Dune Buggies Or Polaris, 3 Hours

Overview

Hotel transport in an air conditioned vehicle is part of the package, along with safety gear, entrance to Taino Cave, and mamajuana samples. The run is capped at four travellers.

Based on what travellers report, the shape of the day goes like this: pickup at your hotel, a drive to the buggy base, then a sales presentation covering coffee, cocoa, vanilla, honey and mamajuana before anyone touches a vehicle. After that comes the riding itself, broken up with stops at Macao Beach and a cave or cenote. Vendors appear at nearly every stop, and one reviewer suggests waiting until the stop near the cave to buy, since you can negotiate price with the locals there.

It is a mixed bag. Some travellers describe a friendly guide and a lot of laughing. Others report late pickups, rushed segments, pushy selling, and buggies in poor mechanical shape. Going in with modest expectations about the machines and a firm plan for declining sales pitches tends to make the day go more smoothly.

What's Included

Included

Use of Buggy safety equipment
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance to Taino Cave
Mamajuana Samples

Not Included

Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities
Pictures

Itinerary

Hotel pickupAir conditioned transport collects you from your hotel. Several reviewers mention pickups running late, so build some slack into your day.
Arrival and presentationAt the base you are shown cigars, coffee, cocoa, vanilla, honey and mamajuana, with samples and items for sale. One reviewer notes free cigars with a tip jar, and mamajuana bottles can run well past pocket change, so bring cash if you plan to buy.
Buggy ride beginsYou are assigned a buggy or ATV and set off with the group. One reviewer describes the pace of the riding as slow.
Macao Beach stopOne reviewer describes a stop at Macao Beach, where the group relaxed while local vendors sold items throughout. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price.
Taino CaveCave entrance is included in the tour price. The area around the cave has more opportunities to buy souvenirs, which one reviewer says is where you can negotiate.
Return ride and transferYou ride back to the base and are transferred to your hotel.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in traveller reviews and in the listing itself.

Bring cash. Mamajuana, cocoa, coffee, vanilla and souvenirs are sold at multiple stops, and one reviewer priced bottles of mamajuana at up to about $35. Drinks on the beach also cost extra, with one group charged $20 for four sodas. Cash gives you room to negotiate, especially near the cave.
Footwear matters. One reviewer warns strongly against water shoes or swim shoes because of rocks and walking. Sturdy sandals or closed shoes are the safer call. You will be on your feet at the beach and the cave, not only in the buggy.
Sales pressure. Several travellers describe pushy vendors at the presentation, the beach and the cave stops, and a guide who hurried them along. If you would rather not buy, decide that before the tour starts and keep replies short.
Machine condition. Multiple reviews mention buggies breaking down, flat tires, weak brakes and hot wired starts. These are recurring reports rather than isolated ones.
Fitness and health. It is not wheelchair accessible. There is walking at the stops, not just sitting in a buggy.
Weather and numbers. The listing states the tour requires good weather and a minimum number of travellers. If it is cancelled for either reason you are offered a different date or a full refund. Book it on a day with flexibility if you can.

Common issues. The recurring complaints are mechanical: several reviews describe buggies breaking down mid ride, flat tires, hard brakes and hot wired ignitions. Late hotel pickups and rushed itineraries come up more than once, along with persistent souvenir selling and one report of a guide briefly leaving part of the group behind. On the operator side, the tour can be cancelled for weather or low numbers, though in those cases a new date or a full refund is offered. Maximum group size is four travellers, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant travellers, people with back problems, or wheelchair users.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers use of buggy safety equipment, air conditioned transport to and from your hotel, entrance to Taino Cave, and mamajuana samples. Alcoholic drinks, gratuities and photos are not included, and souvenirs or drinks at the stops are extra.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, transport in an air conditioned vehicle is listed as included. That said, several travellers report pickups running late, so it helps to keep the rest of your day loose.

How Long Is The Tour?

The listed duration is three hours. Reviewers note that a chunk of that can go to a sales presentation before the riding starts, plus pickups and transfers, so the actual driving time is a portion of the total.

Can Kids Or People With Back Problems Go?

The listing says the tour is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnant travellers, and requires no heart problems or other serious medical conditions, plus a moderate fitness level. It is not wheelchair accessible, and a booking covers a maximum of four travellers.

What Should I Bring?

Cash for souvenirs, drinks and tips, since alcoholic beverages and photos are not included and shopping items cost extra. Skip water shoes; one reviewer found them painful on the rocky walking sections.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time, based on local time. Changes and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Weather cancellations or low traveller numbers come with the offer of a different date or a full refund.