Wild Ranch is both a conservation center and a canopy adventure. Here your excursion begins with a tour of the center, when you will meet and learn about native flora and fauna, such as coffee and coco plants, iguanas, birds and snakes. Next, the 7 double cables swing you across a valley, giving you quite a thrill as you soar above the trees, and to end your adventure you kayak up the Chavón river, before relaxing on the terrace.
7 double cables lead you on a winding “Sky Adventure” through the Dominican wilderness – ending at the river Cumaysa, where you can enjoy fresh fruits, water, a refreshing dip in the river or a kayak ride. Children as young as 5 years old can take part in tandem with the instructors. The “Sky Adventure” also includes a number of other fun and thrilling attractions; the “Toro Loco” bucking bronco, the “Pendulum Cosmico”, a giant canopy swing, 2 rope bridges and the fascinating “Hurricane House”.
The Casa de Campo Dude Ranch offers a variety of horseback riding excursions – through the beautiful Dominican Countryside. Departing from the resort with a Casa de Campo chofer, you will be met by your horses in either; Rancho Peligro, Cacata or Hacienda Higueral. The furthest to reach, but certainly the most thrilling option is Rancho Peligro, a hilly wilderness reserve, whilst on the Cacata route you will explore the sugar cane fields. Viva Diving and Excursions also offers horseback riding tours – through the Parque Nacional del Este at Padre Nuestro.
The “Cueva de las Maravillas” cave, is a magnificent 800m underground cavern, of which 240m are open to the public. The cave, which is more than 100,000 years old is expertly lit to show off the stalactites, stalagmites, tapestries, pisoliths and columns, as well as several hun- dred pictographs created by the Taino Indians. The entire trail has a concrete pathway, as well as ramps and even an elevator – making this excursion suitable for everyone. Most tour operators including Casa de Campo offer this tour. If you’d prefer to go in your own vehicle, its very well signposted and is literally just off the main road to Santo Domingo.
Open: Tuesdays – Sundays, 9am – 6pm
Cost: adults RD$200, children under 12 RD$50
Boat excursions
As quite possibly the most popular thing TO DO, almost every tour operator in the area offers boat tours. The 2 basic options are; a catamaran ride- the most comfort- able and relaxing way to explore; or in a speed boat- the faster and more thrilling option. Both options will take you to a beach on either Saona or Catalina Island, where you will have time to chill out and eat lunch before heading home. Plenty of Dominican rum is typically available too!
La Romana – Bayahibe offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Caribbean. Catalina Island, proudly boasts the final resting place of Captain Kidd’s notorious Quedagh Merchant – just one of the many “living museums of the sea” this area has to explore. Artificial reefs, like the St. George shipwreck, create habitats for vulnerable sea life ensuring the survival of many local species, whilst natural reefs are so numerous your experiences are always fresh and exciting.
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