The Dominican Republic is the second most popular travel destination for Americans, and it’s easy to see why. There’s simply no shortage of attractions, particularly in the Punta Cana area. The region is saturated with beaches, wildlife, national parks, and more. At the hotel, guests can also choose from six themed restaurants, with live cooking stations adding to the dining experience, and Saona Island is one of the most recommended day trips from the resort during these holidays.
Guests staying at the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Bambu enjoy 24-hour all-inclusive service, free WiFi throughout the entire hotel, and plenty of recreational activities such as snorkeling and non-motorized water sports. But the following eight excursions are ones you don’t want to miss during your stay in Punta Cana. Many are family-friendly and a short drive from your hotel.
This riu resort features five swimming pools, Splash Water World, and daily entertainment with pool games and evening live shows for plenty of fun.
With a kids’ club, a teens’ club, and themed pool and stage parties, the property suits the whole family, from little ones to older kids.
1. Ziplining
Ziplining is one of the most popular activities in Punta Cana because of the rich scenery and chance to view wildlife from a bird’s perspective. The Zipline Adventures excursion takes you to the island’s first ziplining tour in the Dominican Republic, and the zipline adventure tour lasts 4 hours. The facility is a 45-minute drive from the Hotel Riu Bambu.
Once there, the tour begins with instruction from professional guides on what to expect and how to use the zipline equipment. This course is designed for tourists who want to explore the scenery with local guides. A total of 18 platforms and 12 lines increase in length and speed. You’ll start off on shorter and slower lines and progress to riding a cable that is 800 meters long.
After your adrenaline rush, you’ll be treated to non-alcoholic beverages and native fruits. It’s a refreshing way to top off your adventure.
2. Making Dolphin BFFs
If you’ve always wanted to make friends with a dolphin, these excursions let guests discover dolphin encounters in Punta Cana Dominican Republic, with close-up time alongside playful marine mammals and other sea creatures.
Dolphin Funtastic: The most basic dolphin interaction and perfect for all ages, this funtastic dolphin experience is suitable even if you’re not an expert swimmer, and you’ll get your picture taken and receive a dolphin kiss. It also includes a personalized introduction and the playful pec shake, so it’s easy to participate.
Dolphin Extreme: This extreme adventure will have you will swimming with dolphins, meeting fur seals, and snorkeling with sharks and stingrays at Marinarium Marine Park.
Dolphin Excellence: The ultimate dolphin experience, you’ll find out what a typical day for a dolphin trainer is like as you get to experience foot pushes and dorsal rides, making it an amazing experience and an adrenaline filled experience for those wanting more interaction.
3. Jeep Safari
It’s not quite the same as an African safari, but it’s every bit as exciting. The Jeep Safari day trip is both a cultural tour and an adventure outing, taking visitors on a journey to see what powers the island’s economy such as rice, sugar canes, and chocolate.
You’ll learn how food products such as coffee, vanilla, cacao beans, and cinnamon are cultivated, with insights into Dominican culture and local culture, and witness native workers in action. You’ll also roll some authentic Dominican Republic cigars and visit a ranch for a horse ride and ziplining rush.
Off-road buggy tours are also popular in Punta Cana for travelers seeking a more thrilling dune buggy adventure. La Hacienda Park is a well-known adventure destination for this kind of outing in the Anamuya Mountains. The day ends with a swim and delicious meal with your new friends on a breathtaking Uvero Alto beach.
4. Monkeyland
For those that adore these mischievous animals, Monkeyland is like a trip to heaven. The attraction came to be after a Canadian couple helped raise and teach monkeys to acclimate to human company.
The property’s five acres of jungle habitat, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, is home to several very friendly squirrel monkeys who love interacting with people. Keep your phone fully charged so you can take several selfies with these creatures who love perching on human heads and eating from their hands.
You’ll have the chance to see mama monkeys transporting their young on their backs as they snatch a snack to eat.
In addition to cavorting with monkeys, you’ll also taste some native coffee and fruit and learn how coconut oil is produced on your tour. The visit lets you discover more of the island beyond the beach, offering an escape into nature with beautiful scenery.
5. Samana Waterfall
As one of the most beautiful and famous waterfalls in the Dominican Republic, El Limon in the village of Samana on the northeast coast is not to be missed.
The day begins with an hour and a half drive to Las Canitas where a safari truck transports visitors to a ranch. You’ll enjoy a cocoa and coffee tasting before traveling by horseback to the El Limon Waterfall for a refreshing swim.
After listening to the roar of the cascading waterfall you’ll partake in a buffet lunch and then be transported to the village of Samana. This is followed by a catamaran cruise to Cayo Levantado Island, also known as Bacardi Island, for an unforgettable adventure in the Caribbean.
This small island, where the blue sky seamlessly transforms into the ocean, is a popular breeding ground for humpback whales from January to March. Keep your eyes peeled for them as you sip a cocktail from a pineapple “glass”.
6. Santo Domingo
When you need a break from the more adventurous excursions, learn a bit about Santo Domingo’s history during this day tour. These organized tours are also a good way to explore the capital and nearby cultural sites. This tour of the island’s capital focuses on the historic central neighborhood of Ciudad Colonial.
You’ll visit several landmarks on foot including the 16th-century residence that Christopher Colombus’ son built, Alcazar de Colon. Many itineraries also include Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, and la romana. You’ll also make stops at the Cocoa Museum, the Aromas Museum with its focus on the sensory experience of Dominican coffee, and local jewelry and gift shops.
This trip includes a Dominican lunch at a visit to the unique open-air limestone cave called Los Tres Ojos (The Three Eyes).
7. Jetboat Tour
If you love speed and don’t mind getting wet, the Jetboat tour has your name written all over it, with a speed boat-style rush from start to finish. You will enjoy a 45-minute boat ride with hair-raising acrobatics for a thrilling, fun experience on the Caribbean Sea.
Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll receive a snorkeling lesson and then swim with sharks and stingrays in a contained body of water, the kind of stop often linked to Marinarium-style marine experiences in crystal clear waters. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to some of the ocean’s most intimidating creatures.
8. Saona Island
If relaxing in paradise is more your speed, then a day trip to one of the most picturesque of the Dominican Republic’s islands is a must, and Saona Island is one of the most recommended excursions from Hotel Riu Bambu and a classic Caribbean escape, with guests able to unwind back at the resort’s Renova Spa after a full-day island trip. Saona Island is teeming with wildlife such as green parrots, manatees, hawksbill turtles, and starfish.
You’ll spend the day first visiting a natural pool and then taking in the white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters of the island. Some tours let you explore more in a multi-experience format, while a private Saona Island tour can accommodate up to 4 people and may travel by speed boat or catamaran at your own pace. The rest of the day will be devoted to swimming, sunbathing, and just inhaling nature. A full buffet lunch is included with this day tour, and some full-day outings also include an open bar.
More Excursions From Hotel Riu Bambu
There are plenty more adventures and attractions to check out when you stay at the Hotel Riu Bambu, and excursions can be booked through hotel partners or local providers. Popular options also include multi-experience tours, full-day boat trips to Catalina Island, a party boat outing, and buggy rides that stop at Macao Beach. The Macao Dune Buggies adventure lasts 4 hours. Some excursions are also packaged with others. Hotel Riu Bambu also offers private airport transfers, with a professional driver meeting guests at the airport so you can skip shuttle buses and enjoy more luxury and comfort. To learn more about what there is to do in the Punta Cana area, see our full list of excursions.