Buggy Adventure Tour from La Romana Cruise Port

Summary

Off-Road Buggy Excursion with Local Culture & River Swim

If you want to see real Dominican life beyond the cruise port, this buggy tour is it. You’ll drive through sugar cane fields, meet locals, swim in a famous river, and taste food cooked right at someone’s home. It’s messy, fun, and honestly unforgettable.

What’s the experience like?

Stepping off the Norwegian SKY in La Romana, I spotted our taxi driver holding a small sign by the port exit—easy to find, even with the morning bustle. The ride to Benerito Ranch was quick, maybe 20 minutes, windows down, warm air carrying a faint scent of molasses from the nearby mills. At the ranch, our guide—Miguel—greeted us with a wide grin and handed out helmets and plastic bags (trust me, you’ll want those for your phone). After a quick safety rundown, we picked our buggies—mine sputtered to life with a satisfying rumble—and rolled out toward the fields.

The sugar cane fields stretched out forever, green and gold under the sun. Miguel stopped us by a group of workers sharpening machetes. He explained how the cane’s cut by hand—backbreaking work—and let us try a piece straight from the stalk. Sweet juice dripped down my chin; sticky hands, but totally worth it. Next up was a Batey village. Kids ran alongside our buggies, waving and laughing. Miguel talked about their daily life—tough but full of spirit—and we handed out some candies we’d brought along (always appreciated).

After bouncing along dirt tracks, we reached the Chavón River. The water looked almost emerald in the midday light—cooler than I expected when I waded in. Turns out, scenes from Rambo II were filmed right here; Miguel pointed to a bend where they set up cameras. We dried off on the riverbank before heading to Nilo’s house nearby. Smoke drifted from his outdoor kitchen—cassava bread crisping over wood fire, plantains sizzling in oil. We sampled everything while Nilo told stories about growing up by the river. It felt like visiting family you didn’t know you had.

The ride back to the ranch was quieter—everyone a little muddy, grinning, and tired in that good way. Our taxi waited at the gate to take us back to port, just in time for a cold drink onboard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy Adventure and Cultural Tour

• Meet at La Romana port and taxi to ranch
• Board buggies and safety briefing
• Visit sugar cane fields and tasting
• Explore Batey village and interact with locals
• Swim at Chavón River
• Visit local resident for traditional food tasting
• Return to ranch
• Taxi back to La Romana port

Top questions

Is this buggy tour suitable for kids?

Yes, families often join! Just keep in mind that very young children or those with health issues might find it bumpy or tiring.

How long does the whole excursion take?

Plan for about 4-5 hours from pickup at La Romana port to drop-off—plenty of time before your ship leaves.

What should I wear or bring?

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and closed shoes. Bring sunscreen and maybe a towel for swimming—plastic bags are provided for your stuff.

Will there be food or drinks?

You’ll get snacks and soft drinks during the tour, plus homemade tastings at Nilo’s place.

What’s included

Your helmet and plastic bags for valuables are included. Snacks and soft drinks are provided along the way, plus you’ll get to try local foods cooked over an open fire at our host’s home.