13 Food Experiences in the Dominican Republic Worth Getting Up For

1.7 waterfalls+typical food

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 526 reviews · from $60Our pick

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.”

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2.Punta Cana Exclusive Adults-Only Snorkel with Food and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 443 reviews · from $99Top rated

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.”

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3.Saona Island Catamaran Tour with Food & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 380 reviews · 8 hours · from $67

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)”

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4.AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 327 reviews · from $60

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.”

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5.Eat Drink & Be Merry Puerto Plata City Tour -Amber Cove/Taino Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $112

Spend about five hours touring Puerto Plata with guides such as Alexander, Carlos, or Misael. Ride or drive toward Mount Isabel, sample eight rums, visit San Felipe Fortress, eat lunch in a Victorian home, and learn cigar rolling. Drinks, snacks, transport, and port return are included.

“We really enjoyed our day in Puerto Plata on the Eat, Drink, and Be Merry Tour. Our guide and driver were very friendly and made sure we were having a good time. The lunch was very good as well. As a travel advisor I would recommend this tour to my clients.”

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6.AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 5 Zip Lines 7 Waterfalls + Locale Food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $110

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”

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7.Saona Island Catamaran Adventure with Free Food and Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 59 reviews · from $70

Spend about nine hours traveling from Punta Cana to Saona Island by speedboat and catamaran. You’ll stop at a natural pool, eat Dominican food, relax on the beach, and enjoy music, dancing, snacks, and drinks. Shared transport and large groups can make the day slow.

“They never showed up to pick us up for the trip, I reached out multiple times and got no response from the company, currently waiting for a refund from Viator.”

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8.Sosua Party Boat – Snorkeling + Snack +BBQ Food and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 39 reviews · from $69

Join Sosua Party Boat from Cabarete for about four hours of catamaran sailing, coral-reef snorkeling, tropical drinks, music, and a BBQ meal. Pickup is offered, equipment is supplied, and the boat carries up to 30 people. Expect a lively group outing, not a quiet cruise.

“I really can't give an opinión but they never picked me up or canceled me to let me know if the trip was canceled or who would pick me up. I reached vía application and called and no one responded. Yet I was charged for the trip already.”

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9.Amazing Paradise Island + Snorkeling-Mangrove Tour & Locale Food.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $85

Take a long but rewarding day trip from Puerto Plata to Cayo Arena, a tiny sand island in Monte Cristi National Park. You’ll snorkel among tropical fish, race through Estero Hondo’s mangroves, eat a Dominican buffet, and see rural communities along the way. Guides may include Mendi, Matteo, Fernando, or Emmanuel.

“Dr prime tours gave us such an amazing experience. First time to Dominican Republic and this excursion is so worth it. Our tour guides went out of their way to make sure we were having the best time. Definitely recommend as a day trip. Best beach I’ve ever visited. We will be back!!”

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10.Amber cove and Taino Bay 7 Waterfall Zip lined & Dominican food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $120

Travel from Amber Cove or Taino Bay to Imbert for a guided climb and splash through the 7 Waterfalls of Damajagua, followed by jungle zip lines and a Dominican lunch with drinks. Rigo and Leonel arrange transport, safety gear, and local help during this active five-hour outing.

“The guides were very helpful when climbing the hills and going down the waterfalls encouraging people to go at their pace. The trees and water are just beautiful. The 35 minute walk up the hill is not easy -they let us stop every 5 minutes. So glad I went. It’s a beautiful, fun memorable experience. I don’t recommend for anyone with back or walking up hills.”

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11.Saona Island Catamaran Open Bar / Food Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 15 reviews · from $65

Travel from Punta Cana to Bayahíbe, stop at a starfish-filled natural pool, enjoy Saona Island’s beaches, eat a Dominican buffet, and return by catamaran with music, dancing, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included.

“C’était ma 4ème fois à Saona et la pire expérience! Mini bus tellement étroit qu’il m’était impossible de m’asseoir face à la route. Il était surchargé. Certains passagers ont dû s’asseoir sur des strapontins (1h30 de route!). Arrivés au port, on a Read more”

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12.City Life Food & Transportation Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 4 hours · from $55Best value

Meet guides Juan or Mike at Eduardo Brito metro station for a four-hour walk through Santo Domingo neighborhoods. Taste coffee, patties, ice cream, and a Dominican meal, visit a home and music studio, then ride the metro and cable car.

“Intéressante, elle nous a permis de découvrir Saint Domingue en dehors des sentiers battus, de se rendre compte que derrière ces paysages paradisiaques qu'offre la République Dominicaine, se cachent des bidonvilles, de la pauvreté.”

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13.Saona Island From Santo Domingo With Catamaran, Food & Drink

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 11 reviews · 8 hours · from $95

Leave Santo Domingo at 6:10 AM for Bayahibe, then continue by speedboat and catamaran to Saona Island. You will stop at a natural pool, enjoy about 30 minutes in the water, and eat a beach buffet with drinks included. English and Spanish guides lead the day.

“A la hora acordada, en el punto de encuentro te organizan para subirte al autobús en el cual irás hasta Bayahibe, una vez te dan las indicaciones del toury tomas la lancha que te llevara al catamarán, una vez en el catamarán hay bebidas y animación, y en la isla la comida es bufete es bueno y además puedes usar los camastros sin costo, por lo que recomiendo la actividad”

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