Punta Cana excursions -NATURE, ANIMALS AND WILDLIFE

Punta Cana Excursions

Punta Cana Golf Courses

Cities and Towns and Island excursions from Punta Cana

Entertainment trips from Puna Cana

This section on is about the nature, animals and wildlife excursions and is part of a series on the excursions and activities that are available in Puna Cana and Bavaro. See the box on the right for further information.

Punta Cana excursions:

There are some excellent Punta Cana excursions for those wishing to leave their beach and cocktails at the all-inclusive for a while.

Where possible I have added an approximate price at 2009 rates.

Horseback Riding (60 US):

My other half enjoyed this one, afterall which woman does not want to ride a horse on a beach!

There was a 30 minute ride to the ranch which was next to the Breezes resort. After checking previous experience they matched you with an appropriate horse.

It was short trek to the beach and then you were allowed to let the horses run.

We visited a coconut grove and then tied up the horses and had time to swim in the ocean. During our swimming time the guide had cut down some coconuts and so we were able to enjoy the milk and meat. This trip lasted 2 hours.

This one lasted about 4 hours and started at around 8am in the morning. The group went out on a 40 ft boat. Not too much was caught but nevertheless enjoyable!

The sorts of fish that can be caught [according to season] include Mahi-Mahi [or Dorado], Blue Marlin, Wahoo and Baracuda.

I understand that in the Dominican Republic the Captain owns the fish. You may however, consider negotiating beforehand and you may get a share of the catch.

Some fishing companies operate `catch and release` which is where the fish are caught and released back into the sea. Others will kill and keep the fish. Some conservationists will want want to check this out beforehand.

Marinarium- [Adults 89US Children 44.50US]

A marine park at which visitors can view and swim around the reef and the marine life. There is a closed off area with Stingrays and Nurse Sharks, and a natural swimming pool where they served us drinks in the water. On the boat there was a lot of music and dancing.

Marinarium Catamaran Sail:

Didn`t do this one but they told us that it was a large catamaran with the opportunity to view coral reef and marine life, even through an enclosed underwater area where there are nurse sharks and stingrays.

Apparently quite a party atmosphere.

Marinarium website

Punta Cana excursions

Take a look at our report on Catalina Island. It includes photographs and a video of our boat trip to Catalina.

It is a beautiful uninhabited island where the stall holders and restaurant staff have to leave by 4pm.

Do bear in mind that if you get the boat from Bayahibe/La Romana, it will be about a 2 hour trip to before you get the boat to Catalina Island.

Punta Cana excursions
Saona Island [Isla Saona]

A larger island off the coast of La Altagracia province. It features a quiet fishing village with friendly locals who now cater to thousands of day trippers.

You can go by catamaran, big tourist boat or small motor boat. The boats generally leave from Bayahibe. Once again, Bayahibe is 2 hours from Punta Cana [more if the bus collects people en route] and if you go from Punta Cana or Bavaro this trip will often take 11-12 hours in total.

If you go by Catamaran they normally serve alcoholic beverages but you eat fairly early. If you are staying at an all-inclusive take some drinks/food with you [in case you get `peckish`] and some insect repellent.!

If you are lucky, dolphins will swim along with you. Some excursions use speed boats that take tourists to visit the village of Mano Juan and Palmilla beach with its white sands.

This is the most-booked trip of tourists visiting Punta Cana but if you plan on returning to the DR, consider leaving it for a time when you stay in one of the La Romana hotels when you will be about a 30-40 minute boat trip away, instead of the almost three hours it will take to get there from Punta Cana.

That said, it is a beautiful location.

Punta Cana excursions
Dolphin Island Tour Adults -120US [DVD 35US]:

If you are going on a tour bus there will no doubt be a drive around to collect other guests before the drive to Bavaro beach. You then take a boat across to the island.

There is even the opportunity to take a picture with the dolphin kissing you!

In another part of the compound you can could snorkel with nurse sharks and sting rays. One of the rays was about 6 feet long!

It is a really great experience to be in the water with the dolphins swimming around you.

Take your camera with you to the beach where are beautiful parrots but once on the island you are not allowed to take photo`s of the dolphins because they have a professional photographer to do that while you are in the water.

In our view this trip is better than Manati Park.

Punta Cana excursions

Several hotels offer excursions to Los Haitises National Park, which is located near Samana.

It is a santuary for nature lovers and those interested in natural history. It features underground rivers flowing through caves amd you get the chance to see the pre-Columbian drawings.

The boat trip to get to these caves that are off San Lorenzo Bay will take you through the largest system of mangroves in the Caribbean.

If you are renting a car, and consider yourself an explorer, head south from Sabana de la Mar (Los Haitises) to Miches. Discover the white sand and little frequented but very lovely Playa Miches or the further south Playa Esmeralda.

Once again, if you are staying in Bavaro or Punta Cana this is a whole day trip.

If you are planning to return to the Dominican Republic you may wish to make the trip from the Samana area.

I`ve not been to this one but heard good reports. There are beautiful lagoons with the opportunity to swim in them!

One for the nature lovers.

Animal Adventure Park

Here you swim with, and touch, the seals or dolphins.

You can also get close to other animals such as macaws and snakes etc. Animal adventure is probably better for interacting with the animals.

Plantacion Tropical.

A memorable side trip north from San Pedro de Macoris to Hato Mayor will reward the entire family with one of the largest horticultural centers in the Caribbean. Tropical Plantation displays scores of exotic species -- bromeliads, anthuriums, orchids and others along challenging labyrinthine paths. Complementing their intense colors, fragrance and beauty is an aviary with the island's native birds and a vast butterfly enclosure. It is an entertaining cross between a botanical garden, an amusement park and a working plant nursery that will captivate all for an entire morning or afternoon.

Punta Cana excursions

Manati Park Bavaro [30US adults, 15US children 2-12yrs, Swimming with Dolphins 95US-need to book in advance].

Manatipark 130,000 square meter preserve with permanent exhibits of birds, reptiles, monkeys, iguanas and fish. There is a show with parrots, dolphins, taino indians and dancing horses is included in the admission fee. Free shuttle bus to and from principal hotels in the area.

Be aware that the Dolphin show only happens at 2pm and the Dolphin pool is small.

Many folks will have already seen the animals available at this one and it may be worth doing the swimming with Dolphins elsewhere.

Find out more about Punta Cana

Punta Cana Ecological Reserve.

Short guided tour through tropical flora with an optional refreshing bath in a cool spring at the end. You will be walking through a real jungle. Located 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport.

Rancho Jonathan

Caving excursions to Boca de Diablo, a large cave system south of Los Haitises.
Punta Cana excursions

All about the Dominican republic
Altos de Chavon
Bahia de Rincon
From Punta Cana excursions to Bavaro
Bavaro beach
Bayahibe
Cabarete
Capital of Dominican Republic
Casa de Campo
Cayo Levantado
Cocotal golf
Colonial Zone
Cuisine
Dominican Currency
Dominican Republic Facts
Dominican Republic Festivals
Dominican recipes
Dominican Republic Population
Dominican Republic Prison Gig
Dye Fore Golf Casa de Campo
Flights to Dominican Republic
Flights to the Dominican Republic
Golf Dominican Republic
History of Dominican Republic
Humpback Whale
Jarabacoa Golf
Larimar stone
La Church Samana
La Vega
Las Galeras Samana
Las Terrenas Samana
Los Haitises National Park Samana
Maps of the Dominican Republic
Local maps
Merengue Dance
Playa Grande Golf
Photo`s of prison gig
Prison gigs-background
Puerto Plata.
Punta Cana Golf
Samana
Santa Domingo
Santiago
Sosua
Teeth of the dog
The Links course golf
Weather in Dominican republic
Weddings