The Caribbean · ISLAND SIGHTSEEING TOURS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
One free day, too many island sightseeing tours in Dominican Republic, no way to tell them apart from the listings. Below: 13 of them separated by price, length and who each one actually suits.
Travel from Punta Cana to Saona Island by fast boat, stopping at Blue Lagoon and a sea star area before nearly three hours on the beach. A buffet lunch, drinks, and a music-filled catamaran ride back are included. Guides such as Danny Boy and Black Sexy Banana have earned warm praise for their energy and care.
“Amazing activity thank you for everything The island was beautiful !”
Spend six to seven hours seeing Puerto Plata with a multilingual guide such as Antonio, Diana, or Raul. Ride up Mount Isabel, walk the old town, visit San Felipe Fortress, taste rum and organic cacao, enjoy lunch, and shop for Dominican coffee, chocolate, and spirits. Hotel and cruise pickup cover Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete.
“Diana was an excellent guide. I can only give everyone the recommendation to do this tour. She has a lot of background knowledge on history and local traditions and only wants the best for the visitors giving excellent recommendations. Excellent tour”
Spend 11 to 12 hours traveling from Punta Cana to El Limón Waterfall and Cayo Levantado. Ride horseback through coffee and cocoa farms, swim beneath a 120-foot fall, eat a country buffet, and relax on the beach. Guides such as Rafael, Miguel, and Sexy Papi add local color. Expect an early start, rough trails, boat spray, and a long ride home.
“This trip was terrible. When we realized that this place was five hours away and asked for a refund it was too late. Called the people to cancel and would not allow us to cancel. On the day of the trip no one picked us up. No phone calls or anyRead more”
Spend a long beach day traveling from your hotel to Bayahibe, stopping at a shallow natural pool, then reaching Saona Island by boat. You get about 2 hours and 45 minutes on the island, a buffet lunch, soft drinks, and transport back. Guides such as Jose may lead the group, with music and dancing on the catamaran.
“We were told this was a 9 hour day...ended up being 13 hours. Traveling with children 5 & 8 years old, this is too long to go with only lunch served. We were crammed like sardines in a boat for the first 40 minutes and there was a total of 2 hours of water time. No snorkeling equipment was offered to anyone although we brought our own. Also, not a lot to see snorkeling on a sandy beach.”
Ride 7 kilometers through Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial with guides such as José, Jordano, and Mairim. In two hours, you’ll see plazas, ruins, Caribbean views, and local businesses, while getting practical tips for food, drinks, dancing, and later sightseeing. Bikes, helmets, water, and a live guide are included.
“its just a great way to start the day in Santo Domingo. The guide was nice, energetic and quite funny. He knew his history, and have some good recommentations for what ever you want to see and do in the city. Top notch!”
Spend 210 minutes exploring Puerto Plata with an English-speaking guide such as Aribel, Yeury, or Junior. Visit Umbrella Street, Pink Street, Central Park, San Felipe Cathedral, Macorix rum museum, a cigar factory, chocolate and coffee stops, amber and larimar displays, and San Felipe Fortress. Air-conditioned transport, tastings, water, and hotel or cruise-port pickup are included.
“The tour was great! We had a group of 17 ranging in age from 11-80 and everyone had a great time. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable and all around amazing. I 100% recommend this tour!”
Spend 4 hours and 15 minutes exploring Puerto Plata with a guide such as Winston, Alex, Jordan, or Tony, then relax for two hours at Playa Dorada. Roundtrip transport, bottled water, a lounger, and rum punch are included. Expect a small group, air-conditioned van, and a walk outside Amber Cove’s main gates to meet your guide.
“Highly recommended.! The gold beach it was dirty. It is a complete tour town, fort and beach. The tour guide so friendly and knowledgeable.”
Travel from Santo Domingo or Boca Chica to Bayahibe, then cruise to Saona Island with a Natural Pool stop, lunch, three hours on the beach, and a 1.5-hour catamaran ride back. Guides may include Victor or Carlota. Transport, drinks, alcohol, and lunch are included.
“All went very smooth and victor and his team were great. Would definitely recommend the experience”
Explore Puerto Plata in about three hours with a local guide and stops at Macorix House of Rum, Umbrella Street, pink Paseo de Doña Blanca, the cathedral, San Felipe Fortress, a cigar and jewelry shop, and Del Oro Chocolate Factory. Expect a compact cultural tour with mobile tickets and a mix of sightseeing and demonstrations.
“Great way to see the sites. Personal vehicle for the 6 of us. He was a great tour guide—took us to a few stops that we enjoyed!”
Travel from Puerto Plata, Sosua, or Cabarete to Punta Rucia, then speed by boat to tiny Cayo Arena. You get snorkeling gear, a guided reef swim, fruit, drinks, a mangrove ride, and a Dominican lunch. Guides such as Mathias and driver Theo may lead departures. Expect a beautiful day, but also a long road journey.
“Cayo arena Paradise Island 🏝️ was amazing and beautiful 🤩. I really recommend it to anyone who is in Puerto Plata. Our tour guide Mathias mad our bus driver Theo were really fantastic from the bus ride to the boat ride it was a show.”
Set out from Bayahibe on a private boat for up to eight people with a captain and crew. Stop at natural pools for starfish, search the mangroves for sea turtles, snorkel again near Playa Catuano, and enjoy beach time on Saona Island. Basic English is available on board. Lunch, drinks, and pier transfers cost extra.
“I was primarily interested in the private tour as I didnt want to be on a 10-14 hour excursion (transfers, etc), to then spend just an hour or so on Saona Island. Many of the other options use a catamaran and speed boat, to make for a super long Read more”
You’ll ride along Playa Teco Maimón for about 75 minutes, then tour Puerto Plata by air-conditioned vehicle with stops at Independence Park, an old 1536 monument, a chocolate maker, and Macorix House of Rum. Guides such as William, Elvis, Tammy, and Andrew have led this outing, which suits cruise visitors with limited time.
“This was a unique experience compared with other excursions we checked out ahead of time in Puerto Plata. This was outstanding!”
Spend a full day from Punta Cana, Macao, or Uvero Alto visiting Saona Island by speedboat and catamaran. You will stop at a local market, swim at a natural pool, eat lunch on the island, and enjoy local drinks. Expect hotel pickup, several transfers, and a lively group setting.
“Tarderon mucho en llevarnos al hotel Cambiemos de trasporte 3 veces Por lo demás todo perfecto muy bonito las vistas el trato genial”
Pick a reef, a river or a rum shop.
