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Carlos spends his fourth day in Río San Juan at the Mercado Municipal, learning to cook sancocho with a local family, watching the town's daily rhythm, and reflecting on the cost of living and the coming changes. A warm, practical episode about food, community, and the real price of a day here.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 21 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Río San Juan, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Mercado Municipal de Río San Juan, El Patio de Andy, Catalina Tropical Lodge, El Mangle Restaurante, Playa Caletón, Malecón de Río San Juan.
Covered: Local market and food, Cost of living, Airport development, Music and dance, Community and hospitality, Practical travel tips.
Chapters:
00:00 El Patio de Andy
01:37 Kitchen interior
04:03 Catalina Tropical Lodge
06:09 El Mangle Restaurante
07:39 Seaside at night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#RíoSanJuan #DominicanRepublic #DominicanFood #Sancocho #MercadoMunicipal #NorthCoastDR #TravelDominicanRepublic #CostOfLivingDR #Bachata #Merengue #PlayaGrande #AirportDevelopment #LocalLife #FishingTown #CaribbeanTravel #DominicanCulture #TravelPodcast #CarlosPeña
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his third day in Río San Juan chasing the town's working rhythm: dawn at the fish market, a coffee at a local spot, the Gri-Gri lagoon's quiet side, and a long conversation about what the new airport will change. Plus the real cost of a day here, in pesos and dollars.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 20 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Río San Juan, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Mercado Municipal, Laguna Gri-Gri, Cave of the Swallows, El Patio de Andy, Cabo Francés Viejo, La Ciénaga, BanReservas, Escuela Libre.
Covered: Río San Juan, Daily rhythm, Local food, Residency/banking steps, Cabo Francés Viejo, Playa Grande airport.
Chapters:
00:00 Mercado Municipal
01:02 Harbour
02:44 Cave of the Swallows
04:48 La Ciénaga
05:58 Escuela Libre
07:32 O Carballo Criollo
08:23 Room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#RioSanJuan #DominicanRepublic #NorthCoastDR #CaboFrancesViejo #LagunaGriGri #CaveOfTheSwallows #PlayaGrande #ElPatioDeAndy #OCarballoCriollo #MercadoMunicipal #EscuelaLibre #BanReservas #DRTravel #CaribbeanTravel #CriolloFood #WorkingTown #Podcast #TravelGuide
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos returns to Laguna Gri-Gri for a second look, this time at the Cave of the Swallows and the fishermen who work the water. He eats a working lunch at the Mercado Municipal, considers a month-long rental, and watches the town's summer rhythm up close.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 19 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Río San Juan, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Laguna Gri-Gri, Cueva de las Golondrinas, Mercado Municipal de Río San Juan, Cafetería Naboa Río San Juan, BanReservas, Super Café San Juan, La Casita de Playa, Escuela Libre.
Covered: Laguna Gri-Gri boat tour, Cave of the Swallows, Río San Juan working market, Cost of living in Río San Juan, DR residency and banking first steps, Río San Juan town rhythm.
Chapters:
00:00 Laguna Gri-Gri
01:48 Cueva de las Golondrinas
03:28 Escuela Libre
05:34 Cafetería Naboa Río San Juan
06:34 City street
07:48 BanReservas
08:43 La Casita de Playa
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#RioSanJuan #DominicanRepublic #NorthCoastDR #LagunaGriGri #CaveOfTheSwallows #CuevadeLasGolondrinas #DominicanTravel #CaribbeanTravel #TravelPodcast #Merengue #Bachata #PlayaGrande #DominicanFood #Mofongo #ExpatLife #TravelDR #NorthCoastTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos drives from Samaná to Río San Juan, explores the Gri-Gri lagoon mangrove tunnels, the Cave of the Swallows, Playa Grande and Caletón, and checks out the new airport site. He settles into a fishing town that works for a living, with real costs, a music school, and a swim in a cenote.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 18 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Río San Juan, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Laguna Gri-Gri, Cave of the Swallows, Playa Grande, Playa Caletón, Cabo Francés Viejo, Dudu Lagoon, El Patio de Andy, O Carballo Criollo.
Covered: Laguna Gri-Gri and Cave of the Swallows, Playa Grande and Caletón, Dudu Lagoon cenote, Cabo Francés Viejo ruins, Río San Juan local costs, Playa Grande International Airport.
Chapters:
00:00 Laguna Gri-Gri
01:36 Cave of the Swallows
03:46 Escuela Libre music school
04:54 Playa Grande
06:57 Cabo Francés Viejo
08:46 Catalina Tropical Lodge
09:56 Café
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#RioSanJuan #RepublicaDominicana #DominicanRepublic #TravelPodcast #CaribbeanTravel #LagunaGriGri #Mangroves #CaveOfTheSwallows #PlayaGrande #Surfing #PlayaCaleton #DuduLagoon #Cenote #CaboFrancesViejo #NorthCoastDR #TravelDominicanRepublic #Fisheries #LocalLifeDR
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his final morning in Samaná. A quiet malecón, a coconut-forward breakfast at a local spot, a last look at the bay, and the practical cost of saying goodbye. Plus what the road to Santo Domingo actually costs, and the one thing he forgot to pack.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 17 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Hostal Marina Samaná, Ysapau Cafe, Samaná Boardwalk, Whale Museum of Samana / Nature Center, Bamboula, Cayo Levantado, Sánchez, La Churcha.
Covered: Samaná malecón and town life, Local food and costs, Boat cancellations and weather, Cruise terminal debate, Leaving Samaná.
Chapters:
00:57 Ysapau Cafe
02:09 Whale Museum of Samana / Nature Center
03:11 Bamboula
05:11 Sánchez
06:59 Santo Domingo
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Samaná #DominicanRepublic #CaribbeanTravel #SamanáMalecón #PescadoConCoco #SamanáFood #CayoLevantado #LosHaitises #DominicanHistory #LaChurcha #TravelPodcast #CaribbeanLife #SantoDomingo #RoadTripDR #RainySeasonTravel #OffSeasonTravel #SamanáBay #DominicanCuisine
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his final day in Samaná on Restoration Day, learning about the town's Afro-Dominican roots, the power grid's stubborn rhythm, and how the malecón turns into a stage for merengue and bachata. A goodbye to the peninsula, one last swim, and a look ahead to Santo Domingo.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 16 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Samaná malecón, Ysapau Cafe, La Churcha, Letrero de Samaná, Cayo Levantado, Bamboula, El Limón.
Covered: Restoration Day celebrations, Samaná malecón festival, local food and costs, power grid and community resilience, Cayo Levantado boat trip, leaving Samaná, residency appointment in Santo Domingo.
Chapters:
00:00 Ysapau Cafe
01:23 La Churcha
02:45 Letrero de Samaná
03:47 Cayo Levantado
05:29 Bamboula
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Samaná #DominicanRepublic #RestorationDay #TravelPodcast #CaribbeanTravel #SamanáBay #Malecón #Bachata #Merengue #CayoLevantado #PescadoConCoco #DominicanCulture #TravelGuide #IslandLife #CarlosPeñaTravel #DRTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his final day in Samaná on Restoration Day, watching the malecón come alive with flags, music, and community spirit. He reflects on the town's history, the cost of living, and the power grid protests, then closes the Samaná chapter with a promise to return.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 15 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Samaná malecón, Ysapau Cafe, Letrero de Samaná, Whale Museum, Caray! Coffee, HOSTAL MARINA SAMANÁ, Cayo Levantado, La Churcha.
Covered: Restoration Day history, Samaná culture and community, Cost of living in Samaná, Power grid and blackouts, Local food and drinks, Leaving Samaná.
Chapters:
00:00 Ysapau Cafe
00:45 Festival stage
02:01 Bamboula
04:15 Letrero de Samaná
05:29 Los Haitises
06:34 HOSTAL MARINA SAMANÁ
07:39 Fireworks
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#RestorationDay #Samaná #DominicanRepublic #SamanáMalecón #DominicanHistory #TravelDominicanRepublic #CaribbeanTravel #SamanáFood #DominicanCulture #DominicanMusic #Bachata #Merengue #PowerGrid #CostOfLiving #TravelPodcast #CaribbeanAdventure #SamanáBay #RestorationWar
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his final days in Samaná getting practical about money, from market prices to rents, and joins the town as it prepares for Restoration Day. He reflects on a quiet power-grid protest and the balance between the tourism boom and daily life.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 14 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Samaná Boardwalk, Whale Museum of Samana / Nature Center, Ysapau Cafe, Samaná Market, El Progreso, Santa Bahía Kitchen & Bar, Samaná Bay.
Covered: Samaná town costs, Power grid and blackouts, Restoration Day, Coastal road trip, Local seafood, Expat banking and residency next steps.
Chapters:
00:00 Seaside cafe morning
01:04 Ysapau Cafe
03:14 El Progreso
06:03 Santa Bahía Kitchen & Bar
07:07 Quiet room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Samaná #DominicanRepublic #SamanáTravel #RestorationDay #DiaDeLaRestauracion #SamanáTown #OffSeasonTravel #CaribbeanLife #SamanáMalecón #PescadoConCoco #DominicanFood #AffordableTravel #IslandLife #PowerGrid #LocalCulture #SamanáBay #WhaleSanctuary #DominicanRepublicTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
On day six in Samaná, Carlos takes a quiet morning walk along the malecón, visits the whale museum's skeleton, and reflects on the town's layered history—from the Turtle Dove to the power grid. He ends with a simple seaside lunch and thoughts on what it means to listen to a place.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 13 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Samaná Malecón, Whale Museum of Samana, La Churcha, Bamboula Restaurant, Ysapau Cafe, Samaná Market.
Covered: Samaná malecón and local life, Whale museum and bay sanctuary, Samaná history and culture, Local food and costs, Samaná practical tips (SIM, transport, tours), Power grid and community resilience.
Chapters:
00:00 Malecón morning, gentle waves
01:35 Malecón boardwalk, distant traffic
03:47 Ysapau Cafe
05:57 La Churcha
08:07 Malecón, evening, football shouts
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Samaná #DominicanRepublic #TravelPodcast #CarlosPeña #Malecón #WhaleMuseum #LaChurcha #Bamboula #YsapauCafe #PescadoConCoco #SummerRain #OffSeasonTravel #SlowTravel #LocalLife #Caribbean #IslandLife #TravelTips #SamanáBay
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
Carlos spends his fifth day in Samaná preparing for Restoration Day, navigating the town's power struggles, and ending the night with impromptu merengue and bachata on the malecón. He gets practical about costs, from street food to a cappuccino, and feels the weight of history in the air.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Dominican Republic: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Dominican Republic guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 12 of Dominican Republic Travel Podcast with Carlos Peña. Carlos Peña is in Samaná, Dominican Republic.
Places in this episode: Ysapau Cafe, Whale Museum, La Playita, Malecón, Samaná town, HOSTAL MARINA SAMANÁ.
Covered: Restoration Day, local culture, street food, dance, history, power grid.
Chapters:
00:00 Malecón
00:29 Ysapau Cafe
02:50 Whale Museum
04:08 La Playita
05:57 HOSTAL MARINA SAMANÁ
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Samaná #DominicanRepublic #RestorationDay #SamanáMalecón #WhaleMuseum #LaChurcha #Merengue #Bachata #CaribbeanTravel #SamanáLife #RainySeason #TravelPodcast #DiaDeLaRestauracion #SamanáFood #PescadoConCoco #LowSeason #IslandLife #SantoDomingo
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/
From the publisher's feed
The show follows Carlos Peña as he settles in different parts of the Dominican Republic, learning each place before moving on. Travelling in the country means negotiating a landscape of rugged highlands, fertile valleys and coastal plains, with Santo Domingo as the historic and demographic core. Geography shapes every journey.
Over the course of the series, Carlos covers Santo Domingo, the Cibao Valley, the Cordillera Central and the southern coastal plains. That means episodes range from the capital's colonial streets to mountain trails around Pico Duarte, and from valley farming towns to the low-lying coast. The interior gets as much attention as the beach resorts.
The show unfolds across a couple of years, so the wet and dry seasons shape what Carlos encounters. He returns to places he has already visited in the Cibao Valley and the Cordillera Central, noticing how rainfall, farming rhythms and local life shift between visits. Knowing a place properly, for him, means watching it change rather than passing through once.
Carlos Peña lives in Dominican Republic and stays for two years, moving between cities, coastlines and smaller towns on a route that follows the seasons. Not a week-long visit — Carlos is there in every kind of weather, working out where to eat on an ordinary Tuesday, which train to take, what a festival actually feels like from the pavement.
A new episode arrives every day. Each one is short and specific: one neighbourhood, one journey, one meal, one museum worth the detour — with the practical detail that matters. What it costs. When it closes. Whether the queue is worth it. What to do when it rains. Every episode carries a full transcript and chapter markers.
☕ Enjoying the show? These episodes are free and stay that way because listeners chip in — if a coffee's worth it, support the journey: buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Part of Paris2Tokyo — one show for each of the world's hundred most-visited countries. Made for travelers, wherever you are going next.
#DominicanRepublic #DominicanRepublicTravel #Caribbean #SantoDomingo #TravelPodcast #Travel #Paris2Tokyo
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/dominican-republic/