Cultural and Historical Day Tour in the Dominican Republic
During my one-week vacation in Punta Cana, I took two days to venture beyond the all-inclusive resorts and explore something different. I discovered these tours through popular websites like Viator and TripAdvisor, which I highly recommend for finding detailed information on specific excursions. I aimed for one tour to be more historical and cultural, and the other to focus on nature, which I will share more details about in my next article.
This tour is excellent if you want to experience the traditional and cultural aspects of the Dominican Republic. It’s also just about an hour from Punta Cana, making it a convenient distance. We were picked up in an open bus, and the group consisted of about 15 people. This tour is ideal if you prefer a small group outing.
Horseback Riding
We began the tour by heading to Higüey, one of the most populated cities in the country and the eighth largest in the Dominican Republic. En route, we stopped at a horse farm for about 30 minutes for horseback riding. It was my first time riding a horse, and I can say the horses were well-trained. Initially, I was a bit nervous, but I quickly got the hang of it.
Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
Upon arriving in Higüey, we visited the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. This Roman Catholic minor basilica and cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady of Altagracia, the patroness of the nation. I found the design of this church to be very unique compared to others I have seen. It is a stunning piece of architecture with significant religious importance.
Public Market
Next, we explored the public market of Higüey. This market offers fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, and other foods. We made a quick tour around the market as the guide wanted to showcase this part of the Higüey community.
Lunch at El Santo, Anamuya
The drive from Higüey to the Anamuya mountains is incredibly scenic. The renowned Anamuya mountains are lush with greenery and rich in natural beauty. We drove through the mountains to reach our lunch destination, a restaurant situated at the top. At El Santo restaurant, we enjoyed an open buffet lunch with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Typical Dominican Republic House
After lunch, we visited a “typical Dominican Republic house”. I was surprised to see how these local wooden houses are structured. They are divided into two sections, with the kitchen separate from the other rooms.
Cacao and Coffee Making
The homeowners took us to their backyard, where the guide demonstrated the coffee and cacao making process; from a plant to a finished product. It was fascinating to see each step of these procedures.
Cigar Factory
We stopped at a cigar factory where we had the chance to roll our own cigars with our preferred flavors. I found the cigar culture and factory experience very intriguing.
Final Stop: Macao Beach
Our last stop on the way back to Punta Cana was Macao Beach. This beach features a more local crowd and high waves, making it an excellent spot for surfing!
This tour was highly educational, and the guide was very knowledgeable. I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking to step out of the resort bubble for a day and immerse themselves in the true local culture of the Dominican Republic!
