Punta Cana: Buggy Tour Macau Beach, Cave Swim & Farm Tasting

Summary

Buggy adventure to Macau Beach caves & Dominican farm flavors

You’ll ride muddy trails by buggy from Punta Cana with a local guide, taste fresh coffee and chocolate at a small Dominican farm, swim in clear cave water near Macao Beach, and laugh over shared stories on the drive back. Expect splashes of mud, real flavors, and moments that linger long after your towel dries.

What’s the experience like?

We were already laughing before we even climbed into the buggies — I think it was the way our guide, Alex, explained the “no racing” rule with a wink. The ranch outside Punta Cana smelled like wet earth and something sweet, maybe cocoa drying somewhere nearby. The buggies looked a bit battered (in a good way), and after a quick safety rundown in French and English, we set off down these muddy tracks that sprayed our legs with cool flecks of dirt. I didn’t expect my sunglasses to get so splattered so fast. Alex kept checking on us through his rearview mirror, shouting encouragements whenever someone hit a bump too hard — which was often.

The first stop was this family-run farm tucked between palms. It’s not huge, but you could smell roasted coffee before you saw anything else. We tried mamajuana (I probably made a face — it’s strong), and watched Maria roll cigars with this practiced flick of her wrist. She handed me one and laughed when I tried to say “gracias” in Spanish; apparently my accent is hopeless. There was chocolate too, gritty and dark, melting on my tongue while chickens strutted around our feet.

Back in the buggy for another stretch — dustier this time — until suddenly there’s Macao Beach just opening up in front of us. It’s loud with waves and wind, but you can still hear kids shouting somewhere down the sand. We only had about twenty minutes there, so I ran straight for the water; it’s colder than I thought but wakes you up quick. The cliffs are pale against all that blue — I still think about that view sometimes when I’m back home stuck in traffic.

Afterwards came the cave part (the “Taino cave” Alex called it). You have to climb down these slippery rocks into cool shade; everything echoes weirdly inside. The water is clear enough to see your toes even after everyone jumps in at once — which we did, yelling like idiots because it’s freezing at first. There’s this earthy smell mixed with something mineral, almost metallic? Hard to describe but kind of grounding after all that sun outside.

On the way back, everyone was quiet for a bit — tired or just letting it sink in maybe. The ride ends where it started and they’ve got towels waiting if you’re soaked from the cave swim (I was). It felt less like a tour and more like hanging out with friends who know their way around muddy roads and good coffee. So yeah… if you’re looking for a day trip from Punta Cana that isn’t just sitting by a pool, this buggy tour is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy tour to beach, cave, and farm

• Receive buggy safety instructions
• Drive buggy through forests and gardens
• Visit organic farm and taste local products
• Drive to Macau Beach and swim
• Explore underground water cave and swim
• Return to ranch and end tour

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Punta Cana buggy tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation from your hotel is included.

How long do we spend at Macao Beach during the tour?

You’ll have about 20 minutes to enjoy Macao Beach.

Can I swim in the cave on this excursion?

Yes, swimming is part of the visit to Taino Cave during the tour.

Are tastings included at the Dominican farm?

Yes, you’ll taste organic products like coffee, chocolate, mamajuana, and cigars.

Is this buggy tour suitable for children or infants?

Infants can join if seated on an adult’s lap or in a stroller; small children are allowed.

What languages do guides speak on this tour?

The guides speak French, English, and Spanish fluently.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or heart issues.

Do I need previous experience driving buggies?

No prior experience is needed; safety instructions are provided at the ranch before departure.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup from Punta Cana hotels or nearby areas, use of buggies with helmets provided at the ranch, guided visits (in French/English/Spanish) to Macao Beach and Taino Cave with time for swimming at both spots, plus tastings of Dominican coffee, chocolate, mamajuana liqueur and cigars at an organic farm before returning back to your hotel dry—or not so dry—depending how wild you went in the cave water.