5% discount for First Responders

• Roundtrip transportation from your hotel
• Knowledgeable guide
• Entrance fees for the main attractions
• Bottled water

 

Special Instructions

• 9am Departure Time / 5 hour Tour
• We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera. 
• You will want to have money for food, snacks, drinks, souvenirs and gratuities for your guide and driver. 

It is really an easy ride from Punta Cana to the pilgrimage city of Higuey, a historical and cultural heart of the eastern Dominican Republic. And it is nice to learn about the background of the place you are visiting. If you choose to make this pilgrimage of sorts as part of your vacation, you will still have a good amount of your day left when you return to your hotel or ship, but you will have learned so much about the people of this country, and that is what travel is really about.

The main historical attraction in Higüey is the cathedral, which displays the "Virgen de la Altagracia", a painting brought by Spanish missionaries in the 15th century. The painting was previously kept in the similarly 500-year-old church of San Dionisio, which still remains in religious use. Every year on Virgin of La Altagracia Day, which is a national holiday on January 21, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the Cathedral. Knowing that the country, a religious one, still celebrates Our Lady of Altagracia makes this a living legacy.

There is a wonderful museum, the Altagracia Museum, which which was built to recover and exhibit the artistic heritage to all the dominicans. You can find different objects that are part of the people’s religious lives and have been properly restored for the exhibition. Standing out among them are the people’s oblations to the Virgin and an exhibition comprised of a series of oil paintings on wooden planks from the 18th century. In a different room, known as Sala del Tesoro, you can see examples of local and American goldsmithing from the 17th to the 20th century.

You will also have time to explore the Minor Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia, where the architecture and the folklore will amaze you. You have now seen the history that is overflowing Higuey. As you find yourself on Higuey's main street surrounded by the city's monuments and buildings that represent the real world of the locals who have brought their families up in this city, the 8th largest in this country, you will see the street vendors living an ordinary but authentic way of life. Cafeterias, shoe shiners, fruit stalls are all part of the locale decor.

You will find here the craftsmen selling jewelry and fine souvenirs. You will find things are well-priced allowing you to take back some fine Dominican rum, perhaps a piece of jewelry, and definitely some hand-rolled cigars. Each time you look at them once you are home you will remember this day.

• Roundtrip transportation in open-air truck from your hotel
• Knowledgeable and dedicated guides
• Guided tour of Monkeyland
• Stroll through the botanical garden full of native medicinal plants, flowers and fruit trees
• Plenty of interaction and time with the monkeys
• Visit to a traditional Dominican country home
• Visit with locals
• Tastes of Dominican coffee and cocoa
• Water is available

 

Special Instructions

• 7am or 1pm Departure Time / 5 hour Tour
• Sunscreen or Insect Repellent on your hands or body can harm the monkeys.
• People with peanut allergies cannot participate on this tour. 
• We recommend that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera. 
• You will want to have money for food, snacks, drinks, souvenirs and gratuities for your guide and driver. 

It is really an easy ride from Punta Cana to the pilgrimage city of Higuey, a historical and cultural heart of the eastern Dominican Republic. And it is nice to learn about the background of the place you are visiting. If you choose to make this pilgrimage of sorts as part of your vacation, you will still have a good amount of your day left when you return to your hotel or ship, but you will have learned so much about the people of this country, and that is what travel is really about.

The main historical attraction in Higüey is the cathedral, which displays the "Virgen de la Altagracia", a painting brought by Spanish missionaries in the 15th century. The painting was previously kept in the similarly 500-year-old church of San Dionisio, which still remains in religious use. Every year on Virgin of La Altagracia Day, which is a national holiday on January 21, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the Cathedral. Knowing that the country, a religious one, still celebrates Our Lady of Altagracia makes this a living legacy.

There is a wonderful museum, the Altagracia Museum, which which was built to recover and exhibit the artistic heritage to all the dominicans. You can find different objects that are part of the people’s religious lives and have been properly restored for the exhibition. Standing out among them are the people’s oblations to the Virgin and an exhibition comprised of a series of oil paintings on wooden planks from the 18th century. In a different room, known as Sala del Tesoro, you can see examples of local and American goldsmithing from the 17th to the 20th century.

You will also have time to explore the Minor Basilica Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia, where the architecture and the folklore will amaze you. You have now seen the history that is overflowing Higuey. As you find yourself on Higuey's main street surrounded by the city's monuments and buildings that represent the real world of the locals who have brought their families up in this city, the 8th largest in this country, you will see the street vendors living an ordinary but authentic way of life. Cafeterias, shoe shiners, fruit stalls are all part of the locale decor.

You will find here the craftsmen selling jewelry and fine souvenirs. You will find things are well-priced allowing you to take back some fine Dominican rum, perhaps a piece of jewelry, and definitely some hand-rolled cigars. Each time you look at them once you are home you will remember this day.

• Round trip transportation from major hotels in Punta Cana
• Kiss and hug dolphin
• Hand target
• Handshake
• Free time
• 40 minutes in the water
• Access to the Beach Club
• Relax and enjoy the jacuzzi
• Come and have fun in the pool for children and adults

 

Special Instructions

• 11am or 1pm  Departure Time / 1 hour Excursion
• Please bring a towel. They are not provided. 
• Lockers are included in the price of the tour. 
• The use of safety vests provided by the facility is required. 
• Non-swimmers are welcome. Each person is required to wear a life jacket. 
• The dolphin facility amenities include: lounge chairs, showers, bathrooms, dressing rooms, pools, lockers and jacuzzi.
• You will want to have money for food, snacks, drinks, souvenirs and gratuities for your guide and driver. 
• Do not wear sunblock while swimming with the dolphins. 
• Jewelry, watches, rings, bracelets, or any object that might scratch the dolphins are not allowed. 

If you just go jump out in the middle of the ocean, it isn't likely that you will run into a dolphin. If, by a miracle, you do run into a dolphin, it is even less likely they will get close enough for you to hug. If, by an even greater miracle, you are able to hug this dolphin, please let us know as we will follow you where you go next. For the sake of success rate and to avoid questioning your sanity, we recommend that you take this opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with one of the ocean's most cunning creatures!

Your program begins with an explanation on the lifestyle of dolphins. With a better understanding of these fascinating creatures, and a life jacket strapped on, you will enter the water with your trainer by descending a set of stairs to a submerged platform. The water will be waist deep and provides the perfect setting to interact with some of the smartest animals in the world. Here, our friendly dolphins, that are known for their playful nature, will give you a handshake, a kiss, and a hug.

Photos will be taken of your dolphin kiss and will be available for purchase after your encounter.