Is there anything better than seeing Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic from the air? Hardly, so get prepared for some of the most spectacular excursions you can get: Punta Cana helicopter tours and air tours. While exploring the area from the air is already pretty amazing, there are 2 more interesting facts you should not miss:
First, you are not only randomly flying over some beautiful parts of the country, you are actually visiting some of the most exciting attractions in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic, among them the most beautiful island in the country, the oldest city in the Americas or one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Bahía de las Águilas.
And second, helicopter tours in Punta Cana can be as cheap as 140 USD, so don’t be fooled by thinking that you need a fortune to book these flights. Having said that, get ready and pick your favorite among the following tours.
Are you interested in further Punta Cana tours? If so, check out our comprehensive Punta Cana Excursion Guide with the most exciting 35+ activities for your vacation.
Completely UPDATED by Punta Cana expert Chris: October 2024
Quick Overview
If you just want to get a first glimpse of the best helicopter and airplane tours in Punta Cana, you can check out the following table to see where you can go and which highlights in the Dominican Republic you can reach from Punta Cana by helicopter and plane.
(mobile users: please turn your device to landscape mode to enjoy the best view of this table)
| Punta Cana Helicopter Tour | Samaná Explorer by plane | Whale-Watching by plane | Santo Domingo airplane tour | Bahía de las Águilas by plane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character of this air excursion | panoramic flight of Punta Cana’s coastline | exploring the lush peninsula with more time on Samaná | fly to Samaná and explore the giant humpback whales by plane | enjoying the heritage of Santo Domingo without being 6 hours on the road | the most unique air excursion from Punta Cana: pristine Bahía de las Águilas |
| Type of transport | helicopter | small airplane | small airplane | small airplane | small airplane |
| Price per person | cheapest Punta Cana helicopter tour, check prices here* | usually around 300-400 USD, check current promotions here* | usually around 300 USD, check current promotions here* | usually the cheapest airplane tour from Punta Cana, check prices here* | with more than 200 miles of covered distance the furthest and most expensive airplane tour, check best prices here* |
| Tour duration | 10-40 minutes | 10-11 hours | 10-11 hours | 11 hours | 12 hours |
| Group size | small | small | small | small | small |
| Lunch + drinks included | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Transfers from Punta Cana included | yes | >yes | >yes | yes | yes |
 | | | | | |
| All details in this table are for informational purposes only and can change without further notice. Please check the description of the tour offer for binding information. Punta Cana Travel Blog can’t be held responsible for any errors or changes. | |||||
Map of Punta Cana air tours and helicopter excursions
Where to book
Helicopter Excursions
For a long time, Helidosa was the only company offering helicopter excursions in Punta Cana. They ceased operations in 2023, leaving Punta Cana without any helicopter tours.
Thankfully, SkyRunners* was founded at the end of 2024. With new helicopters, they will start their panoramic tours and flights in Punta Cana in November 2024.
They’re offering different tours, which I am explaining further below, but here is how to book with them:
Airplane tours
Airplane tours are operated by Reefjet, a company which is specializing in charter flights for tourists in the Dominican Republic.
While Reefjet currently doesn’t offer the option to book online, you can book them through the following widget with Civitatis, an established excursion platform offering free cancellation on most of their tours.
Helicopter rides in Punta Cana
How does it work?
The SkyRunners heliport is located in the Bavaro area. All tours are operated with new and modern helicopters with huge panoramic windows. They fit a maximum of 3 passengers, hence you’re guaranteed to get great views of Punta Cana, the beaches and the turquoise water including its stunning reefs.
For all bookings with SkyRunners, it doesn’t matter if through their website or through Viator, return transfers are included from all resorts in Punta Cana.
Which options are available?
Currently, 4 different helicopter tours are offered:
- Arena Tour – 10 minutes (check prices and availability here*): a quick scenic flight to see Bavaro Beach and the surrounding area
- Arrecife Tour – 15 minutes (check prices and availability here*): see the resorts, reefs and beaches in Punta Cana from above. Depending on the climate conditions, you can fly all the way from Bavaro Beach up to Macao Beach.
- Coral Tour – 20 minutes (check prices and availability here*): see some of Punta Cana’s beaches as well as Cabo Engaño (the split between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea) and Laguna Bavaro, home to many smaller wildlife species
- Cana Tour – 30 minutes (check prices and availability here*): see the prestigious Cap Cana from the air and get a glimpse of how big the entire Punta Cana area actually is. Besides the beaches and Cap Cana, you also see Cabeza de Toro and the Bavaro Downtown area from above.
Currently, tours are starting at 139 USD per person incl. transfers. Please use the links above to check the pricing for the dates of your trip.
Please note that most offers don’t include a 5 USD Heliport Fee which has to be paid upon arrival.
Where can I go?
The 4 helicopter tours available all visit the area around Punta Cana, including. Cap Cana, Macao Beach, Bavaro, etc.
Currently, there are no helicopter excursions to other places outside of Punta Cana as there used to be before. When Helidosa was still in service, they offered excursions by helicopter to Salto de la Jalda, Playa Esmeralda and/or Isla Saona, but this is no longer the case with SkyRunners*, they only do scenic flights around Punta Cana.
The best excursions by plane from Punta Cana
Explore the beautiful Samaná peninsula by plane
Please note that this tour is currently not bookable online (as of October 2024). I’ll inform you here once Reefjet publishes new dates for this excursions.
You can not only go on helicopter tours in Punta Cana, but you can also explore some of the most amazing highlights in the Dominican Republic on an airplane excursion from Punta Cana. The views are nearly as impressive as from a helicopter
The most popular air tour in Punta Cana is the one to Samaná, where you’ll see a lot of the beautiful attractions the peninsula has to offer, among them the lush countryside, the picturesque waterfall El Limón and the famous island Cayo Levantado, also called Bacardi Island.
The Punta Cana to Samana flight takes place in a small Cessna (or a similarly sized airplane), allowing beautiful views from above on the east coast of the Dominican Republic and the Samaná Bay. After landing in Samaná you see a couple of countryside villages and get a few explanations about the traditions and the culture of Samaná.
Your next destination is Salto El Limón, the gorgeous waterfall on the Samaná peninsula. Even though you most likely won’t be alone (read my article about Salto El Limón to know how you can enjoy the waterfall without other tourists), it still is a majestic beauty. Hop into the El Limón waterfall to cool down from the Caribbean heat. Horses are also available for this last part of the journey to waterfall El Limón and are mostly included in your excursion, but as they’re in pretty bad shape we recommend not using them and walking instead.
After a home-cooked Dominican lunch, Cayo Levantado is awaiting you on this airplane excursion from Punta Cana. It is a quick ride to Bacardi Island from Salto El Limón by bus or safari truck and by boat. On Cayo Levantado, you have time to enjoy this beautiful Samaná beach and swim in the ocean. It completes a perfect Samaná adventure from Punta Cana.
In the afternoon, your plane to fly back from Samaná to Punta Cana is awaiting you, which gets you back to your Punta Cana resort much quicker than a regular excursion by land.
Alternatively to this tour, you can also book semi-regular flights from Punta Cana to Samaná without any tour, but this will leave you without any ground transport or guide for Samaná. They are also more expensive than the full-day package from Punta Cana presented here.
Airplane excursion dates: check availability*
Why it is the best Punta Cana air tour: Samaná is one of the most beautiful regions in the Dominican Republic. With this excursion by plane, you can explore Samaná on a relaxed itinerary and enjoy some spectacular views from above.
What you will see: Samaná, Samaná Bay, Salto El Limón, Cayo Levantado
Flight time: approx. 2x 30 minutes
Further information:
– Salto El Limón from Punta Cana and for Samaná travelers – insider tips, excursions, hiking trails, etc.
– The 22 most beautiful beaches in Samaná
Whale watching excursion by plane from Punta Cana
Please note that this tour is currently not bookable online (as of October 2024). I’ll inform you here once Reefjet publishes new dates for this excursion.
A very special flight from Punta Cana to Samaná can be booked from January to March: a whale watching excursion by plane.
Whale watching is super popular in the Dominican Republic and this air excursion combines the best of both worlds: a flight from Punta Cana to Samaná in a small propeller-driven airplane and seeing the gigantic humpback whales during the time they give birth to their babies. This is one of the most impressive experiences when it comes to excursions in Punta Cana.
The itinerary for this airplane tour from Punta Cana is similar to the one described above visiting Salto El Limón and Cayo Levantado on the Samaná excursion by air. The only thing that changes is that you first go whale watching by boat in the Bay of Samaná and afterwards head to Salto El Limón OR Cayo Levantado (check the supplier’s description for details before you book).
As described in my detailed article here, whale watching in Samaná allows you to spot the whales very close while respecting the regulations of the Dominican government to protect the animals and the privacy of the whales.
Furthermore, you can spot the giant humpback whales with a success rate of nearly 100% – and usually, you see not only just one, you see lots of them. I was able to enjoy this unofficial guarantee various times and also a lot of friends and readers have reported that they’ve always seen a lot of whales in their tours.
That’s why whale watching in the Dominican Republic is really worth it – and if you take the excursion by plane, you save yourself a good amount of time AND can enjoy marvelous views from above. My experiences with whale watching in the Dominican Republic have always been incredibly awesome.
Airplane excursion dates: check availability*
Why it is the best Punta Cana air tour: whale watching in the Dominican Republic is already one of the most exciting excursions, but if you combine this with an air tour in Punta Cana, there is hardly anything that can compete
What you will see: humpback whales! Furthermore, Bacardi Island OR Salto El Limón, and views of the Samaná Bay from above
Flight time: approx. 2x 30 minutes
Further information: Whale watching in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana/Samaná)
Fly from Punta Cana to colonial Santo Domingo
Please note that this tour is currently not bookable online (as of October 2024). I’ll inform you here once Reefjet publishes new dates for this excursion.
Ok, we had a lot of nature attractions now to visit on a Punta Cana helicopter tour or an airplane excursion from Punta Cana, but how about history and culture? Punta Canas manifold excursions also get this covered!
If you love to explore the rich and centuries-old history of the Dominican Republic, you should hop on a plane from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo, which is already included in this airplane excursion. After the quick 35-minute flight, you get shuttled to the colonial center of Santo Domingo, which is one of the most important historic centers in the entire Caribbean and got awarded as a world heritage by UNESCO.
But it is not only a simple bucket list item to tick off, the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo is a genuine hidden gem with a super authentic vibe, combined with colonial charm, colorful buildings and historic importance. If you love to stroll around, visit decorative art shops, take a break at family-owned coffee shops and see the life of the Dominicans, you’re at the right place. If you need more reasons why to visit the Colonial Zone, check out this article.
The tour in total takes around 10-11 hours. The big advantage here is that you have a lot more time in Santo Domingo than when booking the regular Punta Cana to Santo Domingo excursion by bus*, where you spend around 6 hours on the bus.
Airplane excursion dates: check availability*
Why it is the best Punta Cana air tour: exploring the historically important and very interesting Santo Domingo without spending 3 hours each way on the road is an amazing deal
What you will see: you see the south of the Dominican Republic from the air and will explore Santo Domingo, especially the UNESCO awarded Colonial Zone
Flight time: approx. 2x 35 minutes
Further information:
– 10 reasons why you should visit the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo
– 23 exciting things to do in Santo Domingo (and 5 NOT to do)
– How to get from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo
– How to get from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana
The most spectacular airplane excursion from Punta Cana: Bahía de la Aguilas
Please note that this tour is currently not bookable online (as of October 2024). I’ll inform you here once Reefjet publishes new dates for this excursion.
If you are looking for the most unique airplane or helicopter tour in Punta Cana or if you want to surprise your loved one(s) with an absolutely extraordinary Punta Cana day-trip, this unique and spectacular tour with a twin-engine airplane is for you.
This Punta Cana air tour brings you to Bahía de las Águilas, one of the Dominican Republics’ most pristine, beautiful and remote beaches, far in the southwest of the country. Taking a plane from Punta Cana to Bahía de las Águilas is the only mean of transport to get there, as long as you don’t want to go on an exciting and adventurous road-trip in the Southwest of the Dominican Republic to tackle the 9-hour drive to Bahía de las Águilas.
Bahía de las Águilas is a legendary beach due to its remote location and its 100% undeveloped area. There is not a single hotel or any bar or restaurant at this beach (even though things are changing now – a cruise port is about to open and the first constructions for resorts are starting … ), which stretches for miles with turquoise water and its bright white sand. Ask any Dominican about Bahía de las Águilas and he or she will tell you that it is either the best beach they have ever seen or one of the journeys they definitely want to go on in their life.
if you want to see this natural wonder of the Dominican Republic, be quick. Permission have been granted to build the first hotels and resorts here at one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, hence it is only a matter of time until this unspoiled paradise is gone forever. 2024 and 2025 might be your last chances.
This plane charter to Bahía de las Águilas is also the longest of all air and helicopter tours from Punta Cana, as you fly roughly 200 miles each way, resulting in a flight time of approx. 2 hours in total (1 hour each way). This brings you a lot of unique views of the Dominican Republic from above, especially considering that each seat has a window in this small aircraft.
Once arrived at Bahía de las Águilas, you can enjoy a picture-perfect beach, crystal-clear water, snorkeling, a typical Dominican lunch, a boat ride and an open bar. Especially when visiting Bahía de las Águilas during the week, it is also very likely that you have the whole beach for yourself which is not comparable with some of the busy beaches in Punta Cana. Everything is prepared for an unforgettable excursion by airplane in the Dominican Republic!
Airplane excursion dates: check availability*
Why it is the best Punta Cana air tour: Usually there is – due to the distance – no chance of seeing the Bahía de las Águilas, one of the Caribbeans’ best beaches, from Punta Cana, but this airplane excursion makes it possible.
What you will see: the fantastic Bahía de las Águilas + a lot of views of the Dominican Republic from above
Flight time: approx. 2x 60 minutes
More information: Bahía de las Águilas – hotels, glamping, beach info, things-to-do and a secret+quick way to get there
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CHRIS
Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.
ALSO WORTH READING:
Hoyo Azul Punta Cana – the famous blue lagoon
HM Alma de Bayahibe – a comprehensive review about one of the cheapest all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic
Dreams Macao Beach – a comprehensive guide for this Punta Cana all-inclusive resort
Kayaking in Punta Cana – the best kayaking spots, insider tips and Punta Cana kayak excursions
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HELICOPTER PROPOSAL PUNTA CANA FOR COUPLES are fixed?
Hi Edward,
the dates for the Punta Cana helicopter proposal can be found here, usually it is possible every day with a little bit of advance notice: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/helicopter-proposal-package/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris, first of all…great information on here…thanks for your efforts…my wife and i, along with 9 other friends are traveling to punta cana in february and we will be staying at the majestic colonial resort. I was wondering if i wanted to steal my wife away from the group for an evening…what do you suggest that might not be on the excursion list. Maybe a cant miss romantic dinner somewhere or i was gonna look into hiring a fire dancer for a private show, kind of a surprise for the wives of our group. Just wondering if maybe your local knowledge could give me some ideas. Thanks Chris, your friend Jim
Hi Jim,
that’s honestly difficult to respond without knowing you.
If you’d like to have any surprise within the resort, you have to speak with the resort (usually the event planners), as they sell this kind of services like a fire show or private dancers … outside vendors are usually only allowed if you pay an additional (hefty) fee.
For experiences outside of the resort, Punta Cana doesn’t offer that much what you can do on your own. You could visit some of the best restaurants in Punta Cana, charter a luxury limo, book a helicopter tour in Punta Cana or book a VIP ticket for a night show. You can also check the event schedule of Hard Rock or Punta Cana Resort, they sometimes host events with popular artists.
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris