Best Excursions in Punta Cana – Are you planning a trip to Punta Cana soon? This means that you have one of the best holidays of your life ahead of you. We loved the Dominican Republic and Punta Cana is one of the best destinations to enjoy the sun and beach on your vacation. Between all that tossing and turning on the beach, coconuts and swimming in the Caribbean (how stressful, huh!) I’m going to tell you about the best excursions in Punta Cana . What to do if you plan to leave the hotel to discover this incredible area of the country.
We traveled to Punta Cana on our own , rented a car and made a route around the Dominican Republic in a week at our leisure, visiting the places that caught our attention the most. Of course, we didn’t want to forget Punta Cana. If it’s so touristy, there must be a reason, don’t you think? It’s also true that our flight from Madrid arrived directly to Punta Cana. We had no escape 🙂 . If you stay in an all-inclusive hotel, I recommend that you at least go out for a day or two to do one of these excursions . Take a look at them all and choose the one you like the most. I’m sure you’ll love it! Saona Island, Santo Domingo, Catalina Island and a ton of other suggestions. Which one is your favorite?
Top 10 Best Excursions in Punta Cana
1. Saona Island by catamaran
Saona Island is truly paradise. What a water, people! The Dominican Maldives, or even better. I’m not exaggerating. Saona Island is the largest island in the Dominican Republic, located about 50-60 minutes from Punta Cana. And here you can find mangroves, white sand beaches surrounded by palm trees, shallow turquoise waters and coral reefs great for snorkeling.
This is without a doubt one of the best excursions to do in Punta Cana and the most famous one. In theory, the daily limit of people to visit Saona Island is 2,500 visitors per day, but I have my doubts that they really respect it.
There are several ways to visit Saona Island and the catamaran option is the most common, cheapest and also the one that most people usually choose. I warn you that you will not go only on the catamaran. The excursion consists of being picked up early in the morning at your hotel in Punta Cana and taken directly to the Port of Bayahíbe, from where the boat leaves.
Once you arrive at the main beach of Saona Island, you will have free time . The excursion includes a buffet lunch, and there is usually an open bar with soft drinks, rum and plenty of music. The entertainers even usually liven up the boat with Latin music and dancing included.
Normally you have the option of taking the catamaran at the beginning and the speedboat on the way back, or the other way around . That’s up to you. It all depends on whether you prefer to have a drink before or after visiting Saona Island. If music isn’t your thing, the top part is usually more relaxed and you don’t have to dance.
If you are going to Punta Cana with friends, I definitely recommend this option . You will really enjoy it! The price of the excursion if you book it directly at the Port of Bayahibe is usually around 40 euros per person, negotiable. If you book in advance and want someone to pick you up at your hotel in Punta Cana, you will find it from 55 euros. You can book directly at the following links (100% reliable companies).
2. VIP excursion to Saona Island
This excursion is also to Saona Island, but much more exclusive than the previous one . This way you can get to know the island without tourist crowds, more relaxed and discovering its most authentic side. Oh! And you will also have more hours to spend on the beach. 🙂
The tour also begins with pick-up from hotels in Punta Cana and transfer to the Port of Bayahibe. The tour takes you to Canto de la Playa, the best beach on Saona Island . We were at this beach very early in the morning, when the other tours had not yet arrived, and it was incredible. You cannot get there by catamaran because of the coral reef, only by boat. The color of the water on this beach is amazing.
After spending a few wonderful hours at Canto de la Playa, we take the boat again to visit the fishing village of Mano Juan . Time seems to have stopped in this peaceful enclave of colorful houses. The most curious thing of all is that people still live there today. It is the only inhabited village on Saona Island , and if you want, you can even spend a night in one of the simple accommodations in this village.
In Mano Juan we had a buffet style meal and headed to our next destination: the mangroves . We also saw where Survivors is filmed in the United States and, finally, we stopped at La Piscina , a place where you can supposedly see starfish , but unfortunately there are very few left. If you see a starfish, don’t touch it or take it out of the water . It dies! The return trip from here is usually done by catamaran (with a bit of partying included, although it’s quite light).
This excursion is more expensive than the catamaran excursion because you visit many more places and go to the other end of the island. If you can choose, we recommend doing this one . You will make the most of your time and enjoy the island without so many people. In the port of Bayahíbe you can find it for about 65 euros if you are a good haggler. If you want to buy it in advance and have someone pick you up at the hotel, this is the best price I have found on the internet.
3. Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo is another of the most typical excursions to do in Punta Cana . Not only because it is the capital of the Dominican Republic, but also because it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . This beautiful colonial city was the first European settlement in the New World and there you will find many “first things of America”. The list is endless. For example, the first Primate Cathedral of America , the first fort in America, the first hospital, the first street in America and a lot more.
What I liked most about Santo Domingo is the historical significance it has linked to Christopher Columbus’ discovery . I especially recommend taking the guided tour to understand everything much better. You have to keep in mind that during Columbus’ first voyage to the New World he reached the island of Hispaniola (currently formed by Haiti and the Dominican Republic). They decided to found the first city in America in Santo Domingo because they believed it was the best location to avoid reprisals from the Taino Indians, the indigenous inhabitants of the island before Columbus’ arrival.
Outside the colonial center of Santo Domingo, another of the places I liked the most was the Parque de los Tres Ojos . It consists of cenotes and a lake where you cannot swim, but you can take some really cool photos with the crystal-clear water. Fortunately, the excursions from Santo Domingo also include a visit to this wonder.
Santo Domingo is about two hours from Punta Cana . You can find day trips from about 70 euros.
4. Los Haitises National Park
We’re changing gears completely and now we’re off to visit a tropical forest that has been converted into a national park . The name Haitians mean mountains in the indigenous language. Here you’ll find a great biodiversity of flora and fauna, amazing wetlands, tropical forest, karst landscape, mogotes that they say resemble Halong Bay (although they didn’t look much like it to me) and caves with pictograms from the pre-Columbian era .
To give you an idea of how spectacular the landscape is, it was chosen as a location for filming Jurassic Park . Don’t you think it’s worth a trip?
We visited Los Haitises Park from Samaná , but you can also do it from Punta Cana without any problems. They pick you up at the hotel in Punta Cana, and once you arrive at the park you will sail through mangroves on the Caño Hondo River. The good thing about this excursion is that it also includes a stop at Montaña Redonda , a great and very Instagrammable place to have the best views and photos of Samaná Bay.
5. Excursion to Samaná to see whales in the wild + Cayo Levantado
Samaná Bay is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world . And not only that, it is one of the best places in the world to spot humpback whales . From mid-January to mid-March they travel from the Arctic to here to mate and have offspring before returning to the cold waters of the north. Our trip was in February so we had the opportunity to see them. It was definitely one of the best moments of the trip . If you go at this time of year it is well worth it.
The excursion departs from Punta Cana and includes a stop at Cayo Levantado in Samaná, also known as Bacardi Island . This island became famous because a Bacardi drink advertisement was filmed here. Here you will have free time to swim at the beach and eat (lunch is included) before returning to Punta Cana.
6. Excursion to the Limón Waterfall + Cayo Levantado in Samaná
Are you travelling to Punta Cana outside of whale season and want to take the excursion to Samaná ? Well, in this case I have another proposition for you. I suggest you take the route to the Cascada del Limón and end the day on the wonderful beach of Cayo Levantado .
It is true that we recommend that you spend a few days in Samaná if possible, because it is the best area of the country. Very authentic, far from mass tourism, with many unspoiled, kilometer-long beaches and many things to discover. The peninsula has a lot to offer and offers a lot, but if you don’t have time, this excursion can be a great option .
On the excursion to the Limón Waterfall and Cayo Levantado, you will be picked up at your hotel in Punta Cana. You will be taken to Miches and from there you will take a boat to tour the bay of Samaná . Once you arrive in Samaná, the first thing you will do is take the hiking route to the most beautiful waterfall in the Dominican Republic . Many people do it on horseback, but we are not in favour of practising this type of tourism. You can do the route on foot without any problem. In addition, you can swim at the Limón Waterfall . Afterwards, you will return to the boat to go to Cayo Levantado, have some free time and have lunch there. We assure you that it is worth it!
7. Catalina Island
If you liked Saona Island, Catalina Island could be another great option if you want to escape to an uninhabited island with amazing beaches and waters ideal for water activities. To get there, boats leave from the Port of La Romana , another of the most touristic towns near Punta Cana with some amazing mansions. If you are famous and you don’t have a house in La Romana, you are a famous person.
This island was highly contested by pirates and it is believed that they even buried their loot in its white sand . To add to the mystery, the remains of a pirate ship can be found on the coast of Catalina Island . The island has three great beaches, but the best thing about the island is what is in its water. If you like diving, you have to come here. As for snorkelling, it beats Saona Island by a landslide.
Catalina Island has three unique diving spots . On the one hand, there is the dizzying 100-meter underwater wall known as the Wall . There is also the Aquarium area where you will see colorful little fish and seahorses, and then you have the opportunity to dive next to the sunken pirate ship near the coast of Catalina Island. You can’t deny that they are all great plans, right?
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8. Hacienda Park
Do you want to change things up a bit from all the beach in the Dominican Republic and want a bit of adventure ? Well, pay attention because we are going to give you a couple of perfect options for the most restless. Take note of Hacienda Park .
It is located in the municipality of Higüey, about an hour from Punta Cana. It is a giant farm in the middle of the jungle that offers numerous activities to enjoy nature . From zip-line circuits, chairlifts with views of the jungle, 20-meter jump into the void (only for the most daring), buggy routes through the jungle and much more. If you don’t know what to do in Punta Cana with children, this is a great option.
9. Scape Park
We continue giving more ideas for the more adventurous and another fantastic option is Scape Park Ecoaventura . This park is right inside a huge resort in Punta Cana. It is a natural theme park where you can spend an unforgettable day. The experience is unique, you can travel along cliffs on aquatic ziplines, snorkel in a cenote or explore caves . The entrance may be a little expensive, but I have no doubt that it is one of the best excursions in Punta Cana with children .
10. Round Mountain
To finish this article on the best excursions in Punta Cana, I recommend the most Instagrammable of all. This place is located about 90 km from Punta Cana, on the southern shore of Samaná Bay. As it is a mountain over three hundred meters high, do you know what it offers us? Yes, you are right, a fabulous view of Samaná Bay , one of the most magical bays in the world.
And what about the surroundings? The best swing in the world has amazing views. Plus, it’s a much quieter place, far from the tourism of Punta Cana.
During the excursion you will be picked up at your hotel and you will arrive at Minches where you will change to a 4×4 to go up the mountain . In addition, this excursion is half a day. In the afternoon you can be back on the sun lounger at your hotel in Punta Cana.
