Amber Cove & Taino Bay: Buggy Adventure, Cigar Stop & Beach Swim

Summary

Buggy rides from Amber Cove to Maimon village plus beach stop

You’ll ride buggies through Dominican backroads near Amber Cove with pickup included, meet locals in Maimon village, taste fresh hot chocolate at a cigar shack, and end up on a quiet beach where you can swim—or just listen to the waves. Expect dust and laughter in equal measure; it’s not fancy but it’s real.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the dust—fine, warm, everywhere. We’d barely left Amber Cove when our guide, José, grinned at us through his goggles and pointed out the old mango trees lining the road into Maimon. The buggies rattled like shopping carts with a mind of their own (I laughed when mine veered left for no reason), but honestly? That’s half the fun. You get picked up right outside the port gate and in ten minutes you’re somewhere that smells like wet earth and sweet fruit instead of sunscreen.

We stopped at this tiny shack where an older guy—Miguel, I think—was rolling cigars by hand. He let us try twisting the leaves (mine looked more like a sad burrito than a cigar) and then handed out cups of hot chocolate so thick it almost felt like pudding. The air inside was smoky but not heavy, mixed with coffee and something floral from the trees outside. I tried asking about his process in Spanish; he just smiled and showed me again, slower this time. There’s something about these small moments that sticks with you.

After that we bumped along muddy tracks—my shirt was basically two colors by then—and ended up at a local beach. Not fancy or crowded, just a few kids skipping stones and some fishing boats pulled up on sand that squeaked underfoot. Some folks swam; I sat on a rock for a while just watching light move over the water. It’s hard to explain why that felt so good. Maybe because everything was simple for a minute—just wind, salt air, laughter from someone trying to wash mud off their shoes. So yeah, if you’re looking for a day trip from Amber Cove or Taino Bay that isn’t polished or predictable…this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy adventure from Amber Cove and Taino Bay

• Pick up at Amber Cove gate
• Pick up at Taino Bay gate
• Arrive at Maimon village base
• Receive gear and safety instructions
• Drive through Maimon village
• Visit cigar rolling shack and sample drinks
• Stop at local beach for optional swim

Top questions

How far is the buggy tour from Amber Cove?

The adventure starts about 10 minutes from Amber Cove by car.

Is pickup included from Taino Bay?

Yes, pickup is included from the front gate of Taino Bay.

What should I wear for the buggy adventure?

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or muddy; you’ll get dirty driving through water and countryside tracks.

Do we visit any local villages on this tour?

Yes, you drive through Maimon village and stop there during the tour.

Is there swimming on this day trip?

Yes, there’s a stop at a local beach where you can swim if you want to.

Are helmets and goggles provided?

Your gear includes helmets and goggles for safety during the buggy ride.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is included but you’ll sample organic hot chocolate and coffee at the cigar shack.

Who leads the tour?

A local guide leads your group through each stop and shares insights along the way.

What’s included

Your half-day includes pickup and drop-off from Amber Cove or Taino Bay, all your buggy gear (helmet and goggles), bottled water to keep you going under that Caribbean sun, plus stops for fresh hot chocolate and coffee in Maimon before heading back covered in dust but happy.