Saona Island & Altos de Chavón Day Trip with Lunch & Open Bar

Two villages, one island, a natural pool, and lunch that does not stop

A 10-hour day trip from Punta Cana to Saona Island and the hilltop village of Altos de Chavón, with hotel pickup, a professional guide, buffet lunch and open bar included. You spend three hours on Saona's white sand beaches and clear water, stop at Altos de Chavón for photos of the man-made village, and finish at a natural swimming pool. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and two additional languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island and Altos de Chavon tour

• Pickup from Punta Cana hotel
• Visit Altos de Chavon village
• Travel to Saona Island
• Enjoy leisure time with lunch and open bar
• Relax at natural swimming pool

The Experience

The day starts with pickup at your Punta Cana hotel and a drive to Altos de Chavón, a man-made village built on a mountain overlooking the coast. You get time to walk around, take photos and see the architecture — the guide fills in the history and context of Dominican culture as you go. From there, the boat takes you out to Saona Island, where you have three hours to swim in the turquoise water, walk the white sand beaches and simply sit. The island stays sparsely populated, so the beaches do not feel crowded even when the tour is full.

Lunch happens on the island: a buffet of grilled meat, salad and typical Dominican dishes, with vegetarian options available if you request them at booking. The open bar runs throughout the day — beer and soft drinks are unlimited, so you are not watching the bill while you eat and drink. Animation and activities keep things moving between stops, though the pace is built around downtime, not rushing.

After three hours on Saona, the group heads to a natural swimming pool for a 30- to 40-minute stop before the return to your hotel. The pool is the biggest one on the route, and it is a gentler way to end the day than another beach. Hotel drop-off wraps up the tour. The whole day runs 10 hours from pickup to return.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Punta Cana accommodation.
• professional guide in your choice of language.
• three hours on Saona Island with access to white sand beaches and clear water.
• buffet lunch with grilled meat, salad and Dominican dishes, plus vegetarian options.
• unlimited beer and soft drinks throughout the day.
• 30- to 40-minute stop at the natural swimming pool.
• animation and activities during the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Caribbean Route

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to combine a cultural village and island beach in one day—the 10-hour itinerary with boat travel means you'll need a full day free and comfort with extended time on water.

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Top questions

What is Altos de Chavón and how much time do we spend there?

Altos de Chavón is a man-made village built on a mountain, designed as a cultural and architectural landmark. You get time to walk around and photograph the village while the guide shares information about Dominican history and culture, though the stop is shorter than the time spent on Saona Island itself.

How long do we actually get to spend on Saona Island?

You have three hours on Saona Island to swim, walk the beaches and relax. Lunch is served during this time on the island, so the three hours includes both eating and beach time.

Is the natural swimming pool a separate stop, or does it replace beach time?

The natural swimming pool is a separate final stop after Saona Island, lasting 30 to 40 minutes. It comes at the end of the day as a way to wind down before heading back to your hotel.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and two additional languages, so communication is covered for most travelers on the tour.

Is lunch included, and are there options for dietary restrictions?

Yes, lunch is included as a buffet of grilled meat, salad and typical Dominican fare. Vegetarian options are available — let the operator know your dietary needs when you book so they can prepare it.

Can I buy photos or souvenirs during the tour?

Photos and souvenirs are available for purchase during the tour, though the operator is not responsible for any issues with items you buy. You can also bring your own camera or phone to capture the day.