What is the best excursion in Punta Cana?

The most popular excursion is the Saona Island day trip from Bayahibe — natural starfish pool, white-sand beaches, open bar, hotel pickup included. For a more exclusive alternative, cana.tours runs a premium speedboat Saona tour that skips the crowded catamaran route and stops at four spots in a shorter day.

Is Saona Island worth visiting?

Yes — especially with the premium speedboat option. The mass-tourism catamaran version is cheap but very crowded (often 200+ guests per boat, 11-hour day). The speedboat is more exclusive, faster across, and stops at four locations including the natural starfish pool.

How much does a Punta Cana airport transfer cost?

Private one-way transfer from Punta Cana airport (PUJ) costs roughly USD 30–80 depending on zone and vehicle: Cap Cana ~USD 25 (15 min), Bávaro ~USD 35 (25 min), Uvero Alto ~USD 60 (50 min), Bayahibe ~USD 110 (1h 30m). Pre-booked private transfers are typically 30–50% cheaper than airport-curb taxis.

What are the best things to do in Punta Cana?

The nine headline experiences are: Saona Island, Catalina Island, Catamaran party boat, Buggy / ATV adventure, Horse riding on Macao beach, Private yacht charter, Santo Domingo colonial city day trip, Dominican Adventure Kingdom theme park, and the Taíno cultural night journey.

Is Punta Cana safe for tourists?

Yes. The resort corridor (Bávaro, Cap Cana, Uvero Alto) is one of the safest tourism zones in the Caribbean. Standard precautions apply (avoid carrying valuables on the beach, use prearranged transport at night, drink bottled water). cana.tours uses only licensed, insured local operators.

When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?

Best weather is mid-December to mid-April (dry, 27–29 °C). Best value is May, June and early November. Avoid mid-August through mid-October (peak hurricane window). Crowds peak at Christmas, US Spring Break (Feb–Mar) and European summer holidays (Jul–Aug).

Hotel guide · Royalton CHIC Punta Cana

Saona Island tour from your hotel · Royalton CHIC Punta Cana

Full-day Saona Island excursion with hotel pickup — catamaran, speedboat, natural pool and beach lunch. Tailored for Royalton CHIC Punta Cana guests staying in Uvero Alto (adults-only) — pickup organised at your lobby, paid in cash or card on arrival. Royalton CHIC Punta Cana sits on the Uvero Alto coast — a adults-only party resort about 45 min from PUJ and 32 min from Cabeza de Toro, the marina we use for most boat departures. Adults-only Royalton CHIC in Uvero Alto — Diamond Club upgrades, a rooftop pool club and a stronger party scene than the family Royaltons in Bávaro.

Plan it on WhatsApp

What'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 Royalton CHIC Punta Cana specifically, the timing works because we already know the Uvero Alto (adults-only) lobby pattern and the 32-minute hop to Cabeza de Toro — that's the corridor every Saona day-trip on this page uses. Adults-only Royalton CHIC in Uvero Alto — Diamond Club upgrades, a rooftop pool club and a stronger party scene than the family Royaltons in Bávaro.

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 Royalton CHIC Punta Cana stay, the day's anchor is the 45-minute window between PUJ and the Uvero Alto coast. We schedule each Saona day-trip around that buffer so couples and families staying in this adults-only party resort aren't waiting at the gate for someone else's pickup.

Booking from Royalton CHIC Punta Cana

When Royalton CHIC Punta Cana guests book a Saona day-trip with us, the day is built around two fixed timings: the 32-minute hop to Cabeza de Toro and the 45-minute window to PUJ. Because Royalton CHIC Punta Cana is a adults-only party 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

Yes — drivers wait at the Royalton CHIC Punta Cana main lobby. PUJ airport is about 45 min away, which helps us time pickups precisely.

Which marina do boats leave from for Royalton CHIC Punta Cana guests?+

Cabeza de Toro — about 32 min from the Royalton CHIC Punta Cana 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 Royalton CHIC Punta Cana guests: pickup is at your lobby, the driver is briefed on the Uvero Alto (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 Royalton CHIC Punta Cana the operational detail is the 32-minute transfer to Cabeza de Toro and the 45-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.