Dominican Safari & Chavón River: Small-group tour with swim

Seven to ten hours: local market, cigar factory, river swim, traditional lunch, boat ride

A small-group safari tour of the Dominican Republic that moves beyond resort life, visiting Higüey's local market and a traditional cigar factory, then swimming and eating lunch on the banks of the Chavón River. The tour includes a knowledgeable national guide in English, Spanish or French, hotel or residence pickup from Bayahibe, Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominicus, Juan Dolio, Bahia La Romana or Uvero Alto, and a peaceful boat cruise along the river before returning to your hotel. Groups stay under 18 guests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Higüey and Chavón River

• Meet in Bayahibe
• Board safari truck to Higüey
• Visit Higüey local market
• Tour traditional cigar factory
• Travel through Benerito village
• Drive past sugar cane fields
• Swim in Chavón River
• Enjoy traditional Dominican lunch
• Take boat cruise on Chavón River
• Swim and use rope swing
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your hotel or at the meeting point in Bayahibe, then heads inland by safari truck to Higüey, the capital of La Altagracia Province. The local market is where residents shop for tropical fruits, spices and everyday goods, not a tourist stall, and a traditional cigar factory shows how one of the Dominican Republic's most recognized products is made by hand. On the drive between stops, the truck passes through the village of Benerito and across sugar cane fields, giving a view of rural Dominican life that most visitors to the resorts never see.

The Chavón River is the centerpiece of the afternoon. You'll swim in the river's clear water surrounded by lush vegetation, then sit down to a traditional Dominican lunch with views of the surrounding landscape. After eating, a riverboat carries you on a peaceful cruise along the river, and there's time for another swim. This one with a rope swing if you want it. The guide stays with the group throughout, explaining what you're seeing and answering questions about Dominican culture and daily life.

Hotel pickup is included if you're staying in Dominicus, Bavaro, Punta Cana, Juan Dolio, Bahia La Romana or Uvero Alto. If you're elsewhere, you can meet the group in Bayahibe. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (rum, beer, soft drinks and water) come with the day, along with entrance fees and the lunch. The tour wraps up with a return to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel or residence pickup from Dominicus, Bavaro, Punta Cana, Juan Dolio, Bahia La Romana or Uvero Alto.
• certified local guide throughout the day.
• entrance fees to the market and cigar factory.
• traditional Dominican lunch served on the Chavón River.
• boat cruise along the river.
• alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including rum, beer, soft drinks and water.

Options for this experience

10 options

Bayahibe is where we meetGuide in English, Spanish or French · 08:45

Pickup in DominicusGuide in English, Spanish or French · 08:30Pickup is included

Pickup at Punta CanaGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:30Pickup is included

See 7 more options

Pickup in BavaroGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:00Pickup is included

Pickup at Uvero AltoGuide in English, Spanish or French · 06:50Pickup is included

Pickup at Casa de CampoGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:45Pickup is included

Pickup from Punta CanaGuide in English, Spanish or French · 06:50Pickup is included

Pickup at Juan DolioGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:10Pickup is included

Pickup at Punta CanaGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:45Pickup is included

Pickup at Bahia La RomanaGuide in English, Spanish or French · 07:30Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you check availability.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday7 departure times: the first at 06:50, the last at 08:45

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Dominican Attitude Excursions

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to step away from the all-inclusive resort and see how Dominicans actually live: the market, the villages, the countryside and the river are the places tourists usually skip. The small group size and knowledgeable guide make it possible to ask questions and linger at stops instead of moving through on a schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chavón River like, and how much time do we spend swimming there?

The Chavón River is a freshwater river surrounded by tropical vegetation where you'll have two separate swimming opportunities, once before lunch and again after the boat ride. The river is clear and calm enough for swimming, and the second swim includes a rope swing if you want to use it. Lunch is served on the riverbank between the two swims.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel, or do I need to arrange my own transport?

Hotel and residence pickup is included if you're staying in Dominicus, Bavaro, Punta Cana, Juan Dolio, Bahia La Romana or Uvero Alto. If your hotel is outside these areas, you can meet the group at the starting point in Bayahibe.

What is the Higüey market actually like, and what will we see there?

Higüey's local market is where Dominican residents buy tropical fruits, spices, vegetables and traditional products. It's the everyday shopping hub for the city of around 280,000 people, not a market built for tourists. You'll browse the stalls and experience the authentic atmosphere of how locals shop and live.

How does the cigar factory visit work, and will we learn how cigars are made?

The tour includes a visit to a traditional cigar factory where you'll see how cigars are hand-rolled and learn about one of the Dominican Republic's most iconic products. The guide will explain the process and answer questions about cigar-making.

How many people will be on this tour?

Groups stay under 18 guests, keeping the experience small and allowing the guide to answer questions and adjust the pace throughout the day.