Shore Excursion: V.I.P. DayPass: ATV, Zip Lines, Horseback Riding & Lunch

The big draw here is the three-part adventure day: you ride an ATV through the Dominican countryside, fly across eight zip lines, then finish with horseback riding and a pool plunge. It packs a lot into a shore visit, with lunch and transport included rather than leaving you to arrange each piece yourself.

I like the strong mix of action and downtime, and I like the staff’s hands-on approach. One guest tried driving the ATV, then chose to let Cuba take over the ride, while another praised the crew’s careful, serious attitude. The main catch is simple: this is a busy five-and-a-half-hour schedule, so it suits you best if you want activity rather than a slow beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• Eight certified zip lines: The course uses more than 8,000 feet of double galvanized steel cable, with no active hand braking required.
• A final pool plunge: Zip line number nine ends with the Pool-Zip N’ Splash, so bring a change of clothes.
• Three different activities: ATV riding, horseback riding, and zip lining give the day more variety than a single-adventure excursion.
• Dominican lunch included: Expect rice, beans, chicken, fried sweet potatoes, yucca, vegetables, fruit, and other home-cooked items.
• Convenient cruise-port access: The park is about 10 minutes from Amber Cove and 20 minutes from Taino Bay.
• A moderate physical outing: You need to manage basic activity, follow safety directions, and meet the age rule for driving an ATV.

A packed shore day near Puerto Plata

Country World Adventure Park is in Maimón, close to Puerto Plata’s two cruise facilities. That location matters. From Amber Cove, the drive is about 10 minutes. From Taino Bay, it is about 20 minutes. You do not spend half the day in a bus, which leaves more time for the activities themselves.

Pickup takes place at a meeting point 45 minutes after your ship arrives. You meet at the Country House Bar, where the team explains the plan before the activities begin. That short briefing is useful because this is not one simple ride. You need to know how the ATV portion, zip lines, horseback riding, meal, and pool stop fit together.

The total outing lasts about five hours and 30 minutes. That is a substantial shore excursion, but the close port location helps make the timing more practical. You still need to keep a close eye on your ship’s all-aboard time. The supplied information does not give a return-to-ship time, so I would confirm the day’s schedule before booking and allow a sensible cushion.

The group size is capped at 25 people. That is large enough for a lively outing, but small enough to make the safety briefing and activity changes manageable. The exact pace may depend on the number of people doing each activity and how quickly the group moves between them.

Starting with the ATV ride through Maimón

The ATV section gives you the most direct look at the countryside. Instead of remaining inside the park on a fixed platform, you head off-road and see more of the rural surroundings and everyday life around Maimón. The appeal is not just speed. It is the change in scenery and the chance to see the Dominican setting at ground level.

You need to be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license or permit to drive an ATV. Teenagers and children under 18 can ride as passengers. That rule makes this part workable for families and mixed-age groups, although children cannot take the controls themselves.

You receive safety equipment and instruction. The staff also takes the riding ability of the group into account. One person may feel eager to drive, while another may decide that riding as a passenger is more comfortable once the route begins. That flexibility is a real advantage. You do not need to prove anything by forcing yourself to drive.

The ATV ride does require a moderate level of fitness. You need to sit securely, follow directions, and handle the movement of an off-road vehicle if you are driving. If you are uncertain about your comfort level, use the instruction time to ask questions and consider riding with an experienced driver.

The staff’s approach earns particular emphasis here. The crew is described as professional and serious about the job, which is exactly what I want around motorized vehicles. Fun matters, but clear instructions and careful supervision matter more.

Eight zip lines, then a splash

The zip line course adds the highest-energy section of the day. It includes eight ACCT-certified zip lines and more than 8,000 feet of double galvanized steel cable. You do not need previous zip line experience.

The braking system is an important detail. You are not expected to stop yourself by dragging gloved hands along the cable. That means you can focus on the ride and the views instead of worrying about a braking technique. You still need to listen carefully during the briefing and follow the staff’s instructions at each platform.

The course is followed by the Pool-Zip N’ Splash. It is called zip line number nine, and the finish requires a plunge into the swimming pool. This is the day’s clearest bit of playful theater: you do not simply step off at a landing platform. You end in the water.

Plan your clothing around that feature. The supplied information specifically identifies the pool plunge, so a change of clothes is a sensible item to bring. You should also expect that some dust or water may reach your clothing during the full day, especially with the ATV ride and pool finish.

Bandanas and goggles are not included. You can bring your own if you want extra protection from dust or wind during the ATV portion. Lockers are also not included, so think carefully about what you carry. The safest approach is to bring only what you need and ask the staff how personal items are handled before starting the active portions.

The pool finish may be a highlight for people who enjoy a splash. If you do not want to get wet, this is the part to clarify before you commit to the course. The description makes the plunge sound like the required finish for that line.

A calmer horseback ride after the adrenaline

Horseback riding changes the pace. After the ATV and zip lines, you get a slower way to see the area and spend time with the horses. The staff matches horses to riding skill and experience, with basic instructions for beginners and children.

That makes this more approachable than a ride designed only for experienced equestrians. If you have never ridden before, you are not expected to arrive with advanced skills. The team provides basic guidance and takes time to help beginners understand what to do.

Still, horseback riding is not passive sightseeing. You need enough balance and comfort to sit on a horse and follow instructions. The overall outing is rated for moderate physical fitness, so I would not treat the riding portion as a rest stop in the same way you might treat a bus transfer.

The exact order of the ATV, zip lines, horseback ride, lunch, and pool activity can vary. The schedule is described as a full day pass rather than a strict hour-by-hour program. At the opening briefing, listen for the sequence and any instructions about where to leave belongings, when to eat, and when to change for the pool.

A Dominican lunch with a practical purpose

The included meal is more than a quick snack between activities. It is a home-cooked Dominican lunch with rice, beans, chicken, fried sweet potatoes, yucca, vegetables, fruit, and other items. Drinks are included, along with bottled water.

I like this kind of meal on an active shore day because it gives you something substantial after the physical portions. Rice and beans, chicken, yucca, and sweet potatoes make more sense here than a light pastry or packaged snack. You get a taste of familiar Dominican staples rather than an entirely generic buffet.

The lunch is vegetarian friendly, which helps if you do not eat meat. The information does not specify the exact vegetarian dishes or how dietary requests are handled, so contact the operator before the day if you need strict dietary arrangements.

Alcoholic drinks, listed as rum and Coke, are provided after the activities. The timing is sensible. You should not be drinking before operating an ATV, riding a horse, or using the zip lines. Bottled water is included, but you should still pay attention to hydration during a hot, active day.

What the $159.99 price really covers

At $159.99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Puerto Plata. The value depends on how many parts you plan to use. You are paying for transportation, safety equipment, instruction, ATV access, a multi-line zip course, horseback riding, pool access for the plunge, lunch, bottled water, and a post-activity rum and Coke.

If you booked each activity separately, transport and meal costs could add up quickly. The pass also removes much of the planning work. You are not negotiating separate rides or trying to fit three activities into a cruise schedule on your own.

The price makes less sense if you only want one activity. Someone interested only in horseback riding may find the package too full, while someone who plans to use all three main activities gets more from the fee. I see it as a convenience and variety purchase, not a low-cost excursion.

The maximum group size of 25 also gives the package some practical value. It is not a private tour, but the group is limited. You should still expect transitions and waiting during a multi-activity day, especially when equipment must be fitted and instructions given.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you want a high-energy port day and enjoy trying several activities in one place. It works especially well for families with older children and teenagers, mixed groups with different interests, and adults who want more than a standard sightseeing drive.

It is also a good fit if convenience matters. Pickup is offered, the park is close to both cruise terminals, safety equipment and instruction are provided, and lunch is included. Those details reduce the number of moving parts on a limited shore visit.

You may want another plan if you dislike being on a schedule, do not want to get wet, or prefer a quiet beach and town day. The ATV, zip lines, horse ride, and pool plunge all require some participation. This is not a casual stop where you can sit on the sidelines for most of the afternoon.

The experience allows service animals and is near public transportation, but the physical demands still matter. The available information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications for each activity, so ask Country World Adventures directly if you need accommodations beyond the stated service-animal policy.

Useful things to bring and remember

Bring clothing that can handle dust, movement, and water. A change of clothes is particularly useful because of the Pool-Zip N’ Splash. You may also want to bring your own bandana and goggles, since those are not included.

Lockers are not included. Carry as little as possible and ask where personal items can be kept before beginning the activities. Bottled water is provided, and lunch is included, so you do not need to pack a full meal.

The ATV driver must be 18 or older with a valid license or permit. Under-18 participants can ride as passengers. Everyone should be ready for a moderate physical outing and should pay attention during the safety briefing.

The tour is weather dependent. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted and the payment is not refunded.

My call: book it if you want variety

I would book this shore excursion if my priority were action, variety, and simple port-day planning. The strongest points are the close location, the mix of three activities, the serious safety approach, and the substantial Dominican lunch.

I would skip it if I wanted a relaxed day or if the $159.99 price feels high for activities I may not use. The best value comes when you ride the ATV, take the zip lines, join the horse tour, eat lunch, and accept the full pace of the schedule. Bring a change of clothes, follow the instructions, and keep enough time in reserve for your ship’s departure.

FAQ

How long does the shore excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

Where is Country World Adventure Park?

The park is in Maimón, near Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

How far is the park from Amber Cove?

The park is about a 10-minute drive from Amber Cove.

How far is the park from Taino Bay?

The park is about a 20-minute drive from Taino Bay.

What activities are included?

The pass includes an off-road ATV ride, eight zip lines, the Pool-Zip N’ Splash, horseback riding, and lunch.

Do I need experience to use the zip lines?

No. Previous zip line experience is not required, and safety equipment and instruction are provided.

How old do I have to be to drive an ATV?

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license or permit. Teenagers and children under 18 may ride as passengers.

What food is included?

Lunch includes rice, beans, chicken, fried sweet potatoes, yucca, vegetables, fruit, and other home-cooked items. The meal is vegetarian friendly.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.