Punta Cana Excursions

[natalie1987]

what the LA BARCAZA expensive?

[cheshire_moon]

As a thank-you to our guests, we went through the Apple Vacations rep at our resort and purchased tickets for everyone to go to the Marinarium (swimming with stingrays and nurse sharks). Everyone had a blast! The snorkeling was a lot of fun, and holding the stingray was really nifty. The guy called him "Puppy." Swimming in the natural pool was relaxing, and later on the boat my Dad got to help make Coco Loco. I think this excursion really made the trip for many of our guests.

 

As a bonus, I got to go for free! The Apple rep pulled some strings, since we were treating for everyone to go. He was able to get my ticket comped!

[khomac]

Hola Tour Excursions

Excursions provided by Hola Tours - Westjet Vacations

 

Full Day Excursions

Santo Domingo – $79 – Explore the first city of the new world . . . visit many historic monuments; Santa Maria cathedral and the amazing Colonial Zone.

 

Saoña Island– $99 – feel the wind in your hair as you experience sailing by catamaran on the Caribbean Sea’s clear aquamarine waters. Return journey by speed boat and swim in the natural swimming pool in the middle of the ocean! A beautiful day of relaxation and scenery.

 

Outback Safari – $85 – Experience the real Dominican Republic! Taste home grown organic coffee and chocolate, meet the people, visit a typical home, see local schools, and villages. Cool down at the secluded Macao beach and try boogie boarding!

 

Dominican Jeep Safari – $99 – Drive your own convertible jeep through the lush country side. Visit a local house, discover the sugar cane fields, sample coffee, and enjoy horseback riding on the beach.

 

Tropical Storm – $89 – Spend an exciting day on board a catamaran, cruising along the coast of Bavaro. Snorkel with tropical fish and corals; swim in a natural pool and try the biggest inflatable slide of the Caribbean!

 

Higuey LaRomana – $85 – Visit the city of Higuey’s impressive cathedral, drive through the sugar cane fields, discover Altos de Chavon – an artist village, and cruise on a paddle boat on the beautiful Chavon River.

 

 

Half Day Excursions

Marinarium – $89 – Experience the unique opportunity of swimming with shark and stingrays! Snorkel on the coral reef, swim in the natural pool, dance meringue with the upbeat crew on the glass-bottom catamaran, and taste the amazing Coco Loco!

 

Reef Explorer – $89 – go at your own pace . . . From this floating island, enjoy snorkelling on the reef, admire the nurse sharks, hold a ray in your arms, take a kayak tour, get a relaxing massage, and sunbathe on the floating mats! Relaxation guaranteed!

 

Outback Safari ½ day – $68 – Escape the resort area for an unforgettable morning of discoveries through the Dominican Republic’s country side! Visit a typical home, coffee and chocolate plantations, a local artisan and boogie board at the Macao beach.

 

Crazy Wheels – $63, $89 – Attention strong sensation lovers! Drive your own four-wheeler through the breathtaking country side! Our path leads you to Macao beach for a refreshing swim in the crystal blue waters!

 

Dolphin Island – $120, $75 – Make your dream come true! Swim and interact with dolphins and/or sea lions in their natural environment off the coast of Bavaro. Get ready for the kiss of a lifetime!

 

Manati Park – $30 – Visit the wonderful landscape of gardens overflowing with animals, orchids, and tropical plants! Anjoy the variety of entertainment: dolphin, sea lion, horse, and parrot shows! For $95 instead of $30 you can swim with the dolphins, entrance fee included.

 

Tropical Storm Sunset – $109 – Relax on a sail catamaran while cruising along the coastline! Snorkle on the coral reefs, watch the sunset in the natural pool and have a lobster dinner at the Jellyfish Restaurant!

 

Gone Fishing – $105 – Enjoy the thrill of catching a blue marlin, white marlin, Dorado, or mahi-mahi! Get your cameras ready as your friends will not believe you without proof!

 

Pat Ranch – $50, $75 – Ride your horse along the turquoise waters of Macao beach! 1 and 2 hour packages available

 

Zip Lines – $89 – Experience the purely exhilarating feeling of flying high above the Dominican Republic’s green mountain side! Ten different lines are awaiting the most adventurous ones!

 

Helidosa – $89, $219 – Discover paradise from a different perspective! Fly over the Clearwater and white sandy beaches of Punta Cana. This tour will leave you breathless!

[BrideMichele]

Hey Kelly, have you done any of the excursions? If so, do you have any recommendations?

[khomac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrideMichele Hey Kelly, have you done any of the excursions? If so, do you have any recommendations?

Depends on what you like to do. Personally, I'm not one for sitting in the sun on the beach all day. I'd much rather explore the city.

Monster Truck Safari (with Sunquest - Outback Safari with WestJet)
LOVED EVERYTHING about it. I loved seeing the country side, the beautiful mountains, the amazing kids, seeing how people live, the houses, tasting the fresh off the vine fruit - did I mention I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT!?

Santo Domingo
Didn't do it, but keep in mind it is a long day as the bus ride itself is about 3 hours each way. Talk to Phil about that one. I think he knows a cab driver who can maybe bring you guys? I'd much rather explore this one my own and not with a group as I might want to stay longer "here" or not go "there".

Marinarium (with westjet and Caribbean Festival with Sunquest)
Catamaran ride - boring with westjet as the tourists didn't take part very much, but the staff are energetic and fun to watch. Caribbean Festival - better staff entertainment and better looking (the Dominican me? ugh! beautiful!
Snorkeling - Marinarium saw a lot more fish and coral - Caribbean Festival - not so much
Drinks - great with both

Saona Island excursion (not with westjet or sunquest)
Food - OMG AMAZING - steak, fish, chicken, pasta, Paella, salad, pasta salad, rice, fruit
Catamaran - Entertainment with this company was cheezy. Not much tourist participation (maybe it was just our lazy tourists?)
Island - relaxing, beautiful, never crowded
Natural Pool - boring - saw starfish (cool but felt bad for the starfish as they were probably dead)
Speedboat ride - totally fun HA!

Pat Ranch
Nothing to write home about. My parents did this one, and had a nice time. Nothing fancy. Horses seemed well kept but just thin.

Tour companies (sunquest, westjet, etc) offer the same excursions but each company will take you to different "spots" (on the island, in the ocean, on the land)

[khomac]

Things to Do in Punta Cana - Punta Cana Attractions - TripAdvisor

[knitgirl13]

So many to choose from! I couldn't decide!

[Bride Loving CJ]

Thanks for all the great ideas and sharing of experiences. I think FH and I want to do Ziplining during the honeymoon portion of our trip and maybe a boat ride/tour for the guest before the WD. I'll let you all know what I come up with.

[sltrotter18]

I am debating on organizing something like this for my guests but I don't want them to feel they HAVE to do....I want them to enjoy their vacation as well and not feel they have to spend all their time with us. We are doing the Barcaza for our wedding reception. Actually that is what made me choose the Dominican....couldn't find anything like it in Jamaica which was our alternative.

[Bride Loving CJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sltrotter18 I am debating on organizing something like this for my guests but I don't want them to feel they HAVE to do....I want them to enjoy their vacation as well and not feel they have to spend all their time with us. We are doing the Barcaza for our wedding reception. Actually that is what made me choose the Dominican....couldn't find anything like it in Jamaica which was our alternative.

What's "Barcaza?" SOunds fun!