Ready to have the vacation of your dreams? Explore these 8 day tours in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!
Punta Cana is about more than just all-inclusive resorts. While we all love a good rest on a sunbed with a coconut (or a mojito!) in your hand, sometimes you want to get out and do something more active. This is what the best Punta Cana tours we’ve collected in this list are for!
Whether you are looking to spend a quiet day in abundant Dominican nature or pack your vacation with an extra dose of adventure, you will find what you’re looking for on this list of top rated excursions in Punta Cana.
And the best part is? These amazing Punta Cana tours and excursions only take a day but will bring you a lifetime of happy memories! So, no need to block days off your vacation schedule or travel for hours and hours to reach your destination. Most of these destinations are within a 1-2 hour drive!
1. Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda is a mountain, standing 1,000 feet above sea level, and is an absolute must-see for any Punta Cana visitor! Located in Miches, only about an hour away from the hotels in Bavaro and Punta Cana, Montaña Redonda offers unparalleled views and a great hike to remember.
You can take safari cars up to the very top of the mountain or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike it and enjoy the natural beauty of the mountain unfold at your own pace. If you decide to hike, definitely bring water with you! The hike is not too steep and has lots of shade, but it can still get very hot.
Once you’re at the top of Montaña Redonda, you can grab a cold beer at the bar and enjoy the unique 360 degrees panoramic view of the coast of the Dominican Republic!
There are a few awesome spots to take beautiful and funny pictures, with a swing that makes it look like you are flying away and a couple of props like brooms and benches to jump off so you can remember your trip by unique photos.
After you spend time walking around the top of the mountain or lounging in one of the hammocks, take the safari car back or hike down and go for a swim at Playa Esmeralda, a beautiful wild beach. Playa Esmeralda is a local secret and is rather secluded, but features picture-perfect setting with shallow water, yellow sand, and swaying palm trees.
→ Ready to plan your Montaña Redonda visit? Contact us here!
Ready to plan your Montaña Redonda visit?
2. Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón
Casa de Campo is an upscale neighborhood only an hour away from Punta Cana, where many celebrities and VIPs like Jennifer Lopez and Robert Redfort own villas. However, Casa de Campo is much more than the Dominican Beverly Hills!
This exclusive resort is also home to Altos de Chavón, a charming replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village with an archeological museum, an amphitheater, and gorgeous views of the Chavón river and the Caribbean sea.
Walk around the cobblestone streets and explore the small shops around Altos de Chavón that sell everything from artesanal sweets to cigars and handcrafted jewelry. Then spend the afternoon enjoying a slow lunch at one of the local restaurants and feel like you’ve been transported to 16th century Greece or Italy!
And, of course, don’t forget to visit the ChocoMuseo, the chocolate museum, to try sweets made with the best organic Dominican cacao. Grab some cacao-based beauty products as well!
→ Ready to explore Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón? Contact us here!
Ready to explore Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón?
3. Samana
The scenic peninsula of Samana is a bit further from Punta Cana and Bavaro than other spots on this list, but it’s well worth the visit! It is one of the best Punta Cana tours, but it requires the full day.
This part of the island is on the wilder side, and there are many protected national parks, tropical forests, and picturesque “untouched” spots to connect to nature. However, two must-do activities are whale watching and visiting the El Limón waterfall!
Whale watching season is from December to the end of March and Samana is one of the best places in the Dominican Republic — and the world! — to do it. You can take a boat to see the whales come in and out of the water, slapping their fins on the surface, and trust us when we say that it’s a sight you will never forget!
Salto El Limon, or the “Lemon Waterfall,” is another classic Samana attraction. You can either take horses or hike through a tropical rainforest to reach the tumbling 130-feet waterfall hidden in its depths. Take a swim in the clear waters of the waterwall or, if you are feeling adventurous, jump off the rocks and make a splash!
4. Los Haitises National Park
On the way to Samana but closer to Punta Cana, there is the Los Haitises National Park with thick mangrove forests and caves full of carvings by the indegenous Taíno populations. And if you’re interested in eco-tourism, Los Haitises National Park is a must-see because it is home to over 200 unique species of birds!
You can explore the park by boat tour, going around its secluded beaches, mangroves, and hidden caves. Your travel guide will also take you inside the caves so you can see ancient carvings left there by the Taínos, the native people of the island of Hispaniola. You can plan your visit to the Lost Haitises National Park to be a full-day tour, as there’s SO much to explore!
→ Ready to spend the day in Los Haitises? Contact us!
Ready to spend the day in Los Haitises?
5. Macao Beach
If you’ve been wanting to learn how to surf or ride your surfboard on clean Caribbean waves, you’re in luck! Just a 30 minute drive away from the white sand beaches of Punta Cana, there’s Macao Beach, a surf mecca with turquoise waters.
Leave Bavaro beach for a half-day trip and have an athletic Punta Cana excursion to Macao Beach! Once you get there, you can take a surf lesson with professional instructors. Or, if you’re not feeling up to the adventure, enjoy watching the members of your group conquer the waves from one of the beach restaurants with a cold Presidente!
Whichever you choose, Macao Beach offers a beautiful view of the picturesque cliff and lots of fun!
→ Ready to explore Carribean waves? Contact us!
6. Higuey
If you are tired of Punta Cana beach and don’t want to spend hours getting to the capital, Santo Domingo, to have a Santo Domingo city tour, visit the busy and bustling city of Higuey, only an hour drive from Bavaro!
On this amazing Punta Cana excursion, you can travel around the loud streets of the La Altagracia capital and search for cheap local finds from different street vendors at a local Dominican market. Sometimes you can find a real treasure in a pile of junk!
You can also visit the famous Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia and then relax at one of the local restaurants and try authentic Dominican food. You’ll find freshly cooked rice, chicken, and vegetables incredibly tasty after a busy day!
→ Excited to explore an authentic Dominican city? Contact us!
7. Hoyo Azul
Located in the heart of Scape Park, Cap Cana, Hoyo Azul is a gorgeous turquoise lagoon at the foot of a 200 feet cliff. It’s surrounded by a lush Caribbean tropical forest and is a must-see for all nature lovers!
Hoyo Azul can be translated from Spanish as “blue hole,” and the lagoon certainly lives up to its name, with an average depth of over 45 feet. Your guide will lead you on a hike through the flora and fauna of the theme park to the hidden nature’s jewel and then you can go for a swim in its cool, tempting waters!
→ Ready to connect with nature? Contact us!
8. Isla Saona
If you’re looking for Punta Cana island excursions or a Punta Cana island tour, a day trip to Saona Island should be on your list! Isla Saona is a gorgeous island just a speedboat ride away from Punta Cana, and it offers pristine wild beaches, delicious seafood, and a unique “natural pool”!
Visiting Isla Saona is truly one of the best excursions near Punta Cana because there’s just so much to do. You can go on a snorkeling tour, relax on the white sand beaches, or visit the tiny fishing village of Mano Juan to get some local handmade art.
And while traditional catamaran sightseeing tours are notorious for overcharging tourists and providing them with an average experience, we’re proud to say that our private tours to Saona Island are one of the best Punta Cana tours! Experience Saona Island on your own terms — and on your own boat! — to have a truly magical experience that will stay with you forever!
→ Ready to explore Saona Island on a private tour? Contact us today!
Ready to explore Saona Island on a private tour?
The Best Punta Cana Excursions: Final Thoughts
Whether you are into packing your day with adventure or relaxing in nature, there is a tour from Punta Cana for you! Simply contact us today so we can do 100% of the organization and you can do 100% of having the best holiday of your life!
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