When you are visiting Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, you can spend every hour of every day on the beach if you want to. But if you get tired of that, there is no need to worry about being bored as the list of the best day trips Punta Cana is long.
I traveled over a month around the Dominican Republic and tried several hotels and resorts, as well as tours and excursions.
And my favorite is the catamaran trip, as I just LOVE to be on, or in, the ocean one way or another!
Chill on the net of a catamaran the whole day, go for an adrenaline ride with ATVs, or check out the paradisiacal beaches from the air with a helicopter tour over the blue waters!
Punta Cana Day Trips
I have researched the best Punta Cana day trips and tours based on my own experiences when I traveled the Dominican Republic for over a month, as well as checking a bunch of travelers’ reviews for the other tours I recommend.
So the work is done, these are the best tours according to recent reviews from hundreds of travelers!
1. Small Group Catamaran Tour Punta Cana
This top-rated small group Catamaran Tour from Punta Cana has an average of 5-star reviews from almost 1500 travelers!
There will be a maximum of 16 guests on this excursion sailing around Punta Cana’s crystal-clear waters.
The adventure includes swimming in a nature reserve, snorkeling in the sea, and savoring drinks onboard a comfortable catamaran. Unwind in a hammock and indulge in tropical cocktails generously served by the crew!
What is included:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Snacks
- Use of Snorkeling equipment
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air Conditioned vehicles
- Stand-up Paddle Board
- Bottled water
- Restroom on board
Stop at any sandbar and enjoy the amazing water, and drinks from a floating bar, an excellent addition to this fantastic water experience!
📍 I only recommend services I love and trust on this travel blog! 🏆
If you use my affiliate links to do your bookings, the service provider will compensate me for my work, at no extra cost to you! Thank you!
2. Private Catamaran Tour Punta Cana (14 people)
Are you a big family or a group of friends traveling together? This private catamaran tour might be just perfect for you; there is room for up to 14 people here!
Experience a half-day catamaran adventure sailing along the scenic coast of the Dominican Republic with a private captain.
There is even a really cool onboard slide for a fun splash into the water, and you should use the opportunity to explore the area around the catamaran during stops with the paddleboards you are free to use throughout the day!
What is included:
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Snacks
- Restroom on board
- Use of Snorkeling equipment
- Stand Up Paddle Board, Slide Toboggan
- Local guides
- Private transportation
This private tour departs from Punta Cana and you will enjoy various stops at beautiful spots for snorkeling, swimming, and basking in the tropical sunshine. Bring lots of sunscreen!
3. Adults-Only Seafood & Snorkeling Tour!
Someone has got it, and the over 800 top-notch 5-star reviews for this tour indicate that it is well executed and everyone is having a blast!
This adults-only catamaran tour cruise with snorkeling and swimming from Punta Cana is tailored for adults seeking a relaxed and sophisticated, yet fun, pace!
The capacity of the boat is limited, ensuring an intimate setting for the guests even though it is not private per se. And you can of course go snorkeling with the provided equipment and swim at any stop!
What is included:
- Transport with AC
- Snorkel equipment and guides
- Unlimited open bar
- Seafood lunch (vegetarian and meat options)
- Photos from the tour
- Snacks
- Coyote Floating bar
- Floating kitchen!
In addition, you will be served a seafood lunch and there are unlimited drinks from the open bar (just be careful with the heat and the sun the whole day!).
4. Helicopter Tour Punta Cana 5 stars!
This Helicopter Tour Punta Cana only has 6 reviews, but they are all unanimous all 5-star feedback, and all recent!
This experienced company in the Dominican Republic offers a comfortable and safe helicopter ride with incredible views of the shorelines and the shallow sea where you see boats and maybe some of the bigger sea creatures below the surface!
What is included:
- Pick up and drop off at your hotel
- Safety briefing and equipment
- Helicopter ride!
It will be the most thrilling part of your vacation and probably a ride you can’t stop talking about when you get back home! I did a 30-minute helicopter tour over Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and although I was a bit nervous (the small glass bubble!) – I LOVED it!
In Punta Cana, you can choose between 10, 15, 20, and 30-minute rides.
5. ATV Punta Cana Tour
A top-rated activity in Punta Cana is the Buggys trip to Macao. This ATV Tour Punta Cana is an exciting half-day adventure where you can drive a Buggy through the Dominican countryside and have fun in the mud and water!
A chance to experience a real taste of the authentic Dominican Republic!
You will drive across the country to Macao Beach to enjoy the impressive views, take a dip in the captivating blue waters, and then stop by a Dominican house to learn about the production process of cocoa and coffee.
What is included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Profesional Guide- Escort
- Taino Cave and Macao Beach
- Helmet
- Shower at the end of the tour
In the end, you’ll speed up again to reach a cenote, where you can explore the cavern and swim in the refreshing, crystal-clear dulce water.
It’s like being in a natural pool!
6. Adventure-Bundle Zipline, Monkeyland & Buggies
This is a serious bundle day tour that takes over 8 hours, with a lot of adventure, adrenaline, and activities, and over 6000 travelers have given this day tour an average of 5 stars!
Start your day in the stunning mountain of Anamuya, where specialized guides will teach you how to drive easy-to-use buggies safely.
Explore a breathtaking journey through unique terrain and discover spectacular landscapes.
What is included:
- Use of zipline equipment
- Participation in the whole 12 cables zip lines circuit.
- Entrance to Monkeyland
- Bottled water
- Snacks
Take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Anamuya River and relax while admiring the surrounding views before you embark on the thrilling Zip Line Tour!
Puh!
7. Santo Domingo City Tour From Punta Cana
If you are fond of cities, old cities in particular, and maybe you are a bit of a history nerd (like me), a day trip to the Dominican capital Santo Domingo might be interesting for you!
I spent a lot of time in Santo Domingo, but I am also a city gal, and particularly love old cities! The ratings for this tour vary from 4-5 stars, generally good reviews but not all top of the charts.
You will be able to take in the ambiance of Santo Domingo, the oldest city in all of the Americas, and particularly the charming Zona Colonial is worth spending your time strolling in!
What is included:
During this full-day excursion from Punta Cana. Explore Las Damas Street with your guide. Colonial monuments date all the way back to the 5th century.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch
The first cathedral built in the “new world”, called Diego Columbus Alcazar, is also on the list before lunch at a traditional Dominican Republic restaurant.
Additionally, you will be able to see the National Presidential Palace (from the outside), and from there, you will have incredible views of downtown!
Wrap-Up Punta Cana Day Trips
So, there are A LOT of things you can do in and from Punta Cana, which is super close to the capital, Santo Domingo, as well as several other popular places in the Dominican Republic.
I have presented 7 top-rated, 5-star organized activities of different categories, but there is a lot you can do on your own as well.
So if you don’t just want to stay in Puna Cana, you can rent a car or even take the long-haul bus and spend a few days traveling, it is up to you.
Happy Travel Planning from me!
Related blog posts:
10 Facts About Dominican Republic For First-Time Visitors (+ Travel Guide)
Best Samana Whale Watching Tour DR: Humpback Whales! (From An Expert Traveler)
