Punta Cana Vacation Excursions?

matth_85 · Jul 25, 2016

We have already booked our place for our honeymoon but wanted to research things to do while there. Were staying 10 days so we could get out and see some stuff and get the full benefit of the all inclusive at the same time. I figured some of you guys had been in that area and could offer some info. So, what's good, what sucks? Any suggestions appreciated. Were going in November if that matters.

BigCountry · Jul 25, 2016

Just got back! Had a great trip. Not sure what you want to get into but look up a guy called Punta Cana Mike. He seems legit and is well liked by the locals. http://www.puntacanamike.com/ Unfortunately we did not get to go with him but when we go back I'm looking him up.

matth_85 · Jul 25, 2016

I've been looking at the Jeep Safari. Seems legit. Also, the buggy adventures. This sounds really cool too. I want to see the local life and outside of the resort. That's half the reason were staying so long, that and I haven't had more than a long weekend off in two years.

Where did you stay?

BigCountry · Jul 25, 2016

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, it was super nice! Food is a little different but I'm sure you can find something you like. We looked at the buggy tours but decided to go snorkeling instead. We booked it through the hotel but it was a little disappointing for the price. 12 years ago on our honeymoon we went to Sona Island on a sail boat cruise and it was cool, they cooked for you etc etc. Next time we go I think I want to find an interpreter and rent a car

CHASMAN9 · Jul 25, 2016

If you like Golf, play "Teeth of the Dog" course in Casa De Campo. Beautiful place. :dblthumb:

johneddie · Jul 25, 2016

We did one of the buggy tours back in April. We rode in the hopped up go cart version but they also had some Rzr knockoffs too. Not sure if you can request one or the other or if there is a price difference. They took us to a "ranch" where you sample, and purchase if ya wanted, items they produce on the island...coffee, chocolate, cigars, etc. Then you could swim in a small limestone cave while there as well. Then we cruised through "town" and down to a nice beach for a while. No real offroading and be prepared for lots of trash once you leave the resort, that's the only thing that I dislike about traveling to the Caribbean area...a lot of the areas away from the resorts are poorly kept. Still pretty fun little excursion though. Also take a bandana or purchase one at tour site, tends to be dusty. Also wear sunscreen or you'll cook your :butt:

fabricator1 · Jul 25, 2016

johneddie said:
We did one of the buggy tours back in April. We rode in the hopped up go cart version but they also had some Rzr knockoffs too. Not sure if you can request one or the other or if there is a price difference. They took us to a "ranch" where you sample, and purchase if ya wanted, items they produce on the island...coffee, chocolate, cigars, etc. Then you could swim in a small limestone cave while there as well. Then we cruised through "town" and down to a nice beach for a while. No real offroading and be prepared for lots of trash once you leave the resort, that's the only thing that I dislike about traveling to the Caribbean area...a lot of the areas away from the resorts are poorly kept. Still pretty fun little excursion though. Also take a bandana or purchase one at tour site, tends to be dusty. Also wear sunscreen or you'll cook your

Sounds like the same tour we took there last year. We had 4 seater rzrs. Went to a cave back in the woods. All kinds of locals trying to sell you stuff. Then out to a pretty nice beach where you could body surf. Decent excursion. The local down town area is very ruff at night. Mobs of people and police? with machine guns on most of the street corners

TacomaJD · Jul 25, 2016

I have friends (couples) that went on honeymoons to the Breathless resort and Majestic Elegance resort. Both looked like awesome places in their photo albums. We will be honeymooning next May and I believe we are just going to save our money and go on a cruise to Cozumel. Shitload cheaper. We will be having too many new expenses going on around the wedding time, just makes sense to save a little where possible. We may do a Punta Cana vacation on our 1 year anniversary or something to make up for it.

But hell like you said, I believe the last time I had a vacation that lasted longer than 3 days was my high school senior trip which was a week in Panama City and that was 11 years ago! So I'm pretty damn pumped about a cruise! Haha

I will be watching this thread as I am very interested in a Punta Cana vacation one day! Post up some pics when you get back!

matth_85 · Jul 25, 2016

Will do JD. I remembered your pics johneddie, that's why I posted. Couldn't remember who it was I had talked with a few months back!

matth_85 · Jul 25, 2016

Were doing Majestic Elegance too btw. Will make sure to take pics and give a review. A good friend of mine went three years in a row (until they has a kid) and raved about the place.

j-mox · Jul 25, 2016

Be VERY careful going too far off resort areas. My ex-brother inlaw worked or still works in the DR and the got harassed almost daily by the law there. Cops knew their work trucks and knew they made good money and would pull them over for bullshit stuff and try to get money from them. All their work trucks had some sort of panic button and tracking device incase they got basically kidnapped by locals or law. They know you aren't from there and likely have money.

Not to scare you away from going out but just keep it in the back of your mind. Otherwise have a great trip. My wife went last year and loved it!

poolman · Jul 25, 2016

We went in January, stayed at the hard Rock Casino and resort. It's absolutely huge, and that was fine with me, I had no interest in getting off the resort.

TacomaJD · Jul 25, 2016

poolman said:
We went in January, stayed at the hard Rock Casino and resort. It's absolutely huge, and that was fine with me, I had no interest in getting off the resort.

I just looked that place up, looks like a badass place! More my speed! I like casinos and nightlife-ish type stuff.

johneddie · Jul 25, 2016

I really like Cancun as well. We've been there three times and always stayed in the hotel zone, twice at the Cancun Palace, which is now the Hard Rock. Always felt safe when we went out at night to do something outside the resort...Senor Frogs, Magaritaville, shopping, etc.
If anyone is ever looking for a "kick back and just chill" vacation...I suggest Exuma Bahamas. No shopping, nightlife, or touristy crap. We stayed in a little villa on one of the bays(waterfront) and had an awesome beach about a two minute walk away. There is a Sandals or Beaches resort, can't remember which on the island. Lots of rentals and small mom and pop type places to stay. Awesome beaches and beautiful water. Have a beer with the "locals" (which range from true locals to people from Canada , England , South Africa and so on.) Eat at the fish fry, which is just pretty much a bunch of shacks in one area cooking fresh seafood. Rent a car and get out and explore the island. We went over to Little Exuma one day to the Tropic of Cancer beach...Absolutely beautiful and we were the only people there, had lunch at Santana's (roadside fish shack perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean....supposedly where Johnny Depp and others would have lunch when filming one the Pirates Of The Caribbean movies.) Just overall good time. Definitely going back some day!
Sorry for the derail! Just throwing this out there for anyone interested.

matth_85 · Jul 25, 2016

poolman said:
We went in January, stayed at the hard Rock Casino and resort. It's absolutely huge, and that was fine with me, I had no interest in getting off the resort.

We looked at it as well but the deal just didn't seem that great. I intend on going over there and seeing the place though. From what I understand you can go see the casino and what not.

race_jeep · Jul 25, 2016

I went there on my honeymoon, the town is trashy af, we zip lined, and swam with the Sharks at the marinarium, I recommend both, I'll see if I can't find some pics tomoro

CheapJ7 · Jul 26, 2016

If you like to drink, a cruise will NOT be cheaper in the long run than an all inclusive resort stay.

TacomaJD · Jul 26, 2016

CheapJ7 said:
If you like to drink, a cruise will NOT be cheaper in the long run than an all inclusive resort stay.

Neither will being on a boat for 5 days with an onboard casino. Haha. BUT....how much are beers on board the ship? I think I read $5.25 a piece? I will drink more some days than others, but lets just say an average of 12 beers per day, that's 60 beers in 5 days. At $5.25 a piece, that's only $315.

Cruise for both Casie and I is only $950 for 5 days and food is included, plus $315 worth of alcohol for me, and she won't drink enough to even note. We will leave out casino spendings because that would be the same if I went to dominican republic too. So a total of roughly $1265 for a 5 day cruise to Cozumel and Progresso, Yucatan. Oh and maybe $60 worth of gas driving back and forth to the port in Mobile. So $1,325 total.

I have not found an all inclusive 5 or 6 day package for two to anywhere in the bahamas or dominican republic for less than $1500 per person, so $3000+ total. So there's a huge savings of nearly $1700 between the two vacations.

Show me where both of us can go for about $1500 and we'll book a flight! Hell you can't even rent a hotel in Gulf Shores for 5 nights for what it costs to go on a cruise to mexico with food included.

matth_85 · Jul 26, 2016

Majestic Elegance was $3100 everything included (not flight) for Thursday thru the next Saturday. So, 10 days 9 nights. That includes pick-up at the airport. That's for a swim up room in the Elegance Club resort. From what I hear it's not much different just a few extra bars and what not and a private pool/bar. Four bottles of liquor and a fresh stocked beer fridge daily. I didn't see how I could refuse that. Flight ended up being about $760.00. The wife(to be) had tons of points on a card so we had one flight for free IIRC.

I hope it's worth it, I have always dreamed of an all inclusive stay where I don't have to worry about ****. Gonna have to learn to love Presidente it appears. Cause I'm not really a liquor guy.