Punta Cana: ATV Tour, Macao Beach, Cave Swim & Tastings

4.76

(184 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the mud splattered up onto my shoes—should’ve worn the old ones. We’d just left the ATV ranch outside Punta Cana, engines rumbling and helmets slightly askew (mine kept sliding down). Our guide, Carlos, had this easy laugh that made you feel like you’d known him for years. He pointed out little things on the trail—wild orchids clinging to tree trunks, a rooster that looked like it owned the place. I could smell earth and something sweet from the trees. The air was thick but not heavy, if that makes sense.

We stopped at this small organic farm after maybe half an hour of bouncing along those trails. There was fresh coffee—like, really fresh, roasted right there—and mamajuana that burned a little going down but left this warm feeling in your chest. I tried rolling a cigar (badly), and one of the women working there just grinned and shook her head at my lopsided attempt. The chocolate was gritty and dark; I still think about that taste sometimes when I’m back home staring at supermarket bars.

After another stretch on the ATVs—mud drying on my arms now—we reached this cave with water so clear it almost glowed blue. A couple of us jumped in right away (I hesitated; it looked deeper than I expected), but wow, it was cold in the best way possible. Echoes bounced off the stone walls every time someone laughed or shouted. Then we headed for Macao Beach—the sand there is almost white, and waves crash hard enough to drown out your thoughts for a minute or two. Carlos told us about growing up nearby; he said he used to sneak here as a kid before tourists came around so much. The ride back felt quieter somehow—maybe everyone was just tired or maybe we were all thinking about what we’d just seen.