Looking for things to do in Punta Cana beyond the pool? These are the trips and places that are worth leaving the resort for, with how long each one takes.
Book a private ridePhoto: bogdix (Flickr) · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsShort answer: the classic Punta Cana days out are a boat trip to Saona Island, swimming in the Hoyo Azul cenote at Scape Park, surfing or relaxing at Macao Beach, the views from Montaña Redonda near Miches, and a visit to Altos de Chavón in La Romana. Most are between 15 minutes and 2 hours from Bávaro.
Plan by time of day
The easiest way to choose is by how much of the day you want to give it.
Tours and excursions in Punta Cana
Pick your adventure: every card opens a full guide with photos, what is included and how to book. Prices are per person unless shown.
Close to the resorts (under 30 minutes)
1. Hoyo Azul at Scape Park, Cap Cana
Scape Park in Cap Cana is home to Hoyo Azul, a cenote with clear blue water for swimming and snorkelling. The park also has zip lines and caves.
2. Ojos Indígenas Ecological Park
Indigenous Eyes (Ojos Indígenas) Ecological Park & Reserve is part of Puntacana Resort, just south of town. It covers about 6 km² with freshwater lagoons, marked trails and guided tours.
3. Juanillo Beach
Juanillo Beach in Cap Cana is calm, with kayaking, windsurfing and snorkelling.
4. Macao Beach
Macao has golden sand and bigger waves, which makes it the area’s surf beach. It feels wilder and quieter than Bávaro.
5. Shopping and a movie
BlueMall Puntacana, about five minutes from the airport, has a cinema and restaurants. See our shopping guide for more.
6. Helicopter tour over the coast
A helicopter tour in Punta Cana flies over the turquoise reef, Bávaro beach and Macao in 10 to 30 minutes, from $187.65 per person. It is a short trip that fits easily into a beach day.
Full-day trips
7. Saona Island
Saona Island, inside a national park, is famous for white sand, shallow natural pools and starfish. It is a full-day trip, not a half-day trip, and overnight stays are not possible. Most boats leave from Bayahibe, about 87 km from Bávaro. Our sister company, Saona Island Tours, runs catamaran trips that leave directly from BlueMall Cap Cana, which saves the drive to Bayahibe.
8. Catalina Island and Cotubanamá National Park
Parque Nacional Cotubanamá includes Catalina Island, coral reef terraces and trails to caves with petroglyphs.
9. Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone
The capital is about 2–3 hours away by road. See our Punta Cana to Santo Domingo guide.
Half-day and day trips
10. Montaña Redonda, Miches
This 305 m hill, about an hour’s drive from Bávaro, is reached by safari truck and has swings and views over Samaná Bay.
11. Altos de Chavón, La Romana
About 92 km southwest of Bávaro inside Casa de Campo, Altos de Chavón is a 1970s replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, with an amphitheatre, a church and artist boutiques.
12. Cueva de las Maravillas
Just off the DR-3 highway between San Pedro de Macorís and La Romana, this cave has Taíno rock art with more than 500 pictographs.
13. Rum tasting
The Ron Barceló distillery near San Pedro de Macorís offers tours and tastings.
14. Los Haitises National Park
About 129 km from Bávaro, Los Haitises has mangroves, birdlife, Taíno caves and forested limestone hills.
15. Nightlife in Bávaro
Beach clubs and bars around Bávaro and Cortecito are a short ride from most hotels. Plan your ride home before you go.
Getting to these places
Many tours include hotel pickup. For anything else, a private driver lets you leave when you want and stop where you like. Punta Cana Transfer Pro shows you a fixed price online; message +1 555-453-7815 for full-day hire.
Private transport for things to do in Punta Cana
Most excursions start early. Book a private car to the meeting point or for a full day out, with the price fixed before you go and a driver who waits for you. See your price and book your private transfer, or message us on WhatsApp. You can also read more guides in Where to Go in Punta Cana.
Several things to do in Punta Cana are an hour or more from the resort areas, so start early. If you plan two or three things to do in Punta Cana on the same day, a private driver can link them in one route.
Quick answers about things to do in Punta Cana
What can I do in Punta Cana with only half a day?
Pick a tour of 5 hours or less, like Macao Buggies (3 h), a party boat (3 h), Rancho Laguna Beach Buggies (4 h) or Montaña Redonda (5 h). See all half-day tours.
What is there to do in Punta Cana at night?
Coco Bongo (about 5 h) and Maroca Club (about 6 h), both 18+ with round-trip hotel transport. See Punta Cana at night.
What is the cancellation policy for tours?
Unless a tour says otherwise: 90% refund 30 or more days before, 50% at 15–29 days, no refund under 15 days (terms).
Which Punta Cana excursions need an early start?
Island trips and longer drives inland are the Punta Cana excursions that usually leave early, so be ready in your hotel lobby on time.
What are the most popular day trips from Punta Cana?
Saona Island, the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo and the beaches of the east coast are the most popular day trips from Punta Cana.
How long is a Saona Island tour?
A Saona Island tour is usually a full day, including the drive to the boat departure point and back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular day trip from Punta Cana?
Saona Island is the most famous, known for white sand and natural pools.
How far is Saona Island from Punta Cana?
Most boats leave from Bayahibe, about 87 km from Bávaro. Some tours leave from Cap Cana.
Can you swim at Hoyo Azul?
Yes. Hoyo Azul is a cenote inside Scape Park in Cap Cana, open for swimming and snorkelling.
Sources
Checked November 2026. Prices, phone numbers and opening hours change, so confirm before you travel.
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