Best Day Trips in Punta Cana

In the excursions that you can do from Punta Cana, you can choose for all tastes, from excursions to Santo Domingo with a full day tour of the city, to excursions to the most incredible jungle places in the Dominican Republic.

If you like adventure, you definitely have to include this activity in your list of the best things to do in Punta Cana. If you're more of a traditionalist, you can enjoy full-day excursions to the island's most paradisiacal beaches.

Excursions to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana are one of the best experiences you can have on your visit to the Dominican Republic. On this full day tour you will get to know the whole city in a super tour that includes the transfer from the hotel where you are staying in Punta Cana to Santo Domingo and back.

This tour will take you to the most interesting historical places in the central part of the city, where you will learn a little more about the Dominican culture. You'll also get to see the many sights just before sampling some of the most exquisite Dominican dishes.

Interesting details

• Price: From 95 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 11 hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• Advantages of this excursion: Includes transfer to and from the hotel. Accompaniment by an expert historical guide. Audible guide for the monuments of historical interest with language selection. Admission to all sites included. Lunch included.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Tips are not included. Not adapted for wheelchair users. To enter the cathedral, women and men must be covered up to their elbows and knees.

This tour differs from the previous one in that in addition to visiting the city and its most interesting tourist sites, you will also have the opportunity to visit the caves and the lake located within the Los Ojos National Park. This tour in the middle of nature is specially designed for lovers of the outdoors.

During this experience you will also be able to travel to the most colonial area of Santo Domingo and of course you will be able to taste an exquisite typical food before continuing with the tour through the rest of the city and its tourist sites. During the tour you will be accompanied by a tour guide who will show you around without leaving anything out.

Interesting details

• Price: From 55 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• Advantages of this trip: Hotel pick-up and drop-off is included. Non-alcoholic drinks and lunch are also included. It is wheelchair accessible. Baby seats are also available and it is pram accessible.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Alcoholic drinks are not included.

From the town of Punta Cana you will experience a completely adventurous tour that will take you to the most magical places of the island' s geography, which includes many beaches and waterfalls where you can stop to take pictures or take a swim if you want.

On this tour, which you can do with your family, friends and even children, you will get to know the true spirit of adventure because in addition to taking you to the El Limón waterfall and Bacardi Island, you will get to know at least a part of the Dominican jungle, where you will get to know the fauna and flora popular in this region up close.

Details of interest

• Price: From 169 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned bus throughout the trip.
• Benefits of this tour: Tour guide, lunch and transfer to and from the hotel is included. Bottled water is also included.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Gratuities are not included. Not recommended for pregnant women, or people with back problems. Not suitable for wheelchair users.

Departing from Punta Cana you will first travel deep into the Dominican jungle on board the jeeps. Once inside the jungle, you will have to keep on driving until you reach a local farm where you can enjoy the enveloping flavours of Dominican coffee and chocolate.

Once you have finished this part of the excursion, you can continue on board the same vehicle to a local cave which is one of the most interesting attractions on the island. You will also see the underground river in the cave. After all this, the next stop in the 4x4 will be at Macao beach, where you can take a dip in the tropical waters before returning to Punta Cana.

If we talk about the best excursions to Macao Beach from Punta Cana, I would include this 4x4 experience because not only will you be getting to know the Dominican jungle, but you will also be able to do your respective walk on the beach.

Interesting details

• Price: From 65 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 4 full hours.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned vehicle and 4x4 vehicle.
• Advantages of this adventure: The presence of a professional photographer is included during the trip. Transport to and from the hotel is included. Coffee and chocolate tasting is also included.
• Disadvantages of this adventure: Photography is not included, but is available for purchase at a later date. Towel, sunscreen, swimming costumes and any other items considered for personal use are not included.

This all-Caribbean experience takes you to the Dominican coast where you can not only swim and enjoy the warm waters of the beach, but also be in a natural pool where you'll see lots of starfish.

The stop at most places is long enough to walk along the beach and enjoy the white sand. Definitely one of the best excursions to Saona Island from Punta Cana is this one, because it takes you to the biggest attraction of the Dominican Republic, its beaches.

Details of interest

• Price: From 80 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 9 and a half hours to complete the tour.
• Means of transport: Fully equipped vehicle, boat and catamaran.
• Advantages of this excursion: Buffet lunch and alcoholic drinks are included thanks to the open bar service. You will be able to enter the natural pool for at least 30 minutes. Snorkelling instruction and wetsuits are included.
• Disadvantages of this excursion:Souvenir photos are not included in the package, but can be purchased separately. Lobster is also excluded from the buffet menu, but you can eat it for an additional price.

This is an experience that takes you through the jungle of the Dominican Republic, specifically to Monkeyland, a real monkey sanctuary that is looked after by a dedicated couple. During your expedition through the jungle you will be able to see different coffee and cocoa plantations, two of the country's flagship products.

On this one of the best excursions to Monkeyland from Punta Cana, you can also visit the botanical garden to learn about the native flora of the Dominican Republic's jungle zone.

At the same time you will have the opportunity to take lots of pictures during the trip because you will be able to appreciate breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Interesting details

• Price: From 79 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: Safari vehicle for the entire experience.
• Advantages of this safari: Transfer from the hotel and back is included. Bottled water is provided along the way. You will also be accompanied by an expert guide.
• Disadvantages of this safari: Tips are not included, nor are meals or drinks. There is no box office fee included at any location.

From the moment you leave your accommodation, you will get on a buggy and head off into the Dominican jungle. You will go in search of a private farm where you will see how coffee and chocolate are made and have the opportunity to taste both. At this farm you will also see the processing of cinnamon.

Once you have finished this stop at the farm, you will continue with the buggy to the Macao area, a white sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Here you will board the double-decker catamaran. During the rest of the buggy adventure you will sail in the turquoise waters and see different marine species just before snorkelling.

Interesting details

• Price: From 115 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 8 hours.
• Means of transport: Off-road buggy and catamaran.
• Advantages of this adventure: Including transfers to and from the hotel where you stay. Tasting of local organic products is included. Also included is access to the catamaran with unlimited drinks, snacks and fruit. Snorkelling equipment is included. This trip is suitable for the whole family. Both experiences can be planned for one day or for two different days.
• Disadvantages of this adventure: Not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. Sunscreen, towels and other products for personal use are not included.

For two hours you will have the opportunity to take a leisurely horseback ride around the beach in the company of a tour guide who will show you the most beautiful features of the area. Before you go horseback riding the tour leaders will pick you up at the hotel where you are staying to take you to the place where you will go horseback riding.

Once on site, not only will you get on the horse, but you will also have a farm experience beforehand, meeting and seeing other animals. You will also receive a briefing on horse riding and all the safety precautions you need to follow before you get on the horse. Once you are ready, the ride will start until you reach the beach to watch the sunset.

Interesting details

• Price: From 78 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 2 hours during sunset.
• Means of transport: Appropriately conditioned vehicle and horses.
• Advantages of this tour: It is a family tour. It can be converted into a private experience for an additional cost. Bottled water is included throughout the tour. You will have access to all activities. Transport to and from the hotel is included. Accompaniment by a professional guide.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Alcoholic drinks are not included but are available for purchase. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Not suitable for people with back problems or pregnant women.

This is an ideal experience for young people who want to enjoy a real party in the Caribbean. If you are one of those people, you will want to live this experience. You will get on a catamaran where you will have the opportunity to snorkel at some point during the trip on board. You will be able to meet other tourists visiting the Dominican Republic.

You will also be entitled to an open bar of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the trip, making it one of the best boat and catamaran tours in Punta Cana. Once you get to the natural pool, the party begins, amidst a backdrop of waist-deep water, making this a truly amazing experience.

Details of interest

• Price: From 64 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: Equipped and comfortable vehicle and catamaran.
• Advantages of this party boat: Open bar during the whole experience. Transport to and from the hotel. Snacks included and the right to use the snorkelling equipment.
• Disadvantages of this party boat: Souvenir photos are not included, but are available for purchase. Gratuities and lunch are also not included. Children are not accepted on board, adults only.

This is a family activity that starts with the incredible experience of paragliding over the Dominican beach, from where you will be able to see the contrasts of the crystal clear turquoise waters. Before you go paragliding, an expert guide will give you all the safety precautions you need to know.

After having lived this high altitude experience, you will board the cruise ship to sail along the Dominican coast and live one of the best snorkelling experiences in Punta Cana in the middle of coral reefs. Afterwards you will go to a natural pool where you will be able to swim with all the safety measures. During the whole activity you will have access to drinks and all the entertainment on board.

Details of interest

• Price: From 113 euros per person.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: Fully equipped vehicle and catamaran.
• Advantages of this cruise: Transfer from the hotel and back is included. An open bar of unlimited domestic drinks is also available. Snacks and tropical fruits are included, as well as the use of snorkelling equipment. You will have music and entertainment on board.
• Disadvantages of this cruise: Photographs are not included, but are available for purchase. Gratuities for crew and driver are not included. Sunscreen and other personal items are not included. For paragliding each person must weigh a maximum of 204 kilograms. Children under two years of age are not allowed to attend the experience. Not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The tour may be cancelled if weather conditions are adverse.

Punta Cana is a tourist area but from here you can also take excursions to other parts of the island. For this reason, excursions can vary with respect to the length of time each one lasts. Generally these types of excursions last from half a day to a full day, depending on the places you want to visit.

If you are on a cruise ship, the excursions can be extended and last between 5 and 8 hours. But if it's an excursion near Punta Cana it can be a little shorter, between 2 and 4 hours. The duration also depends on the type of activity you want to do, whether it is a land or water activity.

• Bring sunscreen on any excursion, whether on land or in the water, as the Caribbean sun can cause severe sunstroke for those who aren't used to it.
• Pack sunglasses, cool clothes and your best swimwear as most excursions include a beach and/or pool.
• Make sure you can take the kids on these types of excursions, and if you can't take them on any of these experiences, check out 10 things to do in Punta Cana with kids.
• Even if everything is included in the excursion package, make sure you eat well before embarking on experiences such as cruises or party boats.
• Control your alcohol intake on experiences where you have access to an open bar, because if you drink too much, you may be denied access to the excursion or expelled from it.