Things to Do in the Dominican Republic Beyond Resorts

Key Takeaways

The Dominican Republic offers much more than resort time. Travelers will find opportunities for off-roading, horseback riding, food tours, voluntourism, kayaking, diving and deep-sea fishing.
Adventure takes many forms across the country. Options in the draft range from exploring the highlands around Jarabacoa to kayaking at Los Haitises National Park and diving around Bayahibe and Catalina Island.
Consider travel protection before an active Dominican Republic vacation. Our plans offer benefits for covered Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, medical emergencies, baggage issues and other eligible travel disruptions, while the Preferred and Premium plans also include Sporting Equipment coverage.

One challenge of writing about things to do in the Dominican Republic is that the country’s resorts offer so many activities that it’s easy to assume you never need to leave the property.

And while there’s plenty to enjoy at your resort, that’s only the beginning.

Beyond the resort gates, the Dominican Republic offers a wide range of experiences, from outdoor adventures and cultural attractions to unique opportunities to connect with local communities.

In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the many ways to explore the country!

Off-Roading

Most resorts in the Punta Cana area offer dune-buggy tours. These take you into the countryside, stop at a beach and/or a cenote, and take you to farms and plantations where you can sample local rum, chocolate and coffee.

Wild Tiger Buggies (around $85/person) is one of the big names here; they work with many resorts. If you want to work outside of the resort sphere, Outback Adventures is a popular choice.

If you’re really adventurous, consider heading inland to Jarabacoa, where you can go on monkey-watching tours through rugged terrain studded with waterfalls.

Still too tame? Do a self-drive jeep tour through the Caribbean highlands that includes mountain-climbing.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding gives you much of the exhilaration of an ATV tour with more feels (and smells, but that’s another matter).

Garden-variety horseback tours can be arranged through many resorts, but for something different, Casa de Campo Resort offers a full equestrian center with lessons on everything from basic riding to polo and stunts.

Horseback tours of the ranch include jumping exhibitions and a chance to play donkey polo.

Off-resort options are headed by Rancho Victoria Caribeño, north of Punta Cana, which offers hotel transports and guided rides along Uvero Alto Beach. Special bonus: Riders get a souvenir rum bottle with their group’s picture affixed.

If you’re feeling ambitious, Unicorn Trails offers a multi-day riding trip that includes swimming with the horses, fresh seafood, meringue dancing, and more.

Exploring Local Cuisine

Dominican cuisine is a delicious mélange of influences, encompassing everything from fresh seafood to chocolate and coffee.

One of the best ways to experience the panoply of Dominican cuisine is via a guided walking tour. These can be booked either through a resort or directly through a provider like Civitatis.

Coffee and chocolate lovers can embark on specialty tours. In fact, the Dominican tourism office has a dedicated Dominican chocolate route that combines adventure with multiple opportunities to scratch that chocolate itch.

Coffee lovers should head back to Jarabacoa and check out Café Monte Alto, which has been organically growing and harvesting coffee beans since the 1940s

Also Read: Traveling with Dietary Restrictions: Your Guide to Safe Eating

Voluntourism

Several resorts offer opportunities to give back to the local community, most notably the Puntacana Resort and Club, which has a foundation that explores ways to mitigate tourism’s environmental impact. The resort also helps operate the PESCA coral-reef restoration program.

For a true voluntourism vacation, consider working with Discover Corps, which builds schools (from plastic bottles!) in rural areas and offers packages that include hiking and beach time.

Also Read: Why Travel Protection Matters for Volunteer, Humanitarian and Mission Trips

Sea Kayaking/Jet-skiing

The top choice for sea-kayaking is Los Haitises National Park, a wonderland of mangrove swamps, rugged terrain, caves, and beaches. Many resorts offer guided park tours.

Jet-skiing isn't allowed everywhere in the Punta Cana area; to partake you need to head to Miches, where tours take you to mangrove cays and the natural pool of Cayo San Esteban.

Diving

Some of the best diving in the northern Caribbean is around Bayahibe and Catalina Island. The Viva Dominicus Palace has an onsite dive center but also a jetty to take divers to Catalina and related areas.

Bayahibe has the famed St. George shipwreck and many independent dive operators that will take you around to shipwrecks and the Catalina reefs.

One caution: Especially when working with an independent operator, check their reviews, check their boats and check their equipment. Don’t leave anything to chance.

Fishing

Anglers aren’t left wanting in the Dominican. It’s one of the world’s best destinations for marlin fishing, with mahi, tuna and wahoo also in the mix.

Shorter trips can be booked through resorts, but for day-long serious deep-sea fishing go with an independent charter like Captain Experiences.

Travel Protection for Dominican Republic Adventures

From dune buggies and horseback riding to diving and deep-sea fishing, a Dominican Republic vacation may involve more than a flight and a spot by the pool. That also means it’s worth thinking about what happens when an unexpected illness, injury, delay or other covered event disrupts the trip.

Our travel protection includes benefits for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Medical & Dental, Emergency Assistance & Transportation, Baggage and more. Coverage depends on the plan selected and the terms, conditions and exclusions in the applicable Plan Documents.

As you can see, there’s so much to do in the Dominican that doesn’t simply involve lounging by the pool (though that’s always a great option).

Our plans can help cover everything from a quick getaway to a lengthy adventure tour. Start here with a quote.