Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Twenty years ago, the area known as Punta Cana was merely an isolated stretch of beach surrounded by a jungle. Today, that area on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic has blossomed into the country's fastest growing tourism development. The jungle has been transformed into a secluded sector for tourists to enjoy the peace and relaxation that made the islands in the Caribbean famous.

Punta Cana's 20 miles of pearl-white sand beaches merged with sapphire-blue waters creates scenery surpassed by no other. This sparkling gem in the Caribbean not only offers an impeccable ambiance, but also luxurious resorts, fine dining, and a wide variety of activities. Punta Cana features the longest coral reef in the whole island (about 19 miles long). Divers and snorkelers of all experience levels can explore reef caverns and nearby Catalina and Saona Islands. Or, for the truly adventurous, experience the beautiful underwater wonderland on a night dive. For land lovers, there are challenging golf courses, tennis courts, horseback riding, bicycling, or you can soar high above land and water on a parasailing ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should go?

Honeymooners
The most popular resort area with beautiful beaches and clear waters.

Divers
Punta Cana boasts the island’s longest coral reef.

Families
The ultimate playground for watersports, fishing, and gaming.

What's the climate like?

	Winter	Spring	Summer	Autumn
Average High	85° F	85° F	90° F	89° F
Average Low	67° F	67° F	73° F	72° F
Average Rainfall	7.0"	4.2"	2.9"	5.0"

Water temperature averages 83°F in the summer and 78°F in the winter, so no matter when you visit, the water is always nice and warm.

How do I get around town?

Transfers
Transfers between the airport and hotel are included with your air and hotel vacation package. It takes 20-45 minutes to travel between the airport and hotels.

Taxi
The best mode of transport in the area is via taxi. They aren’t metered, however, so it is important to negotiate the fare before getting in. Your hotel can help you with knowing how much the taxi fare should be and to help with giving the driver directions, if they do not speak English. Make sure to only take registered taxis.

Car
Rental cars are not recommended in Punta Cana, nor are they needed. Nearly all activities are at your hotel or a short walk down the beach.

What kinds of dining and nightlife are available?

Dominican cooking is a savory yet subtle blend of native Indian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and African ingredients. Local dishes include sancocho (meat and vegetable stew), moro (rice cooked with beans), mangú (mashed green plantains), longaniza (spiced pork sausage), and carne guisada (beef stew). For a truly Dominican experience, eat "la bandera” — translation to “the flag” — the national dish of white rice, red beans, and green plantains. And don’t leave the gorgeous country without trying “pescado con coco” — fish with coconut sauce.

All the hotels we offer with our vacation packages are all-inclusive, so you don’t need to leave your hotel for meals. The hotels usually have a selection of restaurants serving food from around the world, from the familiar to the intriguing. For a fun dining experience, if you do decide to leave your hotel for dinner, take a water taxi to Captain Cook’s and indulge in freshly caught seafood — your pick out of the barrel.

At night, most nightlife activities are centered in the hotels, and you are certain to hear the wonderful beat of the merengue echoing in and out of bars and clubs. Guests are predominately young, European, and dressed to be seen.

Where should I go shopping?

Shopping in Punta Cana is mainly at the shops in your hotel or during local vendor nights. Good deals can be found on Dominican rum, coffee, amber, and larimar, a semi-precious stone that’s the color of the Caribbean Sea. There’s also a shopping village called Plaza Bávaro located outside of Occidental Grand Punta Cana. Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta is from the Dominican Republic (and has a house near Punta Cana), so you may want to stop at shops that feature some of his creations.

Palma Real Shopping Village, located outside of the Paradisus Palma Real and Meliá Caribe Tropical, offers many shops, such as Harrison's Jewelry, Swatch, Planeta Fashion, Rolex, and a cigar lounge and shop, in addition to a Hard Rock Café Punta Cana and Tony Roma's restaurants.

When are the local events?

To find out about “what’s new” around the Dominican Republic, visitors should read The Santo Domingo News. This is an English language newspaper, featuring the most current news, special events, and new island attractions. Special Dominican holidays are January 21, January 26, February 27, May 1, August 16, September 24, October 26, and December 5.

What are my golf and recreation options?

Golf
Customize your vacation with discounted greens fees and gain access to hotel-affiliated golf courses with a stay at select hotels.

Hotel-Affiliated Courses

Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Four sets of tees combined with strategically placed bunkers, mounds, and gently rolling terrain provide a challenge for all levels of golfer. Designed by José “Pepe” Gancedo. The following hotels include golf with a 7-night stay:
- Meliá Caribe Tropical
- Paradisus Palma Real
- Paradisus Punta Cana

Sportfishing
Punta Cana offers excellent billfishing, the prime time being between April and August, with May through June being the best time for white marlin. Atlantic marlin is most abundant in the spring, but reports also show that the biggest blues are caught in August. So, no matter when you go, your chances are reasonably good of catching marlin. Being known for its easy accessibility and great fishing, many tournaments are held here, drawing participants from around the world. In addition to marlin, other fish to be caught are barracuda and dorado.

Snorkeling/Scuba Diving
Punta Cana boasts the island’s longest coral reef, so snorkeling and scuba diving are favorite pastimes. One of the best places to snorkel out from is the Riu Bambu Resort.

Punta Cana is a great place for beginning divers, as the waters, even far out, are shallow. Diving excursions can take you out to discover shipwrecks, along with coral formations. Catalina and Saona Islands, about two hours away, offer some great dives for more advanced divers.

Travel tidbits

Dinner
Many of the all-inclusive hotels have both à la carte and buffet restaurants. If you want to dine at one of the à la carte restaurants at your hotel, you need to make reservations. It is advised to make your reservation as soon as the hotel permits.

Entertainment
Punta Cana is very laid back and the majority of nightlife will be centered around your hotel’s theater. The one exception to this is the amazing and spectacular show, Tropicalisimo, at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. The show is included for guests of that hotel, but if you are staying elsewhere, you can get tickets to the show.

Bird Watching
There are 29 native species of birds flying around the Dominican Republic. Keep your eyes open for one of them.

Rainy Season
Most Caribbean islands during rainy season have a quick shower that is just enough to cool things off before the sun comes out again. The Dominican Republic is different; when it rains, it rains, and it can last half a day.

Watersports
During Easter Holy Week, use of motorized watersports is prohibited.

Good to Know:

Airport Name: 3-letter Code:	Punta Cana Airport PUJ
Best Weather:	January – April
Best Values:	January
Currency:	Dominican Peso (RD$). When the $ figure stands alone, chances are that the price being stated is in U.S. Dollars. Be sure to verify.
Language:	Spanish, but at the hotels, much of the staff will speak some English.
Time Zone:	During the winter, Punta Cana is two hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
Proof of Citizenship:	Government legislation requires all people traveling via air to and from the United States and Canada to have a valid passport. For details on passports, visas, and health requirements, see Entry Requirements.
Tipping:	Hotels in Punta Cana are all-inclusive where tipping is not necessary. Restaurants outside of hotels add a 10% service charge to your check. Most people usually add 5% to 10% more, especially if the service has been good.
Dress:	More formal in the evening than other beach destinations. During the day, though, everyone is in his or her swimsuit.
Tourist Board Phone #:	1-888-303-1336