Dominican countryside, culture and beach escape with lunch
For a real taste of Caribbean culture, look no further than this full day bus tour around the Dominican Republic. You’ll visit remote villages while learning all about local produce and history. The adventure kicks off as your guide regales you with the history of the island while we journey through cattle grazing lands and rice fields. You’ll drive by a typical rural school, on route to tour some of the island’s coffee, cocoa and sugar cane plantations. Head on to Higuey, and you’ll see the famous Altagracia Basilica – a pilgrimage site because of its miraculous image of Our Lady – before a wander around the bustling market. Check out the views of the Cordillera Oriental mountains before we round off with a beach stop and lunch in a local restaurant. There’s also the option of a half-day tour that packs in plenty of fun highlights, but skips lunch and Altagracia Basilica.
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Traveler reviews
“Wonderful day out all organised in good taste with 5 different stops and fun activities. Angelo and Urban are most welcoming and very friendly guide &driver. You see the countryside and actual life of locals. One suggestion, it would be nice if a city centre stop in Higuey is organised so people get the feel of the bustling life in town and the market.”
“Ok, please book this tour if you visit Punta Cana. I wish I could remember all of the staffs name but I’m terrible with names. Three people are on this tour; the driver, tour guide and another member of staff who helps both of them, serving drinks, ensuring we are all together and having a boogie on the bus! So the tour started at 8.40 pick up, we made sure we had some breakfast before we left. The bus is soooo funky, I mean, you can’t miss it! We were greeted so lovely and it was a full bus too! The guide can speak so many languages so no need to worry about that. On our way to our first stop, the tour guide was showing us all the different sights such as people living in the city, how they live, what they do for work, the cost of living, it’s very interesting and guys a huge eye opener to see aswell. It’s so lovely when you see all the people waving at you when you go past in the bus and the children love it. Our first stop was at a family home so to show us the difference in homes out there, one being a 2 or 3 bedroom house and the other being made from metal. We also got to meet the witch of the town which I have to say, was pretty cool as I really witches/spirits things like that. She comes out after ringing her bell, lights a cigar and she saw me and my husband, no pressure to go and see her or anything but because I really like stuff like that, I wanted to go in and she was blessing me with good health and to have lots of babies, she was pressing my tummy a lot and doing many chants and I had to drink the famous MaraJuana drink for good luck. Pretty unreal to experience that. Our next stop was a cigar shop where they handmade cigars and coffee my husband made his own and it was a good experience to see how much work goes into it. After that, we went to visit the local market and for someone who loves her fruit and veg I was in heaven. Fresh fruit and vegetables everywhere, fish, meat, herbs, seeds just everything and it’s interesting to see this is where people come to get their ingredients for their families. We then to visit the cathedral which is just amazing so that’s definitely a must to go in there. Don’t wear shorts or anything showing your legs as you will get asked to cover up I was given a scarf so that’s ok even if you wear something still showing a bit of leg. After that, we went to a local plantation to see how they make coffee, chocolate, coconut oil and cocoa butter. Before that though, they provided us with lunch and it was delicious! Salad, pasta, fish, banana chips (you must try) and drinks. Also on the bus, they provide you with non alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. After we had some lunch and learnt about how they make chocolate and coffee all from scratch, we then headed to Macao beach to have a dip in the lovely sea. It’s a lovely beach and it was a nice way to end our tour. Highly recommend to do this tour when you visit Punta Cana.”
“I took the half-day tour to Higüey and it was the highlight of my stay in the Dominican Republic! Our tour guide was Andy and he was very engaging, friendly, and informative. The bartender and driver were also incredible and very kind. It is a very touristy tour but absolutely worth it and an excellent way to learn more about the Dominican Republic and the Dominican culture.”
“We had a great day seeing the real heart of the Dominican Republic. Seeing the market was a bit of an eye opener. We were unlucky with the weatherboard had a great trip.”
“Great experience with guide mama gina great music and dance on the bus great driver and also great assistant I would hardly recommend this trip”