Hotel guide · Riu Palace Macao
Saona Island tour from your hotel · Riu Palace Macao
Full-day Saona Island excursion with hotel pickup — catamaran, speedboat, natural pool and beach lunch. Tailored for Riu Palace Macao guests staying in Arena Gorda (adults-only) — pickup organised at your lobby, paid in cash or card on arrival. Riu Palace Macao sits on the Arena Gorda coast — a adults-only luxury resort about 20 min from PUJ and 15 min from Cabeza de Toro, the marina we use for most boat departures. Adults-only Riu Palace Macao on Arena Gorda Beach — sister to Riu Republica with a calmer pool zone and slightly more upscale F&B.
Plan it on WhatsAppWhat's included
Hotel pickup, transfer to Bayahibe, catamaran cruise with open bar (the catamaran is the fun part — music, dancing), speedboat back via the famous natural pool with starfish, buffet lunch on Saona beach. From Riu Palace Macao specifically, the timing works because we already know the Arena Gorda (adults-only) lobby pattern and the 15-minute hop to Cabeza de Toro — that's the corridor every Saona day-trip on this page uses. Adults-only Riu Palace Macao on Arena Gorda Beach — sister to Riu Republica with a calmer pool zone and slightly more upscale F&B.
Group vs private
Group tour is the lively classic. Private Saona by speedboat is the calm version — no crowds, your own schedule, ideal for couples and families with small children. For a Riu Palace Macao stay, the day's anchor is the 20-minute window between PUJ and the Arena Gorda coast. We schedule each Saona day-trip around that buffer so couples and families staying in this adults-only luxury resort aren't waiting at the gate for someone else's pickup.
Booking from Riu Palace Macao
When Riu Palace Macao guests book a Saona day-trip with us, the day is built around two fixed timings: the 15-minute hop to Cabeza de Toro and the 20-minute window to PUJ. Because Riu Palace Macao is a adults-only luxury resort, we pre-brief the guide on the lobby layout, the resort's wristband policy, and where to wait so security never asks twice. That's the difference between a smooth pickup and 20 lost minutes at the gate.
Send your dates, group size and room number on WhatsApp
Send your dates, group size and room number on WhatsApp. We confirm pickup time at the hotel lobby, the meeting guide's name, and the cash/card price — usually within minutes, 7am–11pm. Pickup is from the Riu Palace Macao main lobby. We send a confirmation message with the driver's name and plate the evening before. Expect roughly 20 min between PUJ airport and the hotel. We're a Dominican team based in Bávaro. No call centre, no resort kick-back. Your concierge resells the same trips at +30–50% — we put you in touch with the small operators directly.
Our Selection
Curated excursions
Saona Island Premium 4 Beaches Tour
Premium speedboat tour to 4 of Saona's most beautiful beaches — all inclusive.
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Catalina Island Tour
Snorkel the famous wall reef and unwind on a white-sand beach — All Inclusive with open bar & Dominican buffet.
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Party Boat & Snorkeling
3 hours all-inclusive: all-you-can-drink open bar, snorkeling, dolphins and the legendary sandbar pool party.
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Macao Buggy & Cenote Adventure
Off-road buggy ride, private cenote swim & Dominican tastings in the Macao countryside.
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Private Yachts
Half-day, full-day or sunset charters with captain and crew.
Price on request tailored quote
Book on WhatsAppDominican Adventure Kingdom
Buggies, zipline, horseback, cenote, Taíno culture, Dominican lunch & carnival show — the ultimate all-in-one Punta Cana day.
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Los Ojos Eco Journey
Swim in crystal-clear cenotes inside Punta Cana's protected nature reserve.
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Horseback Beach Riding
Trot along untouched Caribbean shoreline at golden hour.
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Taíno Night Journey
Night buggy, Taíno culture, cenote cave party, Dominican dinner & carnival show — one unforgettable evening.
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FAQ
Common questions
Do you pick up at Riu Palace Macao?+
Yes — drivers wait at the Riu Palace Macao main lobby. PUJ airport is about 20 min away, which helps us time pickups precisely.
Which marina do boats leave from for Riu Palace Macao guests?+
Cabeza de Toro — about 15 min from the Riu Palace Macao lobby. We always pick the marina that saves drive time over chasing a slightly cheaper boat further away.
How long is the boat ride to Saona?+
About 45 min by catamaran going, 30 min by speedboat returning via the natural pool. Total trip 9–10 h door-to-door. Specifically for Riu Palace Macao guests: pickup is at your lobby, the driver is briefed on the Arena Gorda (adults-only) wristband policy, and the Saona day-trip runs on the schedule we agreed by WhatsApp.
Is Saona good for small children?+
Yes — shallow turquoise water and soft sand. We recommend the private speedboat option for kids under 4. From Riu Palace Macao the operational detail is the 15-minute transfer to Cabeza de Toro and the 20-minute window to PUJ — both already built into the Saona day-trip price you see.
Why not just book at the hotel excursion desk?+
Resort desks resell the same trips with a 30–50% markup and usually push larger group operators. We connect you directly to the small Dominican operators we use for our own family.
Can I pay in cash on the day?+
Yes — USD or DOP, in cash, on pickup. Card and bank transfer also work. No deposit needed for most options.
What languages do guides speak?+
Group tours are bilingual EN/ES. German, French, Italian, Russian and Portuguese guides available on request for private trips.
Can it be private, just for our group?+
Yes — almost everything on this page has a private upgrade (own boat, own buggy, own driver). Ask us on WhatsApp.
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Resort guide
Everything you can book from this hotel
Curated by category — every excursion, transfer and VIP service we run from your resort lobby.
Buggy / ATV
Concierge
Things to Do & Tours
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