Dominican Republic: Cultural Day Tour with Lunch & Macao Beach

Summary

Lunch by Anamuya river, Higüey basilica, coffee tasting and Macao beach swim

You’ll ride horseback through Dominican countryside, wander Higüey’s basilica and market with locals nearby, share lunch by the Anamuya River (with homemade Mama Juana), taste fresh coffee and cocoa at a family home, watch cigars being rolled, see local art—and end your day swimming at Macao Beach with sand still between your toes.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the horses smelled—kind of dusty and sweet, mixed with that thick morning air you get in the Dominican Republic. We started out at this ranch outside Punta Cana, where our guide José handed me the reins with a grin that said he’d done this a thousand times. I’m not exactly a horse person (my legs were already protesting), but there was something about riding through those fields that made me forget how awkward I must’ve looked. The birds were loud, almost competing with each other. José pointed out some fruit trees—guava, maybe? I didn’t catch every word but it didn’t matter.

After we left the ranch, we headed to Higüey. The basilica there is huge—sort of brutalist but beautiful in its own way. There was incense in the air and people lighting candles; it felt like everyone moved a little slower inside. Outside, though, it’s busy—vendors selling fruit, kids darting around. Our group wandered through the market next. I tried a piece of pineapple that tasted like sunshine (I know that sounds cheesy but really). There was this woman selling vanilla beans who laughed when I tried to ask her about them in Spanish—she switched to English for me after my third attempt.

Lunch by the Anamuya River was honestly my favorite part of this day trip from Punta Cana. We sat under some trees while a couple of locals cooked up rice and chicken with plantains—simple stuff but so good after all the walking. The sound of water moving over rocks made everything feel slower for a bit. Someone passed around homemade Mama Juana (that’s their spiced rum thing) and it burned going down but in a good way. Afterward we visited a small house where they grow cocoa and coffee; I still think about how strong that fresh coffee smelled when they opened the sack.

We stopped at a tobacco factory—tiny place, just two guys rolling cigars by hand while music played quietly from someone’s phone—and then an art school where kids painted bright birds on scraps of wood. By then my shirt was sticking to my back from the heat but nobody seemed to care; everyone just kept talking or laughing or watching out the window as we drove to Macao Beach for one last swim before heading back to our hotels. The salt stayed on my skin all night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cultural tour and beach visit

• Ride horseback at ranch
• Visit basilica of Higüey
• Explore local agricultural market
• Have lunch by Ana Mulla river
• Visit typical house for coffee and cocoa
• See tobacco factory
• Visit art school
• Swim at Macao beach
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Dominican Republic cultural tour?

Yes, transportation with hotel pickup is included in your booking.

Does this day trip from Punta Cana include lunch?

Yes, you’ll have lunch with typical Dominican food by the Anamuya River.

What sites are visited during this cultural tour?

You’ll visit a ranch for horseback riding, Higüey basilica, local market, tobacco factory, art school, family home for tastings, and Macao Beach.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap or in a stroller/pram.

Is this Dominican Republic tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

How long does the tour last?

This is a half-day tour; expect several hours including all stops.

Are food allergies accommodated?

The tour includes typical Dominican food; contact ahead for specific dietary needs.

Do you swim at Macao Beach during the tour?

Yes, you’ll have time to bathe or swim at Macao Beach before returning.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Punta Cana or nearby areas, entry to all stops like Higüey basilica and local markets, tastings of coffee and cocoa at a family home along with fruit sampling at markets, lunch by Anamuya River featuring typical Dominican dishes plus snacks and drinks (including Mama Juana), time at an art school and tobacco factory—and finishes with swimming at Macao Beach before drop-off back at your hotel.