All-Inclusive Cayo Arena Day trip from Santo Domingo
Description
With this experience, you will experience firsthand what few can do when coming to Santo Domingo to enter the natural beauties that the north of the country offers and return in time for dinner. Enjoy comfortable transport with breakfast included on the road; your eyes can see because it is known as Cayo Paraiso (Paradise Cay) to this beautiful destination.
Tour Options
Itinerary
In this point we will take a local boat that will take us to Cayo Paraiso / Cayo Arena. If the conditions in the sea are good enought we will stop for a few minutes in a natural pool with pristine water in the middle of the sea.
Off these northwestern shores, boats depart to the offshore Cayo Arena–also known as Cayo Paraíso–offering exceptional diving for beginner levels, starting at five meters (16 feet). Schools of tropical fish can also easily be seen in shallow turquoise waters, making this spot a paradise for snorkeling fans. This area boasts some of the most abundant marine life in the DR, with corals and sponges that surround the caye, where octopuses, crabs, schools of surgeonfish, sergeant majors, damselfish, angelfish, and yellowtail snappers all swim around your feet. This tiny sandbank is also a dreamy spot to relax and take plenty of beach selfies.
The dry, subtropical forest landscape around El Morro is surrounded by extensive stands of mangroves that can be seen up close on foot, or by boat through a network of inland waterways and lagoons where you can enjoy a swim. Iguanas, as well as numerous bird species, reside amid the mangroves and forest of El Morro, such as frigatebirds, herons, egrets, the American oystercatcher, and waterfowls, including migratory species. The park entrance is easily accessible from town, less than a ten-minute drive away, and multiple tour companies offer boat excursions around the lagoons and mangroves.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is availPickup is available from most hotels and private accommodations in Santo Domingo city center. An extra charge may apply if you are outside our pickup zones.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(12)
Alex is a fantastic guide and driver. We would give him 10 stars if we could. He arrived early and was attentive to make sure everyone in our party was happy and comfortable. The drive is long, however, it was very interesting to see and experience the DR countryside and talk with Alex about life in the DR. Cayo Arena was amazing. It has some of the best snorkeling and scenery. We certainly recommend Alex and this day trip.
Dear Jeremy, Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We are delighted to hear that Alex made your trip so enjoyable with his attentiveness and insightful conversations. Exploring the Dominican countryside is indeed a unique part of the journey, and we’re glad you appreciated it. Cayo Arena is a true gem, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the snorkeling and stunning scenery. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure in the future! Best regards, The Mamajuana Travel Team
This is a preposterous excursion--9 hours of travel in a car to spend a couple of hours on a sand bar with no toilets and no shade. The boat ride to/from the key is very uncomfortable. The restroom facilities at the boat launch site are disgusting beyond description. The beach at the key is lovely, but the overall experience is a disaster. If you want to visit Cayo Arena, be aware of the lack of facilities, and do not start your day in Santo Domingo.
Dear Stephen, We sincerely apologize that your experience did not meet your expectations. Cayo Arena is a natural sandbar known for its pristine beauty, but it does have limited facilities, including minimal shade and no permanent restrooms. The journey from Santo Domingo is indeed lengthy, and the boat ride can be challenging due to sea conditions. For future travelers, we recommend considering these factors when planning a visit to Cayo Arena. Starting from locations closer to Punta Rucia can reduce travel time. Additionally, being prepared for limited amenities on the island can help set appropriate expectations. We appreciate your feedback, as it assists us in providing clearer information to our guests and improving our services. Sincerely, The Mamajuana Travel Team
Abraham was an amazing guide! He was very attentive to the needs of our family and focused on making sure we had the best day possible. The water was incredibly clear and warm, which was perfect for snorkeling. Everyone had a blast!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback. We are delighted to hear that your family had an amazing experience and that Abraham’s attentive service made your day truly memorable. It’s great to know you enjoyed the clear, warm waters, perfect for snorkeling. Your kind words inspire us to continue delivering exceptional experiences. We look forward to welcoming you on your next adventure with Mamajuana Travel. Sincerely, The Mamajuana Travel Team
Literally the best experience ever. Although, I only put four stars because of some issues that were out of the tour guide’s hands, since he couldn’t have prevented it from happening, what happened was the boats engine broke down and we had to sit in the open sea boat rocking and go super slowly and get a lot of water on us due to the moving of the boat. If you get seasick easily this might not be for you OR I highly recommend taking Dramamine 30 minutes prior which is what I did so I felt fine. Still had anxiety though because the boat rocking was a bit scary but other than that perfect trip. The beaches were GORGEOUS and the water was really nice. One thing though, breakfast is not included so highly recommend if you don’t wanna get seasick to one take Dramamine and two eat some food prior to the tour!!
Dear Bryan, Thank you for sharing your detailed experience. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful beaches and overall enjoyed the tour. At the same time, we regret the discomfort caused by the unexpected boat engine issue. While this situation was beyond our tour guide's control, we understand how challenging it can be and appreciate your feedback regarding seasickness precautions. Your recommendations on taking Dramamine and having breakfast beforehand are valuable, and we will consider emphasizing these tips for future tours. We continually strive to improve our services and your insights help us do that. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with an even smoother and equally memorable experience on your next adventure. Sincerely, The Mamajuana Travel Team
My favorite beach has been Cayo Arena, crystal clear waters and variety of fish. Mama Juana is a responsible and punctual Enterprise, passed through us Abraham to Airbnb and the attention of him was great, a very warm person and with all the attitude for us to enjoy the tour. Everything that the tour indicates was fulfilled, from transportation, points of interest, breakfast and buffet food as well as snorkeling in Cayo Arena and visit to the mangroves. I definitely recommend them. :)
Estimada Yamilett, Agradecemos sinceramente su detallada reseña. Nos complace saber que Cayo Arena se ha convertido en su playa favorita, y que la experiencia fue tan completa y gratificante. Nos llena de satisfacción que Abraham haya contribuido de manera tan positiva a su día, cumpliendo con cada detalle del tour, desde el transporte hasta la visita a los manglares, y que todo se haya desarrollado conforme a lo prometido. Sus palabras nos motivan a seguir ofreciendo un servicio responsable y de alta calidad. Esperamos tener el honor de recibirla nuevamente en futuras aventuras. Atentamente, El equipo de Mamajuana Travel
Abraham was excellent. He was kind and was attentive to my needs and made sure I had an excellent time for my Birthday! I'd recommend it to everyone who loves the the sea and beautiful beaches!
Dear Kristina, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience. We are delighted to hear that Abraham made your birthday day trip exceptional by providing attentive and personalized service. It is our mission to ensure every guest enjoys a memorable experience, and your recommendation truly reinforces our commitment to excellence. We look forward to welcoming you on many more adventures along the beautiful sea and pristine beaches. Sincerely, The Mamajuana Travel Team
Alex was on time for pickup and ensured I had an amazing time. He was very informative about the culture and educated me thoroughly. The island was absolutely breathtaking!
Dear Rashun_C, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review about your experience on our All-Inclusive Cayo Arena Day trip from Santo Domingo! We are glad to know that you had an amazing time and that our guide, Alex, was able to provide you with an enriching experience by being punctual, informative, and educational about our culture. We pride ourselves on offering our guests unforgettable experiences in stunning locations like Cayo Arena, and we are delighted that you enjoyed your visit to this beautiful island. Once again, thank you for choosing Mamajuana Travel for your excursion, and we look forward to having you join us for future adventures. Warm regards, The Mamajuana Travel Team
Thank you for your excellent Service @mamajuanatours. All my excursions will be with you.are the best😍
Estimada Gissy25, Le agradecemos sinceramente por compartir su experiencia y por confiar en Mamajuana Tours para vivir un domingo inolvidable. Es un verdadero honor saber que nuestro servicio contribuyó a hacer de su día un recuerdo especial. Nos impulsa a seguir ofreciendo experiencias de calidad en cada excursión, y esperamos seguir acompañándola en sus futuras aventuras. Cordialmente, El equipo de Mamajuana Travel
Key sand with mom juana tour Excellent Service, super personalized and fun especially to relax and spend super.
Estimada Yael, Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia en el tour de Cayo Arena con Mamajuana. Es gratificante saber que encontró en nuestro servicio la atención personalizada y el ambiente ideal para relajarse. En Mamajuana Travel nos esforzamos por ofrecer experiencias únicas y adaptadas a cada viajero, y su comentario nos impulsa a seguir mejorando día a día. Esperamos tener el placer de recibirla en futuras aventuras. Atentamente, El equipo de Mamajuana Travel
Excellent Service, the service is amazing and very fun. 110/100. Mama Juana tour. The service was super.
Estimada Lucero, Agradecemos sinceramente el tiempo que se tomó para compartir su experiencia. Nos alegra saber que su visita a Cayo Arena y el tour de Mamajuana superaron sus expectativas. En Mamajuana Travel trabajamos con dedicación para ofrecer un servicio excepcional y experiencias inolvidables. Esperamos tener el gusto de atenderla nuevamente en futuras aventuras. Un cordial saludo.
