PUNTA CANA · LUNCH EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 tours with lunch worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend a full day reaching Saona Island by speedboat and returning by catamaran. Swim in a starfish-filled natural pool, eat a Dominican buffet, and enjoy music, dancing, and drinks. Guides such as Christian, Alex, Eduardo, and Juan help keep the long day moving.
“We had the best time with Alex and his team! Everything was really nicely organized and I definitely recommend it!”
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”
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!”
Spend about four hours with Hispaniola Aquatic Adventures on a family-friendly catamaran. Guides such as Ramon and Miguelito help beginners, explain coral restoration, and serve seafood lunch, snacks, drinks, and free tour photos.
“I’ve done many snorkeling excursions in Caribbean and this is one of the best I’ve done. Crew is amazing, food was absolutely amazing (like REALLY), and the whole experience was more than what I could’ve asked for!!!”
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.”
You’ll leave your Punta Cana hotel early for Bayahibe, then ride a speedboat to Saona Island with stops at Blue Lagoon and a sea star area. Enjoy nearly three hours on the beach, buffet lunch, drinks, and a music-filled catamaran ride back. Guides may include Danny Boy, Gabriel, Jon, or Chico.
“The trip was very nice and incredible views throughout the entire day. Lunch was a bit limited and bland but to be expected on a tour like this, and boats very packed with people so have to stand if your not able to get a seat but overall the experience is well worth seeing and worth the money. Unfortunately got a flat tyre on the way back ahead bit delayed in getting back to it hotel but they swiftly sorted a new bus to come collect us. And staff were all very nice”
Travel from Punta Cana to Saona Island by speedboat, stop at Playa Palmilla’s shallow natural pool, enjoy a barbecue lunch and rum, then return by catamaran. Guide Manuel is frequently named as the host. Expect a shared tour, long day, music, crowds, and about three hours on the island.
“Speed boat out was fun. Snorkeling was very basic. Didn’t see many fish. Natural swimming pool was a big bunch of boats hanging out in some shallow water. The island itself was beautiful but so overtaken by tourists and boats it was hard to enjoy. The catamaran back was long and very loud with drunk people so not ideal for families. Photography guys were nice but tried to charge us an arm and a leg for the photos.”
Spend about eight hours riding horseback and driving an ATV or buggy through Punta Cana’s countryside, then snorkel, swim, and enjoy drinks on a party boat. Guide Vladimir may stay with your group throughout the day. Pickup, equipment, a local farm stop, and a natural pool are included.
“Vladimir was a great tour guide. He stayed with us during the duration of the excursion. It started with them picking us up from our hotel right on time, then taking us to the ATVs. Definitely bring clothing that you don't mind throwing away bRead more”
Leave Punta Cana’s resort zone for Higüey, Macao Beach, a local market, a Dominican home, coffee and cocoa tastings, horseback riding, and lunch in the hills. Guides such as Robinson, Franklin, Sandi, and Wester lead the day, which may run well beyond six hours.
“Most importantly, it is mis-advertised. It is NOT a half day excursion. We were picked up at 7:00 am and returned at 5:00 PM. This is a full day. There is no way it could've been done in half a day with all the stops they make. Franklin was an amRead more”
Take a private catamaran for up to 10 people along Punta Cana’s coast. Snorkel at Cabeza de Toro, visit a quiet beach, swim in shallow natural pools, and eat seafood grilled aboard the Floating Kitchen. Guides such as Don Julio and Wilkins are known for lively, caring service.
“Absolutely fantastic day on the water with Alvin, Juan, and Alberto! It was the highlight of our weeklong stay in the Dominican Republic, and we would highly recommend it to anyone we know traveling here. The crew made our time so much fun with great music great drinks, food snorkeling, and a little bit of dancing. Thanks for everything!”
Spend about eight hours reaching Saona Island from Punta Cana by catamaran and speedboat. Swim at the Caribbean’s largest natural pool, enjoy beach time and a buffet lunch with open bar, and return by fast boat. Guides such as Victor Obama and Otto are praised for clear, lively commentary.
“We had an amazing time on our day long excursion. The weather was hot, the water was warm, and the staff on the boats were super fun. I'd highly recommend seeing this beautiful part of DR!”
Travel from Punta Cana to El Limón Waterfall and Cayo Levantado on a long, active day with Runners Adventures. You’ll ride a catamaran, safari truck, and horse, hike to a 120-foot waterfall, eat a buffet lunch, and swim at the beach. Guides such as Rafael, Miguel, and Jesus are known for keeping the day moving.
“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 about 10.5 hours traveling from Punta Cana to Saona Island by speedboat and catamaran. Swim at Playa Palmilla’s natural pool, enjoy a buffet lunch and three hours on the island, then return with music and entertainment. Guides such as Manuel and Nicholas help keep the day lively.
“Amazing tour love the island. And the party boat. Driver was very friendly. Would highly recommend.❤️🇩🇴 This was paradise”
Spend a full day combining Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park with a catamaran cruise from Punta Cana. You’ll swim in a cool freshwater lagoon, enjoy a traditional Argentine BBQ, snorkel or wade in a natural pool, and have drinks onboard. Guides including Fernando and MotoMoto bring plenty of energy.
“Attentive, friendly staff with gorgeous weather and views. Fernando also shared lots of history, which had been lacking in other tours we booked. Highly recommend!”
Spend six hours at Bavaro Adventure Park combining buggy riding, a six-circuit zipline, horseback riding, a jungle river, waterfall pool, and Blue Lagoon Cenote. Shared transport, equipment, bilingual guides, and a Dominican lunch are included, but drinks, lockers, photos, and protective gear cost extra.
“Best place to go but honestly pisses and sad they don’t let you use your phone then expect you to pay 130$ for pictures. Very entitled here and they ask you for tips ever corner you take despite paying 100$+ for a ticket great food and it was fun”
Pick a beach, a boat, a track or a bar.
