Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: travel guide
The Caribbean's flagship all-inclusive resort destination on the far-eastern tip of the island, stringing together the white-sand, coconut-lined beaches of Bavaro, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto with golf, cenotes and catamaran excursions.
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Currency
- DOP
- Time zone
- America/Santo_Domingo
- Nearest airport
- PUJ
Top places to visit in Punta Cana
Scape Park at Cap Cana
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 4 h
An eco-adventure park bundling ziplines, cenote swims, caves, a Taino trail and buggy rides across the Cap Cana coastline.
Bavaro Adventure Park
Activity · 4.5 rating · about 3.5 h
Adrenaline park near Bavaro with ziplines, a giant swing, bungee bull and horseback and Segway trails set in tropical gardens.
Playa Juanillo
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
A crescent of fine sand in exclusive Cap Cana with a laid-back beach club, gentle water and views over the marina cliffs.
Reserva Ecologica Ojos Indigenas
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
A 1,500-acre private reserve inside Puntacana Resort with a dozen Taino freshwater lagoons and shaded nature trails for swimming and birdwatching.
Playa El Cortecito
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h
The lively local heart of Bavaro beach, a fishing-village strip with boat vendors, souvenir stalls and casual seafood shacks.
Hoyo Azul
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 45
A jewel-blue freshwater cenote at the foot of a 75m cliff inside Scape Park, reached by a short jungle trail — swim in near-luminous turquoise water.
Playa Macao
Beach · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
A wilder, cliff-backed public beach famous for its surf breaks and beach-shack fried fish, a highlight of many buggy and ATV tours.
Playa Cabeza de Toro
Beach · 3.9 rating · about 2 h
A quieter reef-protected beach between Bavaro and Punta Cana, popular for calm swimming and diving trips.
Playa Uvero Alto
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
A long, less-developed stretch of golden sand north of Bavaro with a natural, uncrowded feel and bigger surf.
Playa Bavaro
Beach · about 2.5 h
The postcard face of Punta Cana: a long ribbon of powder-white sand and calm turquoise water fringed by coconut palms and all-inclusive resorts.
Things to do
- Saona Island Catamaran & Speedboat Day Trip Boat · 8 h · from USD 95 per person
- Macao Buggy & Cenote Adventure Adventure · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
- Punta Cana Catamaran Party & Snorkel Cruise Water · 4 h · from USD 75 per person
- Scape Park Cap Cana Full Access Adventure · 5 h · from USD 120 per person
- Zipline & Horseback Combo at Bavaro Adventure Park Adventure · 5 h · from USD 89 per person
- Deep-Sea Fishing Charter Water · 4 h · from USD 130 per person
Day trips and tours
- Saona Island Full-Day Escape 9 h · from USD 95
- Buggy & Macao Beach Adventure 4 h · from USD 55
Where to stay in Punta Cana
- Bavaro about DOP 260 per night
The heart of the resort strip with the biggest all-inclusives, beach clubs and the El Cortecito local scene.
- Cap Cana about DOP 450 per night
An exclusive gated enclave of luxury resorts, a marina, golf and the Hoyo Azul cenote.
- Uvero Alto about DOP 230 per night
A quieter, more natural stretch of newer resorts north of Bavaro, good for couples wanting calm.
Hotels
- Barcelo Bavaro Palace 5-star · USD 260 to USD 620 per night
- Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort 5-star · USD 240 to USD 560 per night
- Iberostar Selection Bavaro 5-star · USD 250 to USD 600 per night
- Eden Roc Cap Cana 5-star · USD 550 to USD 1,400 per night
- Whala!Bavaro 3-star · USD 75 to USD 160 per night
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana 5-star · USD 320 to USD 780 per night
Where to eat
- Jellyfish Restaurant Seafood, International, Caribbean · about USD 65 per person
- La Yola Seafood, Mediterranean · about USD 70 per person
- Balicana Asian, Thai, Sushi · about USD 35 per person
- Citrus Restaurant International, French, Caribbean · about USD 45 per person
- Kukua Beach Restaurant Mediterranean, Seafood, International · about USD 60 per person
- Soles Chill Out Bar International, Caribbean, Bar · about USD 30 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Beach vendor and timeshare pressure
Bavaro and El Cortecito beaches
Vendors and "resort reps" offer free excursions, photos or gifts that turn into aggressive timeshare or overpriced-tour sales pitches.
How to avoid it: Say no firmly and book excursions through reputable operators; never hand over your passport or resort wristband.
Taxi overcharging without meters
PUJ airport and resort strips
Drivers quote inflated USD fares to arriving tourists, claiming fixed rates that are far above the norm.
How to avoid it: Confirm the fare before getting in, use your resort's transfer desk, or pre-book a private transfer.