There are few very popular excursions that every Punta Cana resorts offer (for additional price of course) to their guests. On these tours you can see animals, swim with dolphins or simple get away from the resort and see a bit of the countryside.
Please note that the attractions where animals are kept have been in the past criticized by animal rights activist so you might want to check beforehand if it is something that concerns you. Especially Manati Park Bavaro seems to be little too small for all the animals that are kept there.
Manati Park is an amusement theme park, offering 130,000 square meter preserve with permanent exhibits of birds, reptiles, and fish. A show with parrots, dolphins and dancing horses is included in the admission fee.
Free shuttle bus to and from principal hotels in the area is provided.
Opening times:
Daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Entrance Fee:
20 US$ (Children aged 2 – 12 years)
35 US$ (Over 12 years)
Swimming with dolphins
115 US$ (Advance booking required and includes entrance fee to the park)
| Show times | |
|---|---|
| Swimming with dolphins | 9.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m., 5.15 p.m. |
| Dolphin and sea lion show | 11.15 a.m., 4.15 p.m. |
| Parrot show | 12.45 p.m., 5.15 p.m. |
| Horse show | 1.15 p.m. |
| Taino show (native people of the island) | 10.30 a.m., 3.30 p.m. |
Short boat ride takes you to the artificial island created where tourists can have a swim with trained dolphins right in the sea. Swimming with dolphins here cost US$ 145.
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve
Punta Cana Ecological Reserve offers a short guided tours through tropical flora with an optional refreshing bath in a cool spring at the end. Here one has a chance to walk through a real jungle which is located within Punta Cana Resort but has been set aside for protection and is run by Punta Cana Ecological Foundation.
Birding Adventures in Punta Cana
The Ecological Reserve includes network of trails and provides habitat for variety of birds, reptiles, insects and other local flora and fauna.