Things to do in Punta Cana: a 3, 5 and 7-day itinerary
With three days of excursions you see the essentials of Punta Cana for US$160 per person. With five you add Samaná for US$360, and with seven you have time for everything without rushing for US$420. The three plans use Jhoraji Tours excursions with hotel pickup and leave beach time in between.
Prices per person taken from each tour page on November 9, 2026. The plans count days of activities, not your arrival or departure day.
Three rules before you plan
- Alternate. After a full-day excursion, plan a short day or a free day.
- Keep early starts away from late nights. Samaná picks you up between 6:00 and 7:30 am, and Coco Bongo brings you back to your hotel between 1:30 and 2:00 am.
- Don't leave the sea for the last day. Island and catamaran trips can change with the weather; if they come earlier, there is room to move them.
3-day plan: the essentials for US$160
| Day | Plan | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buggy: country roads, a cave and Macao Beach | 4 hours | US$35 |
| 2 | Saona Island: catamaran, speedboat and lunch | Full day | US$65 |
| 3 | Cultural Safari: plantations, a typical house and lunch | 5 hours | US$60 |
| Total | US$160 |
One day of adventure, one island day and one day to see the Dominican countryside. The buggy and the safari last 4 and 5 hours, so on those days you still have half a day for the beach.
- If you can't ride a buggy (the tour page advises against it with pregnancy or back problems), swap it for Mundo Taíno: same price, US$35.
- If you prefer a party to culture, swap the safari for the Party Boat, same price (US$60), and leave the buggy for the last day.
5-day plan: with Samaná for US$360
| Day | Plan | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buggy: country roads, a cave and Macao Beach | 4 hours | US$35 |
| 2 | Saona Island: catamaran, speedboat and lunch | Full day | US$65 |
| 3 | Party Boat: catamaran, snorkeling and the natural pool | 4 hours | US$60 |
| 4 | Samaná: El Limón Waterfall and Cayo Levantado | Full day | US$110 |
| 5 | Ojos Indígenas: freshwater lagoons and Playa Blanca | 3 hours | US$90 |
| Total | US$360 |
The Party Boat (4 hours) goes between the two full days so you can rest, and the last day is the shortest: Ojos Indígenas lasts 3 hours.
- From January to March, swap Samaná for the humpback whales (US$125): the plan comes to US$375.
- If you prefer viewpoints to lagoons, swap the last day for Montaña Redonda (US$80, half a day with lunch).
7-day plan: no rush for US$420
| Day | Plan | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buggy: country roads, a cave and Macao Beach | 4 hours | US$35 |
| 2 | Saona Island: catamaran, speedboat and lunch | Full day | US$65 |
| 3 | Coco Bongo: beach day and a show at night | Night | US$90 |
| 4 | Free day: a morning of rest and beach | — | — |
| 5 | Samaná: El Limón Waterfall and Cayo Levantado | Full day | US$110 |
| 6 | Party Boat: catamaran, snorkeling and the natural pool | 4 hours | US$60 |
| 7 | Cultural Safari: plantations, a typical house and lunch | 5 hours | US$60 |
| Total | US$420 |
Five excursions, one night show and two days with a free morning. Coco Bongo ends late at night, so day 4 is free and Samaná goes on day 5.
- If you prefer horses and viewpoints, swap the Party Boat for Montaña Redonda with horseback riding at Playa Limón (US$82, 6 hours, with lunch).
- If you still have energy, add parasailing (US$80, 2 hours) on the afternoon of the free day: the schedule is flexible.
Adjust the plan to your trip
- With children. Check the minimum age first: 6 for horseback riding and the zipline, 8 for Jhoraji Adventure and Hacienda Tuko, 10 for parasailing and Scuba Doo.
- No early mornings. Skip Samaná, the whales, Saona Island and Catalina Island, which pick you up between 6:00 and 7:30 am. The zipline and fishing trips have an afternoon departure.
- On a tight budget. Buggy, Mundo Taíno and Saona Island add up to US$135 per person.
- With only one free day. Buggy and catamaran combines land and sea in one day for US$95.
Every option, with its price and duration, is in the guide to Punta Cana excursions.
Frequently asked questions
How many excursions should I do in a week?
Five, plus a night show if you feel like it. That way you alternate full days, like Saona Island or Samaná, with short ones, and you still have free mornings for the beach.
Can I do two excursions on the same day?
Yes, if they are short. There are ready-made combos: Buggy and catamaran picks you up between 7:00 and 8:00 am and gets back around 6:00 pm, with the buggy in the morning and the catamaran in the afternoon, for US$95.
Which excursion should I leave for the last day?
A short one on land, like Ojos Indígenas (3 hours) or horseback riding on Macao Beach (3 hours). Avoid full-day trips the day before your flight.
How much should I budget for excursions?
About US$160 per person for three days, US$360 for five and US$420 for seven, with the plans in this guide. Tips, photos and souvenirs are extra.