Punta Cana: Higüey Basilica, Macao Beach & Cigar Rolling Tour

A Local Takes You Beyond the Resort: Higüey, Waterfalls & Handmade Cigars

You visit the Higüey Basilica and swim at Macao Beach, then move inland to waterfalls and natural pools where you cool off in the shade. You roll your own cigar with a craftsperson's guidance, taste Dominican chocolate and coffee at a traditional house, and eat lunch made from ingredients you've just seen growing. A local guide handles all the stops, timing, and navigation, so you don't spend the day figuring out where to go or what's worth your time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Higüey, beach, waterfall, and cigar tour

• Visit Basilica of Higüey
• Relax and swim at Macao Beach
• Explore Anamuya Waterfall and river
• Watch artisans handcraft cigars
• Roll your own cigar
• Taste and purchase cigars

The Experience

The driver picks you up in the morning and within minutes you're talking to someone who actually lives here. Our guide doesn't recite facts from a script—he points out the market vendors setting up, mentions which restaurant makes the best mofongo, and stops the van so you can step into the Higüey Public Market without the usual tour-group rush. You wander through stalls selling plantains, fresh fish, and local spices while he explains what people actually eat for breakfast, not what tourists are supposed to see. It's the kind of stop that changes how a day feels.

After the market, you head to the Basilica of Higüey, one of the most visited shrines in the Caribbean. The architecture is striking—the building itself is worth the time—and the guide shares the history without turning it into a lecture. Then comes Macao Beach, where you get 25 minutes to swim in water that's genuinely clear, or just sit and breathe. It's not a long stop, which is actually the point: you're not stuck on a beach all day, you're moving through the real Punta Cana. After that, Anamuya Waterfall and River appear through the trees—natural pools, small cascades, tropical vegetation pressing in. You can swim, take photos, or just stand there and feel the temperature drop. The water is cold and clean.

The cigar factory is where the day gets hands-on. You watch the torcedores—the actual craftspeople—select tobacco leaves and roll cigars with a speed and precision that's hard to believe. Then they hand you the materials and walk you through it. Your first attempt probably won't be perfect, but that's the point. You get to take it home, and there's a complimentary cigar to taste or a chance to buy the ones made right in front of you. Lunch happens somewhere in the middle of all this, typical Dominican food, and the guide knows where the food is good, not just where the tour company has a deal. You also stop at a traditional Dominican house to taste chocolate and coffee made the old way, and there's time at sugar cane plantations so you understand where some of what you're eating actually comes from. A horse ride is included too, though the timing depends on the day and the group.

The whole thing runs as a full day with transportation, cold drinks in the van, and music playing. Groups stay small enough that the guide can actually talk to you, not shout over thirty people. You're not following a flag or keeping up with a schedule that doesn't fit—you move at a pace that lets you actually absorb the place. Pickup is from your hotel, and they bring you back when the day is done.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transportation.
• Higüey Public Market visit.
• Higüey Basilica entry.
• Macao Beach (25-minute stop).
• Anamuya Waterfall and natural pools.
• cigar factory visit and your own cigar rolling.
• complimentary cigar tasting or purchase option.
• traditional Dominican house with chocolate and coffee tasting.
• sugar cane plantation stops.
• horse ride.
• lunch.
• cold drinks and water throughout the day.
• local guide who shares history and culture.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by magical Tripsrd

Is this one for you?Pick this tour if you want to move beyond the resort and see how Punta Cana actually works—markets, waterfalls, local food, and real craftspeople—without spending the day arranging transport, timing stops, or figuring out where to eat. The small group size and local guide are what make that possible in a single day.

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Top questions

How long is the full day tour?

The tour runs as a full day. Macao Beach includes a 25-minute stop; the rest of the itinerary—Higüey Basilica, Anamuya Waterfall, cigar rolling, lunch, and the other stops—fills the remaining hours. Pickup and return are from your hotel.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included. The guide chooses where to eat based on where the food is good that day, not a fixed restaurant contract.

Can I roll my own cigar?

Yes. You watch the craftspeople work first, then try rolling one yourself with their guidance. You can take it home as a souvenir, and there's a complimentary cigar to taste or the option to buy cigars made on-site.

What is the Higüey Basilica?

The Basilica of Higüey is a Catholic shrine and one of the most visited in the Caribbean. It's known for its striking architecture and design. Shoulders and knees must be covered when you enter.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup, all transportation between stops, and return to your hotel are included. The van has cold drinks and music.

Can I swim at Macao Beach and the waterfall?

Yes. Macao Beach has a 25-minute stop where you can swim in clear water or walk along the shore. Anamuya Waterfall has natural pools where you can swim and cool off.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use specialized infant seats. Strollers and prams are welcome. All transportation and areas are wheelchair accessible, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

What else is included besides the main stops?

The tour also includes stops at the Higüey Public Market, a traditional Dominican house for chocolate and coffee tasting, sugar cane plantations, and a horse ride. Drinks like ron con coca-cola, mamajuana, and water are provided.

Are groups large?

Groups are kept small, which allows the guide to actually interact with you and adjust the pace rather than herding a large crowd through each stop.

What should I wear to the Basilica?

Shoulders and knees must be covered. Wear modest clothing that respects the shrine's dress code.