Punta Cana: Horseback, ATV & Party Boat with Snorkeling

4.97

(225 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

We were barely off the bus in Punta Cana when our guide—Miguel, always grinning—handed us helmets and started joking about who’d fall off their horse first. (Spoiler: nobody did, but I was close.) The air smelled like wet grass and something sweet I couldn’t place. Riding through the fields was bumpier than I expected, but honestly kind of peaceful once you get into that slow rhythm. Miguel pointed out the cacao trees and some cows that looked as lazy as I felt. My horse’s name was Luna. She ignored me completely.

After we hopped off the horses (my legs wobbled a bit—don’t judge), it was straight onto these muddy ATVs. I’d never driven one before and nearly took out a bush, but everyone laughed it off. We stopped at this tiny organic farm where they handed us shots of mamajuana (tasted like spiced honey and fire), plus thick coffee and chocolate that left my fingers sticky. Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” with a mouthful of chocolate—probably butchered it.

The next part was wild—a water cave hidden behind some tangled trees. Cold shock on your skin when you jump in; it woke me up better than coffee ever could. Then we rumbled down to Macao Beach, all salt wind and limestone cliffs, where locals played dominoes under palm trees while we just sat in the sand for a bit. Lunch was simple but good—rice, chicken, something tangy I still can’t name—and then back to the hotel for a quick shower before round two.

Later, we met up again at Bávaro Beach for the snorkeling cruise. The guides handed out gear (sanitized, which my germaphobe friend appreciated) and led us into water so clear you could see every darting fish along the coral reef. Afterward? Music cranked up on the boat, rum drinks everywhere, people dancing barefoot—someone even convinced me to try merengue steps right there on deck. Floating in that shallow natural pool with strangers who suddenly felt like friends… I still think about that view sometimes.