Macao Beach Horseback Ride with Coffee and Cacao Tasting

Ranch and trails near Macao

The ride starts at a ranch in the countryside near Macao, on the northern edge of the Punta Cana and Bávaro resort area. After a safety briefing and horse assignment, you set off along trails that wind through tropical forest, cross a shallow river and climb to clifftops with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery changes every few minutes, from dense green vegetation to open pasture and sudden views of blue water and white surf below.

No experience is needed: horses are matched to each rider, and the guide sets a calm, steady pace for the roughly one-hour trail section. The horses work on rotation, get quality feed and rest during the hottest hours, an approach that keeps them healthy and calm. Long trousers and closed shoes make the ride more comfortable, and insect repellent is useful in the forest.

Macao Beach on foot

Macao Beach is a wide crescent of golden sand facing the Atlantic, framed by cliffs and backed by palms and green hills. Its lively waves make it popular with surfers, and the absence of big resorts directly on the sand gives it a natural, open feel that many visitors prefer to the busier beaches of Bávaro. It is often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic.

On this tour the horses stay on the trails: you dismount and walk a few minutes onto the beach, which protects their hooves and follows good animal-welfare practice. You then have about 20 minutes to walk on the sand, take photos, dip your feet in the water or simply enjoy the sea breeze. If you have been wondering whether Macao Beach is worth visiting, this short stop shows you why so many travellers fall in love with it.

A typical Dominican countryside house

After the beach you ride on to a typical Dominican countryside house, a simple, colourful house surrounded by tropical plants and fruit trees. Here a local family welcomes the group and shows how coffee, cacao and vanilla are grown and prepared in the region. It is a warm, unhurried stop that gives you a glimpse of rural life just a short distance from the resorts.

The tasting includes freshly brewed Dominican coffee, rich hot chocolate made from local cacao and a soothing herbal tea. You can also buy coffee, cacao and handmade products if you wish. The stop lasts about 20 minutes, after which you ride back to the ranch on a final short trail section, then return to your hotel by vehicle.

Coffee and cacao in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the world's leading producers of organic cacao, and coffee has been grown in its hills for centuries. Cacao pods grow directly on the trunks of shady trees; the beans are fermented, dried in the sun and roasted before becoming chocolate. Dominican coffee is usually brewed strong and sweet, and sharing a cup is a gesture of hospitality across the country.

Learning about these crops at the countryside house adds a cultural layer to a horseback ride that might otherwise be only about the scenery. The morning ride (about 09:00 to 12:00) offers cooler temperatures and the best light for photos; the afternoon ride, with pickup from around 13:30, has a soft breeze and a relaxed atmosphere. Note that the afternoon option is not a sunset tour, as sunset times change with the season.