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Enjoying our resort and the much needed relaxation was the main objective on our Punta Cana vacation. After a couple of days, however, we realized that there were some amazing zip line locations nearby and it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunity.
My children and I had zip lined while in Belize a few years ago. It was a extremely fun experience racing down the cables through the jungle. A couple of summers ago, I zip lined through the Nevada desert, going from mountain top to mountain top. It was a completely different experience than the first, but exciting nonetheless. My husband, had not been with us in Belize and had been working while I went off on my excursion in the Las Vegas desert, so he was new to this type of adventure. Very apprehensive about heights, I was not sure how he would approach the whole thing, but I knew we needed to get him out there.
Since we had not booked the excursion before we arrived in Punta Cana, I assumed that we could do so through the concierge. After our arrival, I realized that no concierge was available, so I inquired with the dinner reservations desk on whom we could book with. I was directed to both a travel agency located within the resort as well as an office with many tour companies. Deciding on the latter, I encountered Shirley who assisted me with the booking.
Wanting to leave first thing in the morning so that we would have the remainder of the day available to us, we decided on an 8:00am pickup time the next day. Since our phone was not working, I came back to the room later that day to find a note from Shirley explaining that the zip lining office had contacted her and 8:00am time slot was not available. She had rebooked us for that same afternoon for a 2:00pm departure, but instructed me to come to her office first thing in the morning if this was not to our liking. After much discussion, we decided that we would still prefer the early morning departure and would wait until the following day. A quick visit to Shirley at the opening of her office made the appropriate changes…she even called the zip line office to ensure that space was available.
The next day, after waking early and having breakfast, we were out front with many other people who were also awaiting their pickup vehicles.
A few minutes later, a vehicle arrived which looked as though it was the one described to me. As I inquired with the driver and showed him my confirmation slip, he appeared to be a bit confused. He promptly made a call and began speaking to someone on the other end. Another person standing nearby, explained that this was not the company that was supposed to pick us up but this gentleman worked with them as well. It seemed that although we had a confirmation number, the office did not show us as having a booking and therefore, no one was on their way to pick us up. It was explained that a representative from the company was in the area and on his way to speak with us. Naturally, we were very frustrated.
Shirley’s office had not quite opened yet, but a short time later, arriving for here workday, she noticed us still in front of the Barcelo. She promptly came over to see why we were still waiting. Making a phone call to the office, they explained what had happened on their end and offered the 11:00am and 2:00pm options. Although this was not quite what we wanted, we were leaving the next day and all that we could do. The company first offered us a bottle of rum as an apology, but we declined, explaining that it would be more of an issue having to check our luggage to accommodate it. Finally, it was agreed that the pictures taken of the customers while zip lining and offered for sale would be offered to us complimentary.
By this time, almost 9:00, it was too late to really do much but wait.
Around 11:00, our van arrived and since almost full, we filed into the seats remaining in the back row. With no other pickups, we were soon on our way. During a long and very bumpy ride, we soon realized that the 30-40 minute ride that we were expecting was really about an hour through countryside and local villages. Wishing that I had brought my large camera to document Dominican Republic local life, I captured the townsfolk and buildings with my Iphone.
We soon arrived at the Bavaro Runners Adventures. Not much instruction was given to us and we were left to mill about, wondering when we would be outfitted with our equipment to get started. After a lengthy wait, we were told that we were waiting on another group. More time passed and finally, an introductory speech was given by one of the workers.
After a few more minutes, we were finally outfitted and then directed to a courtyard just outside, where we were instructed on the basics of zip lining…how to slow down, how to stop and how to get to the platform if you did not make it all the way.
A short walk to the first platform and we were soon on our way to experience the 18 platforms and 12 zip lines, among them, the longest in the Caribbean and the lengthiest in the Dominican Republic, on Anamuya Mountain.
Attached with climbing gear to the double line cables, we were soon zipping along from the first platform to the next…one to two, 358 feet, and from two to three, 209 feet, where our pictures were snapped. Disembarking from platform three, we ascended the stairs to platform four where we zipped across 203 feet and then from four to five, 213 feet. The next lines, five, six, seven and eight averaged between 344 and 682 feet. Walking between platforms eight and nine and ascending an extremely tall tower had us flying across a river for our longest ride yet, 2296 feet. After reaching platform thirteen and journeying on foot again to fourteen, riding 360 feet to platform fifteen, we were then ready for the longest journey, back over the river and through the trees, 2624 feet. What a ride! Finally, our last cable was a short 377 feet to the end of the line.
With the seemingly unorganized start at Bavaro Runners Adventures, we were pleased to find that the staff was very friendly and helpful while on the course. The platforms and cables were well maintained and the views spectacular! Even my husband, with his fear of heights, loved the thrill of it all!
As promised, our pictures were readied for us and given free of charge, a forty dollar value, and upon the return of our equipment, we were offered fruit and soda before being loaded up on the buses for our return to our resorts.
Bavaro Runners Adventures offers other options at this location. One particular alternative was to complete eight cables and then interact with the squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland. While on one of the trails, we noticed torches lining the pathway and discovered that these were present for night time zip lining. One thing I would like to point out however, is that a weight limit is in effect. A sign hangs in the outfitting area stating that individuals weighing more than 285 pounds are not permitted to ride. Since there was a gentleman on our bus expecting to ride and then not allowed, it seems that the information may not have been communicated during the booking process. Hopefully, his payment was refunded.
Having paid more per person for our Belize and my Vegas zip lining trips, I would say that Bavaro Runners Adventures offers a fair deal. At $90 per person, with transportation provided and 12 zip lines, more than the Belize and Vegas locations, it was a great way to spend a few hours off of the resort. Aside from the problem with our booking and the unorganization experienced upon our arrival, everyone had a great time and now have great memories!
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Bavaro Runners Adventures
- https://www.runnersadventures.com
- Phone: 1-809-455-1135
- Departures: 8:00am, 11:00am and 2:00pm, Monday thru Saturday
- Adults, $90, Children $45, add additional $29 per person for Monkeyland option
- Nighttime zip lines: $99 per person for groups of 15 or more, Tuesdays and Thursdays