Saona Island
The classic. White-sand beaches and turquoise water inside Cotubanamá National Park. It's a long day, but it's the excursion almost everyone remembers.
- Duration
- Full day, 10 to 11 hours
- Getting there
- About 1 hour by road to Bayahíbe and 1 more hour by boat
- Best for
- All ages
Ask first: the group size, whether you'll go by catamaran or speedboat, and whether pickup, drinks and lunch are included.
The full day, with prices and tips, is in our Saona Island guide.
Buggies
You drive an open off-roader along dirt and mud tracks, usually stopping at cacao and coffee plantations, a cenote and the beach. You'll end up covered in mud; that's half the fun.
- Duration
- About 4 hours
- Getting there
- With hotel pickup
- Best for
- Adults, and kids depending on the operator's minimum age
Bring: clothes you don't mind staining, goggles, a scarf for the dust and a change of clothes.
Scape Park and Hoyo Azul
An adventure park in Cap Cana with ziplines, kayaking and Hoyo Azul, a crystal-clear cenote at the foot of a cliff. It has activities for different levels, so it works well for families.
- Duration
- Half day to full day
- Getting there
- It's in Cap Cana, about 15 km from central Punta Cana
- Best for
- Families and groups
Catalina Island
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A small, uninhabited island with shallow reefs, great for snorkeling or diving. Lunch on the beach is usually included.
- Duration
- Full day
- Getting there
- By boat from La Romana, about 30 minutes
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to see what's under the water
Santo Domingo
The capital, with its UNESCO World Heritage–listed Colonial City. Many tours add Los Tres Ojos park. It's the day to trade the beach for history.
- Duration
- Full day
- Getting there
- About 2.5 hours each way
- Best for
- All ages
Tip: with that much driving, it pays to go on an organized tour with a guide and lunch included.
Los Haitises National Park
Mangroves, rocky islets and caves with pre-Columbian pictographs, explored by boat. It's a completely different landscape. It's often combined with Montaña Redonda.
- Duration
- About 8 hours
- Getting there
- On a tour with transportation and a boat
- Best for
- Nature lovers; there's some walking
Montaña Redonda
A lookout at 329 meters with views in every direction, plus the swings you've probably seen in photos.
- Duration
- Half day
- Getting there
- An hour and a half by car, then a final stretch by 4×4
- Best for
- All ages
Humpback whales in Samaná
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales arrive in Samaná Bay to breed. Seeing them depends on the weather and that day's luck.
- Season
- Mid-January to late March
- Duration
- Full day
- Best for
- All ages, with care for the boat's motion
All of them at a glance
| Excursion | Duration | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Saona Island | 10 a 11 h | Postcard beach |
| Buggies | 4 h | Adrenaline and mud |
| Scape Park | Half or full day | Hoyo Azul and ziplines |
| Catalina Island | Full day | Snorkeling |
| Santo Domingo | Full day | History |
| Los Haitises | 8 h | Mangroves and caves |
| Montaña Redonda | Half day | The views |
| Whales | Full day | January to March only |
Before you book
- Ask what the price includes: transportation, food, drinks and entry fees.
- Confirm the pickup point and time, plus the cancellation terms.
- Don't schedule a full-day excursion on your arrival or departure day.
- Leave a free day after a long outing. That's part of why you travel, too.
Compare excursions in Punta Cana
Prices, reviews and available dates, with cancellation terms that vary by activity.
