Horseback riding on Macao Beach

What horseback riding on Macao Beach actually looks like

Macao Beach is a public beach in the uvero-alto-higuey sector, north of the main Bavaro hotel strip. It has a different character from the resort beaches most visitors picture when they think of Punta Cana: wider open sand, no line of loungers and beach bars, and surf that is noticeably more active than the calm, reef-protected water in front of most Bavaro and Cap Cana hotels. That surf is exactly why Macao is known locally for surfing and for buggy and ATV tours through the dunes behind it — and it is also the backdrop for the horseback riding tours covered on this page.

Riding here means a guided group ride along the shoreline, usually at a walk with short stretches of light trot, led by local guides on horses accustomed to the beach and the sound of the waves. It is not a wilderness trek and not a private excursion into the countryside — for that kind of setting, see horseback riding options closer to the hotel zone or the countryside-focused rides out of Higuey. On Macao, the ride is the beach itself: sand underfoot, ocean on one side, and often a stop for photos where riders walk the horses into shallow water.

Most operators build the ride into a tour block of two to four hours once you add transfer time, a safety briefing, and gear-up. The time actually spent in the saddle is typically 45 minutes to about 90 minutes. That distinction matters when comparing listings: a “3-hour tour” is mostly transport and preparation, not riding.

Macao Beach itself sits in the uvero-alto-higuey region rather than the punta-cana-bavaro region, even though most riders are staying in a Bavaro or Cap Cana hotel and think of the whole area simply as “Punta Cana.” That distinction is more than semantics: it explains why a tour booked from a Bavaro resort involves a real transfer rather than a short walk, and why the beach itself looks different from the postcard image of calm, palm-lined water most visitors associate with the hotel strip.

Where this fits: Macao Beach, not Bavaro and not Higuey

It is worth being precise about geography here, because tour names on booking platforms mix these place names loosely.

Macao Beach is a distinct public beach, separate from the private beaches fronting Bavaro’s resorts. If a tour description shows a photo of calm turquoise water with loungers, that is not Macao — Macao’s water is more open and often has visible whitecaps. For a general orientation to the sector, see things to do in Macao and the broader Uvero Alto and Higuey destination guide.

Higuey, which appears in the name of some horseback tours (including one sold as a “Higuey” ride that actually takes place on Macao Beach), is an inland town about 30-45 minutes from the coast. It has no beach of its own. Higuey’s main draw is the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, a national pilgrimage site with its main feast day on 21 January — worth a stop for that specific interest, not as a beach destination. If a tour name mentions Higuey, check the itinerary: the riding almost always still happens at Macao Beach, with Higuey only in the operator’s branding or, occasionally, as a brief drive-through.

Uvero Alto, the hotel sector just north of Macao, is the closest hotel base for this activity. Guests staying there face a shorter transfer than those coming from Bavaro or Cap Cana. For orientation to that hotel sector specifically, see things to do in Uvero Alto.

If you are trying to decide between Macao and a hotel-zone alternative, Punta Cana vs Bavaro vs Cap Cana vs Uvero Alto lays out how the sectors differ.

Getting to Macao Beach

Transfer times depend on where you are staying:

Starting point	Typical drive time to Macao Beach
Bavaro hotel zone	20-40 minutes
Cap Cana	30-45 minutes
Uvero Alto	Under 20-30 minutes
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)	30-50 minutes

Most horseback riding tours include round-trip transport from your hotel as part of the package, which is worth confirming before booking since a self-drive option is rarely practical for a group ride tied to a specific meeting point. For general transfer planning from the airport, see from PUJ airport to your hotel.

What the tours include

a beach and forest trail ride on Macao Beach with hotel pickup is the straightforward version of this activity: transport, a short ride combining beach and tree-lined trail sections, and a guide throughout. It’s the option to book if the ride itself is the point, without extra add-ons.

For a slower, more food-focused morning, a combined horseback ride with a stop for local coffee and chocolate tasting pairs the Macao Beach ride with a visit to a small local farm or tasting stop, useful if you also want a taste of the Dominican countryside rather than just the beach.

The privately guided version of the Macao Beach ride, sold under a Higuey-tour listing is worth considering for families or small groups who want their own guide and pace rather than joining a larger group ride — despite the name, the riding takes place on Macao Beach, not in Higuey town.

If riding isn’t the priority and you’d rather cover more ground on wheels, an ATV ride through the dunes and trails near Macao Beach is the faster, noisier alternative on the same stretch of coast.

Exact durations, group sizes, and what’s included (helmet, water, photos) vary by operator and season, so check the current listing before booking rather than relying on a fixed itinerary here.

Prices and what affects them

Prices for Macao Beach horseback riding tours generally fall in a moderate range compared to longer adventure combos, and vary with group size, whether transport and food/drink are included, and whether you book a shared group ride or a private tour. Private and combo tours (riding plus tasting, or riding plus ATV) sit at the higher end of the range. Rather than quoting a fixed number that goes stale, check the current price on the GetYourGuide or Viator listing for the specific tour and date — operators adjust rates seasonally and with fuel and horse-care costs.

When to go and what to expect on the sand

Macao Beach is rideable year-round, but conditions on the sand differ by season:

• December to April (drier season): firmer, less humid conditions, and the busiest period for tours generally, so book a day or two ahead in high season.
• May to November (wetter season): rain showers are more frequent and can shorten or reschedule a ride; operators typically have a rain policy, worth asking about at booking.
• Hurricane season, June to November, with higher risk August to October: a storm can cancel outdoor activities including horseback tours with little notice. Build flexibility into a trip if you’re traveling in this window.
• Sargassum, mainly April to October: seaweed can wash up along east-coast beaches including Macao in variable amounts year to year. It mostly affects swimming and the look of the shoreline rather than the ride itself, since horses stay on the upper beach, but a heavy sargassum day can make water stops less appealing.

None of this is unique to horseback riding — the same seasonal notes apply across Macao Beach activities, covered in more detail on things to do in Macao. If a rainy day forces a rescheduling, see rainy day Punta Cana for indoor and covered alternatives while you wait for better conditions.

Pairing the ride with other things to do on Macao Beach

Because Macao Beach is a hub for more than one activity, it’s common to combine the horseback ride with something else on the same trip rather than treating it as a stand-alone half-day. Riders who want more speed than a horse can offer often add on, or swap in, an ATV ride through the same dunes and trails on a separate day — see the wider Macao buggy and ATV tours guide for those options on wheels. For a calmer follow-up after a ride in the saddle, Macao water sports covers what’s available directly on the beach once you’ve dismounted.

Families weighing a beach ride against other family-friendly options in the area can compare notes in Punta Cana with kids, since not every operator sets the same age or weight minimums for riders. Anyone building a longer stay around the northern sector rather than a single afternoon activity may also want the broader Uvero Alto and Higuey destination guide for hotels, other excursions, and how the sector compares to Bavaro.

Money matters for this activity

Tours booked through GetYourGuide or Viator are paid in US dollars at the time of booking, so there’s usually nothing to handle on site beyond an optional tip for the guide. The Dominican Republic’s own currency is the peso (DOP), and if you buy a drink, a photo package, or a souvenir directly from a vendor near the beach rather than through the platform, expect the price to be quoted in dollars or pesos interchangeably, with change handed back in pesos. Restaurant meals elsewhere in the country carry an 18% ITBIS tax plus a 10% service charge, but that applies to sit-down dining, not to a prepaid excursion like this one. For a fuller rundown of currency and tipping norms across the region, see money, tipping and taxes in Punta Cana.

What this activity is not

To avoid confusion with other tours sold in the same general area:

• It is not a ride through Los Haitises or the Samana peninsula — those are boat-based mangrove and cave tours in a different region entirely; see Los Haitises boat tours.
• It is not the Miches zipline or adventure-park circuit, which is a separate activity further north; see Miches ziplines and adventure parks.
• It is not a visit to Higuey’s basilica, even when “Higuey” appears in a tour’s name — that’s a separate, land-based cultural stop with no connection to the beach ride beyond shared branding.
• It is not the calmer, resort-beach horseback riding sometimes offered directly through a Bavaro hotel’s activities desk, which typically uses a shorter, flatter stretch of private beach.

Booking tips specific to this activity

• Confirm whether hotel transport is included, since Macao Beach is not walkable from most Bavaro or Cap Cana properties.
• Ask about maximum rider weight and any age minimums, which vary by operator and are enforced for horse welfare and safety.
• If you specifically want the coastal ride and not a countryside trail, check the tour description for “beach” versus “forest” or “trail” sections, since some tours combine both.
• Bring a way to keep valuables dry if the ride includes wading the horses into shallow water.
• For hotel comparisons across the wider hotel-zone question, see where to stay in Punta Cana and Punta Cana for first-time visitors.

Macao Beach horseback riding: frequently asked questions

Is Macao Beach the same as the beaches in front of Bavaro hotels?

No. Macao Beach is a public beach north of the main Bavaro hotel strip, in the uvero-alto-higuey sector, known for surf and rougher water. Bavaro’s hotel beaches are calmer and mostly fronted by all-inclusive resorts.

How long is the actual ride?

Most tours put riders in the saddle for 45 minutes to about 1.5 hours, inside a longer tour block of 2-4 hours once transfers, safety briefing and photo stops are included.

Do I need riding experience?

No. These are guided group rides at a walking or light-trot pace along the beach, aimed at first-time riders. Horses are led or closely supervised by local guides.

Is this the same activity as the Miches ziplines or Los Haitises cave tours?

No. Those are separate adventure and nature activities in different sectors (Miches and Samana). This page covers only the horseback riding and beach activity centered on Macao.

Is Higuey involved in this tour?

Only in the name of some tour listings. Higuey is an inland town known for its basilica, with no beach access; the horseback riding itself happens entirely on Macao Beach, not in Higuey.

How far is Macao Beach from my hotel?

From most Bavaro and Cap Cana hotels, expect roughly 20-40 minutes by road. From Uvero Alto hotels, Macao is closer, often under 20-30 minutes, since it sits in the same northern sector.

What should I wear or bring?

Swimwear under light clothing, closed shoes or sandals with a back strap, sunscreen, and a dry bag for a phone or camera if a swim or water stop is included. Water splashes onto riders on the beach sections.

Are there sargassum concerns at Macao Beach?

Sargassum can reach east-coast beaches including Macao, mainly from April to October, in amounts that vary year to year. It affects swimming more than the ride itself, since horses stay along the upper sand and shoreline.

Should I pay in dollars or pesos for these tours?

Most operators quote and accept US dollars for the tour itself, since it’s booked through GetYourGuide or Viator in advance. If you buy anything on site, such as a drink or a souvenir photo, pesos (DOP) are the local currency and any change is usually handed back in pesos even if you paid in dollars.

What happens if it rains on the day of my ride?

Light rain usually doesn’t stop a beach ride, but heavier rain or a storm can lead the operator to shorten, reschedule, or cancel the session, particularly during the wetter May-to-November stretch and the June-to-November hurricane season. Ask about the operator’s rain and refund policy when you book.