Suggestions for traveling on a budget. Take note, that a month is not too much. This is a 33-day schedule
PUNTA CANA – 4 days
Punta Cana is a tourist wonderland but most people stay at all-inclusive resorts and the attractions/tours do not come cheap.
You can get around by public transport for cheap
For free you can visit the beaches – recommend Macao to the north, and Bavaro Beach (enter through Los Corales or El Cortecito).
From El Macao head to Higuey. There see the Basilica La Altagracia and the Basilica Museum.
LA ROMANA -- 3 days
Take the bus to Bayahibe in La Romana. Plenty of small hotels where to stay. Just get to the town and walk it and check out the different small hotels.
Or you could stay in Dominicus (right near by) and walk to the Dominicus Beach.
Book a boat trip to Saona Island.
Befriend some locals and go to a baseball game at night.
Take the bus to the Caribe Tours stop on the Las Americas highway to Samana.
SAMANA – 5 days
Take the local bus to Sabana de la Mar (via Hato Mayor)
Stay at Paraiso Cano Hondo. Take the Los Haitises excursion with the hotel.
Take the ferry to Samana peninsula.
Take the bus to Las Galeras. In Las Galeras visit Playa Rincon, La Playita. Have lunch on the beach. Visit Aquario Natural Kaio, Playa Fronton. Stay in El Cabito youth hostel.
Take the bus to Las Terrenas. Pueblo de los Pescadores, Playa Punta Popy, Playa Bonita, Playa Coson. Walk up El Limon waterfall.
Take the bus to Puerto Plata.
PUERTO PLATA – 9 days
Stay 3 nights in Sosua or Cabarete. Visit Sosua beach, walk up to Castillo Mundo King. Take the bus to Cabarete – water fun. Take the bus to Playa Grande. Visit Laguna Dudu.
Stay 2 nights in Puerto Plata city.
Visit the Puerto Plata historic downtown to see the Victorian houses and visit the Museo General Gregorio Luperon and the Amber Museum, Fortaleza San Felipe and the Malecon. Walk up the Loma Isabel de Torres mountain to the botanical garden trails, take the sky lift down. Take the tour to see Ron Brugal factory. Take the bus to Damajagua falls.
Stay 2 nights. Take the bus to Punta Rucia. Take the excursion to Cayo Arena.
Stay 1 night. Take the bus to La Isabela, site of the first European settlement. Visit the park, have lunch on the beach. Overnight in La Isabela.
SANTIAGO – 1 night
Take the bus here from La Isabela/ Luperon.
Stay 1 night. Take the bus to Santiago. Visit the Centro Leon.
JARABACOA-CONSTANZA – 2 nights
Stay 1 night in Jarabacoa, 1 night in Constanza.
Take the bus here from Santiago. Visit the Salto de Jimenoa waterfall, do river-rafting on Yaque del Norte river – can be arranged at most hotels.
Take the bus to Constanza. Visit the Reserva Cientifica Ebano Verde.
SANTO DOMINGO – 3 nights
Take the bus here from Jarabacoa or Constanza.
Stay at a hotel in the Colonial City. Some hostels available.
Tour the Colonial City. Visit the Botanical Gardens.
Go dancing at La Avenida Venezuela.
BARAHONA-PEDERNALES -- 5 days
Take the bus from Santo Domingo.
Stay in Barahona at Playa Azul. Take the bus to Casa Bonita Zipline. See the Cueva de la Virgen nearby.
Take the bus to Los Patos for seafood with a view. Overnight there.
Take the bus to the Laguna de Oviedo. Take the boat excursion early in the morning or late in afternoon.
Take the bus to Pedernales. Stay at Dona Chava. Take the excursion to Hoyo de Pelempito.
Take the boat excursion to Bahia de las Aguilas beach.
SANTO DOMINGO -- 1 night
Take the bus to Santo Domingo. Overnight. From there take the bus to Punta Cana.