Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim from a 56km-long strip of interconnected, palm-fringed white-sand beaches that shelve into waters where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.
Punta Cana is located on the east coast and, depending on the resort, is between 15km and 65km from the Punta Cana International Airport.
The beaches here are all flanked by coconut palms that merge behind beachfront hotels into a tropical jungle that rises up to rolling hills and distant mountain ranges.
Water sports include parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing, jet skiing and deep-sea fishing. Land-based activities include volleyball, soccer, golf (with a choice of five courses), tennis, horseback riding and jeep safaris into the nearby jungle.
Children will especially love the Manati Park Bravaro, which features dolphin, sea lion and talking parrot shows, as well as a replica native Taino village. A bustling shopping mall boasts a range of stores.
After dark, enjoy a flutter at one of several casinos, including the Barcelo Bavaro complex and the Riu Palace Macao. Watch an exciting merengue and bachata musical dance performance or party until the wee hours at one of the many nightclubs and discos.
Punta Cana has developed a reputation as one of the most affordable holiday destinations in the Caribbean.
Choose from more than 30 hotels and resorts, most of which offer all-inclusive deals and a wide range of facilities and creature comforts, including the following…
Eden Roc At Cap Cana
Location: Cap Cana, Punta Cana
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,606 per suite
Description: This Punta Cana boutique resort is located in a 30,000-acre resort, which includes two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf courses and a marina. Each suite features a private outdoor pool and a gazebo. Guests of the Eden Roc At Cap Cana have access to the private members-only Caletón Beach Club. It boasts 2 gourmet restaurants and an outdoor pool. Seafood is available at La Palapa by Eden Roc, and sandwiches and salads can be found at the Pool Restaurant and Bar. Spacious suites are decorated in French, Italian and Spanish design. A 47-inch flat-screen TV, a minibar and a coffee maker are provided. Each suite is surrounded by tropical gardens. The resort offers on-site gourmet cooking lessons, catamaran rides and horseback riding. Fishing trips and boat charters can be arranged. Punta Cana International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the resort. Free airport transportation is included in the price. This hotel is affiliated with Relais & Châteaux.
Tortuga Bay
Location: Higuey, Punta Cana
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD1,344 per suite
Description: Featuring a private beach area in Punta Cana, a swimming pool and rooms with hot tub, this luxury and exclusive resort is half a kilometer from the beach and just 4.8 km from Punta Cana International Airport. The rooms at this AAA Five Diamond Award winner have minimalist style and include a fan, sitting area, flat-screen TV and balcony. The kitchens have a coffee maker and microwave, and the bathrooms are private and include a bathtub, shower and bathrobes. The Tortuga Bay features the Bamboo restaurant with decor from an international designer and serves a fusion of Caribbean and Asian cuisine. The breakfast is free. Activities such as fishing, horseback riding, kite sailing and eco-paddle surfing can be arranged at this hotel. The use of bikes and kayaks is for free. Tortuga Bay is 4.8 km from Punta Cana Village and a 30-minute drive from Bavaro Lagoon. The Manati Park is 19.3 km away and Coral Highway is a 10-minute drive away.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana
Location: Playa De Uvero Alto, Punta Cana
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD655 per suite
Description: Zoetry Agua Punta Cana is located right on the Dominican Republic’s beautiful Caribbean coast. This luxurious resort features several outdoor pools, a spa and health club, and an open-air restaurant overlooking the beach. Each air-conditioned suite features sleek eco-friendly décor, with vaulted ceilings and natural hardwood floors. They all include a sitting area, a private terrace and a spacious bathroom with a shower, bathtub and free toiletries. The on-site restaurant serves a variety of nutritious, gourmet meals. Guests also receive a free 10-minute wellness or fitness consultation. 24-hour room service is available, and the modern bar serves top-shelf spirits. Activities like snorkeling, horseback riding and billiards can be arranged by the tour desk. The popular surfing beach of Playa del Macao is 8 km from the property. White Stands Golf Course can be reached in a 20-minute drive, and Punta Cana International Airport is just an hour away by car.
The best time to visit Punta Cana is anytime between December and mid-April, with daily temperatures averaging 25°C (77°F), rising to an average high of 29°C (84°F).
Located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana has a tropical climate year-round, with a hot, muggy season from May to October, and a cooler, drier seaon from December to March. Temperatures are fairly uniform year-round.
Despite the heat of summer and occasional rain showers, Punta Cana is a year-round holiday destination.
More information about Punta Cana weather…
Punta Cana is located on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, and depending on the resort, is between 15km (9.3mi) and 65km (40mi) from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) – the busiest airport in the Dominican Republic – is a 15-minute drive from the Punta Cana and Cap Cana resort areas, a 30-minute drive from Bávaro, El Cortecito and Arena Gorda, and a 45-minute drive from the Macao and Uvero Alto areas.
The airport receives daily nonstop flights from North America, Europe and neighbouring Caribbean countries.
More information about how to get to Punta Cana…
Latest update: Best time to visit the Dominican Republic : 5 July, 2022
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