300cc Spider Buggy, 2 Hours

Overview

This tour skips the standard 150cc buggies and puts you in a 300cc automatic two-seater Spider Buggy instead, which matters on Macao's rougher dirt tracks. The route is guided, and you follow along dirt paths, mud and tropical scrub that ordinary vehicles cannot reach.

The drive is broken up by three stops. First, a working Dominican ranch pours fresh-roasted coffee, pure cacao, green tea and mamajuana, with flavored cigars to sample too. Then you descend into Cueva Taína, a natural cenote with an underground river and rock formations, before the final leg to Playa Macao, an unspoiled white-sand beach where you can swim before the ride back.

Pickup and drop-off from hotels in Bávaro, Uvero Alto and Cabeza de Toro is covered, along with a helmet, a driving briefing and a guide who speaks Spanish, English or French. The listing gives the duration as 2 hours. Lunch, drinks and towels are not included, so plan around that.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from hotels in Bávaro, Uvero Alto and Cabeza de Toro, with drop-off back at the end.
2. Gear upReceive a helmet and a full driving briefing before setting off.
3. Backcountry driveFollow the guide along dirt tracks, muddy paths and tropical scrub in the 300cc automatic Spider Buggy.
4. Dominican ranchTaste freshly roasted coffee, pure cacao, green tea, flavored cigars and mamajuana.
5. Cueva Taína cenoteDescend into a natural cenote with an underground river and rock formations, one of the best photo spots on the route.
6. Playa MacaoFinish at a wild, undeveloped white-sand beach with clear water, with time to swim and relax before the ride back.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make this outing smoother, from what to wear to what you need cash for.

• What to wear. Expect mud. The listing recommends comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dirty, plus a change of clothes for after. Closed-toe shoes appear on the bring list, so skip sandals for the driving portion.
• Swim and sun. Bring swimwear and a towel for Playa Macao and possibly the cenote. Neither towels nor drinks are provided, so carry your own water. Biodegradable sunscreen and a sun hat are both on the operator's list.
• Cash. Cash is on the what-to-bring list. The photo package, lockers and any personal purchases at the ranch or beach are paid separately, and gratuities are not included.
• Pace and driving. The buggy is automatic and you get a full briefing before the route starts. You follow a guide the whole way along the dirt tracks and muddy paths.
• Language. Guides work in Spanish, English and French, which the listing calls a rare combination in Punta Cana. Stories and safety instructions are given in your language.
• Photos. Bring a camera for the cenote, described as one of the best photo spots on the route. Note that the operator's own photo package is an extra cost, not part of the tour price.

Common issues. The stated limits are mostly logistical. Lunch, drinks, bottled water and towels are all excluded, so you arrive at the beach with nothing provided unless you bring it. Photos, lockers and gratuities cost extra, and the listing suggests carrying cash for that reason. Weather can also shape the day, since the route runs on dirt and mud.

Common Questions