Route Of The South VIP Private Eagles Bay 2 Day All Inclusive

The south saves its best for last. This two-day private trip links Barahona’s freshwater pools, coastal viewpoints, Lake Oviedo, Pedernales, and Bahia de las Aguilas, one of the Dominican Republic’s most striking beaches. I like the sheer variety, and I like that meals are included rather than added one by one. The price is also strong for a two-day route at $390 per person.

The main caution is the long road time and uneven organization. Some past customers praised the food, staff, timing, and accommodation, while others reported loud inappropriate music, alcohol use by staff, missed schedules, and mediocre food or lodging. I would book this for scenery and value, but I would confirm pickup details, sleeping arrangements, and group conduct before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Nine stops on day one: You move from Santo Domingo through Barahona, Los Patos, the wind farm, Lake Oviedo, and Pedernales.
• Bahia de las Aguilas gets three hours: That is the main prize, with white sand and clear turquoise water.
• Freshwater pools are central to the route: La Virgen, Los Positos, Los Patos, Arroyo Salado, and San Rafael offer river swimming or natural pools.
• Meals are included: The package lists dinner, two breakfasts, and two lunches.
• This is a private activity: Only your group is scheduled to participate, though the route may still involve shared transport arrangements.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Bring your own if you want to use equipment in the water.

Why this southern route is worth your time

The Dominican Republic’s famous resort coast gets most of the attention. This trip points you toward the country’s less developed southwest, where a day can include a roadside photo stop, a cold river pool, a tiny coastal town, and a nearly untouched beach.

I like the route because it does not treat Bahia de las Aguilas as the only reason to go. You get a broad look at Barahona Province first. That matters because the river stops give you a different kind of swim from the sea. The water at Los Patos, San Rafael, and the other pools is tied to mountain streams and springs, not just the Caribbean shore.

There is also a good sense of progression. Santo Domingo is the starting point. Barahona brings colorful town signs and natural pools. Pedernales feels farther removed, with the Haitian border and a quieter coastline. Then Bahia de las Aguilas provides the grand beach finale.

The tradeoff is simple: this is an ambitious route. You will spend a good amount of time on the road, and the schedule contains many stops. If you prefer one beach and plenty of idle hours, this may feel rushed. If you want to see a lot in two days, the packed plan is part of the appeal.

Starting at Sambil Santo Domingo

Pickup is offered from Sambil Santo Domingo, your hotel, or another preferred zone in Santo Domingo. The Sambil stop is listed as about 30 minutes, but the full road journey begins here, so ask for an exact pickup time before departure.

For you, the important point is location. Santo Domingo is far from the southwest attractions, and the tour needs an early start to fit everything into two days. Keep your first morning simple. Have water, sun protection, and swimwear ready rather than buried in your luggage.

The activity is private, which is useful if you are traveling with family or friends and want the route handled for your group. Still, private does not necessarily mean a quiet, luxury vehicle. The negative accounts specifically describe loud music and disruptive behavior on the bus, so I would ask what vehicle and group setup will be used.

Barahona’s colorful waterfront and La Virgen pool

The first Barahona stop is the Malecon de Barahona, where you have about 15 minutes to photograph the colorful city letters. This is a quick orientation stop, not a long visit. You can stretch your legs, take the expected photo, and see the city’s waterfront before continuing.

Next comes Spa La Virgen, with about an hour at a natural swimming area in Barahona Province. The attraction is the setting and refreshing water, not formal spa treatment. In the Dominican Republic, the word spa is often used for a natural pool or river bathing area, so set your expectations accordingly.

I like having this stop early in the route because it breaks up the road journey. You get a chance to cool off before the day’s longer sequence of pools and coast. Bring sandals with a firm grip, since natural swimming areas can have wet surfaces. That is practical advice rather than a claim about a particular surface, as conditions can vary.

Los Positos and Los Patos: two kinds of water

In Paraiso, Spa Los Positos gives you about an hour. It is described as a natural pool with both beach and river options, making it one of the more flexible stops on day one. You can choose between saltwater and freshwater settings, depending on conditions and your mood.

The next stop is Los Patos, scheduled for two hours. Here, the Rio Los Patos meets the coast, creating the unusual combination of a river and beach in one place. The river is promoted as the smallest in the Antilles, and the clear, cool water is a major reason this stop receives so much attention.

This is one of the strongest parts of the route. Two hours gives you enough time to swim, take photographs, eat if food is served here, and simply sit by the water. One especially positive account singled out the food at Los Patos, calling it excellent. That is useful because meals can be a weak point on budget excursions, while this stop appears to be a high point for both scenery and dining.

Do not confuse this with a polished beach club. The appeal is natural water and a straightforward local stop. You should also remember that snorkeling equipment is not included. The schedule promises swimming, but it does not promise rented masks or fins.

Wind turbines, Lake Oviedo, and Arroyo Salado

After Los Patos, the route pauses for about 20 minutes at Los Cocos Wind Farm. The turbines contrast sharply with the sea and mountain scenery. This is mainly a photo stop, but it adds something different to a day otherwise built around water.

The wind farm also helps break up the visual rhythm. Instead of one beach after another, you see an active energy site with large turbines set against the Caribbean region. Keep this stop brief in your mind. Twenty minutes is enough for photographs, not a full visit.

The route then reaches Lake Oviedo and Spa Arroyo Salado for about an hour. The stop is described as a natural bathing area with clear water and plentiful plant growth. The name Lake Oviedo can be confusing because the listed activity is at Arroyo Salado, so ask your guide how the stop relates to the lake and where exactly you will swim.

This part of the trip is valuable because it gives you another freshwater setting. By now you will have seen river pools, a beach, and a wind farm. The southwest begins to feel varied rather than repetitive.

Pedernales and the Haitian border

The border stop in Pedernales lasts about 20 minutes. You visit the area around the Haiti border and see the bilateral market connected with trade between Haiti and Pedernales. This is a short cultural and geographic stop, not a border-crossing excursion.

Approach it with respect. You are seeing a working border area, not a staged attraction. Follow the guide’s instructions about where to stand and what to photograph. The tour details do not promise a formal explanation or guided entry into Haiti, so you should not expect either.

After that, you spend about 30 minutes at the Malecon de Pedernales. The colorful provincial letters provide another quick photo opportunity, while the waterfront gives you a sense of the town’s position near the southern edge of the country.

Pedernales is an important part of the route because it shows how far you have moved from Santo Domingo. It is not polished in the resort sense, and that is part of its interest. At the same time, the short time allowance means you will only get a brief look.

Bahia de las Aguilas gets the spotlight

Day two begins with the trip’s main attraction, Bahia de las Aguilas. You receive about three hours here, with admission included. That is the right amount of time for a beach visit because you can swim, sit on the sand, and take photographs without treating the stop as a quick roadside pause.

The beach is known for white sand, clear water, and a strong turquoise color. The tour description calls it one of the clearest beaches in the world. That is promotional wording, but the central point is fair: Bahia de las Aguilas is valued for its open, natural appearance and clean-looking water.

I would make this the reason you choose the tour. The other stops are worthwhile, but Bahia de las Aguilas is the experience that justifies the long journey south. Three hours also gives the weather some room. If clouds pass through or the water is not perfect at first, you are not limited to a 20-minute photo stop.

Bring a towel, dry clothes, sun protection, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. Snorkeling equipment is specifically excluded, so bring your own gear if you want to snorkel. The supplied details do not promise chairs, umbrellas, or other beach equipment, so do not assume those extras are included.

San Rafael closes the trip with river and sea

The last listed stop is San Rafael Beach and Spa, with about one hour. Like Los Positos, San Rafael combines beach and river settings. Its clear river is described as one of the area’s main attractions, and it is considered one of the most visited bathing spots in the region.

This is a smart final stop. After three hours at Bahia de las Aguilas, you get one more chance to cool off in freshwater before the journey ends. It also gives you a final look at the southwest’s unusual mix of mountain runoff and Caribbean coast.

The timing may feel tight if the group runs late earlier in the day. Several positive accounts praised the handling of time, but negative accounts reported schedules not being respected. I would keep your expectations flexible and ask how strictly the return schedule is managed.

What $390 includes, and what it does not

At $390 per person, the value depends on how much of the two-day route is actually covered without surprise charges. The package includes dinner, two breakfasts, and two lunches. Admission to Bahia de las Aguilas is included, while the natural pools and photo stops list no separate admission fee.

That is a useful bundle for a remote route. Food, transport, and access can quickly add up when you organize a southwest trip yourself. Several positive accounts praised the meals, especially the food at Los Patos, and described the price as very good for what was provided.

The details do not clearly spell out the lodging name or room standard. Comments describe the accommodation as decent, but that is not the same as a named hotel category. Before booking, ask where you will sleep, whether the room is private, and what is included in the overnight arrangement.

Snorkeling equipment is the clearest extra. You pay separately or bring your own. Also ask whether drinks, snacks, and any optional activities cost more, since they are not specified in the supplied inclusions.

The comfort and conduct question

The best accounts describe friendly staff, good service, fresh food, safe handling, and a family-like atmosphere. One person who went alone found the atmosphere welcoming, while another praised the organization and said the route made good use of time. Families were also described as able to take part.

But you should not ignore the serious complaints. Two accounts described very loud, explicit music, intoxicated people, and staff drinking alcohol. One also reported poor schedule control, mediocre food, and mediocre lodging. These are not small matters on a two-day road trip.

I would ask three direct questions before booking:

• What music and conduct rules apply during transport?
• Will staff remain sober while supervising the group?
• What happens if the schedule falls behind?

The operator’s responses apologized for some concerns but also defended the low price and interaction with customers. That does not resolve the issue for you, so make your comfort level clear in advance.

Who should book this two-day trip

I would recommend it to you if you want maximum scenery in minimum time, enjoy swimming in natural pools, and prefer meals bundled into the price. It suits a couple, family, or small private group that values variety more than long stretches of quiet beach time.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Santo Domingo and want to reach a part of the country that is difficult to see on a short independent visit. The private format can be useful for your own group, particularly if you want pickup from a hotel or selected zone.

I would hesitate if you need polished transport, predictable quiet, premium accommodation, or a slow schedule. The route is long, and the quality of the experience appears tied closely to the guide team, vehicle atmosphere, and day-to-day organization.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep that deadline in mind.

Should you book Route of the South?

Book it for the southwest scenery, the freshwater pools, the three-hour visit to Bahia de las Aguilas, and the amount of food included for $390. The route delivers far more than a single beach transfer, and the strongest praise focuses on the food, staff care, scenery, value, and broad range of stops.

Before you commit, get clear answers about the hotel, vehicle, pickup time, music, staff conduct, and any extra charges. If those answers suit you, this is a practical way to see Barahona and Pedernales in two packed days. If not, choose a slower beach-focused plan and give Bahia de las Aguilas more time on its own.

FAQ

How long is the Route of the South tour?

The tour lasts approximately two days.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from Sambil Santo Domingo, your hotel, or a preferred zone in Santo Domingo.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is described as a private activity, and only your group will participate.

What meals are included?

The package includes dinner, two breakfasts, and two lunches.

Is admission to Bahia de las Aguilas included?

Yes. Admission to Bahia de las Aguilas is included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

Can most people participate?

The tour information states that most people can participate and that public transportation is nearby.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.