Explore the 500-year-old city of Higuey, the capital city of the eastern La Altagracia province of the Dominican Republic. Higuey means Land of the Rising Sun in Arawak and was once controlled by a large Taino Indian kingdom who were eventually decimated by Spanish conquistadors. Visit the Basilica, a Roman Catholic cathedral housing the over 500 years old painting of the Altagracia Virgen brought here by Spanish missionaries. The cathedral's importance was solidified with Pope John Paul II's visit in 1992. Then, enjoy a traditional home-cooked buffet of rice and beans, meat, salad, plantains, sweets, and coffee. Experience this meal in rustic country surroundings, just the way it should be.  Next, head to Macao Beach, which is one of the most sought-after coastlines in Punta Cana. Macao's amber sands and azure waters attract beach goers and surfers alike. Only locals know Macao's value as a prime destination for fresh fish and lazy Sunday afternoons with friends. Now enjoy an hour of free time to wade in the Caribbean Ocean, recline on the beach's soft sands, or people watch while refreshments are served. 

Our trucks are equipped with friendly professional tour guide, one bartender and of course the chauffeur . Visit the most important of this city, the city of Higuey, where you will meet the Basilica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, we will walk around the city and will have a panoramic view of the municipal market, plus our special safari trucks take us to a private ranch a ride horses, then we will have a good time swimming in a river of crystalline waters. Then reach our private ranch and have the opportunity to relax, enjoy a delicious typical Dominican lunch. We will also visit a small shop purchase handcrafted gifts and simultaneously observe a demonstration of handmade cigars. Finally we end our tour on the unspoiled beach macao, where you can have fun swimming or using our surfboards or just relax watching the sunset in the Caribbean with a beer or a Cuba-free in his hand.

This snapshot of Dominican life beyond the Coconut Coast has all the makings for a great day out. A sugarcane plantation, a cigar-rolling demonstration, and a blockbuster beach break are just some of the highlights. But the star turn of the day has got to be lunch in a local family's home. As Ramon, one of our local guides, says, ‘I'm always proud to show off my heritage through our food. Like the island itself, Dominican cuisine has been influenced by Taino, Spanish and African flavors. There's even a hint of the Middle East in some dishes. You'll see, smell and taste a whole new side to our country.' We kick off early, with a trip to Higuey to see the famous Altagracia Basilica – a pilgrimage site because of its miraculous image of Our Lady. Then, make sure to have your camera at the ready as we take a scenic drive through rustic villages, on our way to the next stop – a coconut oil producer. You'll also visit a sugarcane plantation for a rum-tasting session and watch a cigar-rolling demonstration with a master of his craft. After such a busy morning, you'll be ready for your lunch. Greeted by a Dominican family, you'll be welcomed into their home for a feast of typical dishes made with locally sourced produce. You'll also get to see the family's farm and coffee plantation, and taste freshly grown cocoa and fruit. We'll round the day of exploration with some time on Macao beach, where you can relax with a Cuba libre, swim, or enjoy some water sports.

Your tour starts when you are picked up at your hotel lobby or the agreed meeting point in an air-conditioned minivan. On your drive to Higuey, you will be able to see some of the countryside and sugar cane plantations. Feel free to ask your guide questions during the drive.    Once in Higuey, you will visit The Basilica Cathedral Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia, a Roman Catholic minor basilica and Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Altagracia patroness of the nation. You will also visit the local market and the main park to see how the locals live and the beauty of the city. After your visit to Higuey, you will be driven to Bavaro where you will visit some shop so you can buy souvenirs for your friends and relatives. Once you finish shopping, it is time to go back to your hotel.

✓ Stop 1: Mercado Municipal We will visit Higuey's local food market where you will discover fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats that come directly from the community and farms in the region. Here is where local people normally buy their groceries to cook their food, they also buy groceries in bodegas or big supermarkets but poor people come more often to this local market because they can find fresh food at a fair price. ✓ Stop 2: Discover Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia Located in nearby Higüey and inaugurated in 1971, this is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and cathedral that ranks among the most important religious sites in the Dominican Republic. Inside, you will find striking tapered ceilings and a painting of the Virgin Mary at the altar dating back to the 16th century. ✓ Stop 3: Snack at D'Carlos Empanadas Snack at Carlos Empanadas. We will visit a popular spot that local people visit to grab a snack: Empanadas and juices. Empanadas also called ''pastelitos'', are a traditional Latin food, deep-fried, made of flour, and filled with choices like beef, chicken, vegetables, and cheese paired with sauces. You will also taste freshly squeezed juices from local fruits. Enjoy delicious food for less than $ 4 dollars! (Vegetarian friendly). ✓ Stop 4: Shopping at Multiplaza We visit one of the largest supermarkets in Higüey one option locals have here is to buy groceries. You will be able to bring some souvenirs with you like Dominican rum, fresh coffee, and traditional sweets and snacks. ✓ Stop 5: Lunch at a local restaurant. You will be able to taste the most delicious Dominican flavors like ''La Bandera'', a traditional dish made with rice, beans, and meat. You will also get the chance to try ''Mofongo'', a garlic-flavored fried mashed plantain with pork cracklings. (Lunch is not included in the tour price).

✓ Stop 1: Hard Rock Café in Punta A fabulous decoration like the brand itself does it in each of its locations worldwide. This is the perfect first spot to spend a nice time drinking cocktails. ✓ Stop 2: Wacamole This is one of the most famous bars in Punta Cana, located on the main street where nightlife happens - Los Corales. Mexican-style decoration, live music (depending on the day), and delicious snacks like nachos, tacos, and burritos to enjoy with crafted cocktails like Margaritas or Mojitos made with local ingredients like Chinola (passion fruit). Great spot for tequila shots, and taking pictures after! :) ✓ Stop 3: Dominican Corner A traditional Caribbean bar, decorated with handcrafted artwork, fruits, and plants. The perfect spot to try local drinks like Cuba Libre, made with Dominican Rum, or the most loved beer on the Island, President. ✓ Stop 4: La Tribu The indigenous interior design of this bar will create the perfect environment to listen to local music and taste craft cocktails. ✓ Stop 5: Stop Play Located in Plaza Turquesa, this bar will make you feel like you have already arrived at the beach. its decoration includes kayaks, bikes, and surfing tables. Great live music and karaoke nights. They are famous for their frozen cocktails (frappe), seafood snacks, chicken fingers, hot dogs, and hamburgers. This is the last stop on the tour.

Three cities in one day (Alto De Chavón, La Romana and Higüey), It is the perfect way to explore the eastern part of the island. The first stop is to visit the tobacco museum to learn about the history of Dominican cigars and see how they are made by hand. After knowing a little about the tobacco produced locally and exported abroad. We are going to take a guided tour to the artistic city of Altos de Chavón, where you can learn more about the Taínos in the Regional Archaeological Museum and the charming city of Altos de Chavón. Learn about Dominican culture and flavors on an authentic cultural tour of the country's most beautiful and well-known tourist attractions. A Mediterranean-style artisan town that recreates the bohemian lifestyle of the 16th century. Enjoy the incredible scenic that liberates your sight. Visit the huge replica of the Roman amphitheater. The Chavón River, a landscape that makes you fall in love while it comes to life in front of your eyes from the top of Alto de Chavón. Our next stop is a sugar cane town called La Romana. They say that this place got its name because the only Roman weight scale in the area was located in this town to weigh the cane and when people went to this town, they said I'm going to La Romana. while your visit Here you will enjoy a delicious Typical Dominican Lunch with free time to go shopping for souvenirs, where you will find something for each of your family and friends. Time to make a panoramic route of the city of La Romana. We make a stop to see the Dominican baseball prospects train with aspirations to reach the big leagues Higüey, or Salva León de Higüey full name of the capital of the largest province in the Dominican Republic, and the eighth largest city in the country. Our stop at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and chapel in the Dominican Republic dedicated to the Virgin of La Altagracia also named after the province. After taking photos in the beautiful structures on the way back to the hotel, we are going make a stop to learn about sugar cane, coffee and cocoa, here the tour concluded and we returned to the hotels.

Expect to meet plenty of locals and explore inland around the River. Get off the beaten track for a true flavour of Dominican culture and society when you visit a fruit farm, a fishing village and a market. Luis, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Higuey is where most of the local resort staff live, and it's an enriching experience to see daily life in full swing. At the market, you can buy all sorts, from a bottle of rum to a live chicken.' You'll get a real taste for the country straight away with a visit to a plantation. Savour tropical fruits such as papaya and pineapple as well as coffee and cocoa. Up next is Higuey, the provincial capital, where you'll get to poke around for spices in the market and see locals stocking up on fresh produce. You'll also pass by the lamdark modern basilica – an important shrine. Next, we head south through tropical countryside to the little fishing village of Boca de Yuma. After a leisurely lunch of Caribbean dishes prepared with local ingredients, you'll set off on a boat ride on the River Yuma. Afterwards, discover the complicated history of Dominican sugarcane plantations at a ‘batey'. These plantation camps are home to communities of sugarcane-harvesting Haitians. Meet and chat with the community, and then watch as they put on a voodoo show.

Drive in a comfortable open-air truck for the real Safari feeling Greet the local school kids and learn about rural education Visit a typical countryside home and meet the local family, that will show you the process of organic coffee and chocolate making Have a family-style lunch with breathtaking views on our ranch and stroll through the gardens, where you learn more about local plants and animals. Meet local artisans and learn about the process of tobacco rolling and rum making including sampling. Here you have the chance to purchase local products at local prices If you wonder what you can do all with coconut, this stop is for you. See how this small business produces the purest coconut oil Relax, swim, cool off in the refreshing waters of the anamuya river or float on one of the tubes available with a cocktail in your hand enjoying the real dominican style at easy afternoon experience.