The 7 Historical Tours in Punta Cana That Are Worth the Money

1.Half Day Dominican Republic Cultural Tour : Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,862 reviews · from $60Our pick

Leave Punta Cana’s resorts for Higüey, where you’ll visit the basilica, market, a ranch, and local food producers. Swim at the Anamuya River, taste Dominican specialties, see cigars made by hand, and finish at Macao Beach. Guides such as Robinson, Franklin, Tito, and Sandy keep the day moving.

“Great tour. My guide was Francisco who was amazing. He made sure we were comfortable and did a great job of explaining many things throughout the tour. He is an excellent guide!!”

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2.Higuey Expedition Cultural & Historic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 518 reviews · 270 minutes - 1 day · from $32

Leave Punta Cana for Higüey and the countryside with guides such as Teo or Danilo. Depending on your option, you’ll visit the Basilica, a food market, coffee and cocoa farms, a cigar workshop, Anamuya, Macao Beach, and a Dominican home, with small-group and open-truck choices.

“Trip was phenomenal. Start to finish. If you're looking for a immersive cultural experience in the heart of the Dominican Republic, this is the trip for you. All I have to say is, No Mickey Mouse!”

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3.History and Culture Tour with River Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 275 reviews · 5 hours · from $31Best value

Spend about five hours beyond Punta Cana’s resorts with a local guide such as Robinson, Francisco, or Wester. Visit a farm, taste coffee and cocoa, see Higüey Basilica and its market, eat Dominican food, watch cigar making, and finish at Macao Beach. Some options add horseback riding and the Anamuya River.

“This tour should be done by everyone coming to Punta Cana, to learn about this city and its people. It has so much to offer for the money you pay, the crew (Robison & co) are extremely kind and you get to do so many things, including seeing how coffee and cocoa are grown and produced as well as a cigars factory. Delicious lunch by the river is included as well as beautiful landscape. Totally recommend!”

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4.Historical Santo Domingo Day Trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 176 reviews · from $95

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo with an art historian guide such as Sandro, Isaac, or Reynaldo. Visit the Alcázar de Colón, Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, Las Damas Street, Three Eyes National Park, and Colonial Zone, with buffet lunch and hotel transfers included.

“This was, by far, the best excursion we have been on. Our guide, Sandro, was incredible and very knowledgable. He seamlessly switched from Spanish to English. Santo Domingo was beautiful and I highly recommend visiting!”

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5.Full Day Santo Domingo City Tour: History of the Caribbean From Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 78 reviews · from $64

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo for Tres Ojos caves, Faro Colón, Alcázar de Colón, the first cathedral in the Americas, and two hours in the Colonial Zone. Guides such as Victor, Miguel, Leo, and Mike receive strong praise, but pickup delays and a long van ride are part of the deal.

“The pickup seemed to have been arranged at the last minute, handed off to a disinterested looking individual, long drive to Santo Domingo and back was worth it. The guide at SD was again uninterested, mumbled English but we saw the basics. It's a quality issue. Great value.”

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6.Discover Santo Domingo: Colonial History, Monuments & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 73 reviews · 11 hours · from $81

Spend 11 hours traveling from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo by air-conditioned coach, with a guide, buffet lunch, and entry to Three Eyes National Park. Walk the Colonial Zone from Diego Columbus Palace along Plaza de España and Calle Las Damas, then see the cathedral, Pantheon, Fortaleza, Columbus Lighthouse, and other major sights.

“Die schlechteste Tour, die ich je mitgemacht habe. Wenn man Minussterne vergeben könnte, würde ich dies tun. Man wird von Touriabzocke zu Touriazocke geführt. Sieht fast nichts von Santo Domingo, hauptsächlich die Abzock Läden. (ca 40% der Zeit). Dem Tourguide sollte man Trinkgeld in einer Seitenstraße geben, warum auch immer. Nicht empfehlenswert, würde ich nichtmal kostenlos mitmachen. Komplette Zeit- und Geldverschwendung. Man hat am ganzen Tag nur ein Glas zu trinken bekommen, was ich auch recht wenig finde.”

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7.Punta Cana Cultural Tour History and Traditions Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 8 days · from $53

Travel from Punta Cana to Higüey for a Basilica visit, public market, crafts, coffee, cocoa and tobacco demonstrations, horseback riding, Anamuya River swimming, local food, and Macao Beach. Guides may include Robinson, Francisco, or Martinez, with pickup and a private group.

“Lots of variety of activities put together to make an experience, but lots of getting in and out of the van - and some aspects were disappointing. Eg. church closed, music in van too loud - would have like more history of the DR and the church, etc - we had to ask for info. Horses were ok - trail was down right scary - if I had fallen off would have been a disaster- was mucky, poopy and rocky!! Cigar rolling/factory was the best”

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