Punta Cana: Jungle Buggies & Ziplines with River Swim & Lunch

Summary

Drive jungle buggies swim Anamuya zipline over treetops taste coconut

You’ll drive your own jungle buggie through Punta Cana’s backroads, swim in the cool Anamuya river, watch coconut oil being made at Casa del Coco, then soar above treetops on twelve ziplines before sharing a Dominican lunch with new friends. Expect muddy shoes, real laughter, and small surprises you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide, Luis, right outside the hotel — he was already grinning and waving us over like we were old friends. My Spanish is shaky but he didn’t mind; he just handed me the keys to a mud-splattered 4x4 and said, “You drive first!” I laughed (nervously) and tried not to stall it as we bounced off into the Dominican countryside. The air smelled like wet earth and something sweet I couldn’t place at first — later Luis told me it was wild guava. There were chickens darting across the road and kids waving from doorways. I still think about those little moments.

The first big stop was the Anamuya river — honestly, I hadn’t planned on swimming but everyone else jumped in so I just went for it. The water was cold enough to make me gasp but somehow that made it better. After drying off (sort of), we headed to Casa del Coco where this woman named Yani showed us how coconut oil’s made. She cracked open a coconut with three quick hits — way harder than it looks — and let us taste fresh coconut meat. Li laughed when I tried to say “gracias” in her dialect; probably butchered it.

Then came the ziplines. Twelve lines, eighteen platforms — I lost count after a while because my heart was thumping so loud on cable six (that’s when you really pick up speed). The guides kept checking our harnesses and joking around so even my friend who’s scared of heights gave it a shot. There’s this one line where you fly side by side with someone else for what feels like forever, wind whipping past your ears and all you can see is green below. It’s not quiet up there — you hear birds and sometimes your own yelling echoing back at you.

Lunch was simple: rice, beans, chicken stewed with peppers — but after all that adrenaline it tasted pretty much perfect. We sat around swapping stories with another family from Santiago who’d done this day trip from Punta Cana before. On the ride back I realized my shoes were caked in mud and my hair smelled faintly of smoke from someone’s cooking fire near the ranch. Not glamorous but honestly? That’s what makes days like this stick with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jungle buggy and zipline adventure

• Ride your own 4x4 Jungle Buggie
• Take a break at Anamuya river
• Visit the coconut house
• Learn how coconut oil is produced
• Complete 12 zipline lines on 18 platforms
• Enjoy the longest cables in Dominican Republic
• Have lunch with traditional Dominican foods

Top questions

How long does the jungle buggies & ziplines tour take?

The zipline course takes about 1 to 1.5 hours; total tour time varies depending on group size and stops.

Is lunch included on this Punta Cana day trip?

Yes, a typical Dominican lunch is included during the excursion.

Are there age or health restrictions for ziplining?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, heart issues, or pregnant travelers; moderate fitness is needed.

Do I need a driver’s license to drive the jungle buggie?

Yes, drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid license and at least one year of experience.

What should I bring for swimming in Anamuya river?

A swimsuit and towel are useful if you want to swim in the river during your day trip from Punta Cana.

How many people fit in each jungle buggie?

Each jungle buggie can carry up to four passengers.

Is bottled water provided during the tour?

Bottled water is included as part of your day trip experience.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from Punta Cana hotels, use of all zipline equipment for twelve lines across eighteen platforms, bottled water throughout the adventure, a hands-on visit at Casa del Coco to see coconut oil production (and taste fresh coconut), plus a traditional Dominican lunch before heading back covered in good stories—and maybe some mud too.