ATV riding in La Romana: Buggy trails and river sunset

You switch vehicles mid-ride, trading the buggy for a quad to reach the river.

ATV riding in La Romana, Dominican Republic, where you operate a buggy or quad through sugar cane trails, visit a working Batey village, swim in the Chavón River, and finish with dinner on a boat at sunset. The tour runs seven hours with a small group (two riders per vehicle), includes pickup from your hotel, full helmet protection, lunch and a live guide. Children from age six can ride. Single-driver bookings carry an extra charge.

Step-by-step itinerary

Buggy tour and river dinner

• Drive through sugar cane fields
• Learn about sugar cane workers
• Taste fresh sugar cane
• Drive to Batey and see local life
• Switch from buggy to 4 wheels at ranch
• Swim in Chavon River
• Taste local products at ranch
• Return quads and board safari truck
• Ride on Dominican barge boat
• Optional tarzan jump or swim
• Aperitif on board the boat
• Enjoy Dominican lunch on boat
• Dance after meal
• Return to hotels by safari truck

The experience

The day starts in the middle of sugar cane fields where your guide explains the work and you taste fresh cane straight from the plant. You then drive the trails yourself, buggy first, to reach the Batey, a settlement where sugar cane cutters live, and you'll see how they work and spend their days. The operator notes you can bring school supplies or clothes for the children if you want to leave something behind.

At a ranch deeper in the fields, you trade the buggy for a quad to continue. The Chavón River comes next: you swim in it, then stop at a typical ranch to taste local products like cassava, plantain and fresh fruit. At 5:30pm you hand over the quad and board a safari truck toward the river. There you climb onto a 100% Dominican barge boat for a short ride. The braver swimmers can do a Tarzan jump from a vine, while others have an aperitif on deck. Around 7pm, Dominican lunch is served on board while you navigate the river, and the group does a few dances after the meal. The truck returns you to your hotel by 9pm.

The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, and hotel pickup is included. You need a helmet for the entire ride. Two people share each vehicle, so the group stays small and manageable. Children from age six can participate, though the tour is not recommended for anyone with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

• Full helmet protection.
• soda.
• Dominican lunch served on the river boat.
• hotel pickup and return.
• live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• access to sugar cane fields, the Batey village, the Chavón River for swimming, and the sunset river boat ride.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday and FridayDepartures at 12:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Quetzal Catamaran Excursions - Saona & Catalina

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or French, so choose the language that works for your group. The small group size (two riders per vehicle) means you're not in a crowd, and the mix of driving, village visit, swimming and river dinner suits families with children from six up, as well as adults who want a full day of activity without sitting as a passenger.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

19 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Can I choose between a buggy and a quad for the whole ride?

The tour uses both: you start on a buggy through the sugar cane fields and the Batey, then switch to a quad at the ranch to reach the Chavón River. Both are included in the same booking, so you experience both vehicles in one day.

What is the Batey and what will I see there?

The Batey is a settlement where sugar cane cutters live and work. You'll see their homes and daily life. The guide explains their working conditions. You can bring school supplies or clothes for the children if you wish to leave something.

What happens on the river after we swim?

After swimming in the Chavón River, you board a Dominican barge boat for a short ride. You can attempt a Tarzan jump from a vine if you're comfortable, or relax on deck with an aperitif. Dinner, a Dominican meal, is served on the boat while it navigates the river, and the group dances afterward.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included. The truck returns you by 9pm. The tour runs seven hours total, starting in the morning and ending with the river dinner at sunset.

Can my six-year-old ride an ATV?

Children from age six are welcome to participate. Two riders share each vehicle, so a child can ride with an adult. Single-driver bookings cost an extra 40 dollars. Otherwise the price is per vehicle.