What excursions do you recommend from Punta Cana? Mysterious island The excursion cannot be visited from Punta Cana

Although Punta Cana is an excellent place for a hotel holiday, tourists are offered a wide variety of excursions. True, many tourists believe that excursions in Punta Cana are unreasonably expensive. In any case, only you can decide whether you should go on an excursion or not. We will present to you the main excursions in Punta Cana and their prices.

Excursion to Saona Island (average price $120)
This excursion is perfect for those who love secluded beaches and really want to get to know the famous island. You will have about an hour's sailing from the pier in the town of Bayahibe to the island of Saona. During this excursion you will also visit the so-called natural pool (Piscina Natural). On Saona Island you can enjoy a swim in the warm waters or simply relax on a sun lounger while sipping a Cuba Libre cocktail.
Often an excursion to Saona Island from Punta Cana includes a visit to the artists' city of Altos de Chavon.

Excursion to the Dominican Countryside (average price $140)
Punta Cana offers a variety of excursions that allow you to explore the authentic Dominican countryside. For example, Russian tour operators offer an airborne safari excursion, during which you will visit interesting places near Punta Cana. But there are also other excursions to the countryside that are offered by both Russian and foreign tour operators.

Excursion to Cap Cana (average price $120)
The famous city of millionaires, Cap Cana, is surrounded by truly beautiful nature. That is why excursionists often come here. Here you can see beautiful white sand beaches, picturesque caves and plenty of wildlife.
True, we have not seen excursions to Cap Cana offered by Russian tour operators, but foreign tour operators have such an excursion in their package.

Excursion to the Samana Peninsula (average price $320)
This excursion includes a small plane ride from Punta Cana Airport to the Samana Peninsula. After landing on the Samana Peninsula, you will board a bus to explore this beautiful place. The most interesting places you will visit during your excursion to Samana are the famous El Limon waterfall and the island of Cayo Levantado. In addition, from January to March, humpback whales can be seen in Samana Bay, which swim about 3 thousand kilometers to mate in this bay.
Despite the fact that the excursion to the Samana Peninsula is one of the most expensive excursions, it is certainly very interesting. Especially during whale season.

Excursion to Fan Fan Cave (average price $140)
The Fan Fan Cave is quite impressive in size and is located in close proximity to the Los Haitises National Park. Before the adventure begins, excursionists receive a special suit and undergo safety instructions. While visiting the Fan Fan Cave, you will see giant stalactites, countless passages and halls. Additionally, you should expect bats to appear.

Excursion to Santo Domingo (average price $110)
A trip to the oldest city in the New World will appeal to anyone who wants to get acquainted with the history and culture of the Dominican Republic. The capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, has a population of approximately 3 million inhabitants, making it the country's largest city. After a 3-hour drive from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo, you can visit interesting places such as the Columbus Lighthouse, the Three Eyes Cave and the Colonial Zone, which has many museums and historical buildings.

Other excursions
There are also many other excursions offered in Punta Cana, including Canopy Tour, excursions to the Marinarium, Manati Park, fishing, diving, etc.

Tourists staying in La Romana have a great opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful corners of the country located nearby. Excursions to Saona Island depart from here. The excursion route passes through the town of Altos de Chavon, which is also called the city of artists and artisans.

It was built on the high bank of the Chavon River and is a most accurately recreated copy of a medieval local village. There is a design school, an art gallery and craft workshops here. The most interesting object is a copy of an ancient amphitheater that can accommodate 4,000 spectators. Celebrities often come here to give concerts or simply decide to take a break from the bustle of the world.

After getting acquainted with Altos de Chavon, excursionists go to Saona Island on high-speed boats. Here time passes unnoticed on the beautiful beach with fine white sand and clear turquoise water. Tired of the sun, tourists go to have a meal at a local restaurant, where they will certainly be offered to try the Cuba Libre cocktail.

After lunch, you can get aesthetic pleasure by watching the life of starfish in a shallow natural pool formed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The cost of the tour for adults is RD$4,300 ($95), for children - RD$2,300 ($50), duration - all day.

Departs from Punta Cana and begins with air travel on a small plane. During the flight, you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic. The program includes a visit to the ranch and a horseback ride to the El Limon waterfall, which, according to legend, has magical powers, as well as a trip to the island of Cayo Levantado, where tourists can relax on the beach and swim in the ocean waters of the Atlantic. The cost of the excursion is RD$11,400 ($250). ), duration - all day.

While relaxing in the resort area of Punta Cana, you can take part in an unforgettable helicopter ride over the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic. During the flight, you can take a good look at all the beauties of Bavaro, as well as see from a bird's eye view Cape Cabeza de Toro and the clear difference between the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic at the point of their contact. The cost of the excursion depends on the selected flight time (from 10 to 60 minutes) and the number of participants.

Fishing is very popular among tourists vacationing in the Dominican Republic. Specific excursions with fishing in the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean can be booked while relaxing at almost any resort in the country. For example, in the Playa Dorada area you can fish Wajo all year round, fishing is also good off the coast of Cayo Levantado, and a fishing festival is held annually in Bani. In the coastal waters of Punta Cana from about July to October there is a great opportunity to catch blue marlin, and with From December to July, dorado fishing is good; all summer months are the hunting season for bonito fish.

They go fishing on specialized boats. A sea voyage in itself is already an adventure, but the process of fishing, which can really be crowned with a grandiose catch, is not the worst way to get adrenaline and a lot of fresh impressions. Such an excursion usually takes a whole day and can cost from RD$3,000 ($70) to RD$4,500 ($100).

A holiday on the east coast of the country can be harmoniously combined with an excursion to the mysterious Fun-Fung cave, but only those who are over 14 years old and confident in their physical strength can decide on such an adventure. The entrance to the cave involves a descent to a depth of 18 meters using special equipment. In the cave, everyone will find many discoveries and a feeling of a pioneer. You will have to move a lot, so you need to dress and put on very comfortable shoes, preferably sporty ones. The estimated cost of the excursion is RD$5,500 ($120), duration - for the whole day.

Recently, ecological excursions have been gaining increasing ratings among tourists who have seen the world and dream of learning something new for themselves, simple and earthly, without embellishment. Such opportunities are provided by an excursion to the most ordinary Dominican remote village, where ordinary people live, work and enjoy life.

Rural life in this country is significantly different from ours in Russia and looks very exotic: village houses are built from palm trees, and what is grown here is not potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers, but mangoes, coffee, cocoa and sugar cane. And you can see all this with your own eyes, as well as delve into the process of making a cigar by hand and taste real home cooking from the hands of a real Dominican housewife.

In addition to these unusual experiences, the excursion program includes relaxation on the quiet and cozy Moron Beach. The cost of the excursion depends on the number of people participating and starts at RD$2,700 ($60) per person. The duration of the excursion is 5 hours.

You can get interesting impressions by going on an excursion trip in a jeep. Such excursions are especially popular in Punta Cana. The route starts with a sugar plantation and an off-road drive. Along the way there is the opportunity to admire beautiful views. The first stop is at the tobacco museum, then the path leads to a Dominican village.

Having become familiar with the local flavor, travelers climb the mountain to an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level, passing coffee and cocoa plantations, as well as groves of tropical fruits along the way. Then tourists will have a hearty lunch and a horseback ride. As a reward for the long journey, excursion participants receive a vacation on the sea coast with all its attributes: sunbathing and swimming. The cost of the excursion is approximately RD$3,900 ($85). Duration - for the whole day.

Extreme Buggy Tour

A buggy excursion is another way to shake things up and feel what speed is all about. The extreme journey begins in Punta Cana, heading along the coast, past banana plantations. The first point of the route is the deep Taino cave, filled with fresh water. Once upon a time an Indian tribe settled there. Today it is a beautiful place for diving, accessible even to beginners.

The next destination is a wide sand-covered training ground where you can have a blast on your four-wheeled iron horse. Then, to change the scenery, tourists are offered horseback riding. And then - back behind the wheel, now extreme sports enthusiasts can expect races along the water's edge. The tour includes stops for relaxing on the beach and swimming. Duration of the trip - 6 hours. Estimated cost for adults is RD$4,100 ($90), for children - RD$1,600 ($35).

Manati Park is an entertaining zoo that is definitely worth visiting with children. Here you can admire flamingos, parrots, iguanas, snakes, fur seals, swim with dolphins, watch a bird show, a dolphin performance or a demonstration of skillful horse riding. And all this is against the backdrop of lush tropical vegetation of the local botanical garden. The excursion is best departed from Punta Cana; it will take approximately half a day and cost RD$2,300 ($50) for children, and RD$4,100 ($90) for adults.

Los Haitises is an amazing natural place where time has stood still. Covered in dense tropical forests, the park is home to stunning rock formations, grottoes and caves with rock art. The most famous of them are the Boca del Tiburon grotto (translated from Spanish as “mouth of the Shark”), the San Gabriel cave, La Line, and the Arena.

The mangroves along the river, where the sea part of this excursion begins, flowing into the Gulf of San Lorenzo amaze with its unusual, fantastic appearance. The silence, occasionally broken by the singing of birds, and the pristine, virgin nature around will take you tens of thousands of years back in time.

You will see a huge number of different species of birds inhabiting small islands: frigate birds, pelicans, gulls, red-headed eagles and many others. You will visit, hidden among lush greenery, caves that were inhabited by Indians centuries ago and traces of their presence, in the form of rock paintings, remind of this.

You will also have time to swim in the pools with the purest mountain water and relax. For wildlife lovers, this is a treasured and beautiful place worth visiting.

The excursion takes place in the Dominican countryside, away from the main tourist routes.

Organizational details

The price includes transfer from your hotel and back.

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Book a tour on any of the available days on the calendar

This is a private tour in Russian, the guide will conduct it for you and your company.
Start of the excursion Hotel reception. We will send you the exact meeting point and contact details of the guide immediately after booking.
On the site you pay 20% of the cost, and the rest of the money goes to the guide on the spot. You can

Punta Cana offers tourists a huge selection of excursions, and most of them can be afforded not only by wealthy tourists, but also by those whose travel budget is somewhat limited.

A trip to the country's capital and at the same time its largest city, Santo Domingo, is very popular among tourists. This ancient city was founded by Christopher Columbus' brother Bartolomeo. The city attracts tourists because many interesting sights have been preserved here since the time of Columbus, including the residence of the son of Christopher Columbus.

During the excursion, tourists visit the ancient cathedral, the National Cemetery, stroll along the narrow ancient streets and be sure to look into the Columbus Lighthouse, where his remains are kept. The price of the excursion usually includes a delicious lunch, which consists of Creole cuisine.

One of the highlights of the Dominican Republic is Saona Island or Bounty Island. An excursion to this national reserve also includes a visit to the famous city of artisans and artists far beyond the country's borders - Altos de Chavon. This place recreates a 16th-century Spanish village and has a wide range of attractions to choose from, including numerous museums, a famous design school and an amphitheater that can accommodate 5,000 spectators. This village is often visited by famous figures of art, politics and culture.

Saona Island is called Bounty Island because of its gorgeous white beaches, a large number of palm trees, emerald water and excellent scenery in general. During the excursion, tourists are treated to famous cocktails and Creole cuisine; vacationers have the opportunity to swim in crystal clear water and watch the life of the inhabitants of the local underwater world.

One of the most expensive, but at the same time one of the most interesting and popular is an excursion to the Samana Peninsula. This peninsula attracts the greatest interest among tourists from January to March, when humpback whales can be seen in local waters, which come here for the purpose of breeding. The length of some individuals can reach 18 meters, and their weight is 60 tons. Often whales can be seen not only during a boat trip, but also directly from the shore. In addition to the opportunity to see whales, the excursion includes lunch, as well as visits to other attractions (for example, the Salta de Limon waterfall, whose height reaches 40 meters and tourists are taken there on horseback).

Among other excursions, it is worth highlighting the opportunity to get acquainted with the cave, which has the mysterious name Fun-Fun. This cave system is one of the largest stalactite caves in the world and is a complex of underground rivers and tunnels, the total length of which is about 7 kilometers. It is popularly known as the Devil's Cave. The cave has an unusual topography and microclimate; visitors are impressed by various cave paintings, grottoes and strange sounds appearing out of nowhere. This cave is located on the territory of the Los Haitises National Park and despite the fact that excursions are held there, it is unequipped. Together with an experienced guide, the group descends to a depth of about 18 meters. Typically, such excursions last the whole day (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and children under 16 years of age are not allowed on the trips.

Fans of active recreation can be advised to try their hand at rafting, which takes place in the Jarabacoa mountains along the Jaque del Norte mountain river. The base camp is located in the mountains and immediately before the rafting, tourists are given instructions on safety and maneuvering issues. The rafting takes place over two hours, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide, and in addition to the pleasure of the descent, tourists can enjoy incredibly beautiful landscapes. Rafting on this mountain river belongs to level 5 of difficulty, and there are seven such levels in total. It is advisable to take towels and sportswear with you.

If you are interested in excursions with an entertainment twist, then be sure to pay attention to the excursion to Manati Park. It is located in the resort area of Bavaro and is a natural zoological park in which a wide variety of flora and fauna of the Caribbean region is represented. Literally at arm's length you can see sea turtles, iguanas, and different species of birds. But tourists come here not only to see various representatives of the animal and plant world, but also to watch shows with parrots, fur seals and dolphins. Also within the park there is an Indian village where tourists can get acquainted with the life, way of life and culture of the first island inhabitants - the Taino Indians. You can visit the park daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Although Punta Cana attracts mainly those who like to relax on site, most tourists still want to see some interesting places while visiting the Dominican Republic in order to diversify their vacation. The resort area of Punta Cana itself has virtually no known attractions, which is mainly due to the short history of the place and its homogeneous landscape. However, there are many attractions located close to Punta Cana. In this article we will tell you about the attractions of Punta Cana, which are located no more than 100 km from this resort area.

What to see in Punta Cana

Basically, you don't have to know what to see in the Dominican Republic in the Punta Cana area, since the excursions offered in the area allow you to see all the most interesting places. You are unlikely to want to get to any of these places on your own, since this is often more expensive than buying a tour. However, it would be a good idea to initially know what you can see in Punta Cana in order to better understand what excursions are worth purchasing while vacationing in this resort area.

The most popular places located relatively close to Punta Cana are: Saona Island, Catalina Island, Altos de Chavon, Cap Cana, Fun Fun Cave, Manati Park and Marinarium. We will tell you about all these attractions of Punta Cana below.

Saona Island is one of those must-see places during your holiday in Punta Cana. This island has enviable natural beauty and its flora and fauna are protected - Saona is part of the Eastern National Park. Saona Island is located near the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic, south of the province of La Altagracia, and is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

An excursion to Saona is one of the most popular among tourists who come on holiday to Punta Cana. It is the largest island in the entire Dominican Republic, with an area of about 110 square kilometers. Here all natural gifts are protected, so to this day Saona is an untouched tropical paradise with pristine beaches, lush exotic vegetation and a variety of animals, including birds and reptiles.

In order to get to Saona Island, you must first come to the town of Bayahibe, from where boats and catamarans depart to the island. The trip to Saona by catamaran lasts approximately 2 hours, but by speedboat you can get there much faster.

Besides its beaches, Saona Island is famous for its abundance of coral reefs and the sea creatures that live within them, such as starfish, sea turtles and exotic fish. The island's population is small - only a few hundred people, who are mainly engaged in fishing and serving tourists. One of the attractions of Saona Island is the largest natural pool in the world, located directly in the sea 400 meters from the shore. This area, where the depth is barely more than one meter, offers ideal conditions for snorkeling. This natural pool is the perfect place to see a variety of exotic sea creatures such as starfish, corals, tropical fish, shells and snails. In the area of this island you can also see some exotic mammals such as the manatee.

If you are interested in the most popular attractions in Punta Cana, then you should not miss the opportunity to visit Saona Island, as it is by far the number one attraction in the eastern Dominican Republic.

Altos de Chavon

This is a small Mediterranean-style town built above the Chavón River in the province of La Romana. It is located almost 100 km from the city of Santo Domingo and about the same distance from many resort hotels in Punta Cana. Altos de Chavon offers its visitors the unique atmosphere of an old Mediterranean town with cobbled stone streets and ancient houses. Despite its old appearance, Altos de Chavon was built in the 70s of the last century. There is an archaeological museum, an amphitheater, a design school, a beautiful cathedral, restaurants, bars and shops.

Although Altos de Chavon has an ancient appearance, its history, as we have already said, dates back to the 70s, namely 1976. The idea of building a Mediterranean-style town near the Chavon River came from businessman Charles Bludhorn, president of the Golf & Western Corporation. The town was designed and built by Italian architect Roberto Coppa, who hired hundreds of Dominican artisans to build a replica of the 16th-century Mediterranean village. The work continued for several years, and Koppa personally supervised every stage of the work. It can be said that Altos de Chavón is a work of art, as it is the result of the work of hundreds of craftsmen. Each stone used outdoors was cut and placed by hand by an artisan. Every detail of the buildings' wooden decorations and furniture is handmade by Dominican artisans. In 1982, construction of the town was completed. Altos de Chavon celebrated the opening with a Frank Sinatra concert in the amphitheater.

The Church of St. Stanislaus is located in the center of the town. Because of its beauty and environment, it has become a place where thousands of couples have gotten married. Behind the Church of St. Stanislaus is an archaeological museum where you can see more than 3,000 examples of pre-Columbian artifacts. The Altos de Chavona Amphitheater is an architectural beauty of the Greek style. It can accommodate approximately 5,000 people during concerts and performances by famous artists. The Altos de Chavon School of Design has a multicultural approach to art and design and is affiliated with Parsons School of Design in New York and other major design schools.

Although excursions to the Saona and Catalina Islands sometimes take tourists to Altos de Chavon, little time is usually allocated to explore all the beauties of this small town. So if you are very attracted to Altos de Chavon, then we advise you not to waste money and go here on your own. It is advisable to come here at lunchtime, when crowds of tourists are on the island of Saona, and Altos de Chavon has a calm atmosphere. In addition to the fact that you will be able to explore all the most interesting places of this town in a relaxed rhythm, you will also have the opportunity to relax in the atmospheric bars and restaurants of this place.

Catalina Island

The natural attractions of Punta Cana are very popular among tourists, but Catalina Island attracts mainly not for its natural beauty (although this island is undoubtedly quite beautiful), but for the diving sites located near it.

Catalina is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, a few kilometers off the coast of the Dominican Republic. Small because the island has an area of only 15 square kilometers, although it is the second largest in the Dominican Republic, after Saona. Like Saona, Catalina Island has beautiful beaches, pristine unspoiled beauty, white sand and calm, clear waters. Catalina is an uninhabited island that is part of the Eastern National Park. Since the island is uninhabited, there is only infrastructure for receiving tourists. Catalina is visited mainly by diving enthusiasts, as well as tourists who are attracted by the unique natural beauty of this place. In addition, tourists visit this island during cruises.

There are three main beaches on Catalina Island, which have fairly simple names: East, West and North. Currently, the western beach is the most popular, while the other two beaches have huge potential for tourism development. Catalina Island is ideal for all types of water activities, but tourists mainly enjoy diving and snorkeling, as the waters around the island contain an impressive variety of marine life. Off the coast of this island you can see numerous colorful corals, exotic fish, starfish and other amazing representatives of underwater life. Like Saona Island, boats to Catalina leave from Bayahibe, but they go in the other direction. Some tour operators sometimes combine an excursion to Catalina Island with a visit to the town of Altos de Chavon.

Fun-Fung Cave

The Fung Fung Cave is one of the largest in the world and allows you to not only test your physical limits, but also be transported back in time. The adventure begins in the morning with a breakfast of fresh tropical fruits, snacks and coffee. After breakfast, the instructor will make sure that everyone is ready to enter the cave, as you will have to travel about 2 kilometers underground. You will be given equipment in the form of a special suit, boots, a seat belt and a helmet, which not only protects you, but also has a flashlight. After entering the cave, you will have to descend 20 meters. When you go down, you will see many tunnels with stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave. After a challenging walk through the cave, you'll take a horseback ride to the ranch, where you can enjoy healthy food and drinks.

If you are interested in attractions in Punta Cana for children, then one of the best places is Manati Park. This is a huge theme park dedicated to the fauna and flora of the Dominican Republic. This is more than just a zoo. Here you can experience the rich nature of the Dominican Republic and watch themed and animal shows.

Inside Manatee Park, visitors can watch animal shows such as horse dancing, parrot pirouettes, dolphin jumping, sea lion shows, etc. It also offers shows to help you better understand the culture and folklore of the Dominican Republic. For example, a Taino Indian show is held here, during which you can see the beautiful ritual dances of the first inhabitants of this region.

Another interesting and very popular activity in Manati Park is swimming with dolphins. Visitors here will be able to swim with dolphins in the pool under the supervision of trainers.

In the park you can find various animals, such as iguanas, flamingos, exotic birds, snakes, sea lions, crabs...

Marinarium

Marine enthusiasts should definitely visit the Marinarium in Punta Cana, which offers the opportunity to swim with sharks and rays and see a wide variety of corals. You can choose when to travel, morning or afternoon.

The Punta Cana Marinarium is a marine park and the animals that inhabit it are highly trained. In addition, specialists ensure a high level of security at the marine park, so there have not been any incidents of animals attacking people.

At the Marinarium you can take a glass-bottom boat ride. In addition, the waiters will teach you how to prepare the Coco-Loco cocktail from rum and coconut. But the entertainment doesn't stop there, as guests are also offered the opportunity to relax in the natural pools, sip cocktails prepared by the waiters and listen to music.