North of the Punta Cana hotels the coast changes. Around Miches it is greener, emptier and less built up. This guide is for you if you want a view from a hilltop and a long, quiet beach in one outing. It covers which start time to choose, when the views are at their best, how to get to the top of the hill, and what to bring.
Where you are going
Miches sits on the north-east coast of the Dominican Republic, on the stretch known as the Costa Esmeralda. Montaña Redonda is a round hill near the town, and from the top you look over El Seibo province in every direction: the coastline, the Samaná Peninsula across the bay, and two lagoons below, Laguna Redonda and Laguna Limón. On the summit there are swings set up for photographs, which is what most people come for, along with a restaurant and, for a fee, ziplines.
Playa Esmeralda is the beach that gives this coast its name, with turquoise water and golden sand backed by coconut palms. The sand is long and quiet, and that is the point of coming.
When to go
From January to March humpback whales migrate past this coast, and from the top of Montaña Redonda you may see them in the bay with binoculars. If you are here in those months, bring a pair. It is the one season when the hill offers more than the view.
The rest of the year is warm, with highs of around 28°C in winter and up to 32°C from July to September. February and March are the driest months, May and October the wettest, and tropical storms are most likely from August to October. Clouds move fast over the hill, and the view changes with them, so give yourself time at the top rather than rushing for one photograph.
The hill is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00, and both start times arrive well inside those hours.
Morning or afternoon
You are collected at 07:00 or 13:00, and the tour lasts six hours. The drive north takes a little over an hour, and the return about an hour and a half.
- The 07:00 start puts you on the hill at around 08:15, near opening time. You walk or ride up before the heat, then have the beach around the middle of the day. You are back in the early afternoon.
- The 13:00 start suits a slow morning. You reach the hill in mid-afternoon and the beach in the late afternoon, and you are back at around 19:00, ready for dinner.
Either way, close to two hours go to the hill and an hour and a half to the beach. The car is private, so you can trade one for the other on the day.
Getting to the top
This is the decision to make in advance. Cars stay at the bottom, because the track up is very steep, with tight bends and steep drops at the side. You have two ways up:
- The truck, which takes visitors up the track. It is the easier and safer way, and the ride down takes about ten minutes. Bring cash for it.
- On foot, 30 to 45 minutes up a rough path. It is short but steep. Do it only if everyone in your group is steady on their feet, and not in the middle of the day in summer.
The entrance, the truck, food and drinks are not included in the tour, so bring cash for the hill. The tour price depends on the size of your group; see it on the tour page.
On your own, or with a driver
You can drive yourself to Miches in a hire car, and some people take a 4×4 up the hill. Our view is that the road up is better left to the local trucks. A private car and driver means you do not have to find your way north, the car waits at the foot of the hill and at the beach, and you can change the plan if the clouds settle on the summit. If you have never driven in the Dominican Republic, it is the easier choice.
What to bring
- Cash for the entrance, the truck and anything you eat or drink at the top.
- Water, even though there are small stalls on the hill.
- Swimwear, a towel and sun cream for Playa Esmeralda.
- Binoculars from January to March, for the whales.
- A charged phone or camera. The swings are why most people go up.
- Shoes with grip if you plan to walk up.
Who it suits, and who should think twice
It suits couples and friends who want photographs and a quieter beach than the ones near the hotels, and anyone curious about the less developed side of the east coast.
- Anyone nervous of heights or steep roads. The truck ride is steep. The view from the swings is the reason to go, so if that does not appeal, choose a beach day instead, such as our Macao and Bávaro half day.
- Limited mobility. The walk up is rough and steep, so take the truck, and tell us when you book.
- Groups of more than 16. Two vehicles travel together on one booking. Message us.
Questions people ask
Can we eat at the top?
Yes. There is a restaurant at the summit as well as small stalls. Food is not included, so bring cash.
Can we stay on the beach longer?
Yes. Tell your driver. The tour ends where you ask: your hotel or a restaurant.
Can we cancel?
Yes. Cancel up to 24 hours before pick-up for a full refund. The details are on our cancellation page.
Booking the day
Pick the start time, decide between the truck and the walk, and bring cash and binoculars if it is whale season. To compare this with the other days out, see our guide to day trips from Punta Cana. When you are ready, book on the Montaña Redonda and Playa Esmeralda private tour page.
