Spending an afternoon on Montaña Redonda, taking in 360-degree views of the surrounding geography, is a top-tier experience in the Dominican Republic. Truly, it was a highlight of my DR vacation. This guide will give you everything you need to know before you go!
And if you enjoy this post, you'll love my Dominican Republic solo itinerary, too!
Jump to:
Why do the Montaña Redonda excursion from Punta Cana?
Round mountain is the English translation of Montaña Redonda, and the name is fitting. It's essentially a mountain with a huge plateau at the peak, that provides panoramic views of the town, lush valleys, lagoons, and beaches.
This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Dominican Republic, with outdoor activities, photo installations, refreshments, and much more.
Getting to Montaña Redonda
Montaña Redonda is about an hour and a half from Punta Cana--about 20 minutes to Miches--and three and a half hours from Santo Domingo.
I rented a car in Punta Cana for all my road trips and used Google Maps to navigate to Montaña Redonda; however, cell reception was a little spotty, so I recommend downloading your route for offline access and paying close attention to road signs!
There's ample parking available onsite, as well as a fruit stand and souvenir shop at the mountain's base. Make sure to grab some fresh local fruit, especially if you visit the DR during mango season (April to November).
You can either hike up the mountain, which takes about 40 minutes, depending on your pace; or you can pay for a ride in one of the trucks that shuttle guests to the top. I did the latter, and it was a bumpy ride, but I don't regret it, especially because we encountered several livestock herds--and they're droppings--along the way.
I highly recommend spending time in the neighboring town of Miches. Here's everything you need to plan a daytrip to Miches!
What You'll Need
Unless you plan to physically climb the mountain (which is an experience in and of itself), you can dress casually.
I recommend lightweight, natural fabrics to help you keep cool in the heat. As you might imagine, there's not much shade on the top of a mountain! My sun hat and shades came in handy for sure.
There are provisions available for purchase up top (bring Dominican pesos just in case), or you can bring snacks of your own. I definitely recommend bringing a water bottle. And a small backpack or fanny pack will more than suffice.
Pro Travel Tip
You don't necessarily need to book a ticket in advance. Just buy your entry tickets at the base for around $10 USD price (as of the time of this posting).
Use my Dominican Republic women's packing list to plan all your vacation outfits!
What to Expect at the Top
Once you reach the summit, prepare yourself for a lil' slice of paradise. The views stretch over the Caribbean Sea and surrounding countryside, and I actually found it breathtaking.
Relaxing in one of the hammocks and soaking in the scenery was worth the cost alone. But what really sets Montaña Redonda apart are the playful photo setups and professional photographer onsite.
The Punta Cana swing is probably the most famous one, that you've probably seen reviews of on YouTube and elsewhere. It makes you look like you're suspended high up in the air, flying over the mountainside!
There are also more daring activities like a zipline course and hangliding available, though I wasn't brave enough to partake.
Other Things to Do Nearby
Many popular tours package Montaña Redonda with visiting Los Haitises National Park and activities like kayaking, buggies, and camping. Your resort or hotel may also offer guided experiences.
Is Montaña Redonda worth it? In my opinion, yes. This experience lives up to the hype, and I hope you can enjoy it for yourself soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Ask me a question!