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Cayo Arena

Cayo Arena

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles147 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
25
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0

K Jack
16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2022 • Family
This was incredible. Our family (all 22 yrs and up) booked this excursion through our hotel the Gran Ventana with Platinum tours. Pickup was convenient, right outside the lobby, and they stopped at maybe 4-5 other resorts on our way. I would guess maybe 40 people on our tour. The drive was about 3 hours with the pickups but it was early in the morning so we just got to sleep. Once everyone was picked up, our guide narrated about our scenery and our itinerary for the day. We first got to the Paradise Island hotel where we left our shoes (no shoes or towels allowed on the island due to erosion) and boarded a small yacht. They offered us cocktails and you could have as many as you wanted. We first got to a natural pool in the middle of the ocean of clear sand and swam around there for an hour. Note: there is a photographer who will take pics of you, but prices are kinda steep. We then got back on board and were offered a glass of champagne and ceviche. We then arrived at Cayo Arena/Paradise island. It is busy with people, even in early June, but if you like the water theres so much space to explore and snorkel. Speaking of, the snorkeling is unparalleled. So worth it just for that. So many fish surround you and, if you can swim, the drop off between the reef barrier and the rest of the ocean is incredible. I’ll attach pics! They do have snorkels and flippers for use, but we brought our own knowing they were fog-proof and whatnot. After an hour and a half at the island, you make your way back to the hotel while taking a 2 min detour through a manatee preserve. No luck for us, sadly. Back at the hotel there is a buffet which was pretty solid and tasty with seafood paella as the star, and another 30 min to hang out in a palapa or on the water. It was stunning. We then all re-board the tour bus for a cigar shop which, personally, we found overpriced, but it was cool to sample one of DR’s national drinks, mamajuana. We then headed back home again after a very exciting a fufilling day. Overall, expect the boat to be busy, but if you appreciate the ocean, it’s an excursion you absolutely should not miss. We got back to Gran Ventana around 17:45 I think!
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ashelbie
Tucson, AZ199 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
We visited as part of an excursion from our cruise that stopped at Puerto Plata. Gorgeous beach - some of the clearest water for snorkeling or swimming I've ever seen. Our excursion also included lunch at a nearby business which was great after our swim. Be aware that there are no facilities on the beach unless you arrive via a catamaran that has a toilet on board.
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

grand c
92 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019 • Couples
This is totally off the beaten path. You will need to take a boat from playa Enseñada, which should run you 4000 pesos (80usd) unless you go with other groups. The amount of sand changes. Sometimes there's a whole beach and sometimes you have to put things higher up so they don't get wet.
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jan-s-rev
Czech Republic48 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Friends
First impression was, that end of world came. See picture. 100 or maybe 200 people packed on very tiny island, what definitely is not romantic. Looks like there is not even space to lay down on beach, you have to stand. But, if you like snorkeling this is place for you. For DR one of best coral reefs, especially outsidde part (there is on left side place you can snorkel to oposite side (ocean one) of coral, which is more nicer). If you are by car, look for Cayo Arena boat on Punta Rucia playa or at Playa Ensenda. Many boats departs during whole day, price is about 800 Pesos per person (we were on boat with 5 other people, we just met there, no booking) and you can stay about 1hr or more on Cayo Arena and will have mangrove ride included. Playa is reachable by small KIA with no problem even road is unpaved.
Written 15 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa B
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic45 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Family
So, whether you are staying in Puerto Plata, Cabarete, Montecristi or Punta Rucia, this is a must.Use snorkeling equipment or rent it.Pack an ice box with water and sandwiches or go to a restaurant when you return, it's all up to you and your budget.
We were in Cabarete.Left 7:30 AM.Drove for 2 hours.Paid about RD$6,000 for a boat. He took us there, picked us up at a designated time, and even drove us around the mangles for a fun adventure on the way back.We took an ice box and after beautiful snorkeling on the tiny island we had something to eat and drink.Sunscreen is a must.Size of the island changes with tide.We were back in Cabarete at around 6 PM.Worth every second.
Written 6 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Armando R
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Family
Wow! One tour to remember, as a local, went directly and met a known tour guide, booked the trip to cayo arena which was way beyond amazing, the snorkling and coral reef (even though not too many), were one experience to repeat soon, after cayo arena they will normally take you thru mangrooves and there will be exotic birds sightings. My 3 yo, LOVED IT, my wife too.
Written 25 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tamfam6
16 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2019 • Friends
Great day starting with boat ride out to a sandy oasis. The Snorkeling was amazing; crystal clear water and thousands of colorful fish everywhere. Will definitely come back again!
Written 3 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eugene Z
Brooklyn, NY34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Couples
This trip was great fun. It was a little pricey at first for $150 a person, but man was it worth it. We had an awesome guide calling himself "papi". The guide was funny and spoke English, French, German, and Spanish.

The ride was fairly quick and we where right at the boat. The ship mates where lots of fun and very helpful. They brought us to a little beach that was literally right below the surface of the ocean. They have us a chance to get off and served us champagne right on the water.

Then it was off to cayo arena. Wow, this little island is something else. It possibly 300 feet Max from end to end. We where given snorkeling gear and the fish where right there. Didn't need to leave more the 5 feet off of the beach to see them. They liquor you up the whole time as well.

Then it was off to lunch. They promised lobster but it was really a langust. It's like a big prawn. It was fine, they offer pork chops, rice, etc, etc.

On the way back they take you to a little cigar gift shop. Nothing great but no biggie.
Written 29 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen P
McDonough, GA2,470 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2017 • Couples
The reef is beautiful here but it can get a bit crowded as this is a popular tourist attraction. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to see the reef as there isn't enough gear to go around. No water shoes or towels allowed on beach.
Written 5 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HfromDR
Dominican Republic405 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Family
Cayo Arena is a rare, small coral island in front of the Northwestern coast of the Dominican Republic. It belongs to Montecristi province, eventhough the easiest and more usuall access is through Punta Rucia, belonging to Puerto Plata province.

Punta Rucia is a small fishermen town, with a just a few water sports centers, where you can arrange directly your boat trip to Cayo Arena. When my family and I visited, there were many tourists coming in buses from other places. It is cheaper to go with more people. The boat guides are helpful and corteous. At the island, there was fresh fruit and refresments for free, provided by our guides and the staff already at the island (they work for these water sports centers, too).

They will lend you the snorkeling gear, and will ask you how long you want to stay in the island. You can stay the whole day if you wish!

The island is covered in white sand, and has a line of rustic huts that will provide shelter against the blazing sun. The seawater leaves a bigger sand area free around noon and through the afternoon, but during early morning and stormy days, the water covers completely the island, and you will have to walk in a few inches of water even in the shallowest part.

The fish all around are amazing and beautiful. Be sure to take some simple bread, and you will see how they surround you and feed from your hand!

For the boat trip, you will have to wear a livesaving vest, and you may use it for snorkeling, too. The guide asked us if we wanted to. Be sure to ask the guides the safest areas for snorkeling, specially if going with children. Beyond the coral reef wall that delimits the island, it is open, very deep ocean!! I heard that professional diving is possible around, too.

When returning from Cayo Arena, our guide took us through the mangrooves at the coast in front of Cayo Arena, and explained to us many interesting facts about them and its fauna. Fantastic! When we arrived at the beach in Punta Rucia towm, my children hunted for little shells and pretty rocks. The villagers take great care of the beach, picking up any trash carelessly thrown on the sand by visitors. Please, help the villagers to keep this beautiful place as it is!

At Cayo Arena people are not allowed to take away anything, and even shoes must be left in the boat or in a bag, because the local tourism association of guides is very jealous with the sand and general preservation of the environment. We were very happy to learn this!

There are some little hotels in Punta Rucia, and very few bigger ones (very expensive). This is a fishermen town, so seafood will be always fresh. There are banks, drugstores, supermarkets and others in a small town about ten minutes by car.

Punta Rucia can be accessed via two roads. The best one currently is from the Autopista Duarte, at Cruce de Guayacanes. This one is its longer, but paved and smooth. The shortest way is still under construction (at the moment of this review at least), and is from Autopista Duarte at Villa Elisa. For travelers going from Montecristi, this one is the shortest way, even with the rough conditions of the road.
Written 26 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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