Heading to the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana in August on our honeymoon, provided hurricanes don't stop us. What side trips/activities should we look into and through what companies? Also, what are your thoughts on renting a car in the Dominican?

Any other general advice or thoughts are appreciated!

We didn't get a car and it was fine. We did the dune buggies and had a blast. They pick you up and bring you back.

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We didn't get a car and it was fine. We did the dune buggies and had a blast. They pick you up and bring you back.

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Same for us. I think renting a car would've been a hassle there. The dune buggie lets you see some of the countryside.

They did have a couple snorkeling trips that would've been fun, but ultimately the driving dune buggies won out. Also, there was a canopy zip line, but it was something like two hours away in a people mover. The resort also has a lot of activities on site during the day that seemed fun.

Make sure you bring a crap ton of ones, and don't let anyone else touch your luggage except at the resort. They also have a $20/person visa fee upon arrival.

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They also have a $20/person visa fee upon arrival.

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Haha I forgot about that fee! That was a really weird airport.

I would recommend getting the private transfer from the airport arranged by the hotel as well. It would have been a bit overwhelming to find a random cab driver there and sit with him for over an hour. I think it was only like $75.

Thank you both for the info! I'll look into the dune buggies and private transfer.

we did the sting ray snorkling excursion thing. we booked when we got to excellence.....we really enjoyed it. Got on a catamaran and they shuttle you a mile or so to the shark and sting ray pins. you get to snorkel with the sting rays and sharks in their cages and around a reef. it was pretty neat....then you go on a booze cruise for a while and stop off at sand bar where you can get out and swim and chill, and drink more of course. all in all it was about a half day trip all said and done. we really enjoyed it. you could dance and stuff on the boat and party, or just hang back and chill. I appreciated the fact that another couple from tx we met was there and they let them plug in their phone and play some tx country while booze cruising. most people on the boat enjoyed it.


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147293-d1069610-Reviews-Marinarium_Excursions_Snorkeling_Cruise-Punta_Cana_La_Altagracia_Province_Dominic.html

I want to go back. we loved our honeymoon there. Excellence was the perfect place for us.

Take a catamaran trip to Isla Saona. You can thank me later.

Thanks again for the replies, everyone! We're excited for the trip and appreciate y'alls input!

For anyone who has been to Excellence, any tips on things that we might want to bring? I've read the mosquitoes can be pretty bad, so bug spray seems smart.

Sun screen. Bug spray. Tennis shoes if you plan on some of the other excursions.

My wife also loves massages, so we got a couples massage. It was pretty decent.

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Take a catamaran trip to Isla Saona. You can thank me later.

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That's what we did when we stayed at the Excellence three years ago. Was pretty badass.

Awesome because the water was the clear blue water we expected from the Caribbean. The beach at The Excellence wasn't near as nice.

Probably the drunkest I got on the entire trip. The Catamaran boat ride to the Island is a booze cruise. I think my wife and I were the only couple who spoke English. We fell into this group from Brazil and it was some serious rum time.

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Take a catamaran trip to Isla Saona. You can thank me later.

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That's what we did when we stayed at the Excellence three years ago. Was pretty badass.

Awesome because the water was the clear blue water we expected from the Caribbean. The beach at The Excellence wasn't near as nice.

Probably the drunkest I got on the entire trip. The Catamaran boat ride to the Island is a booze cruise. I think my wife and I were the only couple who spoke English. We fell into this group from Brazil and it was some serious rum time.

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This was the same for me. Saona is on the Caribbean side of the island while Punta Cana is on the Atlantic. The water at Saona is phenomenal. And yeah...we got pretty hammered drinking rum on that trip. Good times. FWIW, we stayed at the Occidental Grand Punta Cana...

Thanks again for your input, everyone!