PUNTA CANA · 1-DAY TOURS

The 15 Best Full-Day Trips in Punta Cana

30 tours  ·  from $55

Good full-day trips sell out in high season and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar - The natural pool is the day’s easiest win
1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Lunch Experiences, Punta Cana Party Boats, Saona Island Tours, Tour Reviews

Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar

1.Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,709 reviews · from $82Our pick

Travel from Punta Cana to Bayahibe, stop at a shallow natural pool for starfish, then spend about three hours on Saona Island. You will ride a speedboat and catamaran, eat a Dominican buffet, and enjoy beer, rum, and soft drinks. Guides may include Christian, Alex, Eduardo, or Papito.

“It was a great experience to see beautiful water and nature. The natural pool stop was a lot of fun in tranquil water. Food was great on the island. You can purchase a lobster dinner at the island as well. Locals sell souvenirs on the island as welRead more”

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Day Trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana - The Punta Cana pickup and long road to the capital
1-Day Tours, Santo Domingo Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Day Trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana

2.Day Trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 659 reviews · from $55Best value

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo for a full-day introduction to the Dominican capital. Visit Los Tres Ojos, see the Columbus Lighthouse and Presidential Palace from outside, walk the Colonial Zone, eat a typical lunch, and explore landmarks with a guide such as David, Victor, or Juan Carlos.

“Great to day trip to Santo Domingo, to learn about the Dominican Republic history. David is a great guide, knows a ton of history and fully bilingual. Bus though was a bit outdated, but AC worked fine so it got the job done.”

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Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch - The long road from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo
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Punta Cana: Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch

3.Santo Domingo Day Trip with Tickets and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 584 reviews · 1 day · from $82

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo with hotel pickup, a live guide, museum tickets, lunch, and drinks. You’ll visit Los Tres Ojos, the first cathedral in America, Alcázar de Colón, the National Pantheon, Faro a Colón, and the Colonial Zone. Guides such as Victor, Miguel, and Hector are praised for their stories.

“Our tour guide, Victor, was amazing! He is a wealth of knowledge and gave us priceless experience!”

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Punta Cana: Saona Island and Altos de Chavón Day Trip - Altos de Chavón: stonework above the Chavón River
1-Day Tours, La Romana and Bayahibe Day Trips, Saona Island Tours, Tour Reviews

Punta Cana: Saona Island and Altos de Chavón Day Trip

4.Saona Island and Altos de Chavón Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 340 reviews · 1 day · from $92

Spend a full day visiting Altos de Chavón and Saona Island from Punta Cana. Expect a lively bilingual guide, a Caribbean boat ride, a natural pool stop, buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, and time on a white-sand beach. Guides such as Benjamin and Alberto have led especially entertaining departures.

“We had a lot of fun during this trip. As others mentioned, the guide is a lot of fun. Altos de Chavon is interesting if a bit too touristic. The shallow pool is fantastic and they give you rum and coke (included), it’s pretty much a big party as some of the boats will be playing loud music. Saona is spectacular and very much paradise. I thought the food there was good for this type of thing. Trip back on the catamaran was another party with alcohol and dancing. This is a must do trip if you are in the DR. Note: they will try to sell you a bunch…”

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From Punta Cana: Saona Island & Altos de Chavon Day Trip with Lunch and Open Bar - Morning at Altos de Chavon
1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, La Romana and Bayahibe Day Trips, Lunch Experiences, Punta Cana Party Boats, Saona Island Tours, Tour Reviews

From Punta Cana: Saona Island & Altos de Chavon Day Trip with Lunch and Open Bar

5.Saona Island & Altos de Chavon Day Trip with Lunch and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 332 reviews · from $99

Spend about 10 hours visiting Altos de Chavon and Saona Island from Punta Cana. Expect hotel pickup, a guided village stop, speedboat and catamaran rides, a natural pool, buffet lunch, beer, soft drinks, and lively onboard entertainment. Guides may include Benjamin, Danny Boy, Henry, or Cesar.

“Really bad experience, I've waited for two hours anda no one showed up and don't even contact me to let me know of any changes.”

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Historical Santo Domingo Day Trip from Punta Cana - Calle Las Damas begins the colonial story
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Historical Santo Domingo Day Trip from Punta Cana

6.Historical Santo Domingo Day Trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 176 reviews · from $95

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo for an all-day history tour with a multilingual guide, entry to Alcázar de Colón, the Cathedral, Three Eyes National Park, Colonial City, and a Dominican buffet lunch. Expect a long road day, group transport, walking, and several scheduled stops.

“The tour guide and driver were both exceptional. The biggest issue I had with the tour was the early morning Pick-Up and excessive waiting. I was picked up at 7:15AM. We then proceeded to pick up several additional passengers. We then waited for more passengers at a gas station for 20-30 minutes. This gas stations was 15-20 minutes away from my hotel. If I had know this I would have just taken a taxi to the last pickup location to avoid the excessive wait time. We finally got on the road between close to 9AM and were returned back to the hotel at 8:30 PM. I would have preferred meeting…”

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Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip - Riding through tropical plants to El Limón
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Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

7.Whale Watching & Limón Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 94 reviews · from $169

Travel from Punta Cana to Samaná Bay for a catamaran whale watch, then ride a horse for 30 minutes through tropical plants, coffee, and cocoa to 165-foot El Limón Waterfall. Expect about 13 hours total, including roughly 10 hours of transport, lunch, and a moderate physical effort.

“Watching the whales was worth the trip. It was amazing to watch them so close! If I had to do this again, I would choose one excursion without the Lemon Cascade. The Lemon Cascade is beautiful too, but you have to walk up and down 280 steps each way, and for me it would have been better to stop in a beach instead.”

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From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip - Setting out from the private dock
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From Punta Cana: Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

8.Sanctuary Whale Watching Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 87 reviews · 12 hours · from $189

Travel from Punta Cana, Bávaro, or Uvero Alto to Samaná for whale watching in a UNESCO-protected sanctuary. The day also includes Cayo Levantado, a Dominican buffet, and a horseback ride to El Limón Waterfall. Expect an early start, long transfers, wet boat rides, and several guided stops.

“All the staff and guides was extremely friendly and helpful… I would have liked to have spent more time whale watching Maybe do a tour just whale watching even if cost extra if would be worth every penny ….”

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Punta Cana: Dominican Flavors Guided Day Trip - Vega Fina: tobacco from leaf to finished cigar
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Punta Cana: Dominican Flavors Guided Day Trip

9.Dominican Flavors Guided Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 31 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Travel from Punta Cana to San Pedro de Macorís for cigar and chocolate demonstrations, Cave of Wonders rock art, and a Barceló rum tour. Tastings, hotel transfers, guides, and entry fees are included. The schedule is compact, so confirm your pickup and language before booking.

“Wir hatten die Tour während unseres Aufenthalts in Punta Cana gebucht. Abgeholt werden, sollten wir um 7 Uhr. Nach 40 Minuten kontaktierte ich die Hotline, die mir mitteilte, dass der Fahrer doch erst um 8:30 käme. Dieser Fahrer konnte mit uns kein Wort kommunizieren weil er, nicht wie gebucht, kein deutsch und nicht mal ansatzweise englisch sprach. Wir mussten bei jedem Stopp mit den einzelnen Guides alles selbst absprechen, viele wussten gar nichts davon, dass wir überhaupt kommen. Nachdem der Fahrer dann beim vorletzten Punkt beschloss, dass wir die Schokoladenfabrik nicht mehr besuchen sollten, durften wir die 50km auf der Heimfahrt dauerhaft versuchen, den Fahrer irgendwie wach zu halte...”

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Discover Santo Domingo: A Day Trip from Punta Cana - The ride from Punta Cana to the capital
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Discover Santo Domingo: A Day Trip from Punta Cana

10.Discover Santo Domingo: A Day Trip from Punta Cana

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 30 reviews · 5 - 10 hours · from $75

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo with a bilingual guide such as José, visiting Los Tres Ojos, the Colonial Zone, the First Cathedral, National Pantheon, Alcazar de Colon, and Malecon. A typical Dominican lunch and free time are included, but French guide availability should be confirmed.

“Nous avions réservé cette excursion car il était inscrit qu’elle était possible en français, ce n’était pas le cas le guide ne parlait pas français. Cependant l’excursion était intéressante et le guide a fait l’effort de nous parler en anglais et de s’assurer que l’on comprenait ce qu’il nous disait.”

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5 activities in 1 Day, Buggies,Horseback Riding,Zipline.City Tour - Lunch and River Time at Anamuya
1-Day Tours, City Tours, Horses, Punta Cana Buggy Tours, Punta Cana Horseback Riding, Punta Cana Zipline Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

5 activities in 1 Day, Buggies,Horseback Riding,Zipline.City Tour

11.5 activities in 1 Day, Buggies,Horseback Riding,Zipline.City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $100

This fast-paced Punta Cana outing combines horseback riding, dune buggies, ziplining, a safari, and a Higuey city tour. Robert and Igor are listed as guides, with Dominican lunch, river time, Mama Juana, coffee, and hotel pickup included. Expect a small group of up to 15 people and an early start.

“Our tour guide was excellent Pickup details were clear Wait time was ok...they were about 10-15 minutes late Value for money was good Loved our guide and there were bathrooms at every stop What could have been better...I could have dRead more”

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Saona Island from Punta Cana Day Trip with Open Bar - Swimming at the Natural Pools
1-Day Tours, Drinking Tours, Punta Cana Party Boats, Saona Island Tours, Tour Reviews

Saona Island from Punta Cana Day Trip with Open Bar

12.Saona Island from Punta Cana Day Trip with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · 9h 30m · from $75

Spend about 9.5 hours traveling from Punta Cana to Saona Island, with a coastal cruise, a swim at the Natural Pools, lunch, and open bar at Playatao Beach. Junior is noted for helping guests who need walking support. Expect a fun catamaran ride, but a long day with considerable transport time.

“Junior was amazing at helping me walk around as I don’t walk that well, he also saw that I was on my own and I was the only English person, so he kept saying hi and having a quick chat. The catamaran was very fun and lively the drinks were definitely flowing”

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Punta Cana: All-Inclusive Day Trip to Santo Domingo - The early departure and long road from Punta Cana
1-Day Tours, Santo Domingo Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Punta Cana: All-Inclusive Day Trip to Santo Domingo

13.All-Inclusive Day Trip to Santo Domingo

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 17 reviews · 8 hours · from $82

Travel from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo for an eight-hour cultural tour with hotel pickup, a local guide, and stops at the First Cathedral, Alcázar de Colón, Las Damas Street, the Malecón, and the National Palace. Lunch, drinks, audio guides, and shopping time are included.

“We were handed off to a lot of different people. No time to really explore. Focus was on helping friends. They didn’t even know where to bring us back to. English speakers beware!”

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Catamaran Catalina Island Day Trip with Lunch - Snorkeling at The Wall
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Catamaran Catalina Island Day Trip with Lunch

14.Catamaran Catalina Island Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 16 reviews · from $85

You’ll ride from Punta Cana or Bavaro to La Romana, board a Catalina-bound catamaran, snorkel at The Wall, and relax on a private beach with buffet lunch and drinks. The day includes hotel pickup, equipment, live music, and a group of up to 45 people.

“Next time I would book through our hotel as this group seemed a bit disorganized. Multiple van transfers on the way there and confusion seemed to add at least a half hour to the drive each way. The snorkelling was great at our first stop Read more”

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Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip - Watching humpback whales in Samaná Bay
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Punta Cana: Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

15.Whale Watching and Bacardi Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 15 reviews · 10 - 12 hours · from $150

Leave Punta Cana early for Samaná Bay and about 2.5 hours of humpback whale watching, then eat lunch and swim at Cayo Levantado, known as Bacardi Island. Finish with horseback riding to Salto El Limón or a safari truck ride to Playa Rincón. Multilingual guides lead the day.

“The guide Christelle was very professional! I have never seen someone be able to navigate through languages so seamlessly! She knew her information very well and was great at handling things and keeping us all in check and order. She explained things correctly and multiple times to ensure all participants understood. Very impressed by her. The pick up from the hotel was done very well and punctual as well. The boat however was very rocky (the weather conditions weren’t ideal) and so be warned and prepared before going on! It gets wet too so plan accordingly. We were able to see a couple of whales and it was wonderful. The…”

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New in 1-Day Tours

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★ 4.4Samana Full Day Trip Whale Cascada El LimonFrom $1206 reviews
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★ 3.3Catalina Snorkeling & Altos de Chavón Day TripFrom $1294 reviews
★ 3.2Saona and Mano Juan Day Trip by Speed BoatFrom $1296 reviews
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Punta Cana, by the kind of day it is

Pick a beach, a boat, a track or a bar.

Off the tarmac

Buggy ToursATV and 4x4Safari TrucksZiplinesHorseback Riding

On the water

Saona IslandCatamaran CruisesParty BoatsSnorkellingDiving

Eat, drink, buy

Rum and MamajuanaCacao and CoffeeCigars and ShoppingCoco BongoOpen-Bar Trips

Out of town

Santo DomingoWaterfallsMontana RedondaLos HaitisesHiguey