There’s no better way to start your vacation than checking out all the important sights of the area right away. Go on a sightseeing jeep safari on your first day and you’ll feel like you know the Punta Cana area by heart for the rest of your holiday. Should you opt for a private jeep rental or a group tour, make sure to get out of your resort and explore the real Dominican countryside where you can meet local families who live and work on coffee and cacao plantations. Sample and buy their amazing organic products while they share the secrets of production with you. Always keep your eyes open for wildlife because crocodiles, iguanas, turtles and other animals can appear to say hi anytime. However, don’t worry about the dangers of your tour. Your highly trained tour guide will always know what to do and he will most likely notice anything before you do. Enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch overlooking the mountains and go for a dip in a secluded beach in the afternoon.

The unique karst landscape of the Los Haitises National Park will take you to a Jurassic Park movie right away. The park is one of the main ecological attractions of the Dominican Republic with its dramatic coastline and lush flora and fauna. The geographical phenomena that make this national park stand out from all the other ones are its mogotes of ‘lomitas’ that can be as high as 40 meters and cover the whole surface of the park. The walking tours usually guide you through the untouched mangrove forests, take you to the Taino cave drawings, secluded beaches and pirate hideouts. After a walk, you’ll get to relax in the natural pools of the park.

Have you ever seen a humpback jump out of the water? Spend the day on a double-decker catamaran that will take you where the humpbacks are at! The boat sails across Samana Bay that is famous for its rich biodiversity, therefore, it’s a popular hangout place for whales. They have been regular visitors for centuries now. However, it’s good to know that humpbacks mate in the Arctic between mid-January and mid-April and only come back to the area afterwards. The tour takes you to Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island, a popular snorkeling spot.

It’s time to get active after spending the day before sun-tanning on the deck of a catamaran. Should you want to experience life far away from the touristy hotspots, we got the perfect adventure for you. Try a guided mountain biking tour on the countryside of Punta Cana where you get to learn about how locals live than leave your resort and see it for yourself. The trails lead through forests, villages and cattle land and you’ll have the opportunity to stop and sample local delicacies and also burn off those calories. Don’t worry about the difficulty of the track, our recommended tour includes electric bikes that match any level of fitness. Bring your whole family or friends and embark on an off-road adventure!

Who doesn’t love island hopping? Take a day trip to Catalina Island that is a famous destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Catalina Island has a spectacular variety of marine life such as vase sponges, parrotfish and trumpet fish and colorful, vibrant coral reefs. Get away from the busy beaches of Punta Cana and enjoy the tranquil turquoise waters of the private beaches on Catalina Island. Most tours leaving from Punta Cana include a delicious lunch and tropical refreshments, as well.

Isla Saona is an island located south of the Cotubanama National Park. It’s still fairly untouched, therefore, it’s a popular destination for catamaran day trips because of its postcard-like looks. Around 3000 visitors come here daily to chill out on the pristine beaches like Canto de la Playa of this protected island. Saona Island is the most important turtle nesting site in the Dominican Republic, and you can see the cutest baby turtles from March through November. Note that the boats leave from Bayahibe, a small fishing village in the south, which is about a 2-3 hour drive away from Punta Cana, so be ready for a long day. If you have the time, we recommend staying overnight in the charming village of Bayahibe, which is affordable and very relaxing

Stuff some exclusive souvenirs of Punta Cana into your suitcase and head for the airport. On your way back home, scroll through the beautiful memories captured in the pictures of your trip, never forgetting the incredible experiences you had in Punta Cana!