesome.