Saona Plus Altos De Chavón Combo

Punta Cana: Saona Island and Altos de Chavón Day Trip

★ 4.4 346 reviews

1 day, pickup offered, free cancellation.

from $92 per person

Check Price & Availability →

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 1 day
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included

Overview

This day trip pairs two very different sights in one long outing from Punta Cana: the recreated 16th-century Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavón, built in stone above the Chavón River, and the protected beaches of Saona Island inside a national park. Run by Caribbean Route Punta Cana, it packs a guided village walk, a catamaran crossing, free beach time and a natural swimming pool stop into a single day.

The shape of the day is simple. After pickup in Bávaro, the itinerary begins with a coach leg and a break in La Altagracia before reaching Altos de Chavón for a guided tour of the artisan-built village, roughly an hour. From there the route runs through Bayahibe, where a short beach stop precedes the boat ride out to the natural swimming pool and then Saona itself, where most of the day is spent. Lunch on the island is a BBQ buffet of Dominican food with an open bar, and the return leg includes a cafe and shopping break at La Güira before the bus drops you back at your hotel.

It suits travellers who want the classic Saona beach day but would also like to see Altos de Chavón without booking a separate excursion. Reviews repeatedly call the combination a good fit, though several wished for more time in the village, since the guided portion moves quickly.

What's Included

Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Guide
Entrance fee to the East National park
Buffet lunch
Unlimited drinks
Visit to the biggest natural swimming pool
Visit to Saona Island

Not Included

Tips

Itinerary

Hotel pickup in BávaroPickup and drop-off at your hotel are included, starting and ending in Bávaro.
Drive toward BayahibeA bus or coach ride of about 40 minutes toward the departure area.
Break in La AltagraciaA 20-minute break on the way.
Guided tour of Altos de ChavónA one-hour guided walk through the stone village above the Chavón River.
Transfer to Bayahibe BeachA 20-minute bus or coach ride, then 15 minutes at Bayahibe Beach for sightseeing.
Natural swimming poolA 40-minute stop at the natural swimming pool for photos, a swim and free time.
Saona IslandThree hours on the island with a guided tour, beach time and a BBQ buffet lunch with unlimited drinks.
Cafe stop at La GüiraA 15-minute break with shopping on the way back.
Return to BávaroThe bus returns to Bávaro with hotel drop-off.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from travellers who have taken this exact tour.

What to pack. The listing asks you to bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sandals, a camera, sunscreen and cash. One traveller also recommends bringing something to drink for the journey, since drinks are only available on Saona and at the water pool.
Pace and fitness. The day is long and built around bus rides, a boat crossing and beach time rather than hiking. Altos de Chavón gets about an hour of guided walking and Saona gets three hours, much of it at leisure.
Food and drink. Lunch is a BBQ buffet of typical island food with an open bar and local drinks. Reviews describe the food as good and authentic rather than gourmet, and a vegetarian option exists if you request it at booking.
Group feel. The tour runs with guides and entertainers. Reviewers mention music and dancing on the catamaran and energetic staff throughout the day, so expect a lively, social atmosphere rather than a quiet one.
Crowds and timing. Saona is a popular beach and reviewers note it gets busy. One traveller said being early at Altos de Chavón made for beautiful pictures before the crowds built up elsewhere.
Photo stops. Photos and souvenirs sold on the tour are not included in the ticket, per the listing. The natural swimming pool stop is scheduled specifically for photos and free time, so bring a camera.

Common issues. The honest gripes in reviews cluster around time: several travellers wanted longer in Altos de Chavón, and one found the visit too quick to see the museum. One reviewer reported that the village stop was dropped from their trip entirely. From the listing, the tour is not wheelchair accessible, pregnant travellers cannot join because of boat movement, pets and large bags are not allowed, tips and photos are extra, and bad weather can force a cancellation with the choice of another date or a full refund. One review also noted that better language skills from the guides would be desired.

Common Questions

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at hotels in the Bávaro area are included, along with the guide. The day starts and ends in Bávaro.

What Does The Price Cover?

Hotel transport, the guide, entrance to East National Park, the buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, the natural swimming pool stop and the Saona Island visit are all included. Tips, photos, DVDs and souvenirs are not.

Is Lunch And The Park Entry Extra?

No. Both the BBQ buffet lunch with open bar and the East National Park entrance fee are part of the ticket. A vegetarian lunch option is available if you request it when booking.

Can Children Or People With Limited Mobility Join?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and pregnant travellers cannot take part because of movement on the boat. No child age limit is published, so families should check with the operator, and anyone with mobility concerns should weigh the boat transfers.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you get the choice of an alternative date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

Sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sandals, a camera, sunscreen and cash, as the listing advises. One traveller also suggests bringing a drink for the journey, since the open bar applies on the island and at the pool.