Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is one of the most beautiful places on earth and an extremely popular destination in the Caribbean. Here in Punta Cana, you’ll enjoy the tropical climate, white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, beautiful coral reefs. You will also find a bounty of coconut trees swaying in the breeze. Or why not enjoy one of the available Punta Cana excursions?
Punta Cana offers the best activities, excursions, and tours. Some examples are deep-sea fishing, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling cruises and whale watching. You can also visit small islands like Saona and Catalina. And if you prefer land activities Punta Cana has a wide array of land tours as well. Some of these activities include zip lining, off road buggies, horseback riding, mountain expeditions, and so much more! Between land and sea, the Punta Cana excursions are amazing! Here are the top 10 of them.
1. Saona Island Tour
CC 4.0 by Reynaldo Anibal via Wikimedia Commons
This tour is one of the best Punta Cana excursions. It is full of adventure. It starts when you’re picked up from the fishing village of Bayahibe and taken to Saona Island by catamaran or by helicopter. This exotic island is a Caribbean dream of soft sand beaches and turquoise waters.
You’ll enjoy swimming and relaxing on canopy beds under the majestic coconut trees. Meanwhile, you can have a lunch buffet of fresh lobster, fish, and meat. From there you’ll sail to Catuano Beach. This is where snorkelers can enjoy the waist deep natural swimming pool that is secluded. It has the clearest waters where you can easily spot the giant starfishes.
2. Zip Line and Hoyo Azul
For anyone looking for an adventure on land one of the most exciting Punta Cana excursions is zip lining. Most zip lines are attached to trees. Meanwhile, these zip lines are actually attached to El Farallon Cliff that overlooks the Caribbean Sea.
After all that excitement, you’ll be able to take a refreshing dip in the natural spring-fed lagoon with the crystal clear waters of Hoyo Azul (blue hole). It lies at the base of a cliff that is fed from an underground river.
3. Samana by Plane Adventure
Your tour begins as you board a charter flight and head to Samana. You’ll be picked up by Safari trucks. They will take you on a scenic trip to a local mountain plantation. There, you can enjoy the fresh tastes of local produce. Some of these are honey, coffee, cocoa, coconut, and mango.
After that, you’ll go horseback riding to the magical El Limon Waterfall. Then, you can take a short catamaran trip to the Samana coastline to enjoy a Dominican lunch on the beach. From there you’ll enjoy a cruise to beautiful Cay Levantado. You can relax on the white sandy beach under the breeze of the swaying palm trees.
4. Punta Cana Jeep Safari
One of the most fun of the Punta Cana excursions is the Jeep Safari. Drive a jeep through the countryside and over dirt roads to the picturesque Playa Macao. It is an unspoiled and untouched beach. This safari will also take you off-road to local towns to witness first hand the locals making products. You will enjoy seeing cigars, vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon, and you can takethem with you.
Along the way, you’ll stop at a local ranch to ride horses. There, you will enjoy zip lining over the Anamya River in the Cordillera Oriental Mountain Range. Finally, you’ll end your safari on an unspoiled, immaculate beach in Uvero Alto. At this spot you can enjoy a swim and a typical Dominican feast prepared for you right on the beach. This safari is for anyone who wants to experience a little of everything.
5. Cueva Fun Fun
CC 3.0 by Anton Bielousov via Wikimedia Commons
Cueva Fun Fun (Fun Fun Cave) is one of Punta Cana excursions that adventurers will enjoy. This cave is located in Los Haitises National Park. It is a virgin national park of deep caves, pirate hideouts, and mangrove forests. To get there, you’ll go on horseback and then hike to the opening of the Fun Fun Cave.
The tour guide will lead you through a tunnel in an underground river. You can see there the petroglyphs of the Taino Indians. They are the inhabitants of the island when Christopher Columbus discovered America. You might just be amazed by spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. You’ll then return on horseback to the ranch where you’ll have a delicious Dominican buffet lunch.
6. Samana Whale Watching
Going whale watching in Samana is one of the most interesting Punta Cana excursions. Thousands of humpback whales will greet you from the warm waters of Samana Bay. They travel from the North Atlantic every year to mate and give birth.
After that, you’ll enjoy a horseback ride through the tropical forest that leads to the 165 foot pictorial Limon Waterfall. It is a touristic spot in the middle of the jungle. There you can swim in the refreshing waters of the lagoon that’s at the base of the waterfall. From there you’ll go to Cayo Levantado Island for a tasty lunch with a view of the Samana Bay. Here you have the chance to relax with your favorite cocktail.
7. Marinarium Snorkeling Cruise
Some of the best Punta Cana excursions is when you go snorkeling. The Marinarium snorkel cruise begins on board of a glass bottom boat. This allows you to see the colorful and diverse sea life along the Punta Cana palm tree-lined coastline.
The boat takes you to the Marinarium. It is the marine life oasis in the middle of the ocean. There you’ll snorkel with stingrays and nurse sharks. You can also enjoy a waist deep natural swimming pool. In the mean time you can relax and listen to local rhythms with a drink in your hand.
8. Excellence Dolphin Swim
This is one of the Punta Cana excursions that you don’t want to miss. This excursion gives you an exciting opportunity to swim with two dolphins simultaneously in their natural surroundings in the ocean.
You’ll be able to spend the most amount of time with dolphins on this tour. You can also enjoy a Sea Lion Show while viewing tropical birds.
9. Discovery Cruise Cap Cana
The Discovery Cruise is one of the full day Punta Cana excursions that takes approximately 8 1/2 hours long. You’ll sail along the coast of Cap Cana before boarding a double decker catamaran. On board you’ll get ready to snorkel the gorgeous crystal waters of Cap Cana. You also have the chance to explore the beautiful coral reef with tropical fish.
Your next stop is at an amazing natural pool where you’ll be served drinks while you’re in the water. From then you’ll head back to Cap Cana for an exclusive fresh grilled seafood lunch. The background of these scenes is made of the unforgettable views of the Caribbean. After lunch, you’ll visit Juanillo Beach and relax by a private bar.
10. Santo Domingo City Tour
Traditional street in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
This 12-hour tour is another one of the Punta Cana excursions on land where you’ll see the everyday life of millions of Dominicans. The tour heads to Three Eyes National Park and visits underground caves and lagoons. Afterward, you’ll head to the colonial town that was founded in 1498. This is where Christopher Columbus landed in 1492. IT also includes the house of Diego Columbus, Christopher Columbus’s son.
You’ll also tour the National Pantheon, the Torre del Homenaje, the Ozama Fortress, and the Casas Reales Museum. Throughout the day, you’ll have time to browse the old city markets and have authentic Dominican cuisine. There you may also explore the Dominican culture and history until it’s time to head back to your hotel.
Packing Up
If you prefer just to relax, you can spend the day on one of the breathtaking beaches. You also have the option to swim in the glistening clear waters and sunbathe on the white powdery soft sand with a tall fruity umbrella drink. You can just look out on the azure waters of the Caribbean. Or you can engage in one or even all of the excursions above. However, a trip to the Caribbean with these fascinating Punta Cana excursions will give you memories that last for a lifetime!
Images from depositphotos.com.
