Eco Tour of Punta Cana Brings Green Fun to Your Vacation

Eco Tour of Punta Cana Brings Green Fun to Your Vacation

An environmentally conscious tour group shows you a different side of the Dominican Republic.

Whether you want to go horseback riding on the beach or swimming in a freshwater lagoon, Eco Tour can make it happen.

Everyone wants to have fun on vacation and that often means exploring the land with tour groups. In the Dominican Republic, that may mean taking a jeep ride through the country or a bus tour within the city. If you are looking to explore with a more ecologically friendly tour, consider Eco Tour, which is conducted under the jurisdiction of the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation, a non-profit organization housed which protects the natural resources of this region.

The Green Discovery Tour is Eco Tour's answer to having environmentally fun that can be tailored a bit to your needs. The facilities are housed at the Punta Cana Resort and Club, but the tour company will pick you up and drop you off at whatever resort you are staying at in the area. You start your day at The Ranch, where you can walk through the Ecological Foundation property. Within this area you will find everything from butterflies to iguanas, along with interesting and unusual Caribbean plants. The tour is very casual and the goal is for everyone to learn while they are having fun, so you can ask questions any time you wish.

The horseback riding is an experience of a lifetime you shouldn't miss. Your guide will take you through the beautiful plants and trees and down to the Playa Blanca beach, where you can experience the turquoise waters and waving palm trees and the horse struts along. It's quite a view and a relaxing ride that lets you look at Punta Cana in a whole new light. You can continue to ride through additional beaches for up to two hours, or take off your riding clothes to prepare to hit the water of a natural spring lagoon.

With Eco Tour, you have the option of increasing the time in whatever interests you the most. You can skip the horseback riding and spend more time learning about the local flora, or go diving into a spring water lagoon. The Tainos lagoon - one of eleven lagoons within this park -- are filled with pure water, untouched by chemicals and said to relax you (some locals say the springs can even cure aches and pains) as you swim among the turtles. The Lagoon swimming is a bit rough as you need to climb down some slippery rocks or dive into the water. It's best to bring water shoes and have a "buddy" help you in and out of the water. Though they do allow children to do this on their own, keep a close eye on any kids going into the lagoon area.

Eco Tour will provide you with organic snacks and natural juice drinks along the way. The last stop will bring you to White Beach, a secluded stretch of beach where you can enjoy the sand and water, or have a tropical cocktail at the bar before returning to your hotel.

For more information on Punta Cana's Eco Tour, visit their website .