Things to do in Punta Cana and around
From catamaran trips to Saona Island and whale watching in Samaná Bay to buggy tours on Macao Beach and day trips to Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, Punta Cana rewards visitors with excursions for every kind of trip.
Signature experiences
The excursions that define a first trip to Punta Cana — a catamaran or speedboat day out to Saona Island, snorkelling at Catalina Island, and a swim in the Hoyo Azul cenote.
Saona & Catalina Islands
Boat trips to Saona Island inside Cotubanamá National Park and Catalina Island off La Romana, with a stop at the natural pool sandbar. Boats to Saona leave from Bayahibe, usually by speedboat one way and catamaran the other.
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Buggy and ATV tours
Buggy and ATV routes inland from the resort coast and around Macao Beach, mixing dirt tracks, cenotes and beach stops.
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Catamaran and boat tours
Half-day and full-day catamaran trips along the coast, often combined with snorkelling stops and an open bar.
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Santo Domingo day trips
Day trips to the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990, taking in the Catedral Primada, the Alcázar de Colón and Calle El Conde, about 2.5-3 h by road from Punta Cana.
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Cenotes and nature parks
Hoyo Azul cenote inside Scape Park at Cap Cana, and the Indigenous Eyes ecological reserve at Puntacana Resort.
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Los Haitises National Park tours
Boat trips through the mangroves and karst hills of Los Haitises National Park, with caves holding Taíno pictographs, reached from Sabana de la Mar or Samaná.
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Whale watching in Samaná
Boat trips out into Samaná Bay to see humpback whales, running roughly mid-January to late March, the only season for whale watching here.
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Zipline and adventure parks
Zipline circuits and adventure parks inland from the resort coast, often paired with a buggy or horseback excursion.
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Dolphins & wildlife
Dolphin encounter parks in the Bávaro area, humpback whales in Samaná Bay from mid-January to late March, and birdlife and mangroves in Los Haitises National Park.
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Cultural and historical tours
Visits to the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey, the national pilgrimage site, and to Altos de Chavón, a replica 1970s Mediterranean village above the Chavón River with an amphitheatre opened in 1982.
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Food, rum & cigars
Dominican dishes such as la bandera, mamajuana and local rum tastings, plus cacao and coffee farm visits and hand-rolled cigar workshops in the countryside.
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Water sports
Snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and surfing along the resort coast, with surf conditions best known at Macao Beach.
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Horseback riding tours
Guided horseback rides along the beach or through countryside near Bávaro and Uvero Alto.
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Scuba diving
The Catalina Island wall and the "aquarium" reef off La Romana, the St. George wreck near Bayahibe, and beginner discovery dives from the Bávaro coast.
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Nature & hiking
The Indigenous Eyes ecological reserve at Puntacana Resort, the El Limón waterfall hike on the Samaná Peninsula, and trails and caves in Los Haitises National Park.
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Beach & island trips
Day trips to Saona Island, Catalina Island and Cayo Levantado in Samaná Bay, along with Macao Beach and Juanillo beach at Cap Cana.
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Shows and entertainment
Evening shows and entertainment at resorts along the Bávaro and Cap Cana strip.
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Helicopter & air tours
Short helicopter sightseeing flights over the Bávaro and Cap Cana coastline, plus air excursions toward Saona Island.
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Deep-sea fishing
Sport fishing charters from Cap Cana Marina and Bávaro targeting blue marlin, mahi-mahi and wahoo, with half-day and full-day boats available.
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Day trips from Punta Cana
Outings to Saona Island and Bayahibe in the south, Samaná and Los Haitises in the north-west, and Santo Domingo and Boca Chica to the west.
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Private guided tours
Private tours with a dedicated driver-guide, tailored to a group's pace across the resort coast and day-trip destinations.
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Punta Cana Airport transfers
Private and shared transfers between Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) and hotels, 15-40 minutes to most Bávaro and Cap Cana resorts, 40-60 minutes to Uvero Alto.
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Photo sessions in Punta Cana
Professional photo shoots on the beaches of Bávaro and Cap Cana, with edited digital images.
0 guides Spa & wellness
Resort spas along Bávaro and Cap Cana offering massages, beach yoga and wellness days.
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Golf
Punta Espada, a Jack Nicklaus design at Cap Cana, Corales and La Cana at Puntacana Resort, and Teeth of the Dog by Pete Dye at Casa de Campo, La Romana.
1 guideMore ways to experience the region
Specialist interests and practical planning - photo sessions, water sports, seasonal timing, and the comparisons every first-time visitor searches for.
Planning your trip
Practicalities for a first visit - visa-free entry for most nationalities, the mandatory e-Ticket form, US dollars widely accepted alongside the Dominican peso, and the 18% ITBIS tax plus 10% service typically added to restaurant bills.
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Tours worth comparing
Similar Punta Cana excursions, such as Saona Island boat trips or buggy tours, placed side by side to compare route, duration and inclusions before choosing one.
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Seasonal Punta Cana activities
Activities shaped by the calendar, from the drier December-April peak season to the wetter May-November months, hurricane season risk peaking August-October, and whale watching from mid-January to late March.
5 guides
Getting around Punta Cana
Fixed-fare taxis and private transfers are the norm along the resort coast, with local "guaguas" buses elsewhere and driving on the right; Santo Domingo's Las Américas airport (SDQ) serves the capital.
3 guides
Family-friendly activities
Excursions suited to traveling with children, from calmer catamaran trips and Macao Beach to the Indigenous Eyes ecological reserve.
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Accessible Punta Cana tours
Punta Cana tours and attractions noted for wheelchair access or reduced-mobility accommodations.
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Low-cost things to do
Free and low-cost ways to spend time around Punta Cana, including Macao Beach and the Indigenous Eyes ecological reserve.
3 guidesBrowse by destination
Tours and activities organised by where you're headed — the best of each city and region.
Good to know about things to do in Punta Cana
Punta Cana's activities range from an afternoon on the beach to a full day at sea. Catamaran cruises combine snorkeling, open-bar stops, and sometimes a swim with dolphins, while day trips to Saona Island add a stop at a natural pool for starfish spotting. Buggy and ATV tours cut through inland trails and small villages, and ziplines and cenote swims at Scape Park's Hoyo Azul make for a change of pace from the coast. Golf courses around Cap Cana and Punta Cana draw players to championship layouts along the shore, and whale-watching boats leave from Samaná between January and March for a look at humpback whales.
Snorkeling and diving reach reefs off Bávaro and Cap Cana, and cultural stops include Altos de Chavón's artisan village near La Romana and the colonial center of Santo Domingo. Rounding out the list are horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, spa days, cooking classes, and private charters to Catalina Island or Isla Catalinita.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Punta Cana
What does a typical Saona Island tour include?
A boat ride (often catamaran), a stop at a natural pool, beach time on Saona Island, and usually lunch or an open bar — it's a full-day excursion.
When can I go whale watching?
Trips from Samaná run from January to March, when humpback whales migrate through the bay.
Are buggy tours suitable for families?
Most operators offer both driver and passenger seats, so families can join, though some routes are bumpier than others.
What is Hoyo Azul?
A cenote (natural freshwater pool) inside Scape Park, reached by amphibious vehicle and often combined with a zipline circuit.
Do I need to book tours in advance?
Popular excursions like Saona Island and whale watching fill up in high season, so booking a few days ahead is worth it.
Saona and Catalina island boat trips on GetYourGuide
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GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
