Hotel guide · RIU Palace Punta Cana
Excursions from your hotel · RIU Palace Punta Cana
Curated Punta Cana excursions with hotel pickup at your lobby — Saona, catamaran, buggy, cenotes and more. Tailored for RIU Palace Punta Cana guests staying in Bávaro (all-inclusive) — pickup organised at your lobby, paid in cash or card on arrival. RIU Palace Punta Cana sits on the Arena Gorda coast — a classic all-inclusive resort about 20 min from PUJ and 12 min from Cabeza de Toro, the marina we use for most boat departures. The upgraded Palace wing of the RIU complex in Arena Gorda — calmer than RIU República next door, family-friendly, with direct Bávaro beach access.
Plan it on WhatsAppMost-booked excursions for hotel guests
Saona Island remains the #1 day trip from any Punta Cana resort, followed by sunset catamaran cruises, ATV/buggy off-road and the Hoyo Azul cenote at Scape Park. For couples we recommend private boat charters out of Cabeza de Toro.
How pickup works at this hotel
Drivers wait at the main lobby with a sign. We confirm pickup time and your guide's name by WhatsApp the night before. Round-trip transfer is included in the price.
Booking from RIU Palace Punta Cana
When RIU Palace Punta Cana guests book a day excursion with us, the day is built around two fixed timings: the 12-minute hop to Cabeza de Toro and the 20-minute window to PUJ. Because RIU Palace Punta Cana is a classic all-inclusive 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 Punta Cana 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 Tour
A paradise escape to pristine white beaches and natural pools.
From $85
Catamaran Cruise
Snorkel in vibrant reefs and enjoy open bar service on our luxury fleet.
From $65
Buggy Adventure
Ride through tropical trails and local villages in high-performance buggies.
From $75
Catalina Island Tour
Snorkel the famous wall reef and unwind on a postcard beach.
From $99
Scape Park
Zip lines, cenotes, and limestone caves in an eco-adventure park.
From $129
Horseback Beach Riding
Trot along untouched Caribbean shoreline at golden hour.
From $65
FAQ
Common questions
Do you pick up at RIU Palace Punta Cana?+
Yes — drivers wait at the RIU Palace Punta Cana main lobby. PUJ airport is about 20 min away, which helps us time pickups precisely.
Which marina do boats leave from for RIU Palace Punta Cana guests?+
Cabeza de Toro — about 12 min from the RIU Palace Punta Cana lobby. We always pick the marina that saves drive time over chasing a slightly cheaper boat further away.
Which excursion should we book first?+
Saona Island is the classic full-day; pair it with a sunset catamaran on a relaxed day and a buggy or Scape Park morning for variety.
How far in advance should we book?+
24–48 h is enough in low season; in peak weeks (Christmas, Easter, July) book 5–7 days ahead so we lock pickup time and small-group seats.
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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