Punta Cana: Off Road Buggy Tour, Cave Swim & Macao Beach

Summary

Off road buggy ride through forest caves coffee tasting & macao beach swim

You’ll get behind the wheel for an off road buggy ride through Dominican countryside, sample local coffee and chocolate at a family-run farm, swim in a crystal-clear cave river, and end your day unwinding on Macao Beach. It’s fast-paced but leaves room for those small moments you’ll remember later—like laughter over strong coffee or sunlight on wet sand.

What’s the experience like?

We were already covered in a thin layer of dust by the time we pulled up at the little farm outside Punta Cana — I could taste it on my lips, gritty but kind of satisfying. Our guide, Julio, grinned at us and wiped his forehead with a bandana before showing us around. He handed me a chunk of fresh cacao and some thick coffee that smelled like earth after rain. I tried to ask about the roasting process in Spanish (pretty sure I messed up every verb), but he just laughed and poured me another cup.

The buggies themselves are loud — you feel every bump and splash as you tear through the forest trails. There’s this moment where you catch a whiff of something sweet, then suddenly it’s gone and all you hear is engines and shouts from the other riders. We stopped at a cave with water so clear it looked fake; I hesitated before jumping in because honestly, caves freak me out a bit. But it was cold in the best way, and for a second everything was just quiet except for our splashing. That stuck with me more than I expected.

After drying off (sort of — my shirt never really recovered), we drove out to Macao Beach. The sand was soft but not too hot underfoot, and there were locals laughing nearby, kids chasing each other in the shallows. Julio pointed out some surfers further down — apparently Macao is their spot when the waves pick up. I just lay back for a while listening to merengue from someone’s speaker and thinking how wild it felt to have done so much in one morning. Still can’t decide if the chocolate or that cave swim was my favorite part.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Off-road adventure and beach visit

• Pickup from Punta Cana hotel
• Arrive at 4x4 ATV & UTV Ranch
• Receive health and safety instructions
• Start off-road buggy adventure
• Ride through forest to organic farm
• Taste coffee, chocolate, and rum
• Explore local cave and underground river
• Relax and swim at Macao Beach
• Return to Punta Cana

Top questions

How long does the off road buggy tour from Punta Cana last?

The tour is a half-day experience, combining multiple activities into several hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this Punta Cana buggy adventure?

Yes, round trip transportation from your hotel in Punta Cana is included.

What do you do on the tour besides driving buggies?

You’ll visit an organic farm for coffee, chocolate, and rum tasting; explore a cave with an underground river; and relax at Macao Beach.

Can you swim during this buggy tour?

Yes, there’s swimming both in a crystal-clear water cave and at Macao Beach.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; tastings of coffee, chocolate, and rum are provided at the farm stop.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

The tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues but is suitable for most fitness levels.

Where exactly is Macao Beach located?

Macao Beach is in the northern area of Bávaro in eastern Dominican Republic.

What’s included

Your day includes round trip hotel pickup from Punta Cana, all entry fees for stops like Macao Beach and the water cave, plus tastings of local chocolate, coffee, and rum along the way before heading back after your swim.