day trip from punta cana to haiti

Border Crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti

As Haiti shares the same island (Hispaniola) with the Dominican Republic, we planned to cross the border from the Dominican Republic to Haiti via land.

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Post updated Dec, 202 3

Haiti was to be our final country to see in the Caribbean to help us reach our goal of visiting every country in the world.

The situation in Haiti isn’t so good at the moment and most governments warn travellers not to travel here due to crime and civil unrest. Most of the problems in the country are happening in and around the capital of Port Au Prince, so we planned to avoid travelling here for safety reasons.

We were told that Cap Haitien in the North of the country was safe to visit and that it also had some great sites to see.

Our border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti took place in May 2019. 

We used a bus service to help us with the border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. Here’s all the information you need to take this journey too.

Border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti:

Table of Contents

How do I get to Haiti?

Air: Use Skyscanner to book a cheap flight to Aeroport International Toussaint Louverture (PAP) located in Port Au Prince, Haiti’s capital of Haiti or to Cap Haitian Airport (CAP).

You can fly in internationally or also on a flight from the Dominican Republic to Haiti with Sunrise Airways.

Land: Fly direct to Santiago or Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Take an Uber or taxi to Caribe Bus Tours terminals in Santiago or Santo Domingo and catch the bus to Haiti. This is the most common border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti. 

We took a bus to the city of Cap Haitien. You can’t book this ticket online or in advance. The receptionist at our fantastic hotel in Santo Domingo told us to arrive at least an hour before the bus departure to get our tickets.

Sometimes the bus station is extremely busy, so it may take a little time.

The journey will take about 6 hours which includes clearing immigration in both countries. 

Sea:  Join a cruise. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line or Celebrity Cruises stop at a port in Labadee Beach in Haiti only a 12 km drive from Cap Haitien.

Where to buy a ticket?

We started our border crossing day from the Hotel Class Colonial in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This hotel was located right in the centre of the Old Town. Our double room costs USD 30 per night, which includes a great breakfast.

We caught an Uber taxi from this hotel for around USD 2. It’s located about 3-4 km from the hotel. Head to Caribe Bus Tours Terminal in Santo Domingo; it’s easy to find using Google Maps.

Our bus was scheduled to depart at 09:00 am, so we arrived at 08:00 am when the office opened. It was already quite busy at the station and took us about 35 min to queue and purchase the tickets.

Our plan was to travel from the Dominican Republic to Haiti in a day by bus as it was much more affordable than the flight. 

Cost of the bus ticket from the Dominican Republic to Haiti

The price for one ticket from the Dominican Republic to Haiti is 1500 DOP (USD $15 ) and you must also pay USD $27 departure tax at the same time (this must be paid in USD or DOP currency).

There are no facilities to pay for your ticket using a card.

Be sure to have your passport handy as the cashier needs this to process your ticket. She will keep your passport until the bus departs the station and it is given back to you onboard the coach just before departure.

There will be a coach driver and another assistant who facilitates paying taxes at the immigration and is there to make the journey as smooth as possible.

More about the actual border crossing between the Dominican Republic and Haiti below.

Our coach was quite empty on this day, but it was clean and comfortable and had the A/C on max! It’s a good idea to take something warm to wear on the coach.

We left on time (09:00 am), so this was a good sign. Once we reached Santiago at about 11.30 am to pick up more passengers, a hot lunch was given to us.

This included rice & beans, eggplant/tomato stew and pasta salad. You also get a bottle of water.

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How easy is the border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti?

We reached the border of the Dominican Republic and Haiti at 2.30 pm. The coach assistant on the bus directed us where to go.

We handed our passport over and filled in a departure form from the Dominican Republic and we were stamped out.

Only two minutes later, we filled in an arrival form and entered Haiti. It was all very straightforward. It seemed a little quieter than I expected at the border today, I expected more chaos.

Entering Haiti – First Impressions

Once we jumped back onto the bus, straight away there is visually lots of trash and signs of poverty as we crossed the border.

Immediately there are tin shack houses, farming, kids pumping water from wells, mango trees everywhere and lots of dust. We were stopped two times for officers to do a customs check of the luggage under the coach.

My first impression is that Haiti looks very much like West Africa. There is lots of garbage on the streets and flattened plastic bottles squashed into the dirt. Most houses have laundry hung out front on fences or over trees to dry.

There are goats running about and most houses had a small coal stove with big stone pots cooking in the front yard.

The French colonised Haiti, as they colonised much of West Africa, and this is why there are so many similarities. There are many other things you probably didn’t know about Haiti.

Old yellow school buses drive by loaded with locals and then the more popular taxi cars called ‘tap-tap’. The reason for this? When somebody reaches their stop, they tap twice on the side of the car to alert the driver they want to get out.

Women can be seen washing clothes and bathing in open rivers. There are many banana trees and endless mango trees here.

If you are wondering about the food read our blog here  What to Eat in Haiti – 10 Best Foods to Try.

Arriving at Cap Haitien

There is no denying it, you’ll see an incredible amount of garbage along the water coming into Cap Haitien. As I mentioned, this is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and it has endured too many natural disasters to count.

This image looked similar to many of the countries in West Africa that we travelled through recently when we talk about the amount of garbage. I didn’t notice any bins or areas to put the trash and even if there were, who would clear it away?

RELATED POST – 17 Things to Know Before Travelling to West Africa

This city has loads of character, colour and life.

As we made our way through the bustling streets, I really took a liking to this crumbling colonial city. There are women cooking fried dough snacks on the side of roads and motorbikes whizzing by.

Small shops were painted in bright colours and covered in illustrations and cute pictures (so very West African). It reminded me of our recent visit to the small French colonial city of Saint Louis in Senegal .

Our coach arrived at the Caribe Bus Tours station at 4.30 pm. We had previously arranged a pick-up from the station with the hotel we’d previously reserved.

Within minutes of getting off the bus, our driver appears to take us to our hotel in Cap Haitien.

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Where to Stay in Cap Haitien?

There are not many options for decent hotels to stay at in Cap Haitien. And it’s really important to book a hotel with good security. We booked a room at Hotel Des Lauriers as a few friends who had travelled here highly recommended it to us.

Hotel Des Lauriers is located on a hill that overlooks the city of Cap Haitien. The city is located next to a beach (I wouldn’t recommend swimming here, yet Labadee Beach is ok), which curves around into a large bay. Such fantastic views from here!

The rate was USD 54 p/n for a budget room with a good breakfast. The hotel also has standard rooms from $60 (single) and $110 (double).

Book here for the best rates at this hotel.

The property has an infinity pool and a great wifi connection. There is a restaurant on site that serves good food and super cold local beers.

It’s the perfect place to sit after a long hot day of exploring the sites to see in Cap Haitien.

The Canadian owner here is very helpful and can make arrangements for anything you need.

From booking guides, trusted taxi drivers to get around or just to offer useful advice for the independent travellers who are happy to explore on their own.

Check out our complete guide about the best things to see and do in Cap Haitien .

I hope you enjoyed our post on border crossing from the Dominican Republic to Haiti.

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

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Travel Tips for the Caribbean

You might also enjoy reading our post about the  11 Caribbean Islands Best Beaches to visit.

We travelled through many countries in 2019, around forty of them to be exact. We visited many Caribbean Island nations that year, and you can read our  recap of the Caribbean islands and countries visited in 2019.

Before we visited all of the island nations, we had no idea that the food was going to be so good! Our favourite foods in the Caribbean include these  10 popular foods in the Bahamas,  and  10 delicious dishes in Haiti that you must try!

For future travels, don’t miss our  Top 6 Travel Hacks to Save You Money  and this  Ultimate Packing List for Travellers.  And you may learn a few great tips after reading our  Expert Travel Tips After 20+ Years Of Travel.

Find all of our best travel tips, advice, and things we use and recommend to travel the world on our  Travel Resources Page .

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👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

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10 comments . leave new.

Tnx for the tips Rach…..any more tips where to travel in Haiti besides Cap Haitien? tnx

Thank you so much for this blog, this helps me a lot. One thing on your future blogs, if you could give us the date when you traveled to these places that would be GREAT, for example, “It was the summer of 2019 when I went to …..”

Hi Phil, That’s a great suggestion and thanks for the feedback. We generally publish new blog posts like this one soon after travelling to the destination. We travelled to Haiti in April 2019, so all details/costs etc are relative to this date. Thanks again 😉

Hey! Enjoyed this, really informative and well written 🙂 Sadly Covid means some of the rules won’t make it as simple to cross… So I need to work that out (if you have any tips on PCR tests required at land borders or know someone who might – would be really helpful too [chancing it, I know]). However I wanted to ask about security – how dangerous is it in country and as a solo traveller, going alone – any tips on how to make sure a trip to Haiti is happy and uneventful?

Hello! Thanks for your message. We can’t really offer any tips on what PCR tests are required to enter Haiti at the moment and things are always rapidly changing these days. Perhaps check your government website for more details before you decide to travel there, and maybe Facebook forums or groups are sometimes helpful. Our visit to Haiti (a couple of years ago now) was a good experience, however we explored Cap Haitien and surrounds (and did quite a bit of research about where to stay, how we’d move around etc..which are all details you can find in the blog (link below). https://www.veryhungrynomads.com/things-to-see-and-do-in-cap-haitien-haiti/

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Port Au Prince at the time for safety reasons.

Thank you so much for this blog, this helps me a lot. Good information sharing u.

Hello, my name is Cristóbal from Spain and I woul like to do this trip to Cap Haitien like you dit it. Do you know if it’s possible currently (I would like to go next summer)? I mean, is the border open these days? Do you now if the covid situation has changed?

Thank you very much for your help.

Hi Cristobal, Yes, we have friends who recently did this border crossing (in April 2023), so it’s open. They didn’t mention anything about ‘The Covid situation’, so we assume there are no regulations.

Hi, I am travelling from London to Cap Hatien on the 21st this month. My flight lands in Punta Cana Airport.

Today, I called Caribe Tours in Santo Domingo to find out if they still travelled to Haiti. They said, NO, they don’t. Because of the troubles, Caribe tours currently does not operate between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Based on your experience, can you recommend how I can get to Cap-Haiten from either Santa Domingo or Punta-Cana. Thanks!

Hi Henry, Thank you for the update, although, it’s disappointing to hear that Caribe no longer run this service. Did they tell you how long they expect to terminate this service for? Hopefully this is just a temporary thing, and we’d expect that there must be another bus company or provider that is operating this service. In saying that, if there is, we are not aware of it.

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Tours Cap Haitian, Citadelle and Labadee, Haiti from Dominican Republic

• Book the Haiti tours now !

Tours to Haiti form Dominican Republic by Colonial Tour and Travel

Colonial Tour and Travel has prepared these beautiful tours from the Dominican Republic to know the tourist marvels of the northern part of our neighboring Haiti, such as Cap - Haitien, Citadelle Fort and Labadee Bay.   La Citadelle, a hidden treasure in Haiti. Tour 1 night / 2 days in Cape Haitian (from Saturday to Sunday) Dare to know the best of Haiti, La Citadelle, unique in America, is a fortification made of high stone more than 900 meters above sea level, with an impressive view to the north of the Island. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO Since 1982 for being a symbol of the struggle of resistance to slavery. The tour departs from Santo Domingo at the stop of the Caribbean Tour transportation company, where our representative receives it and registers it for the trip to Dajabon. In Dajabon our bilingual guide receives them and accompanies them to do the passport check and cross the border. Then we had lunch in the restaurant "Plezir Gourmand" of Ouanaminthe. Then continue to our final destination Cape Haitian, 50 kilometers from the border. In the afternoon we will do the City Tour of Cape Haitian, visiting the historical circuit, Notre Dame Cathedral, the tourist market and artisan center. Then we check in at the Hotel Mont Joli after dinner we will go for a walk on the boardwalk of Cape Haitian to the Famous Lakay Bar Restaurant to dance to the rhythm of the Kompa. On the second day, after breakfast we check out and head towards La Citadelle and Sans Souci Palace for a 4-hour excursion with typical lunch at Lakou Lakay Cultural Center. After lunch we return to the border to return to Santo Domingo. This excursion is available every Saturday. The Excursion Includes: -Transportation from Santo Domingo to Dajabon and transportation from Dajabon to Cape Haitian. -Immigration tax of both countries (US $ 45) -All food in Haiti (1 breakfast, 2 lunches, 1 dinner) -Excursion to the Citadelle and Palaces Sans Souci, with tour guide, horse, entrance ticket and lunch. -City tour of Cape Haitian -A night at the Hotel Mont Joli, the best in the city. -Nightlife. -Companion bilingual guide in Haiti. Book Tour Haiti -Citadelle 1 night Haiti- Citadelle 2 nights. Ideal for Backpacker tourists who wish to live the experience as locals, climbing on the regular International Route of Caribbean Tour with stop in Santiago and on the Border, with food and a stewardess on board. Reception at the Caribbean Tour stop in Cape Haitian, accommodation at a beach or city hotel. Optional night out, City Tour, excursion to the Citadelle and the Ruins of the Sans Souci Palace. Itinerary Day 1- 9:00 AM- Departure from the Caribbean Tour from Santo Domingo 11:30 AM Stop in Santiago 12:00 PM Departure to Dajabon 2: 300PM Border crossing, migration check of both countries. 4:00 pm - Receipt at the Caribbean Tour of Cape Haitian. 4:15 PM Checking in the hotel, free time and welcome dinner Day 2- Breakfast at the hotel, Excursion to Citadelle with lunch and City Tour of Cape Haitian. Day3 -Breakfast at the hotel, return by Caribbean Tour to Santo Domingo The tour Includes: -2 nights in beach hotel or city -Excursion to Citadelle and City Tour of Cape Haitian -2 breakfasts, 2 dinners and a lunch (Caribe tour gives you 2 lunches too) -Bilingual companion guide in Haiti. -Transportation on Caribbean tour -Migratory taxes ($ 45) Book Tour Haiti -Citadelle 2 nights A Weekend in Cap Haitien. 3 days and 2 nights. * This tour is valid only for groups and requires a minimum of 10 people. The northern tourist triangle (Citadelle, Labadee, Cap Haitien) It is the opportunity to experience Haiti on a weekend where you can discover the city and countryside, the beach and mountains, culture, history and emblematic monuments, cuisine and the vibrant life of its inhabitants. Day 1 - Departure from Santo Domingo by Tourist Bus, with rest stop after Santiago, immigration check, bus change at the border, lunch at the Ouanaminthe border city restaurant, Cape Haitian City tour, free time at the hotel Beach, cocktail and welcome dinner. Day 2-Breakfast at the hotel, boat excursion in Labadee Bay, with seafood lunch on a private island. Labadee Beach receives more than 2 thousand tourists a week for the Royal Caribbean cruise. Visits of the village of Labadee, dinner at the hotel. Day 3 - Breakfast at the hotel, check-out, excursions to the Citadelle and the Ruins of Sans Souci Palace with delicious lunch then return to Santo Domingo. The excursion Includes: -Transportation from Santo Domingo to Cape Haitian round trip -Accommodation in Beach Hotel 3 stars -Breakfast, lunch and dinner -3 Excursions (Citadelle, Labadee, Cap Haitien) -Migratory taxes of both countries (US $ 45) -Bilingual companion guide Request to book this tour, we remind you that it requires a minimum of 10 people Important Visa: Colombian, Chinese, Panamanian and Dominican citizens need a visa to enter Haiti. Dominican passports with a valid American, Canadian or European visa do not need a visa for Haiti. The Embassy of Haiti in Santo Domingo proceeds the visas in a period of one working day. The requirements are: passport, 1 photo and 80 dollars.

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Our tours to haiti - pictures.

Book our tours to Haiti now ! 

Book online all the hotels in the Dominican Republic with Colonial Tour and Travel. Hotels on the beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and beautiful Dominican cities.. Book hotels now or call 1(809) 688-5285.

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Colonial Tour and Travel offers transfer services with our comfortable and modern fleet of buses from all airports of the Dominican Republic to all hotels, round trip book transfer now ! or call 1(809)688-5285.

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How to travel to Haiti (2024)

By Joan Torres 10 Comments Last updated on April 25, 2024

I traveled independently through Haiti for 10 days, from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince and a few places in between, always using local transportation or hitchhiking, as well as a short domestic flight.

It was a fantastic trip, and I recommend visiting Haiti to anyone looking for an unrivalled offbeat adventure in the Americas. 

This updated and comprehensive travel guide to Haiti will show you everything you need to know on safety, top experiences, getting there and more.

In this Haiti travel guide, you will find

Table of Contents

• Haiti today
• Is it safe?
• Travel Insurance
• When to travel
• Top Experiences
• How to get into?
• How to travel around
• How to deal with extreme poverty
• People & Religion
• Taking photos
• More information

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😍 Why travel to Haiti?

Haiti is a Caribbean country that occupies one third of La Española (Hispaniola), an island it shares with the Dominican Republic.

Everyone knows about Dominican Republic and its dreamy beaches, yet few have heard about traveling in Haiti.

The first thing you need to know is that Haiti was the first country to ever be liberated by slaves , in 1803.

At that time, Haiti was ruled by the French, who had spent the previous decades importing hundreds of slaves from West Africa – mainly from Mali and Benin – to work on their sugar plantations.

The peculiarity about Haiti is that when it achieved its independence, many of those slaves had been born in Africa but became Caribbean overnight, and this is the number one reason for visiting Haiti: a purely Caribbean country that still keeps its African culture, traditions and essence .

Traveling in Haiti truly feels like traveling in West Africa, with all that default chaos intrepid travelers feel attracted to, but also in terms of their art, music and religion.

Add to this the world-class Caribbean beaches and landscapes, and the result is, perhaps, the most gorgeous and fascinating off-the-beaten-track destination in the American continent.

The problems with cruising in Haiti

Not many people travel to Haiti, but the majority of those that do make it there tend to do so on one of those massive cruise ships sailing across the Caribbean, hopping on and off at the major resorts on the main islands.

In Haiti, near Cap-Haïtien, there’s one place in the area of Labadee where cruise ships stop. Anyone not on a cruise – and that includes foreigners too – is banned from entering that tourist bubble, while those on the cruise ships are told that everywhere outside of the bubble is extremely dangerous, meaning you won’t see any of them in the surrounding areas.

I have often wondered whether those cruise tourists even know they’re in a country named Haiti.

🇭🇹 Visiting Haiti: what’s the current situation

Economically-speaking, Haiti has always struggled, but today it is also experiencing some pretty dark periods of extreme violence.

When I first visited Haiti in January 2023, the country was on the front pages and in the headlines of all reputable international newspapers.

But what had happened?

Well, Haiti had been going through an episode of real anarchy ever since Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was murdered in 2021.

Since then, various different gangs had taken the streets of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, with violence escalating to unprecedented levels.

Kidnappings, murders and street shootings happen every single day, in a conflict that has already created more than 200,000 internally displaced people.

At the time of writing, the travel situation in Haiti basically remains the same and such is the gravity that many governments are already referring to Haiti as a failed state – a pretty harsh term typically used for countries like Yemen or Libya – while asking for foreign intervention as well.

The earthquake from 2010 In 2010, a 7.0 earthquake shook the capital of Haiti for 35 seconds, killing thousands of people and leaving 1/3 of Port-au-Prince’s population completely homeless. By that time, Haiti was already one of the poorest countries in the world, so you can imagine how devastating this natural disaster was for Haitians. In fact, they say that the country has never recovered from it and, what with all its current social and political issues, the result is one of the most fragile countries on the planet.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Haiti right now?

Let me put things into perspective.

I have backpacked solo in Afghanistan , Iraq , Syria , and Somaliland , just to name a few.

I rarely worry when traveling in these areas, mainly because I have a lot of contacts in these countries, but also because I have solid experience of traveling in such regions.

My visit to Haiti, however, was a different story:

• It was my first time traveling in the Caribbean
• I didn’t have any contacts
• All I knew about Haiti was what I had seen in the news
• I didn’t know of any travelers who had visited Haiti during these anarchic times

Additionally, the FCDO travel advice for Haiti wasn’t very positive either, firmly advising against all travel to Haiti due to the volatile security situation.

I had all the odds against me, but that made me feel particularly excited; plus if there’s one thing I’ve learnt during my travels, it is that things on the ground look very different from what you see in the news.

Yes, that extreme violence is actually happening but the truth is that this conflict is exclusively focused on Port-au-Prince.

In fact, it’s focused on certain areas of Port-au-Prince: the areas controlled by the different gangs.

Is Cap-Haïtien safe?

Outside of those areas, Haiti is OK to travel, especially in Cap-Haïtien and its surroundings. 

Things I did around Cap-Haïtien:

• Hitchhiking around the area
• Walking through a slum on my way (on foot) to Labadee
• Walking around in the dark, in the middle of the night

All I can say is that this part of Haiti was extremely peaceful.

Is Port-au-Prince safe?

Port-au-Prince, however, is a different story. You can still travel there though, as long as you have the right contacts and stay in the right area, e.g., in Pétionville.

In Pétionville, you can still wander and walk around alone at night, no problem.

As for the dangerous parts of Port-au-Prince, I did venture downtown and even to Cité de Soleil, the largest and poorest slum in the Americas – and one of the main violence hubs in the city.

Nevertheless, I went there with a local fixer who is specialized in taking journalists into conflict areas.

That man knew what he was doing, plus he was a personal, old acquaintance of the gangs.

Nevertheless, heading into that area of Port-au-Prince doesn’t come without risk, especially from direct bullets, but that’s a risk travelers choose to assume. Definitely not an adventure for everyone.

Important: I won’t be sharing the fixer’s contact details, so don’t bother asking me for them. As mentioned, this activity is not without risk and if travelers start venturing into such areas, someone will eventually get shot and I don’t want to be part of that.

🪪 How to get a visa for Haiti

You don’t need a visa to visit Haiti, instead you just get a free stamp on arrival in the country.

This rule applies to both airport and land borders.

🚑 Travel Insurance for Haiti

Get travel insurance for travel in Haiti.

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• Many different plans for all types of travelers
• Avaiability of low, basic plans
• Covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get an exclusive 5% discount .

⛅ When to travel to Haiti

Traveling in Haiti is highly seasonal.

Best season to travel to Haiti

The best time to travel in Haiti is between November and March – that’s the dry season.

In February, you might catch the world-famous Carnival of Jacmel but you’ll have to be lucky, since the carnival is locally organized and dates always change, although it tends to always be celebrated between the end of February and beginning of March.

Worst season to travel in Haiti

The worst time to visit Haiti is from August to October, which is the rainy season, with  potential hurricanes.

🛖 Top 5 Experiences in Haiti

1 – hiking up to citadelle laferrière.

This is one of the best forts I have ever seen, and the views from there are gorgeous.

2 – Backpacking independently

No other country in the Americas feels as raw, chaotic and authentic.

Traveling in Haiti doesn’t differ much from the rough backpacking you can do in Mali or Benin.

3 – Attending a voodoo ceremony

Voodoo ceremonies, a clear West African heritage, are performed every week.

4 – The art scene in Pétionville

There’s a lot going on in Port-au-Prince, and the art scene in the refined district of Pétionville is a must-see.

5 – The coast around Labadee

Haiti has the most beautiful coastline on the island, and Labadee has the cleanest shores and water.

🛫 How to get to Haiti

How to travel to haiti by air.

The easiest way to fly to Port-a-Prince is from Miami (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and also New York City (JFK).

Which airlines fly to Haiti?

Jet Blue Airways and American Airlines have daily flights into Port-au-Prince.

How to get to Haiti from Dominican Republic – By land, best choice

I personally believe that traveling to Haiti from Dominican Republic is a much better option, for 3 reasons:

• Flights to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana are much cheaper, plus there are endless connections to many cities around the world.
• If you haven’t visited Dominican Republic before, you can combine both countries in one single trip.
• Traveling in Haiti is actually pretty rough so after a few days of tough backpacking, traveling in Dominican Republic can be a very pleasant and rewarding experience.

To reach Haiti from Dominican Republic, you can take one of the daily buses connecting Santo Domingo with either Port au Prince or Cap-Haïtien.

The company running such trips is called Caribe Tours , and it departs from this terminal .

I strongly recommend going to the terminal at least 1 day in advance to book your tickets, since the tickets commonly sell out.

The bus departs between 7am and 8:30am but do confirm the departure time upon booking your tickets.

A one-way ticket costs around 30-35 USD.

Additionally, you will have to pay 37 USD for exit/border fees. This amount is usually paid before boarding the bus, not when booking your ticket.

The whole ride from Santo Domingo to either Cap-Haïtien or Port-au-Prince can take from 8 to 12 hours. The bus has unreliable Wi-Fi, and they provide a truly awful, meat-based meal on board.

The border crossing is pretty chaotic, but there will be an attendant on the bus to assist you with all the procedures.

My experience entering and exiting Haiti I took the bus from Santo Domingo to Cap-Haïtien but on the way back, I traveled from Port au Prince independently, meaning that instead of taking a direct bus, I took different minibuses and tap-taps to the border, then crossed on foot into Dominican Republic. Once in Dominican Republic, you can find transportation to several other cities. This is a slower but more adventurous option, perfect for those wanting to explore beyond the main cities. If going to Cap-Haïtien, you cross at Dajabon. If going to Port-au-Prince, you cross at Comendador.

🛺 How to travel around Haiti

Moving around haiti by tap tap.

The official, local transportation is the tap-tap , an ornately decorated pick-up truck that won’t leave until full of passengers, who can get off at any point during the ride.

Traveling in Haiti by tap tap is ridiculously cheap, and you can use them to get to nearby sights and villages.

Travel around Haiti by minibus

For longer distances, Haitians travel by minibus .

Traveling around Haiti by air

Haiti is a tiny country but small domestic planes run between major cities.

The local airline is Sunrise Airways .

I did take a 25-minute flight from Cap-Haïtien to Port-au-Prince and the reason was that everyone in Cap-Haïtien told me it wasn’t possible to travel there by bus, claiming that the road section close to Port-au-Prince was overrun by gangs.

Upon arrival at the capital, I discovered that this wasn’t true and that buses were simply taking a different, longer route, so for the return journey I did take the bus.

In any case, taking a Sunrise Airways flight was a lot of fun, since they use those small, 20-seat planes where there’s no door between the passengers and the pilots.

Moreover, Cap-Haïtien airport was so small that you could literally get to the airport 15 minutes before departure and still make it on time to catch your flight.

A one-way ticket from Cap Haïtien to Port-au-Prince cost me 125 USD.

💰 Money and budget when traveling in Haiti

In Haiti, they use the Haitian Gourde and, approximately:

1 USD = 135 HTG

Exchanging money in Haiti

Certain banks do exchange currency but I exchanged mine at the hotel in Cap-Haïtien, Habitation des Lauriers .

They prefer US dollars but I believe Euros can be exchanged too.

Card payment and ATMs in Haiti

Unlike countries such as Syria or Iran , Haiti is not a country under sanctions, so you can easily withdraw money from certain ATMs and even pay your hotel by card.

For the rest, Haiti is pretty much a cash economy.

How much does it cost to travel in Haiti?

Haiti is actually quite expensive, much more than Dominican Republic.

How much does accommodation cost in Haiti?

Accommodation isn’t great in Haiti and you can expect to pay a minimum of 50 to 70 USD for a basic room.

Rooms are basic but the hotels are relatively decent, meaning that they provide services, speak English and are used to dealing with foreigners.

However, you might be paying 60 USD for a very basic room with no AC and where water and electricity issues are common.

I heard that some travelers were staying in hotels cheaper than that, where local Haitians stay, but expect their facilities to be beyond basic.

How much does food cost in Haiti?

Food in Haiti can be pretty expensive too.

A meal in a restaurant will cost around 10 USD, and up to 20 USD in fancier restaurants.

Local street food is obviously much, much cheaper – maybe 1 USD for a meal – but it’s not great.

How much does transportation cost in Haiti?

Local transportation is particularly cheap, like you can expect in any country of this kind.

A tap tap ride will rarely exceed more than 50 cents and a minibus between cities will cost a couple of USD.

Backpacking budget for Haiti From 85USD a day

How to deal with extreme poverty when visiting Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the American continent and within the 25 poorest nations in the world, according to all rankings .

The extreme poverty and lack of proper infrastructure can be seen everywhere in Haiti, including in areas of Port-au-Prince which are supposed to be good.

There are absolutely humungous piles of burning trash at every corner, no electricity at night and so many people looking poor and miserable.

Foreign travelers stand out a lot, so do expect to be stared at by everyone.

As with all the countries I have been to, most people you meet in Haiti are nice and pleasant, but I also found some beggars to be particularly intense and aggressive, so be mentally prepared to handle such situations.

Getting ripped-off when traveling in Haiti

Getting ripped-off isn’t the general norm but once in a while, some people may try to overcharge you.

This happened to me several times when taking a tap tap , and in local bars too. A bottle of Prestige – the Haitian beer – should never be more than 1 USD in a bar of that kind, but I often paid almost 3 USD. Entirely my fault for not asking their price first.

Haiti: people and religion

Today, Haiti is a Caribbean country where the vast majority of people are descendants of former black African slaves.

Note that the Taíno were the indigenous people to the island but Columbus and his Spanish crew exterminated them in a matter of years.

Some former French colonists also left their descendants by having children with their slaves, leading to lighter-skinned Haitians called mulattos. Nowadays , mulattos form the majority of Haiti’s elite, political and economic class.

The few other Haitians are mainly of Arab descent, from Lebanon and Syria , and you might see them hanging out in the wealthiest areas of Port-au-Prince.

Religion in Haiti

Haiti is a very religious country and such is the influence of their West African ancestors that Vodou is recognised as the official religion of the state, along with Catholicism.

Churches are always packed on Sunday but Haitian Vodou also plays a significant role and attending a ceremony is one of the highlights of backpacking in Haiti. However you will need to be lucky to catch one.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend one but I did visit a Vodou temple, a workshop where they sold Vodou-related artifacts and also a market.

Haitian Vodou revolves around spirits known as Iwa and here you can read more about it .

These 2 pieces of Vodou art can be found in Atis Rezistans , a workshop that creates art out of garbage. This was one of the most interesting places I visited during my trip to Haiti.

📸 Taking photos of people when traveling in Haiti

I think Haitians are the most camera-shy people I have ever met on my travels.

They are so shy that you might even be yelled at for just taking a picture of a street, without pointing your camera at anyone’s face in particular.

They just don’t like it so when wandering around markets, for example, always ask for permission – but believe me when I say you’ll rarely be granted it unless you’ve been interacting with them prior to asking.

💬 Language in Haiti

Both Creole and French are the official languages in Haiti.

French is the language used by the Administration and Haiti’s elite.

Creole is used by everyone else, and it’s a peculiar mix of French, Spanish, English and even Taíno, they claim.

However, French-speaking people won’t be able to understand Creole, and typically, lower-educated people don’t speak French either.

English is also rarely spoken in the streets.

🍲 Haitian cuisine

I will never be a fan of Caribbean food.

I find it bland and boring, but it can be eaten.

Typically, all restaurants will serve a portion of protein alongside fried plantain and rice mixed with black beans.

Protein can be anything from grilled fish (pwason poukannen) to pork (griot), chicken and even lobster, if you go to the right places.

Except for just one or two days, I ate combinations of the above at absolutely every meal.

🍻 Alcohol in Haiti

The national beer is called Prestige. They sell it everywhere and Haitians drink it at any time of day.

Haitians are also very proud of their locally produced rum, the best brand being Barbancourt.

💻 Internet in Haiti

Generally-speaking, Wi-Fi is pretty awful across Haiti, so I strongly recommend getting a SIM card, which works relatively well.

eSIM for browsing, calling and traveling in Haiti

Basically, an eSIM is a regular SIM card with a digital format that works like a normal physical SIM card, with the added benefit that you can buy it from home before the beginning of your trip, hence avoiding the hassle of buying it at your destination. 

With Holafly , you can get a SIM Card for a wide range of destinations, including Haiti . 

Moreover, you can benefit from a 5% discount with the following code:  AGAINSTTHECOMPASS

Get a VPN for traveling in Haiti

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Kazakhstan. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

❗ More information

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Haiti destination

• Haiti Itinerary

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10 comments

Wow! Thank you for this comprehensive guide. I am travelling From London to Haiti in December ’23, and I plan to stay for a month. The plan is to fly direct from Heathrow to the Dominican Republic and take another flight from there to Cap Haitian. It’s quite expensive as altogether the cost of flight alone is nearly £2000.00. After that, I have to pay for Hotels and from what I am reading from your write-up, for one month stay, the cost will go through the roof. I set. aside a budget of £5000.00 so I hope the is enough because anything more than that and I will be forced to cancel my trip.

Hi Henry! I think you can save a lot by taking the bus from Santo Domingo to Cap Haitien

Thank you so much for the swift response. The airline costs are not a problem so I don’t mind flying from the Dominican Republic to Cap Haitian. What I am worried about is the price of accommodation which you said is somewhere around $60 per day for a basic room? This means a Hotel (which is where I plan to stay) will cost 3x as much per day. This is my main concern.

Do you know of any good but cheap Hotels to recommend?

Utter stupidity to do all this

This is a really informative guide, and I’m glad that some parts are relatively safe. One thing I will say however is, don’t completely write off Caribbean food. That is a pretty bold claim considering this was your first time in the region and there are countless other Caribbean countries with different cuisines and cooking methods. I implore you to try them all, including the non-islands like Belize, Guyana, and Suriname. Keep up the great work!

Thanks Neron, I’ll give it another try one day!

Thanks for your up-to-date information regarding Cap-Haitien to Santo Domingo by Calibre Tour bus. I will be travelling these cities in April 2024, but up until now, had trouble obtaining reliable information for bus travel.

Amazing, let us know how it goes!

I notice pretty affordable car hire in CAP, which I figured may be a good way to see the surrounds, such as Citadelle Laferrière. Is it safe (& necessary) to drive a rental car?

Whilst I understand that ATM are available, would you recommend taking along sufficient amounts of USD? I plan to book accomodation (& car if required) online, which I expect to make payment up-front. Thanks again.

Hi, it should be safe to rent a car around CAP but not strictly necessary. I traveled all around and didn’t hire any.

You can withdraw money from ATMs, doesn’t matter whether you take sufficient USD or not, up to you.

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Day trip to Haiti? - Punta Cana Forum

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Has anyone ever done a day trip in to Haiti? Are there tour companies or buses that cross the border?

At a 500 mike round trip to Haiti, I would say a day trip is totally out of the question.

It’s 500 miles round trip. I think that covers the ‘why not’. The roads are nothing like they are in the U.S.

I once went to the ‘Haitian Market’ in Dajabon (at the border, but on the DR side). Haitian merchants are allowed to enter the DR one day a week to sell their wares at a border market.

As others mentioned, it was a really long trip. I was on a bus pretty much all day (from Santiago if I recall correctly). The roads are really slow and even 100 kilometres can take hours to drive.

The drive to Port au Prince from PUJ is approx 500km's. You could get there in about 10 hours (provided your border crossing is not delayed (expect a delay).

https://www.aircentury.com/en/destinations/

why would you want to just curious...

Have a look at a map

Day trip to Haiti? --> no.

Has anyone ever done a day trip in to Haiti? --> oh my lord no

Are there tour companies or buses that cross the border? --> yes, one-way santo domingo - PAP busride is 9 hours

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Not possible without an airplane

Yes,buy a round trip ticket and take capital coach line bus,or Terra bus, they'll take you to Haiti, but it's 7hours it's like you driving from new York to Canada

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/haiti

There are riots and lots of civil unrest in Haiti.

It’s been on the Canadian news about the government advisory.

would your travel insurance cover you if you were injured there?

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Authentic experiences & recommendations

The 13 best day trips from Punta Cana

 Punta Cana is not only about staying in resorts, but it is also about exploring the incredible nature and cultural heritage the Dominican Republic has to offer. There are plenty of day trips from Punta Cana which show you the variety of the country, among them the most historic city in the entire Caribbean, stunning national parks with abundant flora and fauna, some of the most beautiful islands you can imagine and the highest waterfall of the Caribbean. All these things-to-do can be reached in 1 to 2.5 hours maximum and are therefore perfectly suited for a Punta Cana day trip. While some of these activities can be booked as a guided excursion, I have also added some 1-day road-trip ideas, so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Check out this amazing selection of day trips in Punta Cana.

Completely UPDATED: March 2022

Do you need further ideas on what to do in Punta Cana? Check out the 26 best things to do in Punta Cana . Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? If so, check out our comprehensive Punta Cana Excursion Guide with the most exciting 35+ activities for your vacation.

Best-rated day trips and excursions in Punta Cana

If you are searching for the best Punta Cana day trips, you might look for two different things: – the best excursions and guided day trips from Punta Cana and/or – the best day trips to experience on your own, usually with a rental car.

The good news is we are covering both options in this article about the best day trips from Punta Cana. Most of the best Punta Cana trips, such as Isla Saona , Montaña Redonda , Los Haitises National Park or Santo Domingo , are even possible both ways – with a Punta Cana rental car and as a part of a guided Punta Cana tour .

Let’s have a look first at the best-rated day trips from Punta Cana, particularly those which are part of a guided excursion. To find the best Punta Cana day excursions, we have checked thousands of day trips and applied the following criteria: – at least 35 reviews – at least a review score of 4.7/5 points (which means that at least 94% of all clients were super happy with the excursion) – no animal activities or animals in captivity involved (hence no day-trips with Monkeyland, horseback riding or any other activities with direct animal contact) – duration of at least 6 hours to make it a proper Punta Cana full-day excursion

Especially the combination of the quantity and quality of reviews guarantees that these Punta Cana day trips will please you. On average, 95% of the participants are rating the following Punta Cana day excursions as excellent:

As you can see, you can choose from an amazing array of activities when you want to explore Punta Cana with a guide. For a better overview, you can find more information about these Punta Cana day excursions in the following table.

(mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table)

Interested in more of the best guided tours? Check out the most exciting tours and excursions in Punta Cana here .

How to rent a car for Punta Cana day-trips

In case you’d prefer to explore Punta Cana on your own, it is best to book a car rental in Punta Cana as most of the attractions are rather difficult to reach with public transport (and taxis are super expensive). Most people think that renting a car in the Dominican Republic is too dangerous or not possible, but the opposite is the case. Especially the roads around Punta Cana are among the best-maintained highways in the entire Dominican Republic and as long as you stick to a few common rules ( as explained here ), driving in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic is absolutely safe .

You can read more about this topic in the article if you shall rent a car in Punta Cana .

In case you are wondering where to get a Punta Cana car rental, I’d highly recommend checking Expedia * and Discover Cars *. According to the price comparison for rental cars at Punta Cana Travel Blog , Expedia offers the cheapest rates for car hires, while Discover Cars score with the most comprehensive insurance packages, which is particularly important when renting a car in Punta Cana.

Keeping these recommendations in mind, exploring Punta Canas day trips by rental car is pretty easy and will guarantee you long-lasting memories from the authentic Dominican Republic away from the crowds.

Once you have set your first step into exploring the Dominican Republic by rental car , you might never want to stop and head on some further road-trips . In case you are interested in them or if you want to look for further day trip ideas, you can check out the following itineraries: –  Dominican Republic 1-week itinerary from/to Punta Cana – beaches, culture and mountains –  Samaná 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana – the most beautiful region in the Dominican Republic –  The ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary for 1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks or more

The best day-trips in Punta Cana

1) montaña redonda .

  Montaña Redonda is one of the coolest places in Punta Cana you can have a day trip to. It is a unique mountain with a spectacular 360-degree panorama surrounded by lush mountains and untouched nature. The special features of Montaña Redonda are its giant swings and the cozy hammocks, both being set up right at the edge of the mountain, which allows for fantastic photo opportunities you can’t get anywhere else.

TOP 12 Punta Cana Excursions

Isla Saona : Saona Info | Book it * Private Saona Island Tour: Private Tour Info | Book it * Dune buggy and ATV excursion : Buggy Info | Book it * Punta Cana Ziplining : Zipline Info | Book it * Party boat & booze cruise : Party Boat Info | Book it * Best Nightlife Show: Coco Bongo Info | Book it * Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon : Blue Lagoon Info | Book it * Los Haitises National Park : Los Haitises Info | Book it * Santo Domingo : Santo Domingo Info | Book it * Samaná (Salto El Limón & Cayo Levantado) : Samaná Info | Book it * Helicopter & airplane tours : Helicopter Info | Book it * Whale watching (Jan-Mar only) : Whale watching Info | Book it * Looking for more inspiration? Check out the 40+ best Punta Cana tours !

A day trip from Punta Cana to Montaña Redonda is also suitable for both types of travelers: those who’d like to be active during their vacation can take the short but steep hike up to the peak and others who prefer to stay relaxed can ride up with one of the safari trucks waiting at the bottom of the mountain. Once up there, you can have an ice-cold Presidente and enjoy the marvelous views on the surrounding coastline. You can also see Playa Esmeralda, which is the next point here on this list of ideas for the best Punta Cana day trips.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 40 miles and less than 1-hour driving How to get Montaña Redonda: Option A – rent a car ( check rental car prices here *) and head to the bottom of Montaña Redonda where you either hike up or take one of the safari trucks Option B – book a guided excursion here * Further information: Montaña Redonda in Miches – the instagrammable mountain with spectacular views

2) Playa Esmeralda

 In the same direction as Montaña Redonda , just 10 miles behind, you can find Playa Esmeralda, one of the most virgin beaches in the Dominican Republic . If you have ever dreamt of visiting a beach where you have 2 miles of beach all on your own, Playa Esmeralda is your Punta Cana day trip to choose. Even it is only a bit more than an hour ago from the multi-billion-dollar tourism industry of Punta Cana, nobody is venturing out to visit this beach. And it’s not only the secludedness that makes Playa Esmeralda unique, it is also the picture-perfect setting with shallow water, swaying coconut palm trees and fine sand.

Unfortunately, a first all-inclusive resort ( Club Med Miches *) has been built in 2019/2020 and opened in 2021, hence Playa Esmeralda is not 100% pristine anymore. However, it is a rather small resort and it is located at the far western end of the beach, hence the main beach and the eastern end are just like pure paradise. The advantage of it: the road to Esmeralda Beach is now much better than before and can be accessed by any vehicle.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 50 miles and 1:15h driving How to get to Playa Esmeralda: Take your Punta Cana rental car and head northwest towards Miches. In the municipality of La Mina, take a right turn when you see a sign mentioning Costa Esmeralda. Further Information: – the best beaches in Punta Cana – the best of Dominican Republic’s beaches

3) Salto de la Jalda

 The Northwest of Punta Cana, where you can find Montaña Redonda and Playa Esmeralda, hosts many treasures. Another attraction in this area is Salto de la Jalda, which is the highest waterfall in the Caribbean . 

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 Same as Playa Esmeralda, Salto de la Jalda can often be found without any other tourists, it is totally off-the-beaten-track. To reach the highest of Punta Canas’ waterfalls , it requires a 3-hour hour hike (one-way) besides a 2-hour drive to the trailhead. Even this sounds a lot, it is still a wonderful day trip from Punta Cana if you are an adventurous traveler with some hiking experience. The reward of this long-trip will be a refreshing dip into the natural swimming pool, an impressive view on the highest waterfall of the Dominican Republic (and the Caribbean) as well as an unparalleled untouched scenery. This Punta Cana day excursion is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 65 miles and 2 hours driving How to get to Salto de la Jalda:  Option A – for the hiking trip, take your rental car ( check prices for rental cars from/to Punta Cana here *) or a taxi from Punta Cana northwest-ward on the well-maintained road to Miches. Continue in the direction of Sabana de la Mar until the town of Magua, where you turn left into the Magua River Valley. Continue until the trailhead or until the road gets too bad to start the hike. For the trailhead and GPS trail of the hike,  check out my full article of Salto de la Jalda . Don’t head off with the proper experience of long hikes and open terrain! A guide is highly recommendable! Option B – book a fully-guided excursion from Punta Cana to Salto de la Jalda * Option C – book a helicopter excursion to Salto de la Jalda * Further information:   Salto de la Jalda, the highest waterfall in the Caribbean

4) Cascada Blanca

 If Salto de la Jalda sounds too complicated for you, don’t worry, there are plenty of other waterfalls you can reach from Punta Cana . One of them possible as a day trip from Punta Cana is Cascada Blanca, another impressive waterfall hidden in the lush vegetation of the Dominican Republic, but with much easier access if you go with a guide. 

Depending on your shape, the trail has a medium difficulty and can be completed in less than one hour per way. You can refresh yourself in two natural swimming pools as there is a second waterfall on the way. Once you are back in the quiet mountain village of Pedro Sanchez, you can head for a delicious local homecooked lunch.

Editor’s Choice: the best experiences 2024

Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting * (rating 4.78/5) Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Isla Saona Premium in small groups * (rating 4.95/5) Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling * (rating 4.91/5) Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda * (rating 4.79/5) Best excursion for family fun: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo * (rating 4.91/5) New and trending for 2024: Evening Buggy Tour with Water Cave and Dancing * Not the right tour for you? Check out the 45 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog!

For a local guide, you can try to contact the following phone numbers via WhatsApp in Spanish: +1 809 839 4347 or +1 829-388-5587. Please note that I haven’t used their services and can’t vouch for the quality. Alternatively, you can download a GPS track from Alltrails if you want to do this day trip from Punta Cana, even though it is not recommended to go on your own if you don’t have experience walking through the jungle.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 65 miles and a bit less than 2 hours driving How to get to Cascada Blanca:  Take your car rental ( check prices for rental cars from/to Punta Cana here *) or a taxi from Punta Cana northwest-ward on the well-maintained road to Miches. Continue left in the direction of El Seibo until you reach Pedro Sanchez. Here you should meet your pre-arranged guide. Further information: All waterfalls in Punta Cana reachable in under 3 hours

5) Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavón

 You see that the Northwest of Punta Cana has plenty of natural attractions to offer when it comes to Punta Cana trips. If you prefer it a bit more relaxed with less action, you should head to the area west and southwest of Punta Cana, where you can find easier Punta Cana day trips which are also very suitable for families (you can find all recommended family activities in Punta Cana here ), small children and the elderly. 

Travel resources

Punta Cana Airport Transfers : Info | Book It * Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It * All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It * Apartments & Villas: Info | Book It * Excursions: Info | Book It * Rental Car: Info | Book It * Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan It

 The most famous thing-to-do in this area of the Dominican Republic is Casa de Campo, which not only features hundreds of luxury villas and a high-end resort but is also home to Altos de Chavón, a re-creation of a Mediterranean style European village with views on the scenic Chavón River, which marks a perfect day trip from Punta Cana. Here you can stroll along the cobblestone alleyways, take stunning photos and enjoy a café or lunch in a relaxed atmosphere. Once you have paid the entrance fee (25 USD) for Casa de Campo which is mandatory to visit Altos de Chavón, you can also check out the marina and the beach of Casa de Campo. Keep your eyes open when you tour around, you might be able to see a few celebrities, as Casa de Campo is a popular holiday destination for many VIPs such as Robert Redford, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, George Bush, Robert Stack, Vin Diesel and Jennifer Lopez.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 55 miles and 1-hour driving How to get to Casa de Campo:   Option A – Take a very easy drive along the highway leading from Punta Cana towards La Romana and follow the signs to Casa de Campo Option B – Book your excursion to Altos de Chavon from Punta Cana here *

6) Cueva de las Maravillas

 Once you have started your Punta Cana trip to Casa de Campo, you can also head the additional 20 minutes west and visit “La Cueva de las Maravillas”, the Cave of the Wonders. The main attractions of this large and illuminated cave system are its paintings and engravings on the walls, which are over 500 years old and date back to the Taínos, the native inhabitants of the Dominican Republic. As the caves are directly on the highway and the walk is guided and well-marked, this is an easy visit suitable for everyone. The entrance fee is around 400 DOP (approx. 7 USD) and you can also see a small iguana zoo.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 70 miles and 1:15h driving How to get to La Cueva de las Maravillas: Take the highway from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo , the caves are approximately half-way between both destinations

7) Barcelo Rum Factory

 Close to the town of San Pedro de Macorís, which is easily accessible for a day trip from Punta Cana, you can find one of the biggest rum distilleries in the Dominican Republic : Barceló. The visitor center is located amidst endless sugar cane plantations, where a lot can be learned about the distilling process, the history and the different brands of Barceló. You can choose between the Añejo Tour (15 USD) and the Imperial Tour (25 USD), which mainly differs by the kind of rums you can select for the rum tasting .

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 85 miles and 1:45h driving How to get to the Barcelo Rum Factory: Follow the highway from Punta Cana until San Pedro de Macorís. When reaching the junction to Carreterra Mella, leave the highway and head towards Quisqueya. Further information: rum tours in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic

8) Boca de Yuma

 One of the closest day trips from Punta Cana is Boca de Yuma. It is that close that it’s also possible as a half-day trip from Bavaro & Co. Boca de Yuma is a little and very quiet fishing village, which is famous for its various local restaurants atop a cliff with a marvelous view on the ocean and the surrounding coast. It is the best and most authentic place to eat fresh fish in the entire eastern part of the Dominican Republic, plates are usually around 10-12 USD. International tourism is almost non-existent here, but the restaurants feature a welcoming and rural charm.

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If you want to have a walk before or after your meal of fish, you can head towards the little park of the village with views of the river Yuma, visit a natural swimming pool separated from the ocean just by some rocks (“El Zumbador”) or explore the underground lagoon around a 1 mile away from Yuma for a refreshing swim. To visit the lagoon, ask the locals to show you the way and tip them after the tour. Alternatively, if you want to discover this Punta Cana day trip as a guided tour, you can book a Boca de Yuma day excursion from Punta Cana here *.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 50 miles and 1h driving How to get to the Boca de Yuma: Drive along the Punta Cana highway until the Higuey turn-off and follow the road south until you reach Boca de Yuma

 Another half-day trip from Punta Cana which can be extended to a full-day Punta Cana trip as well is Higuey, the capital of the province La Altagracia – the same province Punta Cana is part of. Higuey is a bustling city with the typical attributes of every major Dominican town: loud, chaotic and cheap. If you are looking for something specific, you can get it here for a discounted price, but have to deal with congested streets, omnipresent vendors and different influences on all sensory organs. As a reward, you can visit an authentic Dominican market, very cheap local restaurants or the famous Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, one of the most important religious buildings in the entire Dominican Republic and thanks to its gigantic arch also an impressive landmark.

– Most Popular Posts on Punta Cana Travel Blog –

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Coco Bongo Punta Cana – Ticket Options, our review and if it is worth to visit

Excursion to Isla Saona 2024 – hidden gems, insider tips, DIY adventures and the best Saona Island tours

13 Insider tips on how to find the best all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

 Higuey is also one of the best Punta Cana day trips if you would like to try the public transport in Punta Cana , as nearly all Punta Cana resorts and accommodation in Bavaro, Cabeza de Toro, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto are connected with direct services to Higuey. You can read here on how the public transport system in Punta Cana is working . Because of the congested streets in Higuey, I would recommend a day trip from Punta Cana to Higuey by public transport rather than with a rental car.

If you feel that this is too adventurous, you can also book a guided excursion to Higuey *.

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 25 miles and less than 1-hour driving How to get to Higuey :  Option A – by car ( check prices for rental cars in Punta Cana here *), just follow the signs or the map to Higuey. Depending on where your resort is, you can reach Higuey either via the highway or via Otrabanda. Option B – head to Higuey by public transport. Check out this article to see how to get to Higuey . Option C – book a guided half-day excursion to Higuey *

10) Santo Domingo

  Santo Domingo is a very popular Punta Cana day trip, even in my opinion it’s a bit too far, hence I prefer it as a 2-day road-trip (check out unique places to stay in Santo Domingo here ) in combination with some other points of interest mentioned in this article .

However, if you decide to go to Santo Domingo for a day trip from Punta Cana, you will see one of the most historic sites of the entire Caribbean – and one of the most beautiful as well. The Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo is the heart of the city, the historic center and at the same time also protected as a UNESCO world cultural heritage. Strolling through the ancient streets feels like being in an open-air museum, as you can see colonial buildings, colorful facades and centuries-old landmarks such as the oldest church of the Americas, the house of Columbus’ son or the fortresses back from the 16th century. You can also enjoy the several cafés, historic patios and creative art shops, which all make up for an exciting and memorable day. 

Same as for Higuey, Santo Domingo also marks a perfect option if you are looking for a Punta Cana trip by public transport . You can check out all the connections between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo here .

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 125 miles and 2.5 hours driving How to get to Santo Domingo: Option A – book your full-day excursion from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo here * Option B – take the first bus in the morning from Bavaro to Santo Domingo (7 am, be at the bus station at least 30 minutes before). In the afternoon, take the last bus from Santo Domingo back to Punta Cana (4 pm, be at the bus station at least 30 minutes before). See more information about the busses running between Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in this section . Option C (not recommended due to the traffic in Santo Domingo) – with your rental car , head along the main highway from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana and look for the car parks right in the Colonial Zone at Calle José Reyes or Calle Arzobispo Meriño. Further information: – 10 reasons why you should visit the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo – How to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo? – How to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana? – 27 best Airbnbs in Santo Domingo (hand-picked and recommended) – 23 exciting things-to-do in Santo Domingo (and 5 NOT to do)

11) Los Haitises National Park

 Los Haitises National Park is another famous attraction and it is no less impressive than Santo Domingo. While it is also quite far and I have described some options for a 2-day itinerary here in this article , it is a perfect opportunity to see some of the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful nature and wildlife. Usually, you can explore the park by boat and see frigate birds, mangroves and caves with ancient rock paintings. If you decide for a customized version to Los Haitises on ypur Punta Cana trip, you can also visit the impressive waterfall eco-lodge in the national park and even stay there for a night , which might be one of the most exciting overnight accommodations you have ever had. Read more about it in my separate article of Los Haitises National Park .

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 80 miles and 2.5 hours driving How to get to Los Haitises National Park: Option A – book your full-day excursion from Punta Cana to Los Haitises National Park here * Option B – take your Punta Cana car hire and head towards Sabana de la Mar, a newly built road from Punta Cana. Continue a dirt road for around half an hour until you reach the little national park accommodation Paraíso Caño Hondo *. You can book your national park tour by boat there. Further information: Los Haitises National Park – a wonderful excursion or road-trip from Punta Cana

12) Isla Saona

 The last two entries in my post about the most recommendable day trips from Punta Cana are two of the most beautiful islands you can find in the Dominican Republic. The first one is Isla Saona , one of the most visited islands in the entire Caribbean, but also one of the most beautiful ones. Even thousands of tourists are coming here every day, you have to visit Isla Saona on your own to see the beauty of the island . Picture-perfect beaches, swaying palm trees, catamarans anchoring in ultra-turquoise water and a Caribbean charm which is hard to resist are some of the key points of a Punta Cana day trip to Saona Island. Furthermore, the tour by boat lives up its dream of cruising with a catamaran through the open ocean while sipping on a drink and admire the surrounding scenery. Isla Saona is a must-see during your vacation and one of the best day trips in Punta Cana, even it can only be visited as a group tour (or on a private Saona excursion ).

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 50 miles and 1:15h driving How to get to Isla Saona: the easiest is to simply book a full-day group excursion from/to Punta Cana * (or a private tour ( check prices here *) if that fits your budget) Further information: – Excursion to Isla Saona – everything you need to know for your hassle-free Isla Saona tour – the best beaches in the Dominican Republic (incl. map)

13) Isla Catalina

 The second option for an island day trip from Punta Cana is Isla Catalina , which is the little neighbor of Isla Saona. It is much less frequented than Isla Saona and offers a better catamaran experience (because both ways are by catamaran and not just one way as for Isla Saona ) and better snorkeling conditions. Even though the scenery might not be as spectacular as for Isla Saona, you still can have a perfect day when heading towards Isla Catalina. Fun on the catamaran, relaxing on the beach, some nice photo opportunities and food and drinks as much as you want are some of the key characteristics of this tour. You can read my comprehensive guide about Isla Catalina here .

Distance from Bavaro/Punta Cana: 55 miles and 1:15h driving How to get to Isla Catalina: the easiest is to simply book a full-day group excursion from/to Punta Cana * (or a private tour ( check prices here *) if that fits your budget) Further information: Isla Catalina – less-frequented island excursion to paradise

Those are the best day-trips from Punta Cana! Which one is your favorite? Do you have further ideas? Have you visited some of those places and have recommendations? Let me know in the comments, I am happy to hear about your experiences.

Are you interested in more than just day-trips from Punta Cana? In this case, check out these three amazing multi-day itineraries, which give you a perfect overview of what the Dominican Republic has to offer: – 1-week itinerary from/to Punta Cana with beaches, mountains and culture – 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana or Santo Domingo to Samaná – ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary (1 week, 10 days, 2 weeks or more)

If you are looking for more activities and excursions, you can also continue reading this list of the best things-to-do in Punta Cana and the 35 best excursions in Punta Cana .

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Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.

ALSO WORTH READING:

All waterfalls reachable from Punta Cana in under 3 hours (incl. map)

The best of Punta Cana’s beaches [2024; incl. map + insider tips & hidden gems]

Montaña Redonda in Miches – the instagrammable mountain with spectacular views

How to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana: bus, Taxi, Transfer, Shuttle or rental car?

2 thoughts on “The 13 best day trips from Punta Cana”

Hello Chris, Thank you for your travel Blog and the 15 Amazing things to do for free in Punta Cana. We have already booked our flights and accommodations & are now deciding on what day trips we would like to do. I would like to go to Samana. Perhaps stay one night in Samana. Could we book a car for part of the time we are in Bavaro/Punta Cana?? If so can we rent in town or do we have to rent from the airport?? We will be in Punta Cana for a 10 day stay but do not want to pay for a car for 10 days. Please let us know. Thanks so much. Bye the way, I am also German. My parents are from Kassel Germany:)

yes, that is absolutely possible. You can rent a car in Punta Cana (in the town of Bavaro or at the airport, it depends where you are staying) and head up o Samaná. The roads to Samaná are well-maintained highways, just in the villages of Samaná it is a little bit more chaotic with regards to driving.

For further information on renting a car you can check out this article: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/general-information-faq/shall-i-rent-a-car-in-punta-cana/

For ideas on your road-trip and accommodation recommendations for Samaná, check out this itinerary which fits perfect to your Samaná road-trip: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/adventures-road-trips/samana-3-day-itinerary-punta-cana/

Let me know if you have any further questions with regard to your Dominican Republic trip.

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9 Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana

W ith over 1,000 miles of coastline and some of the prettiest beaches in North America, the Dominican Republic is a popular beach destination. With convenient flights from the U.S. and Canada, Punta Cana is one of the most popular areas in the Dominican Republic. Most travelers head to an all-inclusive resorts during their trip to DR, making for an easy beachy getaway. However, there are several things to keep in mind. Here are the top things to know before visiting Punta Cana.

• Punta Cana International Airport PUJ is one of the largest airports in the Caribbean with service in-between 26 international destinations.
• Cabs can be expensive so arrange for a transfer before arriving
• Spanish isn’t necessary, though it’s nice to use some common phases.
• Changing money isn’t necessary however cash for tips is necessary.
• There are several resort areas in Punta Cana, like Bavaro, Cap Cana and La Romana.
• DR boasts 200 Beaches
• Nude Sunbathing Isn’t a Thing in DR
• The Dominican Republic features a National Park, perfect for an all-day excursion.
• Bottled Water is a Must in DR

How to Get to the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is the second-largest island in the Caribbean. It offers several international airports. After several trip to DR over the years, I am sharing the Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

The Punta Cana International Airport

With service from several international carriers, including direct flights from Britain, France and South America. U.S. travelers will find American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Jet Blue Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

WiFi is available, and restrooms are located near the immigration line.

A valid passport with more than six months before expiration is required for your trip is required. e aren’t required to enter the country. A 30-day tourist visa will be stamped into your passport upon entry. The Dominican Republic Entry fee is included in your flight.

The Dominican Republic requires U.S. Passengers to fill out an online Immigration form before they arrive. Before my last trip in December 2023, my airline sent me a link (Delta Airlines).

On departure, U.S. residents can opt for the automated immigration lines. You will just scan your passport and pass through a gate.

The Punta Cana Airport features enhanced security measures with pat-downs. A TSA pre-check line isn’t available.

The departure area is fully air-conditioned and features a duty-free shop and another shop specializing in Dominican Republic products, like rum and cigars.

Find American fast food in the departures area, like Wendy’s, Sbarro, Nathan’s, Cinnabon and Baskin-Robbins. Also find a bar for pre-departure cocktails.

Find a small play structure for younger kids. The Punta Cana International Airport also features a nursing room.

Other International Airports in The Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo International Airport (SDQ) –With service from the U.S. on American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jet Blue Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Santiago International Airport (STI) –With service from the U.S. on American Airlines, United Airlines, Jet Blue Airlines and Spirit Airlines.

Puerto Plata International Airport (POP) –With service from the U.S. on American Airlines, United Airlines and Jet Blue Airlines.

Resort Review: Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana

Airport transfers.

When leaving the arrivals hall at the Punta Cana International Airport, a line of cab drivers will greet you. I recommend arranging transportation with your resort or hotel before arriving. This is one of the Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

There are several transportation and tour counters in the area. I usually check in with my transportation company to find my driver. Often they are waiting a short distance from the airport and pull up after you arrive.

Most cars in the Dominican Republic are air-conditioned.

What Language is Used in the Dominican Republic

The Dominicans speak Spanish though most understand and speak some English. Knowing some basic Spanish is helpful, especially the basics.

Hola = Hello

Buenos Días = Good Morning

Buenos Noches = Good Night

Muchas Gracias = Thank you very much

What Money is  Used in the Dominican Republic

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (RD$). Though the U.S. Dollar is widely accepted. This is one of the Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

Change will most likely be given in U.S. dollars. For those who want local currency, ATMs are located in hotel lobbies as well as the airport.

Credit Cards are widely accepted throughout the Dominican Republic. It’s advised to use a credit card for large purchases like lodging. Though use cash for souvenirs and small purchases. Tips are accepted and appreciated in DR from spa services to daily maid service.

Phone Service in the Dominican Republic

Since I travel internationally, I have a global plan through my U.S. carrier. When I land I just switch over to the local service provider. I just use my data to check email and messages. The provider I used throughout my trip to DR was Altice.

Most all-inclusive resorts offer extensive WiFi for their guests. Most of the time this service is included. This is one of the top things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

Where to Stay in Punta Cana

Most resorts in the Punta Cana area are all-inclusive resorts. Travelers will find everything from luxurious and laid-back adult all-inclusives to family resorts with waterparks.

Some resorts are divided into an adults-only side with an adjoining family side, each with separate restaurants, pools and gathering places. Other resorts offer buildings dedicated to adults or families.

With several different resort areas in Punta Cana, visitors will choose from laid-back La Romana to buzzy Bavaro. Cap Cana boasts Juanilla Beach, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean.

Near Punta Cana, Cap Cana boasts wide white sand beaches with lots of palm trees. A resort community, Cap Cana features the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana. Both of these properties opened in 2021 and offer a luxurious all-inclusive resort experience.

Nearby is Sanctuary Cap Cana, another luxury all-inclusive resort. Located on Juanillo Beach, it offers pristine white sand with mature palm trees.

Cap Cana is located just south of the Punta Cana International Airport. The Cap Cana Marina offers boat excursions. This area is ideal for watersports like kayaking, SUP boarding and sailing.

La Romana offers a quieter resort experience. It’s located west of the Punta Cana International Airport and along the Chavón River.

I stayed at the Hilton La Romana, an all-inclusive resort with tropical landscaping. It is close to Bayahibe, a resort town with shopping and dining. It is also the departure point for boat excursions to Isla Saona, part of the Parque National Cotubanama.

Bavaro features the largest concentration of all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. It’s north of the Punta Cana International Airport and on the Atlantic Ocean.

Along this strip of beach, often called the Coconut Coast, resorts are shoulder-to-shoulder. The white sand beaches are the draw though some resorts offer bigger beaches than others so research is key.

Bavaro is quite busy. The resorts tend to be louder and the beaches busier.

Best Beaches in Punta Cana

With about 200 beaches in the Dominican Republic, it can be hard to choose. DR boasts 25 Blue Flag Beaches (more than the U.S.), known for their conservation and recycling efforts.

Macao Beach –Known for its surfing area.

Bavaro Beach –This beach extends for 30 miles and features many all-inclusive resorts. It is a favorite.

Juanillo Beach- -Exceptionally wide beach with mature palm trees. Since there are fewer resorts and many are gated, this beach is less crowded.

Bayahibe Beach –Located in the village and a frequent departure point for excursions to Soana Island.

Note : Nude sunbathing isn’t a common in the Dominican Republic. Even topless sunbathing isn’t a thing in DR. This is one of the Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

Saona Island

Part of the Cotubanama National Park, Saona Island is a pristine tropical escape. With a lack of development, including hotels, it is an ideal day trip.

Christopher Columbus discovered the island and named it after a friend. It was the location for the Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

The easiest way to reach the island is via a catamaran tour. Most trips stop at Palmilla Swimming Area, a shallow area that adults can touch the bottom in the turquoise water.

Most trips depart from Bayahibe and take 8 to 10 hours. Lunch and drinks are usually included in the tour.

Popular Punta Cana Excursions

Arrange for a tour during your visit to the Dominican Republic to learn more about its agriculture and animals.

Feed a Spider Monkey.

Learn about the chocolate production.

Watch a cigar rolling.

Walk through a sugar cane field.

Take a Zipline through the tree canopy.

Learn about coffee production.

Is the Water Safe in the Dominican Republic

While visiting the Dominican Republic, drink bottled water. The tap water is NOT safe to drink. So drink bottled water exclusively during your visit. I even brush my teeth with bottled water or mouthwash. This is one of the Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stay away from the following:

• Tap or well water
• Ice made with tap or well water
• Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juice)
• Unpasteurized milk

Complimentary bottled water should be available in your room during your entire stay. Water fountains are not the norm in the Dominican Republic.

What to Wear in the Caribbean

Need some help with what to wear? Here are all the best tips and products for your trip.

Beach Packing List 

Liquor safety.

Practice some basic precautions during your stay. The drinking age in the Dominican Republic is 18.

• Make sure all bottled beverages are sealed with their factory seals in your mini fridge.
• Don’t drink from open liquor bottles in your room.
• Watch bartenders make your beverages.
• Before drinking, smell your cocktail.
• Drink slowly.
• Eat before and while you are drinking.
• Drink bottled water while drinking alcohol.

Food Safety

According to the CDC, stay away from the following:

• Food served at room temperature
• Food from street vendors
• Raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs
• Raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish
• Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
• Unpasteurized dairy products
• ”Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

Insect Safety in DR

According to the CDC, protect yourself by doing the following:

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on your skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

I recommend the following product to treat your clothes before departure, available from Amazon.

Make an Appointment at Travel Clinic

I headed to CDC.gov for Caribbean travel information, including required immunizations. My family practitioner advised me to make an appointment at a travel clinic.

At the travel clinic, my nurse practitioner advised a Typhoid vaccine, along with Hepatitis A and a booster vaccine for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis since it had been five years since my last shot. I was covered for the MMR vaccine, or measles, mumps and rubella.

The nurse practitioner also discussed mosquito safety since dengue fever is sometimes an issue for the Caribbean. I packed a 3 oz. container of insect repellant and used it when I walked through a shady area and in the evenings.

Along with vaccines, she discussed traveler’s diarrhea (TD). She advised I start taking probiotics before and during my trip. I also drank a dose of Emergen-C daily, especially after long international flights. I packed some over-the-counter medications for TD symptoms since it’s the most common illness during travel.

Fear of TD–Traveler’s Diarrhea

I have a fear of TD. Who has time for that? I didn’t want to find a Dominican pharmacy, so I packed all the supplies I might need. Here’s what the CDC recommends.

• Antiacid—like Tums
• Pepto-Bismol tablets
• Imodium tablets
• Oral Rehydration Salts—available at REI
• Prescription Antibiotics—prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner based on your itinerary.

If you get seasickness, here are the top tips and products to reduce the effects .

First Aid Supplies

Accidents happen so pack a basic first aid kit to be prepared, even for minor scrapes and blisters.

• Pain Reliever
• Motion Sickness pills, like non-drowsy Dramamine
• Cough Drops
• Cold Medication—I prefer a separate Day and Night version.
• Anti-Histamine—like Benadryl
• Triple antibiotic cream—like Neosporin
• Anti-Itch Cream
• Anti-septic wipes
• Inspect Repellent

Restroom Supplies

When traveling away from resorts, pack some restroom supplies. You will need them outside restaurants and hotels.

• Toilet paper, off the roll in a plastic bag
• Hand sanitizer
• Bleach wipes

Note: I left all medications in the original container to avoid issues with security or customs.

This post contains affiliate links. Consideration for brands mentioned.

The post 9 Things to Know Before Visiting Punta Cana appeared first on Carful of Kids .

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Secrets Royal Beach Entertainment - Punta Cana Forum

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Secrets Royal Beach Entertainment

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2 replies to this topic

Pretty laid back during the day. Not much in terms of games or even music at the main pool. Had more fun at the main PC pool near the beach. Nighttime shows are good though (for the most part). Shows are at the outdoor plaza near all the restaurants and Showtime bar and lobby. You can download the World of Hyatt All Inclusive app and see current schedule of activities and shows.

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