Private day tours from Puerto Plata

Book Your Dominican Republic Excursions through a Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Company

To receive a quote for an excursion or tour in Dominican Republic, please contact us.

Welcome to our brand new excursions page which is very much a work in progress. Here are some short descriptions of excursions we can offer you during your stay in the Punta Cana area. More detailed
Not wanting to share a guide and bus with a group of strangers? Cocotours has a fine selection of private tours with the luxury of having your own guide, uniformed Cocotours driver and one of our vans - all to yourselves.

Santo Domingo City Tour from Puerto Plata

A cultural day out, exploring the capital city, the oldest city in the Americas and whose colonial zone has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit the house built by Columbus, the Cathedral and see the Christopher Columbus lighthouse, the explorer’s final resting place. Soak up the atmosphere of the oldest street of the new world “Calle las Damas” and experience a Dominican market where the bargains are endless & bartering is fun. Our tour includes:
  • Three Eyes Caves, nowadays a monument comprising three lakes where Taino Indians used to live.
  • Entrance to Alcázar de Colón (Columbus house), 
  • Museum of the Royal Households, in colonial times this was the governor's palace, and up to 1947 during the dictatorship of Trujillo was the presidential palace
  • National Pantheon: built in 1714, the final resting place of many Dominican heroes. In colonial times this was a church belonging to Spanish Jesuits
  • Walk along Calle las Damas (The oldest street in the New World, dating back to 1502. The wife of Viceroy Don Diego Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus, used to walk here.)
  • Cathedral María la Menor, the first cathedral in the Americas, built 1523 to 1540. It was here until 1992 where the remains of Christopher Columbus lay in state
  • Panoramic view of Ozama Fortress, the oldest military monument in the Americas, one of the first monuments to be constructed in the colonial city.
  • External view of the Presidential Palace
  • Columbus Lighthouse, a large monument in the form of a Latin cross, the final resting place of Admiral Christopher Columbus
  • Mercado Modelo (handicrafts market)
  • Free time for shopping in El Conde street
  • Lunch (excl. drinks) in El Conuco restaurant
Pick-up from your hotel at 6:30 am. Daily except Mondays.

"Just wanted to say thank you for all your help in setting up the tour for us. It was great. We really enjoyed the whole tour. It was a very early morning but the ride was well worth the wait. Santo Domingo is an awesome place with all the old buildings and architecture and the history. The whole tour was awesome from start to finish. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. I will definitely recommend your company and this tour to everyone that is going to the DR who wants to see and learn about the rich Dominican culture and its history. If you ever need anything or need to know anything about this area let me know, it would be my pleasure to help you in any way after you helped us so much. You made this trip very easy and worry free for us and we enjoyed every minute. Muchos Gracious. Thanks again." from T&R.

Whalewatching in Samaná Bay (Jan-Mar)

Early morning departure from the hotel for a day full of adventure in Samana. A unique opportunity to observe humpback whales in their natural calving and mating grounds. Listen to the male humpbacks solitary courting song and witness incredible displays of flippering, tail bobbing and breaching by the most active species of great whale in the Atlantic. On board every trip, a marine mammal specialist narrating and answering questions.  An experience of a lifetime, not to be missed.

After the whale watching our destination is Cayo Levantado, sometimes called the Bounty Island, a tiny island just off the Samana Peninsula. The sand is white and powdery; the turquoise waters are crystal clear and perfect for gentle swimming.

A COCOTOURS lunch is prepared on the island with a glass of white wine served at tables set up in the open air (included) for you to take full advantage of the sun and the sea. Please bring towel, bathing suit, extra warm clothes, and plastic cover for cameras.

Included is Coke, sprite, water and crackers on board as well as the ”Whales of Samana booklet” and travel sickness tablets.

More than 95% of our trips see whales. But remember humpback whales are wild animals and we can’t guarantee sightings

Cayo Levantado and Samaná Peninsula

The Bounty Hunters came in search of Paradise, and found it on Cayo Levantado. This jewel of a tiny island lies just off the Samaná Peninsula and is our destination for a day of pure escapism. The sand is white and powdery, the turquoise waters are crystal clear and perfect for snorkelling or gentle swimming. A delicious Dominican lunch is included! A fantastic day-out, not to be missed!

Our tour includes:
  • Scenic drive along the Atlantic coast to the peninsula of Samana
  • Arrive Samana town
  • Speedboat ride to Cayo Levantado aka Bacardi/Bounty Island
  • Time for bathing on beach
  • Lunch on Cayo Levantado (excl. drinks)
Pick-up from your hotel at 7:00 am. Daily.

Dominican Alps & Jarabacoa

Experience a completely different side of the island, combining adventure in Jarabacoa in the Dominican Alps, with the highlights of Santiago, the country’s second city. This is a day of spectacular mountain scenery, green valleys, clear streams and tumbling waterfalls. The highlight of the day is the ride on horseback or by jeep (you decide!) to the towering Baiguate waterfall with an opportunity for a cooling dip in the large plunge pool. The tour includes:
  • Visit to the waterfall Salto Baiguate which is reached (as per your preference) on horseback or in jeeps
  • Time to bathe under the waterfall
  • Lunch in Rancho Baiguate
  • Visit to the ecological path and butterfly garden
  • Orientational tour of Santiago through the principal downtown streets and a visit to the Monument, the best-known landmark of Santiago
  • Cigar factory visit
Pick-up from your hotel at 9 am. This tour can be conducted on any day of the week.

Deepsea Fishing from Sosúa beach 

This is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon, we'll pick you up from your hotel/villa and take you to Sosúa's pretty public beach where you board a tender which brings you to the deepsea fishing boat where you'll spend the morning or afternoon on the deep blue sea some miles offshore.

We at Cocotours have done this tour ourselves several times with family and friends who have come to visit, and this deep sea fishing is an experience that everyone - adults and children - have loved.

The crew are friendly, they make sure you're topped up with something to drink and serve a fresh fruit platter to stave off your hunger. The boat also has a functioning head.

Here's a review from Andy, a Cocotours customer who went on this tour in early 2014:

"We had a good time as we did land a Blue Marlin which was a real treat. All in all it was a good trip and the crew was great. Will send photos in the near future."

Contact us for rates. Several different boat sizes are available.

Sosúa, Cabarete and Shopping (half-day)

These two picturesque beach destinations on the Atlantic coast are a mecca for both sun-lovers and watersport fanatics alike.

Our half-day tour starts with a panoramic tour of Sosua with time to explore its pretty horseshoe-bay beach and crystal-clear water. Later, after only a short 10-minute drive to Cabarete, ample time to walk the beach, admiring the windsurfers and kiteboarders from afar, or do some boutique shopping.

This tour can be conducted in the morning or afternoon. Pick-up from your hotel at 9 am/2 pm. Daily except Sundays.

Located between Sosua and Cabarete, 9 km inland up in the hills, Monkey Jungle offers something for every age. Open 7 days a week, 364 days a year, this 280-acre working farm provides a 4,500 foot ACCT Certified Zip Line with 7 stations and a free fall fan descender dropping almost 60 feet into an ancient cave.

You will also tour a five acre botanical garden located in an old grotto, with 45 squirrel monkeys posing for pictures, sitting on heads and shoulders, without fear of humans. A large enclosure houses rescue capuchins who entertain and provide countless memories.

This tour can be conducted in the morning or afternoon. Pick-up from your hotel at 9 am/1 pm. Daily except Sundays.

Ocean World Dolphin Swim

Have you ever dreamed of hugging, dancing, petting and swimming with a dolphin. During this 30-minute encounter, you will understand why this program is the most popular at Ocean World.  This is your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get close and personal with these amazing intelligent marine mammals.  You will end the session with an amazing dorsal-fin in tow as they pull you through the water.

Prior to the encounter, you will attend a short classroom session, teaching you all you need to know about these wonderful creatures. Professional and highly trained staff are on hand throughout the session to make sure you have an unforgettable experience.

If you want to spend even more time with the dolphins, then you can upgrade the encounter to a Royal Dolphin Swim - this is an hour-long session, with the first 30 minutes in the deep water area, followed by another 30 minutes in the beach area, allowing you to interact up close and personal in their environment. You will play ball with the dolphins, enjoy a pectoral ride and a foot-push on a boogie-board!

Bring swimwear, towels, hi-factor sunblock, spending money to buy any t-shirts or souvenirs and photos and your camera.

River Rafting in Jarabacoa

This is the tour for the adrenaline junkies among you! This is an exhilarating experience to get the adrenaline pumping while on vacation with us here in the Dominican Republic!

Your day will start with pick-up from your hotel and we will drive through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Dominican countryside to Jarabacoa and the Yaque del Norte river.  

After a brief safety lesson and equipment tuition its time to tackle the rapids! This is an amazing chance to experience a pure adrenaline rush as you and your fellow crew-mates steer your raft down the Yaque del Norte river with its twists and turns.  You will be served a delicious Dominican-style buffet lunch at the end of the day while sharing your experiences with your friends! This is one of the most exhilarating adventures in the Dominican Republic - a fantastic day! Bring swimwear, towels, hi-factor sunblock, some spending money to purchase any photos of the day and lots of adrenalin!

Puerto Plata City Tour (half-day)

Puerto Plata City Tour (half-day)

This visit to Puerto Plata will take you around the colonial city well known for its Victorian architecture. Puerto Plata was founded in 1502 and is a fascinating city. You will see Brugal’s rum factory, the Amber Museum and the San Felipe fortress. Our tour includes:
  • Panoramic views of the city
  • Visit to Parque Central, San Felipe Fortress, Amber Museum, rum bottling-plant
  • Cable-car to Mount Isabela with spectacular views over the city
  • Shopping downtown

This tour can be conducted in the morning or afternoon. Pick-up from your hotel at 9 am/2 pm. Daily except Sundays.

Tour of Puerto Plata, Sosua & Cabarete (full day)

Tour of Puerto Plata, Sosua & Cabarete (full day)

Begin the day exploring Puerto Plata by experiencing breathtaking views of the city on the cable car. Here there are ample opportunities for "Kodak Moments", the views overlooking Puerto Plata are absolutely stunning!

Afterwards you will have the opportunity to visit the San Felipe Fortress situated on the malecón (oceanfront promenade), take a trip to the Amber Museum and view the many different colours of amber, then it is off to the Brugal factory where you can view the bottling plant, sample a rum cocktail and buy a bottle or two of rum to take home for gifts. Finally you will be treated to a cigar-making demonstration at a local tobacco outlet and once again you will have the opportunity to purchase some of these excellent cigars.

After the morning in Puerto Plata you will head towards the town of Sosua which boasts a beautiful beach.

After lunch you can either relax on the beach or take a wander through the streets of Sosua, maybe grab a few trinkets or just sit and enjoy a cocktail at one of the many bars and restaurants.

Finally before heading back to your hotel we will take you to visit Cabarete, home of windsurfing and kitesurfing, many international competitions are held here annually and it is definitely worth a visit, giving you a chance to take some very colourful photographs from the beach.  Again you can either relax and watch not only the experienced surfers but also those taking their first tentative steps or you can wander along the parade of shops in Cabarete and pick up a few souvenirs.

Prices are available on request.

Santiago City Tour

A scenic drive, from the coast to the interior, showcasing more of the land that Columbus described ‘as surely the fairest that human eyes have ever seen’.........

Santiago is the 2nd city of the Dominican Republic, and one of the oldest settlements made by the Spanish in the New World. It sits in the centre of the fertile Cibao valley, between the island’s 2 main mountain ranges that include Pico Duarte the Caribbean’s highest peak at 3,175 metres.

This rich soil and special topography of this massive valley gives rise to abundant agricultural production particularly of tobacco and sugar cane – the latter providing the main ingredient of the islands wonderful rums!

Once in Santiago we will visit and have a guided tour of the Aurora cigar factory, the oldest in the country, dating from 1903 where we learn all about the processes involved in high quality production, with the opportunity to watch the skilled craftsmen and women at work. There is a chance, afterwards, to shop for cigars in the factory shop.

Next, Centro León Jimenes a large modern museum and cultural centre, taking its name from the local family whose wealth is based on tobacco production. It’s a world-class gallery, with particular emphasis on Dominican art from the 20th century. There are 3 exhibition spaces, with permanent collections detailing the island’s biodiversity, the Taino Indian history and cultural diversity. Wonderfully informative about the island.

Visit to Santiago’s most recognisable and most visible landmark set on a hill to the east end of the city centre, The Monument dedicated to the Heroes of the Restoration of the Republic, commemorates the 100th anniversary of independence from Spain. Originally built by notorious dictator Trujillo for his own glorification, it features a huge bronze angel of peace atop a massive column. A majestic sight.

Then take a drive along Calle del Sol, the main shopping street of the city, bustling, noisy, where locals go about their daily lives, with colourful local stores, stalls, vendors, local restaurants and snack bars.

For a panoramic view of the city as well as the whole Cibao Valley, and Central mountain range – we make the short drive up to Camp David at 2000 ft above sea level – for a photo stop, and to enjoy a cool drink.

A final stop on route back to the hotel, at a gift store plaza, with a particularly nice selection of local goods and handicrafts – at Maimon, a few kilometers before arriving back to Puerto Plata
Return drive to your hotel

Ocean World Day Pass 

Ocean World Adventure Park is the most advanced marine interaction park of its kind.

Boasting the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting the Dominican Republic.  Guests of Ocean World Adventure Park have the opportunity to snorkel in our tropical Reef Aquarium, learn about marine mammals, feed exotic tropical birds, meet tigers, walk through a topical rain-forest, observe a Dolphin Show, twice daily, Shark Show, four times daily, Sea Lion Show, twice daily and the Tropical Bird Show, twice daily.

Day pass visitors will also have free access to the dolphin beach and the Aqua glide, as well as access to the fresh water pool located in the tiger Grotto, free lockers and sun-loungers and much more!!

Bring swimwear, towels, hi-factor sun cream and money for souvenirs and photographs


Yasika Canopy Adventure

Enjoy spectacular views of Puerto Plata and the Atlantic Ocean, this tour is an unforgettable experience and 100% recommendable.

Our qualified guides will train you on using the equipment and on safety procedures. The adrenalin will be pumping as you tackle the ten platforms and eight cables suspended in the air between 50m and 100m above the ground at a speed of 30mph. This excursion is a fusion of adventure and emotion, truly an unforgettable experience.