Taking a tour of a museum might be the last thing on your to-do list if you're taking a luxury vacation to beautiful Punta Cana – but you may want to reconsider factoring this into your plans. Though you may be more likely to spend a day on the beach than indoors, there are several experiences in this part of the Dominican Republic that are actually fascinating, in addition to flavorful.
If you're a foodie, or you'd simply rather learn about the culture here through cuisine, here are two sites you don't want to miss:
Mi Amor Pirate Rum Factory & Taino Museum This attraction, which is located in the heart of Bavaro Punta Cana, may look small – but the size is deceiving. In fact, there's a lot to take in at the Mi Amor Pirate Rum Factory & Taino Museum. First, you should definitely take a Pirate Rum Tour, which gives you a chance to see how the factory's famous 300-year-old recipe is made & try the the factory's selection for yourself. There are so many different types of rum, some of which are infused with tropical fruits or coffee, & you'll learn about all of their distinct flavors. You'll even get to observe artists hand paint a Caribbean scene onto each bottle of the flavored rums for a one-of-a-kind product that makes the perfect gift. The underground cave, which is millions of years old, holds all kinds of surprises. You'll even observe Jamaican fruit bats in their natural habitat. Of course, you should also save time to stop by the Taino museum, where you can discover the history of the Taino People, starting with Christopher Columbus' arrival on the island in 1492.
ChocoMuseo You're likely already familiar with Swiss or Belgian chocolate, but what about Dominican chocolate? At ChocoMuseo, you have the chance to discover the decadent confections that are made from cacao that is grown locally. Since the farm uses the highest quality cacao beans & processes them artisanally on site, you know you're in for a treat.
Ever wondered how a chocolate bar could taste so delicious? On the Cacao Farm Tour, you'll get a lesson in how cacao grows from the tree, & then you'll watch the entire chocolate making process. If you have enough time, it's worth taking a two-hour workshop, which lets you take on the role of a professional chocolatier. No trip here would be complete without a stop at the cafeteria, which has a multitude of chocolate-themed drinks, coffees & desserts. The gift shop also has plenty of edible souvenirs that you may want to bring home to a loved one – or enjoy yourself. From classic flavors, such as orange peel & almond, to more innovative options, such as chili pepper & coconut, you have plenty of delicacies to choose from.
