Exploring the Dominican Republic with Kids: Our Excursion Experience
When our Carnival Vista cruise stopped in the Dominican Republic, we knew we wanted something a little more adventurous than just a beach day. The only challenge? Carnival had very limited excursion options for our 4-year-old. That’s when I turned to Viator, an outside excursion provider that still offers cruise-friendly perks like a Back-to-Ship Guarantee and flexible cancellation policies. It gave us peace of mind while also opening up a wider range of activities that would work for our family.
Our Excursion: Country Adventure World VIP Pass
We booked the Country Adventure World VIP package—the perfect “sampler” for my little adventurer, Brooks. This experience included horseback riding, ATVs, ziplining, and a delicious Dominican meal. It was exactly the mix of activities we wanted to keep both adults and kids engaged.
✨ Horseback Riding: I assumed Brooks would ride with me, but to my surprise, they gave him a horse of his own. A guide stayed right beside him, holding the reins, so he could safely enjoy the ride independently. He loved the freedom of having “his own horse” as we walked through the countryside past local homes.
✨ ATVs: Since kids can’t drive, Brooks hopped on with me. We rode rocky backroads, through wooded areas, and even stopped at a local farm to sample fresh fruit, coffee, and cocoa. There was also a little shop for souvenirs. It was such a neat way to see more of the island beyond the port.
✨ Ziplining: Brooks was nervous at first, but after watching me, he quickly got hooked! The staff were so accommodating—they even rearranged the schedule so we could eat first (knowing kids need mealtimes on schedule) and zipline afterward. There were eight lines total, with a couple of side-by-side runs where I got to ride next to him. It ended up being his favorite part of the whole day.
✨ Lunch: The Dominican meal provided was fantastic. Local flavors, fresh ingredients, and the perfect break in the middle of our adventure.
Tips for Families
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Expect a walk: If you book with a third-party provider like Viator, be prepared for a longer walk out of the cruise port to meet your transfer.
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Bring money for tips and extras: They give you opportunities to shop local vendors and souvenir shops. Plus the guides, cooks and drivers do such a great job and always appreciate your tips!
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Why Viator worked: Carnival’s options for younger kids were limited, but Viator’s Worry-Free Guarantee and flexible policies made us feel comfortable booking outside the cruise line.
Final Thoughts
This was one of our favorite days of the cruise because it gave us a taste of everything—horses, ATVs, ziplining, and authentic food—all while keeping my 4-year-old engaged and excited. If you’re traveling with kids and want more than a beach day in the Dominican Republic, I highly recommend looking into an excursion like this.
👉 Want to see how this day fit into our full cruise? Check out my complete Carnival Vista recap.
Jenny Even
As I grew up, my main bucket list item became to visit all 50 states (which I just completed in 2023 with an island-hopping trip in Hawaii)! When asked what my favorite type of vacation is I never have an answer – I love to do it all! And now being a mom of two young kids it has been fun getting more into the family vacations for our own family.I plan vacations because I love to help people have the best experience and make unforgettable memories.
