Booking Adventures
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Tourism; Ecotourism; Adventure travel |
| Founded 📆 | 2010 |
| Founder 👔 | Misael Calcaño Silven; Halle Alberto Jackson |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | , Sabana de la Mar , Dominican Republic |
Area served 🗺️ | Dominican Republic (Los Haitises, Samaná, Miches, Bayahíbe, Punta Cana) |
Key people | Misael Calcaño Silven (CEO); Reina Irdelysa Ciprián Silven (Manager) |
| Services | Guided tours; Whale watching; Hiking; Kayaking; Horseback riding; Cultural experiences |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | bookingadventures |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Booking Adventures is a Dominican Republic–based tour operator specializing in community-led ecotourism and adventure travel. The company offers small-group and private excursions throughout the country, with a focus on Los Haitises National Park, Samaná Province, Miches, and the eastern coastal corridor leading to Punta Cana and Bayahíbe.
History
Booking Adventures was founded in 2010 by local guides Misael Calcaño Silven and Halle Alberto Jackson in Sabana de la Mar, a fishing town on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. The project originated as a community initiative to train youth guides for tours in Los Haitises National Park. It evolved into a professional company combining tourism, conservation, and cultural education.
During the 2010s, the company expanded its reach to neighboring destinations such as El Valle, El Limón, and Miches. By 2020, Booking Adventures operated several sub-brands including WhaleMiches, WhaleSabanaDeLaMar, and BirdingDominicanRepublic, focusing on niche markets such as whale watching, birding, and Taíno cultural experiences.
In collaboration with local NGOs and government partners, the company contributed to environmental restoration projects like the Sendero Bosque Húmedo trail and the proposed Sendero Atabey interpretive route inspired by Taíno mythology.
Operations
Booking Adventures is headquartered in Sabana de la Mar and manages departures to Los Haitises National Park, Samaná, and Miches. Operations rely on certified guides, captains, and drivers under Dominican Law 202-04 for ecotourism regulation. The company follows a community rotation model that distributes guiding opportunities among local residents.
The organization operates multiple websites under the same network, including:
Tours and Experiences
Booking Adventures offers a portfolio of eco-adventure experiences, both half-day and full-day. Tours are conducted in English and Spanish, often with local meals included.
| Category | Typical Duration | Destinations | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Haitises National Park | 5–8 h | Sabana de la Mar, Cueva de la Arena, Cueva San Gabriel | Boat tours through mangroves and karst islets; cave visits with Taíno pictographs and petroglyphs. |
| Whale Watching | 3–4 h | Bay of Samaná, Miches, Sabana de la Mar | Seasonal (Jan–Mar) humpback whale expeditions with certified naturalist guides. |
| Montaña Redonda + Playa Limón | Full day (10 h) | Miches | Off-road trip to Montaña Redonda viewpoint and horseback riding along Playa Limón. |
| Hiking & Waterfalls | 6–8 h | El Valle, El Limón, Salto de la Jalda | Guided hikes to waterfalls and forest viewpoints; includes swimming and local lunch. |
| Taíno Heritage Trails | 3–5 h | Los Haitises (Atabey Trail) | Interpretive route on native flora, fruit trees, and Taíno mythology; artisan workshops with Brigada Verde youth guides. |
| Kayaking & Birdwatching | 2–3 h | Caño Hondo mangroves, San Lorenzo Bay | Sunrise and sunset paddling in protected wetlands with endemic bird species. |
| Zipline El Valle | 2 h | El Valle, Samaná | Seven-cable canopy circuit with views of the rainforest valley. |
| Day Pass Experiences | Variable | Bayahíbe, Punta Cana | Access to eco-resorts or beach clubs including meals and activities. |
Multi-day programs
- Los Haitises + Cayo Levantado (2 days): Combines cave exploration, mangrove tour, and overnight stay on Cayo Levantado Island.
- Eco-Trail “Tras las Huellas Taínas” (3 days): Community-based itinerary with canoeing, cultural workshops, and forest interpretation.
- Glamping Los Haitises Retreat (2–3 nights): Nature lodge with open-air pods overlooking the park, designed for retreats and educational groups.
Typical tour prices range from US$65 to US$195 per person, depending on length, location, and included services.
Business model
Booking Adventures operates through direct online sales, affiliate platforms, and hotel partnerships. The company focuses on:
- Local hiring and training of guides
- Revenue sharing with communities
- Eco-friendly practices (zero plastic policy, biodegradable materials)
- Collaboration with NGOs and tourism federations
The brand markets itself under the slogan “Book with Locals”, emphasizing fair trade and authentic Dominican experiences.
Sustainability and Community Engagement
Booking Adventures collaborates with several organizations:
- Brigada Verde – Jóvenes Guías de Sabana de la Mar (youth environmental guides)
- FEDOASECTUR (Federación Dominicana de Asociaciones Ecoturísticas)
- REDDOM and USAID programs for sustainable tourism
- Alianza ONG and Municipality of Sabana de la Mar for trail rehabilitation
Key projects include:
- **Sendero Bosque Húmedo restoration** – trail and interpretive signage with REDDOM and USAID support.
- **Sendero Atabey** – Taíno-inspired interpretive route for cultural and botanical education.
- **Community cleanups and reforestation** – recurring programs in Los Haitises.
Recognition and Online Presence
- Featured in **Tripadvisor** as one of the top outdoor activities in Sabana de la Mar.[1]
- Listed on **Google Travel / Things to Do**, **GetYourGuide**, and **Viator** through partner networks.
- Cited in local tourism media and municipal programs promoting community ecotourism.
- Official profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Challenges
The company faces common regional challenges including:
- Seasonal tourism fluctuations and dependence on whale migration periods.
- Limited infrastructure for rural community access.
- Regulatory complexity regarding park entry, permits, and public-use zones.
- Competition from international booking aggregators.
See also
- Tourism in the Dominican Republic
- Los Haitises National Park
- Ecotourism
- Samaná Province
- Whale watching
References
External links
This article "Booking Adventures" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Booking Adventures. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
