Cayo Arena Day Trip from Puerto Plata
About this activity
Highlights
- Scenic bus ride through Puerto Plata province
- Luxurious catamaran cruise in Punta Rucia bay
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters with vibrant corals
- Relaxing on the stunning Cayo Arena beach
- Indulging in a Caribbean feast at a beach club
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional guide
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Beverages
- Gratuities
Itinerary
This sandbar that is frequently visited by hundreds of tourists is a jewel of nature, a true paradise in the Caribbean. It is difficult to know the size because it contracts and expands depending on the seasons of ocean currents, which contradicts its location, which is one of the driest areas of the Dominican Republic. Your excursion to Cayo Arena offers a wonderful tour departing from Puerto Plata, in comfortable air-conditioned buses and experienced drivers, accompanied by professional guides. Head to the north of the Dominican Republic and get ready for a journey full of splendid landscapes and green mountains to Punta Rusia, a picturesque fishing village on the coast of Puerto Plata. Once you reach Punta Rusia, in La Isabela Bay, you will board a boat to take you to Cayo Arena. Board a modern speed boat, and admire the flora and fauna of the waterway and visit the national park, navigating through the mangroves, with a variety of beautiful natural colors. If you are lucky, you'll see the famous mammal, the manatee. This animal is popularly known as a sea cow! After 45-minutes enjoying this unforgettable ride we arrived at Cayo Arena, here we have free time to snorkel and observe many species of fish of all colors, take pictures, take a refreshing swim in crystal clear water, chatting with fishermen who come to Island or relax in fine sand.
After a full-day out on Cayo Arena, you'll be transported back to your Puerto Plata hotel.
Important information
Know before you book
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; confirm your pickup time and location upon booking.
- The tour operates in English; ensure you understand the language for a smooth experience.
- Gratuities for the crew and guides are not included and are appreciated for excellent service.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and swimwear suitable for snorkeling.
- Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a hat to protect against the sun.
- Consider bringing a waterproof camera to capture underwater moments.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Traveler reviews
Awful.
Lousy, the tour was never done, it was cancelled last minute and they warned until later and because I asked them. I won't reapply for a tour with them.
The tour was cancelled by the operator, 12 hours before.
You've sent me an email asking me to review this trip, which YOU cancelled only 12 hours before and to which I've not had a refund yet. This was 1 tour we were really looking forward to. We did this trip 20 years ago and it was fantastic. Such a shame you cancelled it.
Unforgettable!
We booked this trip on our Celebrity Cruise with a port stop in Puerto Plata. The bus ride to the boat was beautiful and Santarino shared a lot of informative tidbits of history and information about the Dominican Republic along the way. We arrived at the beach and boarded the catamaran to the island and enjoyed the trip along with fresh fruit, rum punch, and fun music. The island itself was stunning and we were given snorkeling masks to see some of the beautiful wildlife. We got several amazing pictures and were able to mingle with some incredibly friendly locals as well as others from our cruise. After the island, we had a delicious lunch made by incredibly welcoming locals back at the waterfront resort. The bus driver, Manny was efficient and friendly and Santorino was also very friendly, welcoming, and informative. If you’d like to experience a trip that takes you “off the beaten path” with a truly authentic, unforgettable trip, do this!!!
Amazing tour guides and day trip
Julio was an amazing tour guide! Very friendly and personable. Originally we were worried about the two hour commute to and from the island but Julio made it enjoyable. He educated us about the island and gave history facts. Manuel was able to take us safely to and from the island. We all felt completely safe with the two of them. On the boat it was a great time! We had great staff and great food. All the drinks were made from fresh fruit! We enjoyed snorkeling and taking pictures! Julio and Manuel made sure we are on schedule! I would highly recommend attending a trip with them two as your tour guides! Thank you again!
Paradise Island the best ever!
This was honestly one of the best trips ever! Julio y Roberto son magnificos (Julio and Roberto are Magnificent - I don’t speak Spanish lol). They made the trip so much fun! They made sure to make us feel comfortable and we learned so much history as well. The water was so clean and blue. And the food was so fresh and delicious. 100/10 experience, will do this again!