Half Day Higuey Cultural Safari: Is It Really Worth It? (Review + Lunch!)

Thinking about seeing what life is like beyond those all-inclusive resort walls in Punta Cana? Well, you might be considering the “Half Day Cultural Safari to Higuey with Lunch.” I did it, so I’m here to give you, like your own personal travel buddy, the lowdown. It can be tricky, you know, sorting through all those shiny ads and figuring out if something is actually worth your time and cash. This review is, in a way, all about my experience, with the ups, the downs, and, as a matter of fact, the slightly bumpy roads along the way.

What’s the Higuey Cultural Safari All About, Anyway?

Okay, so the main idea here is to give you, well, like a little glimpse into the Dominican Republic that’s not just pristine beaches and fancy cocktails. We are talking, naturally, about a trip into the countryside to see how everyday folks in Higuey, the province capital, go about their routines. It usually includes a stop at the Basilica de la Altagracia, a very spectacular cathedral; visits to homes where you’ll learn how local stuff is made (think cigars and maybe even chocolate); and, by the way, lunch is almost always part of the deal. It all sounds charming, but the truth is, alright, these kinds of excursions can be a bit hit or miss.

The Good Stuff: Authentic Moments

Actually, there are indeed some highlights to these safari trips. Meeting locals, for instance, can be really enriching, alright. On my trip, we stopped at a home where a family showed us how they roll cigars. Now, I’m not a smoker, but you know, it’s still pretty impressive seeing the whole process. Their smiles felt genuine, and there wasn’t, that is, a heavy sales pitch involved, which I greatly valued. The countryside views, I might add, are truly lovely; rolling hills and colorful houses make for great photo opportunities. So, too, it’s interesting just to escape the tourist bubble for a little while and remember that, basically, there is way more to this Caribbean nation.

The Basilica: A Sight to Behold

Oh my goodness, this church is absolutely mind blowing. You can be very moved whether you’re a religious person or not. This Basilica de la Altagracia has incredible architecture and a storied past. Inside are the stained-glass windows which filter light into different shades, in effect painting shadows on the walls, like it is something that looks incredible when the light comes streaming. Spend some time going around this stunning location. Very important thing is to be polite and respectful.

The Not-So-Good Stuff: Tourist Traps and Pushy Sales

Here’s where, in a way, I keep it totally frank. You may experience the “cultural” stops turn into shopping opportunities for overpriced trinkets at different points of the tour. This, as I was saying, happened to me at a so-called chocolate factory. The presentation on how chocolate is made was pretty rushed, and then, naturally, we were ushered into a shop area where the costs were way greater than what you would find in a local supermarket. A similar thing, in effect, happened at a souvenir stop; expect folks to, by the way, be pretty assertive about getting you to purchase stuff. Plus, be aware that you may experience longer than expected travel. Some tour operators pack a number of stops and have quite a number of pick-up locations; prepare to experience a lot of time simply riding in a van or bus.

Lunch: It Can Be Pretty Basic

Regarding food that is a part of your adventure, it should be noted that, it’s not really a gourmet encounter. A traditional Dominican buffet style meal, that is to say rice, beans, stewed chicken or beef is something that you can typically experience, and it’s likely that is perfectly okay. So keep in mind that you won’t be eating five star cuisine! As it should be noted that a basic restaurant in an open air environment is very common and it might very well have flies circling around too, right, so it doesn’t make sense to expect fancy food for what you shell out for it.

Is the Half-Day Higuey Cultural Safari Worth It?

So, that’s the main question. The truth is that, that very much depends on what you are looking to gain, basically. You know, in the event that you are longing to have a real, deep, and genuine cultural immersion experience, maybe it is very possibly slightly unsatisfying. On the other hand, you may see something here which is just enough. As a matter of fact, I wanted something that provided that insight into Dominican country life, yet was easy to execute and did not involve hours and hours of my precious beach-lounging time. Also, just for that particular experience alone I think it suited well. Now, if you know this beforehand with that in mind, I think this could be your tour.

Tips to get the most out of a safari adventure.

Alright, I got a bunch of suggestions on how to enjoy your travels. To ensure you have a comfortable travel there are things that are useful, it could be that you bring pesos (the official Dominican Currency) specifically for small vendors or it could just be that your own shopping occurs more easily. Dress comfortably and regard that as the climate could be very hot/humid – very loose clothing or walking footwear, as well sunscreen and an adequate quantity of water, is very important to use to stay well when touring outside.

Final Thoughts: Setting Expectations

The Half Day Cultural Safari, that is, to Higuey isn’t actually a deep transformative cultural exchange but just know that this kind of tour allows to show outside, like, the stereotypical tourists experience, you realize. So it needs to not only take time at historic sites to visit but you can see a little how the real Dominicana lives at the Dominican country side. Therefore with an honest set about the things which awaits, that’s where all the excitement stays at! In particular one has an easy access view of a countryside by getting off for, but does not go deeper from what those simple experiences gives.

• Go knowing that this is an introduction, not an in-depth immersion.
• Negotiate firmly, but kindly. It goes without saying: don’t haggle excessively over small sums.
• Pack light and focus on comfort.
• Come knowing that this may make one appreciate local culture and be aware, it makes, well a meaningful diversion out into those popular resorts you’ll likely be calling house when this happens.