PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PUNTA CANA, the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, abuts the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It's a region known for its 32km stretch of beaches and clear waters. The Bávaro area and Punta Cana combine to form what's known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive resorts. It's popular for zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

La Romana is a city on the Dominican Republic's Caribbean coast and a gateway to nearby resort areas. Overlooking the Chavón River, Altos de Chavón is a re-created 16th-century Mediterranean village with artists' workshops. An obelisk painted with colorful images of local life stands in the city center. South of the city is Catalina Island, with beaches, coral reefs and the wrecked ship of pirate William Kidd.

1. Samana Visit by Plane
This excursion has it all, it is actually a combination of three different excursions: horseback
riding, truck safari and Island tour and if that wasn't enough you also get to visit a magnificent natural waterfall. Samana is a peninsula in the northeastern part of the country just 30 minutes away by plane from Punta Cana and one of my all time favorite parts of the Dominican Republic. Your transport from the Samana airport will be safari trucks which will take you through the mountainous terrain of the Peninsula for you to experience the Dominican culture outside your hotel. Later, once off the truck you will mount a horse for a 30 minute ride to "El Salto del Limon" one of the most beautiful and famous waterfalls in the entire country and will have time to cool off in its pristine waters. Later on you will board a catamaran that will take you to a nice and quiet beach for a delicious typical Dominican lunch in the most perfect of settings. After lunch you will board the Catamaran again to "Cayo Levantado", also known as Bacardi island for its bar open amidst palm trees in the sand where it's time to relax.

2. Discovery Cruise Cap Cana
This tour approximately 8 1/2 hours long which makes it different form the other catamaran half day tours that leave you wanting more. The Discovery Cruise is a full day experience sailing along the coast of the exclusive Cap Cana private complex where you will enjoy a light snack before boarding the two-tier catamaran. Once on board you will enjoy the open bar as you prepare to snorkel the crystal-clear Cap Cana waters and explore the nearby coral reef. Your next stop is an unforgettable natural pool where you will be able to relax while the bartender makes his rounds inside the water. You will then head back to Cap Cana to have an exclusive freshly grilled seafood lunch in one of Cap Cana's finest restaurants while taking in the beautiful Caribbean view. After lunch you will make a relaxing visit to Juanillo beach enjoying your private bar all along.

3. Cap Cana Adventure Buggies
After being picked up from your hotel you will jump behind the wheel of your very own buggy to begin your adventure. You will put your driving skills to the test on Cap Cana's ever changing terrain while taking in the view of dry and humid forests and of course the beautiful beaches. You will drive up to one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Dominican Republic, Juanillo beach, and will be able to relax in its clear waist-deep warm waters. Afterwards you will drive up to a cave named Hoyo azul where you'll have the chance to jump into the clear blue waters of a natural pool formed at the base of a giant cliff.

4. Super Truck Safari
This is the perfect way to see the REAL Dominican Republic beyond your hotel compound. You will ride a safari truck through the Higuey region cane fields making a stop at a local school where you'll get to meet the local children (depending on the time of the year) and the group sponsors a local project that will benefit the surrounding communities. You will also visit one the most famous churches in the Country, home to the patron saint Our Lady of La Altragacia. The truck will pass through two rural ranches where you will have the chance to see how local made Dominican products such as cocoa, tobacco, coffee are made and taste an alcoholic beverage named "mamajuana" which the locals consider an aphrodisiac. After a quick horseback ride to work up your appetite you'll be treated to an authentic Dominican style lunch and later on you will head down to the beach for a refreshing dip.

5. Zipline Canopy Adventure
We're half way our top 10 things to do in Punta Cana countdown but we could honestly have put either one of the excursions so far at the number one spot! especially this Zip line canopy tour which is a lot of fun. This adrenaline packed adventure is one of customer favorites because is not something you get to do every day. You will slide down 15 platforms and 8 cable lines at treetops height across beautiful open valleys putting your tolerance of heights to the test. Experienced guides will be with you from start to finish especially when you'll have to travel across a 2,500 feet long cable, that's a 7 block distance! Definitely not one to miss.

6. Marinarium Snorkeling Cruise
This tour is an exciting half day experience on board a glass bottom boat that will let you see the diverse and colorful sea life along the Punta Cana coastline. You will head to the "Marinarium" a marine life oasis in the middle of the ocean where you'll get the chance to swim with stingrays and nurse sharks! From there you will cruise the clear blue waters of the "Toro" section of Punta Cana with an open bar and snacks served on board while dancing to the rhythm of local music. You'll make your way to a beautiful natural swimming pool where you can relax while sipping your favorite Caribbean cocktail.

7. Fun-Fun Cave Exploration
Our #7 spot goes out to Rancho Capote's Fun Fun Cave. An excursion for the hardcore adventurers who don't mind to get dirty and putting their physical abilities to the test. You will drive down to Rancho Capote where you will mount a horse to get to the entrance of the cave for you to rappel down with the assistance of your guide and the provided equipment. The cave is located at the Haitises National Park, a virgin extension of mangrove forests, ancient pirate hideouts and home to the long extinct Taino indians whom used to inhabit the island when Columbus discovered America. You will explore the depths of the cave for more than an hour, sometimes on your hands and knees or swimming through underground rivers which will make for an unforgettable journey. Traveling the dark corridors of the cave you will get a chance to see Taino petroglyphs carved on the walls and marvel at the sight of the giant corridors and marvelous stalactites and stalagmites.

8. Bavaro Splash Speed Boats
Whoever put the words "speed" and "boat" together was a genius! Imagine yourself as 007 racing through the Caribbean waters in your very own, yeah you guessed it, speed boat. There's a minimum of 18 years of age to drive the boat but you can take the passenger seat for the same exhilarating experience of speeding through the clear waters of Punta Cana if you are younger. After driving the speed boat you'll take a break to go SNUBA diving. SNUBA is a cool combination of snorkeling and diving where you explore the ocean floor attached to a 20 feet long oxygen hose which is cool because you can actually choose at what depth you want to swim. Many customers have actually said that the SNUBA part of the excursion is actually their favorite!

9. Isla Saona Day Tour This is the most popular excursion right now and it has earned the right to be so. Saona is an island of the Dominican Republic with beautiful beaches all around and perfect weather the entire year. You will be transported to Saona island on a speed boat, making a stop first at a waist deep natural swimming pool with starfish studded sand. Once at the island you'll have your pick of swimming at the beach, playing volleyball, visiting the open bar or treating yourself to an authentic Dominican lunch. The time at Saona Island can be very relaxing or packed with fun, depending on your preference. You'll spend a total of 4 hours on the island before going back to the mainland onboard a slow moving Catamaran with Latin music and an open bar.

10. Catalina Fieston Snorkeling Party
Catalina is a beautiful uninhabited island known as one of the greatest sites for snorkeling in the Dominican Republic. To get there you will board a boat known as "El Fieston" and cruise past the multimillion dollar mansions on the Casa de Campo coastline. Enjoy a great lunch at the beach before putting on your snorkeling gear to explore the beautiful water surroundings. Looking for more of a rush? take a ride on the banana boat! On the return trip you'll visit the art village of Chavon home to the most prestigious art school in the country.