Amazing Puerto Plata Paradise Island and Mangrove Tour

Mendi was our very informative tour guide. My family was supported throughout the whole trip and the kids had a blast! We were picked up at our rented condominium in Playa Dorada in an air conditioned bus. We made a few stops to pick up other passengers in other hotels. We made a quick bathroom stop about half way to our final location. We then got life vests and got on our speedboat. We made it to Cayo Arena were we got fresh fruits (pineapple, watermelon, bananas) , drinks (sprite coke), alcohol (rum). We were there for about an hour. If you have kids, make them wear their life vests in the water as the current in the ocean can be deceiving while snorkeling. We then rode through the mangroves sometimes at high speeds giving the kids a thrill. Once on land again we rode back to the same location we had used the bathroom, but this time to a different floor were there was a buffet that included rice, beans, fried chicken, pasta salad, and bread. There was also sodas and water available. Once everyone was done eating we rode to a cigar and gift shop. Once everyone was done with their purchases we began the drop-off at different hotels.

It was really fun and the food was amazing! Just a heads up, you can’t wear shoes on the island. There were a few sea urchins hiding in the corals further out so just watch your step.

Although the drive to Cayo Arena was a bit long, it was worth it. Our tour guide was very informative. The sand bar was lovely, snorkeling was cool. The mangrove tour was a hit with the family. We talked about the experience for days after the trip. A must do!

Solid 3 hr drive from Costa Dorada Puerto Plata- not 1 hr 15 mins. No wifi on the bus, no bottled water offered at any point. You get about 90 minutes on the island, not enough snorkeling equipment for everyone on your bus- which by the way is about 50 people. Some snorkeling equipment is broken. Drinks on the island consist of coke, sprite and rum. There is only pineapple and watermelon to snack on. The Mangrove tour was fun, but was about 6 minutes of speeding through on your way back to Playa Rucia. You do not get an hour and a half to play at Playa Rucia- you get right back on the bus, taken to a restaurant with gift shop first lunch. You spend an hour there- not needed. Then back on the bus for 2 hrs to stop at another gift shop with bathrooms that they called the cigar factory. Not a factory, a roadside hut- 30 minutes there and then another hour back into Puerto Plata. We were gone for 11 hrs for approximately 90 minutes of beach time. The snorkeling was okay, the reef is dying so not a big variety of fish. Is it worth your time? If you've ever snorkeling on Maui, then NO.

Bring your own towel. Bring water. The boat ride is so much fun. Opportunities to buy souvenirs. No water shoes allowed.

The trip was awesome! The boat ride to the island was a blast. The island was tiny but big on fun and snorkeling. The water was crystal clear and beautiful fish out from the beach around the reef. Went through the mangroves on the way back and it was absolutely amazing!!! I've never seen anything like it. If I had to complain about anything it would be that the bus ride to get to the boat that took us took a couple hours there and a couple hours back. It was well worth every penny we spent.

Super fun experience, pretty much a full day, but they do take care of you nicely, provide a wonderful lunch and snacks! The crew took their time to make sure we sell plenty of fish. Took my two teenager daughters, and a friend we had a blast

Amazing time and wonderful guides! Mathias was AWESOME!! Thank you all for another memorable excursion!

This is not an hour and half bus ride. It’s 3 1/2 bus ride each way! The alcohol offered only at the island is a choice of Rum only mixed with a choice of two pops. The snorkeling equipment offered is not cleaned properly between uses so we didn’t snorkel. I gave 3 stars because I wanted to note how great the support staff are. We were a group of 6 and had to make 2 changes and they were very accommodating. We got a call the night before from our driver to confirm. Pick up in the morning was over a half hour late. Spent so much of our day either on a bus or waiting. I would advise you to really consider whether you want to waste valuable vacation time on this excursion.

We had a wonderful experience. The driver Matteo, and the guide Emmanuel were great. They were so friendly and fun. The island was breathtaking and we saw so many fish while snorkeling. Lunch was delicious, we all loved the chicken. Not to mention that the beer and rum were flowing!