“Hold on, and let go when I blow the whistle,” the man says.
I’m standing on a ledge high above an aquamarine pool at Scape Park, a natural adventure theme park near Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The man hands me a white rope with a knot. I hold on tightly and turn toward the water. My friend, Lesli, grips another rope beside me.
“Ready, set, go!” I yell, and we run off the ledge, zipping over the water. I hear the roar of nearby waterfalls, and then the blow of the whistle.
We let go and drop into the pool. Laughing, we climb up the ladder to do it again.
Dominican Republic Vacation
It isn’t every day that you can plunge into an aquamarine pool, but that’s just one way to spend the day in the Dominican Republic.
This Caribbean island of over 11 million welcomes visitors from all over the world, and it’s a popular winter getaway.
Travelers come for the sunny weather, friendly people and miles of pristine beach. Many top Dominican Republic resorts can be found in Punta Cana, which has its own airport.
This lush tropical island paradise is two hours by air from Miami, four hours from New York City and eight hours from most European cities.
Scape Park Adventures
The Dominican Republic has a lush, diverse landscape, from mountains to tropical forests to beaches. Scape Park makes the most of that environment, turning natural land features into adventures.
At Scape Park at Cap Cana, my friends and I swam in ancient pool-filled caverns and cenotes, hiked along a cultural trail, and stood under waterfalls in the Saltos Azules.
Full admission starts at $129 per person and includes transportation from your hotel, along with a buffet lunch and a full day at the park.
The park features over ten attractions, including the famous Blue Hole (Hoyo Azul) cenote, ziplines that soar over cliffs, cave expeditions through Iguabonita Cave, and water activities like the Zip Line Eco Splash.
Admission also includes access to Scape Park’s private beach club at Juanillo Beach. There, we had the pristine shore almost to ourselves.
We spent the afternoon relaxing in the water and sipping cool drinks from our beach chairs. It’s a perfect escape from winter.
Staying at Occidental Punta Cana
Photo by Janna Graber
We chose to stay at the Occidental Punta Cana, an all-inclusive resort on Bavaro Beach, less than 19 miles from the airport.
This 860-room resort sits directly on El Cortecito Beach, one of the area’s best stretches of white sand. The property is now part of the Barceló Hotels group, offering a mix of modern amenities and tropical charm.
For many guests, Occidental Punta Cana provides everything needed for a vacation. Three large pools wind through the resort, and there are 11 restaurants and snack bars to choose from, including two buffet restaurants and seven a la carte options specializing in Italian, Asian, Mexican, seafood, and Argentine steakhouse.
My room was large and comfortable, with a private hydromassage tub on the deck. I stayed in one of the 52 Royal Level rooms, which includes access to a private beach area, a private a la carte restaurant, and complimentary internet service.
Relaxing at the pool one afternoon, I saw a mix of families, couples and groups of friends of all ages. The resort has a supervised kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12, while adults can enjoy everything from dance classes and yoga to beach volleyball and evening shows with live music.
Occidental Punta Cana also includes non-motorized watersports at no cost, including kayaking, boogie boarding and a complimentary scuba lesson in the pool.
Note that reservations are required for the a la carte restaurants and should be made early in your stay, as they fill up quickly.
The Royal Level upgrade provides additional perks, including beach service and priority reservations.
Saona Island Excursion
We wanted to see more of the Dominican Republic, so we booked a day excursion to Saona Island. This small island lies off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic within Cotubanamá National Park.
The tour includes transportation to the boat terminal in Bayahibe, a speedboat to the island, a buffet lunch, and a catamaran trip back.
“Today, you’re our guest in the Dominican Republic,” says our guide, Ray. “Please set your worries from home aside. Just enjoy our hospitality.”
Our lively excursion group, which includes Russians, Brazilians, Canadians and Americans, nods in agreement, happy to be vacationing in the Caribbean, far from the normal stresses of life.
We board a speedboat that zips us toward the island. Yet, about a half mile from shore, we stop.
“Get out,” our boat captain says with a smile.
Photo by Janna Graber
Although we’re far from the shore, we hop overboard. Sure enough, the water comes up to my shoulders. We’re standing on a sand bank in the middle of the sea, and colorful starfish dot the soft sand beneath our feet.
The boat captain turns on some music as my friends join me in the water. We’re handed cups of Dominican rum and Coke, which we sip, soaking in the warm water.
After 45 minutes on the sand bank, we continue to the island. There, we find dozens of beach chairs and palm trees that offer shade.
The azure sea is clear and warm. For lunch, we have Dominican BBQ and enjoy more Dominican rum and Coke.
After a relaxing afternoon, it’s time to head back. This time, we board a catamaran. The crew raises the sails and we set out. Music plays on board, and the mood is light. The crew drums up a game of hot potato with some of the passengers.
Only, instead of a potato, they use a broom. I watch from the sidelines, hearing laughter and comments in English, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
On this perfect day in the Dominican Republic, the stresses of daily life feel worlds away. The combination of natural beauty, warm Caribbean waters, and the genuine hospitality of our guides makes this excursion unforgettable.
As we sailed back to Bayahibe, the sun sets over the water, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why people travel, why they seek out new experiences, and why the Dominican Republic continues to captivate visitors year after year.
Planning Your Dominican Republic Adventure
Photo courtesy Janna Graber
Best Time to Visit: The Dominican Republic enjoys warm weather year-round, with the high season running from December through April. Summer months (June through August) offer lower prices but higher humidity and occasional afternoon showers.
What to Pack for Day Trips:
- Sunscreen and reef-safe sunscreen for marine parks
- Water shoes for cenotes and rocky beaches
- Insect repellent, especially for Saona Island
- Waterproof phone case or camera
- Cash for tips and optional photo packages
- Change of clothes for the return trip
Booking Tips: Reserve popular excursions like Scape Park and Saona Island in advance, especially during high season. Many tours offer hotel pickup from the Bavaro and Punta Cana areas, typically departing between 7:00 and 9:00 AM for full-day trips.
Getting Around: Most all-inclusive resorts offer tour booking desks, but you can often find better prices by booking directly online. Round-trip airport transfers from Punta Cana International Airport to Bavaro Beach resorts typically take 20 to 30 minutes.
Whether you’re ziplining into crystal-clear pools, sailing to remote Caribbean islands, or simply relaxing on white-sand beaches, the Dominican Republic offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation for an unforgettable tropical escape.
Need a hand planning your trip? Here are the sites and services we rely on most, from booking tools to travel products we love.
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