Dune Buggy & ATV Tour Punta Cana: Cenote Swim, Macao Beach Ride

Summary

Punta Cana Off-Road Buggy Adventure with Cenote and Beach

If you want real adventure in Punta Cana—muddy trails, swimming in a cave pool, tasting fresh Dominican coffee—this tour packs it all in with zero fuss.

What’s the experience like?

Right from the start, you feel the buzz—open-air trucks roll up to the hotel, and you pile in with folks from all over. The ride out to the ranch is breezy, sometimes a little loud with music or chatter. Once there, our guides greeted us with big grins and handed out helmets. Quick safety talk—nothing fancy—and then we picked our buggies. These aren’t shiny showroom rides; they’re battered, muddy, and honestly more fun because of it.

The first stretch is pure adrenaline: mud splashing everywhere if it’s rained (and trust me, you’ll taste the earth), or clouds of dust if it’s dry—bring a bandanna or you’ll be coughing for hours. We zipped down winding trails past fields where locals waved at us. At one point, we stopped at a small Dominican house. The smell of roasting cocoa beans hit me before I even got off the buggy. Our guide showed us how they make coffee and chocolate by hand—super simple but so good. I grabbed a tiny cup of coffee; it was strong enough to wake anyone up.

Next up was Hoyos del Salado cenote—a hidden cave pool that’s way colder than you’d expect under the Caribbean sun. The water’s crystal clear and feels like jumping into ice after all that heat and dust. Some folks just dipped their toes; I went straight in and didn’t regret it for a second. After drying off (sort of), we headed for Macao Beach. It’s wild out there—waves crashing, local vendors selling coconuts right on the sand. We had time to swim or just watch surfers do their thing before heading back through more muddy tracks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dune Buggy Adventure and Swimming

• Hotel pick-up by open-air truck
• Safety instructions at ranch
• Drive buggy through mud and countryside
• Visit typical Dominican house for coffee and cocoa
• Explore and swim in ancient cave cenote
• Stop at Macao beach for swim and view
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is this buggy tour safe for kids?

Kids can join as passengers but not as drivers. The ride is rough and bumpy, so it's best for older children who enjoy adventure.

What should I wear for this excursion?

Wear outdoor clothes you don't mind getting dirty, closed shoes, swimwear under your clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and bring a towel plus extra cash for tips or souvenirs.

Do I need experience driving an ATV or buggy?

No experience needed! All buggies are automatic—just steer and go. Guides give clear instructions before you start.

Will we get dirty during the tour?

Absolutely! If it's rainy you'll get covered in mud; if it's dry there's lots of dust. That's part of the fun—just come prepared.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by open-air truck, local guides who know every shortcut, use of buggy/ATV with helmet provided, plus stops for coffee tasting and swimming at both a cenote and Macao Beach.