Punta Cana Eco Park: Animal Encounters, River Raft & Local Culture

Up-close animal encounters and river adventures in Punta Cana’s lush hills

You’ll get hands-on with farm animals, watch sugar cane being pressed at a traditional trapiche, float downriver on a bamboo raft, and maybe end up with some puppy cuddles along the way. This isn’t your average Punta Cana tour. It’s messy in all the best ways.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore animals and nature at Eco Park

• Interact with domestic and exotic animals
• Learn about 16 cattle breeds and milk cows
• Ride horses around the property
• Visit Dominican house and sugar mill
• See dog rescue shelter and local culture
• Enjoy water activities at the river
• Take a trip on a bamboo raft
• Visit panoramic lookout and hill swings

The experience

We were already halfway through milking a cow (yes, really) before I realized how different this day trip from Punta Cana was going to be. The Eco Park felt alive: roosters crowing somewhere out back, the air thick and sweet with grass and something I couldn’t quite place. Our guide laughed when I tried to say “trapiche” right. I definitely didn’t nail it. The real draw here is the animal encounters. You’re not just looking at them, you’re actually in there with goats nudging your pockets for snacks and horses flicking their tails while you ride past palm trees.

After the farm bit (which was more fun than I’d expected), we wandered over to a little wooden house painted bright blue: apparently that’s a classic Dominican style. Our guide showed us, step by step, how they press sugar cane at the trapiche. There’s a dog rescue shelter too: didn’t expect to get licked by three puppies but here we are. The whole park is bigger than it looks. We hopped on one of those open buses for a bit just to see more of the hills and rivers. If you’re into animals or just want something slower than the usual beach stuff, this day trip from Punta Cana is kind of perfect.

The river part surprised me most. We climbed onto these bamboo rafts: wobbly at first, but then sort of peaceful as we drifted under trees. Some folks tried out the swings up by the beehive sanctuary (I chickened out). They gave us fruit and coffee after, which tasted better than any hotel breakfast somehow. I still think about that quiet moment floating on the water with sunlight coming through the leaves. Not everything went smoothly (my shoes got soaked and I forgot sunscreen), but honestly, that made it feel more real.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• You’ll get entry to all animal areas plus guided visits to the cattle barn (with milking), equine rides across tropical hillsides, stops at a traditional Dominican house and sugar mill demonstration.
• There’s also time at the dog rescue shelter before trying river activities like bamboo rafting or lookout swings near the beehive sanctuary.
• Throughout your visit you’ll have seasonal fruit snacks, crackers, water, coffee and hot chocolate available before heading back relaxed, and probably a little muddy.

Options for this experience

2 options

Eco Park trip from hotels in Punta CanaGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00 and 13:00Includes pickup

Eco Park trip from a hotel in BayahibeGuide in English or Spanish · 13:00Includes pickup

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 timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00

Book up to16h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marinarium Parks

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Are animal encounters included on this day trip?

Yes, you’ll interact closely with domestic and exotic animals throughout the park.

What activities can you do at Eco Park near Punta Cana?

You can milk cows, ride horses, visit a sugar mill (trapiche), see a dog rescue shelter, raft on the river, and enjoy lookout swings.

Are snacks or drinks provided during this day trip?

Yes, seasonal fruits, crackers, water, coffee and hot chocolate are included.