More about: 10 Best Day Trips from 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 are more of a traditionalist, you can enjoy full day excursions to the most paradisiacal beaches of the island.
1. Full day excursion to the city of Santa Domingo
Excursions to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana is one of the best experiences you can have during your visit to the Dominican Republic. In 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 area of the city, where you will learn a little more about the Dominican culture. You will also be able to visit many places of tourist interest just before tasting some of the most exquisite Dominican dishes.
Details of interest
- Price: From 95 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 11 hours.
- Means of transportation: Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
2. Day excursion to Saona Island with boat trip
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 will see lots of starfish.
In addition the stop at almost every site 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: About 9 hours and a half to complete the tour.
- Means of transportation: Vehicle with all the comforts, boat and catamaran.
3. Snorkeling excursion to Catalina Island from Punta Cana
This excursion will take you to discover the natural beauty of Catalina Island, a tropical paradise with crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. It is a perfect experience for those who enjoy the sea, the sun and the outdoors.
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in coral reefs, relax on the beach and enjoy a delicious typical Dominican meal in front of the sea. In addition, you will be accompanied by a tour guide who will explain everything about this beautiful destination.
Details of interest
- Price: from 85 € per person.
- Duration: approximately 8 hours.
- Means of transport: boat to the island and air-conditioned vehicle for the transfer.
4. Escape to Samana from Punta Cana
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with this excursion to Samana, one of the most impressive regions of the Dominican Republic. Discover paradisiacal beaches, lush tropical landscapes and breathtaking waterfalls on a tour full of nature and culture.
The tour begins with a boat and vehicle trip to Samaná, where you will visit the spectacular El Limón Waterfall, a hidden gem in the jungle that you will reach on horseback or on foot. Afterwards, you can relax on the idyllic beach of Cayo Levantado, enjoying its turquoise waters and a typical Dominican lunch in front of the sea.
Details of interest
- Price: from 149 € per person.
- Duration: approximately 10 hours.
- Means of transportation: boat, air-conditioned vehicle and horseback riding.
5. Excursion to El Limon Waterfall and Bacardi Island
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.
In this tour that you can do with your family, your friends and even with children, you will know what the true adventurous spirit is because besides taking you to the El Limón waterfall and Bacardi Island, you will be able to know at least a part of the Dominican jungle, a place where you will know very closely the popular fauna and flora of this region.
Details of interest
- Price: From 169 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 10 hours.
- Means of transportation: Air-conditioned bus throughout the trip.
6. Excursion with safari in the Monkeyland plantation in the Dominican jungle
This is an experience that takes you through the jungle of the Dominican Republic, specifically to Monkeyland, a true monkey sanctuary that a dedicated couple takes care of. During your expedition through the jungle you will be able to see different coffee and cocoa plantations, two of the flagship products of this country.
In 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 jungle area of the Dominican Republic.
At the same time you will have the opportunity to take many pictures during the trip because you will be able to appreciate breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Details of interest
- Price: From 79 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
- Means of transportation: Safari vehicle during the whole experience.
7. Adventure excursion in Punta Cana by buggy and catamaran
From the moment you leave your place of accommodation, you will get on a buggy in which you will go 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 sand beach with crystal clear waters. At this beach 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 snorkeling.
Details of interest
- Price: From 115 euros per person.
- Duration: About 8 hours.
- Means of transportation: All terrain buggy and catamaran.
8. Sunset horseback riding excursion from Punta Cana
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 place. Before the horseback riding, the tour leaders will pick you up at the hotel where you are staying to take you to the place where you are going to go horseback riding.
Once at the site, you will not only get on the horse, but you will also have an experience on the farm, meeting and seeing other animals. Likewise, you will receive a talk about horseback riding and all the safety measures you must follow before getting on the horse. Once you are ready, the ride will begin until you reach the beach to watch the sunset.
Details of interest
- Price: From 78 euros per person.
- Duration: About 2 hours during sunset.
- Means of transportation: Properly conditioned vehicle and horses.
9. Excursion with Party Boat along the beaches of Punta Cana
This is an ideal experience for young people who want to enjoy a real party in the Caribbean. If you are one of this group of 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 during the whole trip, which makes it one of the best boat and catamaran tours in Punta Cana. Once you get to the natural pool, the party will begin, in the middle of a scenario where the water reaches up to your waist, making this a truly amazing experience.
Details of interest
- Price: From 64 euros per person.
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- Means of transportation: Equipped and comfortable vehicle and catamaran.
10. Cruise excursion with paragliding and diving experience
This is a family activity that begins with the incredible experience of paragliding over the Dominican beach, from where you will be able to see the contrasts of the crystalline and turquoise waters. Before launching into the paragliding, an expert guide will give you all the safety measures you need to know.
After having lived this high altitude experience, you will board the cruise ship to sail along the Dominican coasts and live one of the best snorkeling experiences in Punta Cana in the middle of coral reefs. Then 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 transportation: Fully equipped vehicle and catamaran.
Duration of excursions from Punta Cana
Punta Cana is a tourist area but also from this place you can make excursions to other places of the island. For this reason, the excursions can vary with respect to the time that 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 go on a cruise ship, the excursions can be extended and last between 5 and 8 hours. But if it is an excursion close to Punta Cana it can last a little less 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.
Tips for an excursion from Punta Cana
- Bring sunscreen to any excursion, whether on land or in the water, because the Caribbean sun can cause severe sunstroke for those who are not used to it.
- Pack sunglasses, cool clothes and your best swimsuits because most excursions include 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 the 10 things you can do in Punta Cana with kids.
- Even if everything is included in the excursion package, try to eat well before embarking on experiences such as cruises or party boats.
- Control alcohol intake in 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.