Punta Cana
Currency
DOP
Language
Spanish
Timezone
Santo Domingo
Continent
North America
Discover Punta Cana
Punta Cana is not a town: it is the name given to some fifty kilometres of coast at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, covered in all-inclusive hotels and coconut palms. There is no centre, no old town, no monument — and that is the point. What there is: Bávaro, the main beach and one of the longest in the Caribbean; Playa Juanillo, quieter, to the south; Playa El Cortecito, the only one backed by a fishing village rather than resorts. Saona and Catalina islands to the south-west are the classic day trips by catamaran. Hoyo Azul, a turquoise cenote at the foot of a cliff, is the local natural curiosity. Santo Domingo and its colonial zone, the oldest European city in the Americas, are three hours away by road.
When to go
December to April: twenty-eight degrees, little rain, the sea at twenty-seven. This is high season and prices follow. June to November is hurricane season — the real risk is moderate but daily showers are common, and rates drop. May and November are useful compromises. Sargassum, the brown seaweed that washes up on the east coast, mainly affects April to August and varies enormously from year to year.
Getting around
Hotel transfers do most of the work; beyond that taxis are expensive and negotiated in advance. Guaguas, shared minibuses, link the villages for almost nothing but require patience. A hire car gives freedom, but local driving is brisk and side roads are poorly lit. The international airport is twenty minutes from most hotels. Excursions are better booked in town than at the hotel, often at half the price.
Where to eat
Dominican cooking at midday comes down to la bandera: rice, red beans, meat, salad. Mofongo, mashed plantain with garlic, is the other pillar. Fish is eaten at El Cortecito with your feet in the sand. Dominican rum and coffee from the Cordillera Central travel well. Ninety restaurants are listed, but all-inclusive means many visitors try none — leaving the hotel once or twice changes the trip markedly.
Good to know
The Dominican peso is the currency; dollars circulate widely in tourist areas. A tourist card is included in the airfare. Tipping is expected, all-inclusive included. Tap water is not drinkable. Excursions sold on the beach by touts are markedly cheaper than at the hotel and markedly less regulated: that is a trade-off to make knowingly.
Where to Stay in Punta Cana
Top Activities in Punta Cana
landmarkAstron
Dolphin Island Park Bavaro
Squalo Tours
Playa Princess
Playa Cabo Engaño
Flamingo
Peacocks
Dolphin Explorer
Chocolate
Teatro
Scape Park
Ocean Adventures
Plaza Punta Cana
La Mascarita
Aroma's Museum
Marry here
Free
Tropicana Theatre
Theater
Coral Lab
Home
Playa Cabeza de Toro
Free
Playa El Cortecito
Free
Manatí Park - Cerrado
Playa Juanillo
Free