Dominican Countryside & Higuey Tour with Beach and Lunch

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/10

Duration6h–7h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Punta Cana Day Trip: Local Culture, Plantations & Beach Escape

You’ll get to see real Dominican life—from bustling markets to peaceful countryside—and visit landmarks like Altagracia Basilica. There’s time for tasting local treats and relaxing by the sea too. If you want more than just resort beaches, this day trip shows you what’s beyond Punta Cana.

6h–7h

Step-by-step itinerary

Dominican Republic Countryside Tour

Visit Altagracia Basilica and market in Higuey
Tour cigar factory and sugarcane fields
Enjoy long lunch at local restaurant

The Experience

The first thing I noticed as we rolled out of Punta Cana was the warm air—sticky but not uncomfortable—and the way it carried the scent of sugarcane. Our guide, Luis, kept us laughing with stories about growing up nearby. He pointed out the rice paddies and grazing cattle as we passed; you could see kids waving from a small schoolyard, their uniforms bright against the green fields. We stopped at a roadside stand for fresh coconut water—honestly, nothing tastes quite like it when you’re sweating a bit in the late morning sun.

Higuey’s market was next. It’s loud, colorful, and full of life—vendors calling out prices for avocados and plantains, someone frying empanadas just around the corner. The Altagracia Basilica is impossible to miss; its arches rise above everything else. Inside felt cool and quiet compared to the street outside. Luis explained why locals come here on pilgrimage days—he even showed us a small photo he keeps in his wallet for luck.

Later on, we toured a cigar workshop where you can actually smell the tobacco leaves before they’re rolled—earthy and sweet at once. Out in the sugarcane fields, I tried chewing a piece straight from the stalk (sticky fingers guaranteed). By early afternoon we were hungry enough to eat anything, so lunch at a family-run spot near Macao Beach hit just right: grilled fish, rice and beans, plus a cold Presidente beer. The waves were gentle that day; some folks napped under palm trees while others waded in for a swim before heading back.

What’s included

Your roundtrip transport from Punta Cana hotels is covered.
You’ll get guided visits through Higuey’s market and basilica, plantation stops (coffee, cocoa, sugarcane), entry fees paid up front, plus lunch with local drinks at a beachside spot.
There’s also welcome drinks and tastings of regional specialties along the way.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Destination Services Dominican Republic