Sandra Avila
2 weeks ago
Great treatment, great staff that organizes your trip, excellent!
Dominican RepublicPunta Cana
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1 Room — 2 adults
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Destination guide
Punta Cana: the white-sand Caribbean that starts the moment you land
Fifty kilometres of coconut-lined beach, turquoise water kept calm by an offshore reef, and all-inclusive resorts right on the sand: this is the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. This guide takes you from Bávaro to Cap Cana, tells you when the sun is at its best and where to sleep depending on your kind of trip.
Destination guide
What to see and do
The destination's essentials, hand-picked to spark your trip.
Bávaro Beach
Punta Cana's signature beach: fine white sand, palms leaning over the water and a reef that tames the surf, creating natural turquoise pools close to shore.
Saona Island
A postcard islet inside Cotubanamá National Park, ringed by palm-fringed beaches and shallow water. It is visited as a day trip by catamaran or speedboat.
Hoyo Azul at Scape Park
A vivid blue lagoon at the foot of a cliff more than seventy metres high, hidden in the greenery of Cap Cana and reached by a short trail through the jungle.
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park
A freshwater reserve with a dozen Taíno-era lagoons surrounded by tropical forest, perfect for walking, swimming and birdwatching away from the beach crowds.
Golf by the Caribbean
Punta Cana is home to some of the Caribbean's most celebrated championship courses, with holes laid out along the sea and clifftops around Cap Cana and Bávaro.
El Cortecito and Dominican flavour
In this fishing village, try fried fish with tostones, a sancocho stew or la bandera, then finish with a merengue: the most local side of Punta Cana.
When to go
Punta Cana is a year-round sun destination, warm and steady; what changes with the seasons is the rain, the wind and how busy it gets.
Dry season (December to April)
The best stretch for sunshine: clear skies, less humidity and steady trade winds. It is also the busiest and priciest time, especially around Christmas and Easter.
Warm summer (May to July)
Heat and humidity build, with short afternoon showers that cool things down before the sun returns. Fewer crowds and better value than winter, with a warm sea.
Rainy season (August to November)
The wettest months and the hurricane season, peaking between September and October. Prices drop sharply; it pays to watch the forecast and take out travel insurance.
Destination guide
Where to stay
The neighbourhoods and areas with the most charm to stay in.
Bávaro
The tourist heart of Punta Cana: a very long beach lined with all-inclusive resorts, with options for couples and families and everything close at hand. It is the liveliest, most practical area for a first visit.
Cap Cana
An exclusive gated community to the south, with a marina, the gorgeous Juanillo beach and golf courses. Ideal if you want luxury, calm and a more private atmosphere.
Uvero Alto
A quieter, somewhat secluded stretch of coast further north, with resorts wrapped in nature. Perfect for switching off, though it sits farther from the airport and local life.
El Cortecito and Los Corales
The most neighbourly side, with independent restaurants, fishing boats and beachfront hotels. A good choice if you would rather dine out and mix with Dominican life.
Destination guide
Featured hotels
Our selection: rating, location and that special something.
Destination guide
Practical tips
The small details that make travelling easier.
Airport transfers
Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) is only minutes from most resorts. Nearly all of them arrange a transfer; confirm it when booking, or use a taxi with the fare agreed in advance.
Carry some cash
Resorts take cards without any trouble, but it helps to have dollars or pesos in small notes for tips, taxis, markets and beach stalls.
Tropical sun and repellent
The sun is strong even when it is cloudy: use high-factor protection and drink water. For lagoon and mangrove trips, pack insect repellent and shoes that can get wet.
Book excursions with trusted operators
For Saona, buggies or a catamaran, book with reputable operators and compare what each trip includes. Be wary of suspiciously low prices offered to you on the beach.
Mobile data with an eSIM
Resort wifi works but is patchy away from your room. An eSIM or a local SIM gives you data for maps and messaging while you are out on excursions.
A few words of Spanish
The language is Spanish, and English is widely handled in tourist areas. A hello and a thank-you in Spanish are appreciated and open plenty of smiles here.
Gallery
Glimpses of the destination to whet your appetite.
Frequently asked questions
December to April brings the best weather, with sunshine and less humidity, though it is the busiest season. May and June strike a good balance of climate and price; from August to November it rains more and coincides with hurricane season.
