Punta Cana Countryside Tour & Macao Beach Day Trip

Summary

Dominican Culture Day: Higuey, Anamuya River & Rural Life

Step into rural Dominican life near Punta Cana: visit a local school and tobacco plantation, ride horses past sugar cane fields, swim in Anamuya River, taste fresh coffee and chocolate at a family home, and end your day relaxing on Macao Beach—a mix of moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what the Dominican countryside actually smells like? I didn’t either—until we rolled down the windows just outside Punta Cana and got hit with this mix of fresh-cut cane and something sweet, maybe guava. Our guide, José, waved at nearly everyone we passed (I swear he knew half the island), and pointed out a tiny school painted in faded blues where kids ran out to shout “hola” as we stopped. There was a moment when I tried to ask one of the teachers about her day in my broken Spanish—she just grinned and answered slowly so I could keep up. That felt good.

The horse ride was short but honestly kind of hilarious—I’m not built for riding, but the view over the sugar fields made me forget how awkward I looked. We wandered through a batey where folks were working in the cane fields; their hands moved fast, almost like a dance. José handed us little cups of thick Dominican coffee later on (he called it “liquid courage”), and I still remember that earthy smell mixing with the heat coming off the ground. Lunch at the ranch was loud—lots of laughter, plates clinking, rice and beans with chicken that tasted like someone’s grandma had made it. I probably ate too much.

In Higuey, we stopped at the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia—its arches are way bigger than they look in photos—and then wandered through the municipal market outside. The air there is heavy with fruit and fried snacks; people call out prices or just chat across stalls. After all that noise, floating in the Anamuya River felt unreal—cool water, birds overhead, sun flickering through leaves. It’s funny how quiet you can feel even with other people around.

Macao Beach was our last stop before heading back to Punta Cana. The sand sticks to your feet no matter how hard you try to shake it off—maybe that’s part of its charm. We watched some local kids play soccer right by the water while we dried off from swimming. On the drive back, José played bachata on low volume and nobody really talked for a while; everyone just stared out at those endless green fields. Sometimes you don’t need words to know you’ve seen something real.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dominican Culture and Countryside Tour

• Pick up travelers
• Visit rural school
• Visit tobacco plantation and handmade cigars
• Horse ride
• Walk through batey and sugar cane plantations
• Panoramic view of San Dionisio
• Visit city of Higüey
• Visit Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia
• Walk in municipal market
• Swim in Anamuya river
• Lunch at private ranch with typical Dominican food
• Visit typical rural house and fruit trees
• Tasting of coffee, chocolate, and seasonal fruits
• Bath and rest on Macao beach

Top questions

How long is this Punta Cana countryside tour?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Punta Cana?

Yes, a typical Dominican lunch is included at a private ranch during the tour.

Do I need experience to join the horse ride?

No prior experience is needed; the horse ride lasts about 15 minutes and is suitable for beginners.

What places do we visit during this tour?

You’ll visit a rural school, tobacco plantation, sugar cane fields, Higuey city (including its basilica), Anamuya River, and Macao Beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Are there any health restrictions for this tour?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

Can children join this tour?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; otherwise suitable for all fitness levels except as noted above.

Will there be time to swim during this day trip?

Yes, there’s time to swim both in Anamuya River and later at Macao Beach.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup by safari vehicle, entry to Higuey’s basilica and municipal market walks, a guided horse ride through sugar cane fields, visits to rural schools and homes for tastings of Dominican coffee and chocolate plus seasonal fruits; enjoy swimming in Anamuya River before a traditional lunch at a private ranch—and finish with downtime on Macao Beach before returning home.