Punta Cana Escape: Santo Domingo's UNESCO Colonial Heart

We were picked up from hotel at 7:30 am and were dropped off at hotel after 7:30 pm. In the morning, we were taken to 2 gas stations before we boarded the big tour bus and set off for Santa Domingo at 8:45. We had one bathroom break, which was at a roadside shack. There was no toilet paper or running water, and we couldn't wash out hands. It was "sold" to the group as a "very affordable" tourist stop, but the prices were high and the merchandise dusty. We got to Santo Domingo at 11:30 and the stop at the cenote was 45 min, nice and informative, though you cannot explore on your own. We were given photo stops at Columbus Lighthouse and Presidential Palace. The lunch began around 1:30 and lasted under an hour. The food was bland, and they ran out of food for our group of 45. Tour of colonial city began around 2:30, which includes at 20 min stop at a gift shop. Cathedral was beautiful, good guided tour. There was about 15 min of free time in Columbus Square, then we headed to National Pantheon, which was informative. We left the city at 4:30, so 2 hours only in the city center. Restroom stop on return home was at a proper rest stop with clean facilities and refreshments. We arrived back in Punta Cana around 7 pm, and then there was more chaos organizing the rides back to hotels. A very historical, informative day, but it would be better on a more organized, smaller tour. We paid $69 pp for our tour, but others on our bus had paid more/less with different providers. I think all of the providers cooperate to fill a bus, so I'd recommend booking the cheapest provider. You'll get the same tour.

The tour of Punta Cana itself was lovely--interesting and comprehensive with a great lunch and a terrific tour guide. However, the logistics were challenging. I was picked up very early from my hotel only to wait at a rest stop for over and hour for a secondary transport to Punta Cana. At the end of the tour, we waiting over 30 minutes for our ride home, and the driver inexplicably stopped, parked, and got out of the van and disappeared for another 25 minutes. By then I'd called an Uber to the spot where he abandoned us and paid for my own right home. Quite confusing, mixed experience.

Long excursion because of the distance but really enjoyed it . Learned quite a bit about the culture. The staff was great .

Very nice the experience was actually something very spectacular I recommend if you want to spend something unique with your friends come to this place

It was amazing, the views I loved, a wonderful place, I would definitely go again but the next accompanied

We met many places the experience was unique the gastronomy is very bna the very friendly people was a unique experience

The food was exotic, I had never tasted it, the people were a charm Everything seemed very good, a highly recommended experience

It was spectacular. A unique feeling Since everything we lived was unique and a unique experience we felt super good

The landscapes were beautiful, and I took many pictures, I would like to come back I loved everything about everything food, I will come back

I loved it, I was very happy with the tour, everything was very nice and an excellent experience, beautiful landscapes, delicious food and good people around me.