Travel tips to explore the real side of the Dominican Republic from Punta Cana
Punta Cana is one of the most popular and relaxing holiday destinations in the Caribbean with all-inclusive vacation packages located in the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana and its wide range of activities is the perfect destination for you if you want the best beaches, cultural activities and a buzzing nightlife.
Many people who choose Punta Cana as their holiday destination make the mistake of staying at their resort and miss out on the real side of the Dominican Republic. Make sure to leave your comfort zone behind and explore the amazing Dominican cuisine, meet residents of the island at local markets, learn about the lifestyle of people working on sugarcane fields, explore the jungle, the countryside and mountains, and pay a visit to an authentic cigar factory.
Cherry pick our travel tips about the best things to do around Punta Cana to get a real taste of the Dominican Republic and get a close-up experience with the culture! We chose the excursions with the best reviews for you!
Ride beside coffee plantations on a mountain bike tour
If you enjoy getting active on your vacations and want to experience life far away from the touristy hotspots, try a guided mountain biking tour in the countryside. There’s no better way to learn about the lifestyle of locals than leave your resort and see it for yourself. The trails lead through forests, villages and cattle land, and you’ll have the opportunity to stop and sample local delicacies as well as burn off those calories. Don’t worry about the difficulty of the track, our recommended tours include electric bikes that match any level of fitness.
Take a culinary deep dive into the flavors of the Dominican Republic
Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables like the locals and go people watching at Higüey’s most important fruit and meat market. A private cultural and culinary tour gives you the perfect opportunity to experience the life of locals up close. As you visit the Basilica of Higüey, one of the most important religious monuments in the world, you get to learn about the fascinating history of the place.
After visiting this religious attraction, we recommend spending the rest of the day at a secluded Victorian farm house in the sugar cane fields of Higüey where you can prepare some traditional dishes and learn what makes the typical Dominican flavours so special. Enjoy a delicious lunch on the patio and chill in the hammocks with a tropical cocktail. A local artisan comes by usually who can show you how to roll the perfect cigar.
Explore the real face of the country at a raw culture sightseeing tour
Time to leave the comfort of your resort and explore what the real face of the Dominican Republic is like! There are several tours available to the Dominican countryside that will take you to little villages where you can learn about the lifestyle, culture, history and struggles of locals. Get to know the life and achievements of Juan Ponce de Leon, the man who discovered Florida and Puerto Rico, at his house which is a popular tourist attraction today. Allegedly, he was searching for the Fountain of Youth when he bumped into the land of Florida. In the history of the Dominican Republic, he played an important role in crushing the rebellion of native Tainos indians.
Your local guide can show you a sunken ship not many know about that is only a short boat ride away. Adventure around Batey town, home of the people working on the sugarcane fields for generations and visit a boys’ orphanage that’ll surely be a very emotional experience. You’ll be introduced to the secrets of medicinal plants at a cottage and the tricks of cigar rolling at an authentic tobacco farm and cigar factory. Immerse yourself in the Dominican way of life: learn what a hard day at work looks like, what the original Dominican happy hour means and how locals let loose at the end of the day.
Explore the depth of the jungle
Punta Cana has a lot more to offer apart from the picture-perfect tropical beaches. If you’re tired of suntanning and occasionally going for a swim, go on a real rainforest adventure in the lush Anamuya mountain range, just an hour drive away from Punta Cana. Hike along ecologically farmed plantations, fresh springs and streams while you admire the incredibly diverse flora of the forest. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be treated to stunning views all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. These guided hiking tours are all designed so that you will feel the burn, but still will be able to complete them easily in the tropical humidity. The tours stop at local homes to meet families who are happy to show you the Dominican way of life.
Shop local arts and crafts at Altos de Chavón
Sculpted entirely of stone, Altos de Chavón, a model 16th century Mediterranean village, sits 300 feet above the Chavón River. Built over a period of six years, the village opened in 1982 with Frank Sinatra performing live at the 5,000-seat Grecian style outdoor amphitheater, where numerous world artists have since performed. Today, the village is a delightful place to tour for its charming medieval feel, its architecture, a plethora of cigar, clothing, and jewelry shops, fine dining, bars, and arts and crafts. Its centerpiece, the St. Stanislaus Church, is a popular wedding site in the Dominican Republic, with its unmatched views over the river. To boot, the Altos de Chavón Archaeological Museum houses one of the most comprehensive collections on indigenous culture in the Dominican Republic.
The panoramic views over the Chavón River, and over the Dye Fore golf course which it borders on the east side, make Altos de Chavón a perfect photo stop on a journey through La Romana. There’s an entrance fee for non-guests of Casa de Campo, or you can book a tour of the village. At night, the setting becomes even more magical with romantic lighting on the stone plazas and dining verandas overlooking the river.
Take a day trip to Santo Domingo and learn about the country's history
The capital of the Dominican Republic is a city full of magic and charms, declared by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1990. The Colonial City ("old town") is one of the most important tourist destinations in Santo Domingo and the most visited in the Dominican Republic. The Colonial City is just the place where New World history began. It is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the Ozama River. It was also the first city to which the Spanish Crown granted the Royal Charter and headquarters of the New World administration.
If you are a first time visitor to the Dominican Republic, taking a day trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana is a must. You can also plan to spend a night there as the city offers over 300 museums, an authentic nightlife and there are other notable attractions nearby, such as the Los Tres Ojos limestone cave system. Do it on your own, or take an organized day trip from Punta Cana, Santo Domingo will make your visit to the Dominican Republic unforgettable.
Take an excursion to the Los Haitises National Park
The unique karst landscape of the Los Haitises National Park will take you to a Jurassic Park movie right away. The park is one of the main ecological attractions of the Dominican Republic with its dramatic coastline and lush flora and fauna. The geographical phenomena that make this national park stand out from all the other ones are its mogotes of ‘lomitas’ that can be as high as 40 meters and cover the whole surface of the park. The walking tours usually guide you through the untouched mangrove forests, take you to the Taino cave drawings, secluded beaches and pirate hideouts. After a walk, you’ll get to relax in the natural pools of the park.
