Higüey Cultural Safari: Basilica, Local Homes & Macao Beach

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.46 (106 reviews) 80% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/50

Duration5h

GroupUp to 43

LanguagesEN · FR +1

PickupAt your hotel

Walk through Higüey's basilica and countryside, meet locals in their homes

You’ll join a small group for a half-day cultural safari from Punta Cana—exploring the Basilica of Higüey’s quiet beauty, wandering lively city streets and markets, sharing coffee with locals in Anamuya’s countryside, then unwinding at Macao Beach before heading home. Expect warmth (from both people and weather), honest flavors, and moments you’ll want to hold onto long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cultural and natural exploration in Higüey

Visit Basilica of Higüey
Explore Higüey city and Culture Square
Tour Altagracia Museum and landmarks
Visit typical house in Anamuya countryside
Relax and swim at Macao Beach

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the way the light hit the Basilica of Higüey—sort of golden and sharp, even though it was still early. Our guide, Rosa, handed me a shawl at the entrance (shoulders and knees covered, she reminded us), and I could smell incense drifting out as we stepped inside. The hush in there felt heavy but kind. There was a family kneeling by one of the side chapels; their little girl kept peeking up at us, curious but shy. I’m not religious, but something about that space made me slow down.

Walking through Higüey after that felt like flipping to another page. The city’s streets were noisy—motorbikes zipping past, vendors calling out in Spanish (I tried to buy fruit at the market and completely messed up my numbers; Rosa laughed and helped). We stopped at Culture Square for a bit. There was music somewhere nearby—bachata maybe? It mixed with the smell of fried plantains from a food cart. I liked watching how people greeted each other here—lots of hugs, big hand gestures.

Later we drove out to Anamuya. The air changed—greener somehow, thicker with humidity and that earthy countryside smell. We visited a typical house painted bright blue with chickens strutting around outside. The family offered us coffee they’d roasted themselves; it tasted smoky and strong (I probably added too much sugar but no one seemed to mind). Their porch was wide and breezy; you could see mango trees just past the fence line. There was this easy rhythm to everything out there—like time didn’t matter so much.

Macao Beach came last. I didn’t expect the sand to feel so cool underfoot or for the water to be that clear. Some folks swam; I just walked along the edge collecting shells until my pockets were full. The sun started dipping low by then—everything looked softer somehow. On the ride back to Punta Cana, I caught myself thinking about that porch in Anamuya more than anything else. Still do sometimes.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Punta Cana or nearby areas, all entry fees for sites like the Basilica of Higüey and local museums in Higüey city center, stops at Macao Beach for swimming or relaxing on shore, time spent with a family in rural Anamuya tasting home-roasted coffee, visits to markets plus a buffet lunch (with drinks if you’re over 21), before returning comfortably in an accessible vehicle.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by magical Tripsrd

Is this one for you?Book this for a morning or afternoon when you want to step outside the resort and see how Dominicans actually live—the small-group format and local guide are what make the stops feel like genuine connection instead of a quick drive-by.