Punta Cana is the Dominican Republic’s best-known resort destination — but some of the country’s most rewarding experiences lie just beyond the all-inclusive gates. Within an hour or so you’ll find a historic pilgrimage city, a quiet fishing village turned beach-hopping base, a vast coastal national park and a recreated Mediterranean hill town.
Higüey: A Blend of History and Culture
About an hour inland from Punta Cana, Higüey is the Dominican Republic’s most important pilgrimage city. Its landmark is the Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, a striking modernist church and one of the largest in the Caribbean, which draws worshippers from across the country. The town’s central market and local eateries offer a taste of everyday Dominican life far from the resorts.
Bayahibe and Saona Island
Once a quiet fishing village, Bayahibe is now the launch point for the Dominican Republic’s most popular day trip: Saona Island. Catamaran and speedboat tours sail from Bayahibe’s small harbour to the island’s palm-fringed beaches, with snorkelling stops and a beach barbecue along the way. Bayahibe itself is worth an afternoon — its waterfront restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood on the east coast.
Cotubanamá National Park
The coastal wilderness behind Bayahibe is protected as Cotubanamá National Park — known as Parque Nacional del Este until it was renamed in 2014. The park covers mangrove lagoons, coral reefs and dry forest, and includes Saona Island within its boundaries. Its limestone cave systems hold ancient Taíno petroglyphs, and sea turtles nest on its beaches. Day visits usually run through Bayahibe-based tour operators.
Altos de Chavón: A Village Above the River
About 90 minutes’ drive west in La Romana, Altos de Chavón is a recreated 16th-century-style Mediterranean village perched above the Chavón River inside the Casa de Campo resort. Its cobbled lanes hold artists’ studios and galleries, the Church of St. Stanislaus, an archaeological museum of pre-Columbian artefacts and a 5,000-seat stone amphitheatre that has hosted international stars. It’s an easy cultural day trip from Punta Cana — go in the late afternoon to catch the sunset over the river gorge.
Exploring Further: Puerto Plata
If you have more time, consider pairing the east coast with the north. Our Puerto Plata travel guide covers the historic Atlantic port’s Victorian-era architecture, the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and a very different Dominican coastline.
FAQs About Day Trips From Punta Cana
What is the best day trip from Punta Cana?
Saona Island tops most lists: full-day catamaran or speedboat tours leave from Bayahibe and include snorkelling stops, a beach barbecue and time on the island’s famous beaches.
How do I get to Saona Island?
Through an organised boat tour departing from Bayahibe, about 45–60 minutes from Punta Cana. Tours are easy to book through hotels or local operators and usually include lunch and drinks.
When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?
December to April brings the driest, most settled weather. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, so check forecasts if you travel then.
Can I visit Higüey on my own?
Yes — it’s about an hour by rental car or taxi from Punta Cana. The basilica and the central market are the main draws, and a half day is enough.
