ATV Riding Dominican Countryside: Buggy, Cenote & Beach

You operate the buggy yourself through mud, dust and river crossings, not watching from a seat.

ATV riding and buggy driving in the Dominican countryside combines three hours of self-operated vehicle time with stops at a cenote, Macao beach and a working farm. A local guide leads the route, a mechanic follows the group, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You choose between a solo buggy, a shared buggy or a solo or shared ATV, with morning and afternoon departures available.

The experience

You get picked up at your hotel in an open-air safari-style truck and driven to the ranch, where the guides brief you on safety and hand over the keys. The buggy is automatic, no shifting required, but these are working machines built for mud, not comfort. Once you're behind the wheel, the adventure starts on the trails of the Dominican countryside. The path changes with the weather: rain means you'll be totally covered in mud. Dry conditions bring clouds of dust instead. A mechanic travels with the group in case any buggy needs attention on the rugged back roads.

The two centerpieces are the cenote at Hoyos del Salado and Macao beach. You drive to the cenote, explore the ancient cave and swim in its natural pool. Later, you reach Macao beach (described in the itinerary as the best part of the excursion), and stop for a swim in the water. In between, you pull into a typical Dominican house to see how locals make cocoa and coffee, and you get to try both. The whole experience, including hotel transfer, runs around three to four hours.

The ride is rough and bumpy, and the buggies are banged-up machines that prioritize function over comfort. Zigzagging or passing other buggies isn't allowed for safety. You'll need to be 18 to drive (passengers can be younger), and you should bring swimwear, a towel, closed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent. If you don't know how to swim, don't go in the water. A guide in English, Spanish or French leads the route.

What’s included

• Local guide in English, Spanish or French.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• buggy or ATV vehicle with automatic transmission.
• safety helmet.
• access to the cenote and Macao beach.
• a stop at a working cocoa and coffee farm where you can taste both.

Options for this experience

14 options

Afternoon turn family buggyGuide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers three or four people driving together in one Buggy on an afternoon departure, and they may take turns driving. Pickup is included.

Morning turn family buggyGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00Family (Morning Turn): This price covers three or four people together in one Buggy on a morning departure, and they may take turns driving. Pickup is included.

Shared ATV (Afternoon Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers two people driving together in one ATV on an afternoon departure, and they may take turns driving. Pickup is included. Shared ATV pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

See 11 more options

Shared Buggy (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers two people driving together in one Buggy on a morning departure. Pickup is included. Shared Buggy pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

Shared Buggy (Afternoon Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers two people driving together in one Buggy on an afternoon departure. Pickup is included. Shared Buggy pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

Shared ATV (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers two people driving together in one ATV on a morning departure. Pickup is included. Shared ATV pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

VIP Shared Buggy (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers two people driving together in one VIP Terracross Buggy on a morning departure. Pickup is included. Shared Buggy pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

VIP Shared Buggy (Afternoon)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers two people driving together in one VIP Terracross Buggy on an afternoon departure. Pickup is included. Shared Buggy pricing is valid ONLY for EVEN numbers of individuals.

Solo Buggy (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers one person driving alone in one Buggy on a morning departure. Pickup is included.

Solo Buggy (Afternoon Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers one person driving alone in one Buggy on an afternoon departure. Pickup is included.

Solo ATV (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers one person driving alone in one ATV on a morning departure. Pickup is included.

Solo ATV (Afternoon Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers one person driving alone in one ATV on an afternoon departure. Pickup is included.

VIP Solo Buggy (Morning Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 09:00This price covers one person driving alone in one VIP Terracross buggy on a morning departure. Pickup is included.

VIP Solo Buggy (Afternoon Turn)Guide in English, Spanish or French · 15:00This price covers one person driving alone in one VIP Terracross buggy on an afternoon departure. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 15:00

Book up to4h before

AgesUp to age 90

GroupUp to 50

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Living Punta Cana Tours (LPC Tours)

Is this one for you?Choose solo if you want to drive alone and set your own pace on the trails. Pick shared to split the cost while still operating your own vehicle. Morning and afternoon departures are available. Book the time that fits your hotel schedule, keeping in mind that hotels near Cap Cana or the airport may have an additional $20 fee.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What's the difference between the buggy and ATV options?

Both follow the same route and stops: the cenote, Macao beach and the farm. The choice is which vehicle you prefer to drive. Buggies are four-wheeled and sit lower to the ground, while ATVs are three- or four-wheeled bikes. Both are automatic transmission.

Can I book a solo ride, or do I have to share the vehicle with other travelers?

You can choose solo or shared when you book. Solo means you drive alone. Shared means you and another traveler each operate your own vehicle on the same route with the same guide.

What happens if it rains? Do we still go?

The tour runs in rain or dry conditions. Rain means you'll be covered in mud from start to finish. If it's dry, you'll get dusty instead. Either way, you'll need a change of clothes and a towel.

Is the cenote safe to swim in?

The cenote at Hoyos del Salado is a natural pool inside an ancient cave and is swimmable. Don't enter the water if you can't swim. Bring a swimsuit and towel for both the cenote and Macao beach.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring money for?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, the vehicle, and a helmet are all included. Bring extra cash for tips, souvenirs, and any food or drinks you want. Those aren't part of the package.

How old do I need to be to drive the buggy or ATV?

The driver must be at least 18 years old. Passengers of any age can ride along, though the ride is rough and bumpy, so it's not advised for very young children or elderly travelers with mobility concerns.