Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana 2024
Looking To Do A Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana? We’ve Got You Covered!
This blog post is about our Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana and it has been updated in 2024.
At the end of November 2021, we visited the Dominican Republic and more specifically Punta Cana.
During our vacation, we did one excursion outside of the resort.
It was a Dune Buggy Excursion which included driving your own buggy (or an ATV).
We drove through the countryside to an area where we did a few short activities.
Then we swam in a cave, drove through an extremely muddy section, and visited Macao Beach.
It took about 3-4 hours from pick up to drop off at the hotel.
🦄 If you want to read about our experience there, check out this blog post: Review Of Dreams Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana
This excursion will definitely be a memorable one and will be something you talk about with friends for a long time.
What to wear for Dune Buggy Punta Cana?
Keep in mind that you will get extremely dirty on this excursion and I don’t mean only a few specks of dirt on your face.
I am talking about being entirely soaked with mud!
I got so dirty that I had to throw out both the shirt and the shorts that I was wearing because I was not able to wash them off.
Wear something that is easy to clean or something you don’t care about.
I would recommend wearing flip-flops as we were told to wear running shoes.
However, our running shoes got so dirty, that we had to wash them and they became pretty damaged.
So definitely wear either flip-flops or swimming shoes.
Also, I had to get rid of the tote that I brought with us.
Therefore, bring some sort of a plastic bag for your phone and belongings because like I said you will get covered in mud from head to toe.
🎥 More videos from the Dune Buggy trip:
Dune Buggy Trip in Punta Cana Part 1
Dune Buggy Trip in Punta Cana Part 2
and
Dune Buggy Trip in Punta Cana Part 4
Do not bring anything expensive like jewelry or designer sunglasses.
There are lockers in the Buggy Building (where the dune buggy adventure starts) but you have to pay for them.
We were told that this adventure would be pretty messy but I don’t think either of us expected the extent to which that would be the case.
Does the Dune Buggy company offer any cover-ups?
They offer some cover-up items for purchase such as a bandana to cover your face and goggles to protect your eyes.
Also, you can buy a plastic case to put around your neck where you can put your phone so it doesn’t get soaked.
We didn’t want to spend money so we put sunglasses on our eyes and our covid masks on our faces.
It was not that comfortable but it was better than nothing.
When you drive, there will be a lot of dust coming out from the car in front of you which is why you would need those cover-ups.
Should I bring money on the Dune Buggy Punta Cana excursion?
Bring money with you if you are looking to buy anything to take home.
In the Buggy Building, there is a large store where they sell souvenirs, clothing, rum, etc.
There is also a small store close to the cave. In it, you can only buy chocolates, rum, and coffee.
They did take credit cards in both places.
How do you get picked up from the resort?
If you want to book this exact excursion, you will have to book it with your representative at your hotel.
The company was called Adventure Buggy. They come and pick you up from the hotel at your chosen time.
You can choose a pickup time between 8 am, 11 am, and 2 pm. We went at 2 pm.
The bus takes you for a short ride to the Buggy Building.
Everything was pretty well organized, there was someone who was explaining where we were going and what was happening next.
In addition, there were a lot of buggies in our group but it was all running smoothly.
🦄 If you want to read more about the Dominican Republic, check out this blog post: Is The Dominican Republic Safe For Travel?
Is it easy to drive the Dune Buggies?
You go as a large group so you simply follow the first car.
Some of the buggies were for two people only and some of them were for four people.
On the way there, my partner was the one driving and I was taking pictures and videos.
On the way back we switched and I was the one who was driving. It wasn’t too difficult to drive.
My only problem was that the pedals were too far and I couldn’t reach them with my foot.
The seat cannot be adjusted and I had to wear the seat belt so I sat on the edge of the seat and leaned forward.
It was not the most comfortable but I made it work.
Most people would be able to drive the buggy even if they don’t have a driving license.
It’s a little bit more difficult for short people like me.
There were all these people who directed the traffic and showed you where to go so you’re not alone out there.
How fast are the Dune Buggies?
They can easily go up to 100 km per hour, however, you will not need to worry about going that fast.
You will have to follow the car in front of you so there is no racing.
Also, some of the terrains will be uneven and bumpy so you will be driving at lower speeds.
Are the Dune Buggies automatic?
Ours was automatic as there was no gearbox or stick. It was simply a steering wheel and two pedals (gas and break).
They probably have manual ones if you request. It would be a lot more challenging to drive thought.
If you are an over-planner like me and want everything booked beforehand, don’t worry!
👉 Check out one of the Dune Buggy trips offered on Viator such as Punta Cana Off-Road Dune Buggy Adventure and Amazing Water Cave
They all do similar activities and most offer hotel pick-up as well.
Domitai Park Punta Cana
The first stop was probably about 15 minutes from where we started and it was called Domitai Park Punta Cana.
First, we watched a short dancing performance by some locals who demonstrated a traditional dance from the area.
🎥 You can check out a video of their performance: Dominican Republic Dancers
Then you go on to see this presentation where they explain how the local products are made – rum, coffee, and chocolate.
Here you could also purchase any of those three products to take home.
They offer samples of hot chocolate, coffee, and shots of the famous Dominican rum Mamajuana.
Once you are finished with the tasting, you can head out on a short walk to Cueva Iguanoboina (cave) where you can go for a swim.
🦄 If you are looking at other places to visit in the Caribbean, check out this blog post: 5 Places You Must Visit In The Caribbean
Cueva Iguanoboina Punta Cana
The water in the cave is crystal clear and lukewarm. There are small stones on the bottom (swimming shoes will come in handy).
We spent about 20 minutes swimming and went to the end of the cave and back.
They won’t let you bring your phone into the water because there is a professional photographer.
S/he follows you around and takes pictures of you while on the buggy and in the water.
Later on, you can purchase the pictures if you wish to.
The cave was lovely – it had a small natural waterfall and the rock overhead was beautiful.
Cave swimming in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic was a fun experience.
🎥 Swimming in Cueva Iguanaboina Part 1
Swimming in Cueva Iguanaboina Part 2
Muddy Track
Once we were done swimming, we got back to the parking lot where we left our buggies.
We mounted them and continued on a track that goes through this farmland and drove through a dirt road that is full of huge mud holes.
Of course, my partner was super excited about this part and he drove through them so fast, I have never been this dirty in my entire life.
FYI the passenger gets dirtier than the driver.
👉 Check out one of the Dune Buggy trips offered on Viator such as Punta Cana Off-Road Dune Buggy Adventure and Amazing Water Cave
Macao Beach Punta Cana
Eventually, we got to Macao Beach which is a lovely stretch of beach and vegetation.
The moment we arrived, we were swarmed by millions of people offering all sorts of items – souvenirs, trinkets, offering to take pictures with monkeys or parrots.
Therefore, it was a little bit difficult to enjoy because there was always someone trying to sell me something.
🎥 Macao Beach, Dominican Republic
We spent probably about 15 minutes on Macao Beach where we were able to wash off at least some of the dirt from our clothes.
Here is where we switched and I drove back through the puddles and back to the Buggy Building.
I was super excited to drive the buggy but I did not run through the puddles at the same speed as my partner did.
However, we still got even more soaked (if that was even possible).
🦄 If you need tips and tricks about visiting the Caribbean, check out this blog post: 7 Tips When Visiting Caribbean Countries
Driving Back To The Dune Buggy Building
Once you get back to the Buggy Building you can grab your belongings from the locker if you left anything there.
Also, there are showers where you can wash up at least a little before returning to the resort.
Then you hop back on the bus and you’re driven back to your hotel.
On the way back you would not have time to go shopping in the store so if you want to buy anything, do that when you first get there (they will give you enough time).
Clean Up After The Dune Buggy Punta Cana Experience
Once we got to the hotel, we ran to the shower and probably spent 45 minutes to an hour scrubbing ourselves and trying to clean our clothes and shoes.
The problem was those were our only running shoes and we were going to need them for the plane ride home.
Therefore, we washed them as best as we could. After we arrived back, we both got rid of the shoes as they were falling apart.
Conclusion: Dune Buggy Excursion In Punta Cana
Overall, it was definitely an interesting experience and something I have never done before.
My partner is the one who wanted to do it so I went along with it.
It was fun to get to drive the buggy and see the places that we saw. However, we were not well prepared for the experience.
Also, I had to throw out the shirt and the shorts I was wearing as well as my tote because they were in a none salvageable condition so that was unfortunate.
It was fun but I don’t know if I would do this again.
If I did, I would be a lot more prepared than I was the first time.
If you’re ready to get dirty then this will definitely be something interesting to check off your bucket list.
