Dominican Republic · FOOD & DRINK
Sancocho, a cacao farm lunch and street food in the capital. These 15 walk the markets, the plantations and the small kitchens, priced, timed and clear about exactly how hungry to turn up.
You’ll drive an ATV through muddy jungle tracks, stop for Dominican coffee, chocolate, tea, rum, and Mamajuana, swim in a clear cenote, and visit Macao Beach. Guides such as Kitson, Felix, and Francisco are often praised for keeping the ride fun and safe.
“Great time into was great guide and excellent experience. Would recommend it to do it while your visiting”
Ride a 4x4 ATV from a Punta Cana ranch through rural tracks to a water cave, a Dominican farm-style tasting stop, and Macao Beach. Guides such as Felix and Luis Miguel lead groups, but riding time is limited and sales pitches are part of the day. Bring closed-toe water shoes and expect a busy group outing.
“Unsafe…had a tire fall off of one ATV and several others had brakes that were not working. Was rushed at each location… would pass on chocolate tasting for more time at beach location”
From Puerto Plata, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Damajagua, hike 30 to 45 minutes through the forest, then jump, slide, and swim through up to eight waterfalls. Guides such as Sammy, Werbe, Felix, and Jordan lead the water section. Lunch and soft drinks follow.
“Driver and River guide were both great! Thanks guys. Could have done without the food and stop at a local shop but really no pressure to buy. Food was tasty although not a kid pleaser. Showing local plants was fun but coffee was too sweet with honey. Chocolate water with cinnamon was interesting but probably needed to offer an unsweetened option to really taste the ingredients if I was going to buy.”
Spend about four hours driving a buggy through Punta Cana’s rural backroads, with stops for a cave swim, Macao Beach, and coffee, cocoa, and cigar demonstrations. Guides such as Coca Cola and Mr. Panda are praised for their energy. Expect dust, mud, crowds, and strong souvenir sales.
“Pick up was easy, communication as well. Crew was good, gave us some tips and tricks. Driving a buggy was fun, lots of mud so prepare yourself with glasses and mouth cover. Traditional Dominican house does not exist, or does if its sales outside covered space, they show you beans of coffee, cocoa and leafs of tobacco. You can see how they roll cigars. No show of how to grind beans, just tools. Took 4 minutes max and then they are presenting products, to taste and see and to buy. Point is to take you there and spend money. This is really disappointing since we been in Egypt, Tunisia, Marakesh…”
Cruise Punta Cana’s Bávaro coast with guides such as Don Julio, snorkel a coral nursery and natural pools, sip a CocoLoco on a secluded beach, and enjoy grilled lunch from a floating kitchen. Pickup, equipment, drinks, snacks, and photos are included.
“We had fun. It was good. We thought the guide was absolutely fabulous. It was very well organized. Go for the sea food option it’s 15 more and worth it for fish and lobster.”
Spend eight hours reaching Isla Saona from Punta Cana by coach, speedboat, and catamaran. Stop at the Natural Swimming Pool, enjoy a Dominican buffet and open bar, then relax on a white-sand beach. Guides such as Indiana Jones help keep the day lively, though travel time can reduce beach time.
“La familia María is the best family of our trip so far in DR. Thanks for being patience with all these kids around (cause I know it isn’t easy)”
From Amber Cove or Taino Bay, ride with DR Prime Tours to Damajagua Waterfalls. Guides such as Daniella, Albert, Fernando, and Jonathan lead a steep jungle walk, seven waterfall slides and jumps, a Dominican buffet, and a short cacao, coffee, rum, and mamajuana stop.
“Beautiful adventure through the waterfalls. I would recommend this to everyone. Expect a bit of walking but it’s all worth it at the end when you hit the nice cool water.”
You’ll drive a shared or solo buggy from Punta Cana along rural roads and muddy tracks, stop for Dominican coffee and chocolate, swim in a cenote, and finish at Macao Beach. Hotel pickup is offered, though pickup details should be confirmed before booking.
“Your agency did not let me know when I booked the Excursion that you did not pick up at the Hilton La Romana on Tuesdays. I asked for a refund.”
Spend about 75 minutes at Oliver and Oliver in Punta Cana, tasting aged Dominican rum, sugar cane juice, mamajuana, and food pairings. Guides such as Rudy, Santiago, and Felix explain rum-making, the Solera method, and the house’s story. Hotel transfers and time to browse the Taíno shop are included.
“For starters this was fantastic, but at first it didn't seem that way. My wife and I were down in DR for our 10th anniversary. We saw this rum tasting excursion and thought it would be a perfect addition to our trip. We've done several like it in other countries. After getting picked up at our hotel, we made our way to the location. Pulling up, it didn't look like it would be much. We nearly thought the driver was stopping to pickup someone else perhaps. He wasn't. A man welcomed us in to what looked like a a gift shop. My wife and I looked a eash other concerned.…”
Drive or ride a buggy through Punta Cana farmland, stop for Dominican coffee and handmade chocolate, swim in a Taino cave, then visit Macao Beach. Caribbean Sun Tours includes hotel pickup, safety equipment, bottled water, and a guide. Bring clothes you can ruin with mud.
“Great tour! Loved it! My family.. 2 teens had a ball! Transportation went good, no problems there! Macao beach was beautiful! Got pics with monkeys & birds”
Spend 90 minutes learning how Oliver & Oliver rum is made, from sugar cane and molasses to the solera method. Taste Cubaney Centenario, Unhiq XO, Opthimus, and Punta Cana XOX with chocolate, cheese, and finger food. Guides such as Felix and Wendell are known for clear, engaging instruction.
“Amazing experience! Felix was brilliant and even though I’m not usually a rum lover, learning how to properly taste each rum and how the tastes change depending on the barrels they’re aged in and the food they’re paired with etc. was fascinating! We even got some extra cigar tasting at the end of the day too. Highly recommend to anyone!”
Spend about three hours at Mundo Autentico, where you can watch cigars being hand-rolled, sample Dominican rum, coffee, and chocolate, and shop for gifts. Resort pickup and return transport are usually offered, but confirm the meeting point and factory location before departure.
“Very nice experience would definitely do it again Every one was so nice great tasting of rum the chocolate Rum and chocolate tea is the best”
Ride five ziplines, hike through Damajagua National Park, and swim, slide, or jump through seven waterfalls. Guides such as Jonathan, Fernando, and Chocolate help with safety and photos. The package also includes port transfers, lunch, drinks, coffee, chocolate, and mamajuana tastings.
“Showed up to our tour on time and found our tour guide who walked us over to a spot to wait at. Then were greeted by a “manager” from the tour company telling us people in our group from our ship had contacted them reporting they werRead more”
Spend about eight hours between Punta Cana’s countryside and coast. Ride an ATV, swim in Macao Cave, taste coffee and cocoa, visit Macao Beach, then snorkel from a party boat with fruit, snacks, music, and unlimited drinks. Hotel pickup is offered, and the group can reach 50 people.
“This excursion was a blast! We had taken an ATV tour prior and ended up enjoying this one a lot better. The young man who took pictures through out the ride was so sweet, I wish I could remember his name. All I remember is that he was frRead more”
Meet Medina or Fernando at Parque Colón for a two-hour walk through Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone. Visit the first cathedral in the Americas, the Alcázar de Colón, museums, fortress walls, and historic streets, with Dominican coffee, chocolate, and mamajuana tastings included.
“Très belle visite de la Zone Coloniale. Fernando est un guide compétent, sympathique et passionné par l’histoire. Les explications étaient claires et la visite très agréable. Je recommande vivement.”
Pick a coast, a cave or a boat.
