8 Days Out with a Buffet in the Dominican Republic Worth Leaving the Resort For

1.Catamaran Boat to Saona Island with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,822 reviews · 8 hours · from $82Our pick

This eight-hour Saona Island trip pairs a speedboat ride and a stop at a shallow natural pool with several hours on a palm-fringed beach. Expect hotel pickup, a Dominican buffet, drinks, and a lively catamaran return. Guides such as Alex, Christian, and Eduardo lead groups in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

“A wonderful experience. Our guide Christian was wonderful, it is clear that he has a lot of experience. It really takes a long time to get from the resorts in Punta Cana to Saona Island, but it is worth it. The food on the island is not great, but it is ok. I recommend you bring water and some food/nibbles with you.”

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2.Catamaran Tour to Saona Island with Open Bar and Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 111 reviews · 9 hours · from $81

Spend about nine hours travelling from your hotel area to Bayahibe and onward to Saona Island, with a 30 to 40 minute natural-pool stop, a Dominican buffet and three hours on the island. Expect music and an open bar on board. Hotel transfers depend on the option you choose, and sea conditions may mean a speedboat instead of a catamaran.

“Great day trip with beautiful scenery. The boat ride and beach time were well balanced.”

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3.Damajagua: Waterfalls with Lunch Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 6h 30m · from $100

Spend about six and a half hours exploring Damajagua’s rainforest waterfalls, with hotel pickup, a 45-minute uphill hike, and a guided descent by swimming, sliding, or jumping from ledges up to 25 feet. Guides have included Miguel, Osseca, Berny, and Chael. Helmet, life jacket, water shoes, admission, bottled water, and a buffet lunch are included.

“Yhe excursion was very exciting and exhilarating. Our guides, Berny and Chael were excellent and gave us a great education on the huge variety of plants and trees while we were walking to and from the waterfalls.”

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4.Catamaran Snorkeling Trip w/ Buffet & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · 5 hours · from $79

From your chosen Puerto Plata area pickup, ride to Sosúa Bay for a five-hour catamaran outing with two snorkel stops, included equipment, a Dominican buffet and an open bar. A guide is available in English, French, German or Spanish. The route ends at Ocean World marina, with several drop-off areas offered.

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5.Saona Island Day Trip with Buffet Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 18 reviews · 1 day · from $65Best value

Travel from Punta Cana to Saona Island with Moises Marte’s excursion, including hotel pickup, a beach buffet, drinks, island entertainment, and a stop at a shallow natural pool. Expect a roughly one-hour bus ride to Bayahibe, then about six hours on Saona. Guides speak English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

“Le jeudi 02 octobre dernier, départ en bus un peu chaotique, nous avons du changer de transport car trop de personnes à aller chercher selon les hôtels respectifs. Le second chauffeur très sympathique. Le guide (tel qu,il s,est présenté) était attentif au bien-être de ses clients. Cependant, l,équipe n,était pas si sympathique, une employée d,ailleurs est venue me chercher sur la plage en me parlant espagnol, je ne comprenais pas ce qu,elle me disait et lui parle en anglais...elle s,est irritée, désagréable, m,a laissée en plan et a demandée à un autre employé de me parler (forcing pour me vendre les photos prise de moi plus tôt...Par la suite, cette…”

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6.Damajagua Waterfalls Excursion with Lunch Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $79

From Cabarete, Sosua, or Puerto Plata, travel to Damajagua for a guided rainforest hike and a chance to swim, jump, or slide through limestone pools beneath 27 waterfalls. A helmet, water shoes, life jacket, bottled water, and lunch are included. Guides Mateo and Felix are among the named staff associated with the trip.

“I had a blast jumping in and sliding down waterfall. They have mules in case of emergency to carry you”

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7.From Bayahíbe: Saona Island Catamaran Cruise with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $69

From Bayahíbe, sail part of the way to Saona Island and spend 2.5 hours on its white-sand beach, with buffet lunch and drinks included. A guide handles the boarding and schedule; one recent group had guide Casilindo. The day also includes a shallow natural pool stop, where starfish may be seen but are not guaranteed.

“Nos citaron a las 9:15 y salimos 1 hora después, estuvimos esperando bajo el sol mientras tanto. En la actividad dice que verás las estrellas de mar lo cual, no sucedió. La actividad la reservamos por ese motivo sin embargo, cuando le pregunté a Casilindo (nuestro guía) me dijo “uy eso ya fue. Súbete ya” No fue barra libre pues decidieron cerrar la barra. Poco tiempo en la playa y la comida muy regular. Pese a esto la pasamos bien y nos divertimos!”

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8.Saona Island Boat Trip with Buffet

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3 reviews · 10 hours · from $79Top rated

Travel from your Punta Cana or Bávaro hotel to Bayahibe, then head to Saona Island by catamaran or speedboat. The 10-hour outing includes beach time, a Dominican buffet, national drinks, and a stop at a natural pool with large starfish. Guides speak English, Spanish, and French.

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