Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Everything you need for Punta Cana — from Bávaro Beach to Cap Cana, the best excursions beyond the resort, where to eat, and insider tips. Updated for 2026.
Over 4 million visitors a year land at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), making this the most popular destination in the Caribbean. Most head straight to an all-inclusive resort and never leave — which is a perfectly valid way to vacation. But Punta Cana rewards the curious. Beyond the resort gates, you'll find world-class beaches, cenotes, local restaurants serving food that puts hotel buffets to shame, and adventures that justify getting sand out of the buffet.
"Punta Cana" is actually a marketing umbrella covering a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline on the Dominican Republic's eastern tip. The area includes several distinct zones, each with its own personality. Understanding which area suits you is the single most important decision for your trip.
The main tourist strip. This is where the majority of large all-inclusive resorts sit, shoulder to shoulder along Bávaro Beach. Walking the beach, you can visit resort after resort. The commercial area behind the hotels (along Avenida España and Boulevard Turístico del Este) has local restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, and shops. It feels like a town built to serve tourism — because it is.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, those wanting convenience and a wide range of resort options.
The original Punta Cana development, centered around the Puntacana Resort & Club. More exclusive and less crowded than Bávaro. Home to the famous Tortuga Bay (designed by Oscar de la Renta), the Punta Cana Golf Club, and the Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve. The beach here is beautiful, with more coconut palms and a "classic Caribbean" feel.
Best for: Couples, golfers, travelers who want upscale without mega-resort energy.
The luxury end. A gated resort community with marina, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course (Punta Espada), high-end restaurants, and Playa Juanillo — one of the most Instagram-worthy beaches in the DR. Cap Cana feels more like a luxury enclave than a traditional beach destination. The Scape Park adventure park is here, with ziplines, cenotes, and buggy tours.
Best for: Luxury travelers, honeymooners, golfers, and those willing to pay premium for exclusivity.
The quiet, northern end. Fewer resorts, a wider beach, and a more laid-back atmosphere. Resorts here tend to be premium adult-only or boutique properties (Excellence, Breathless, CHIC). The beach is less developed, waves can be stronger, and you're farther from restaurants and nightlife outside the resort.
Best for: Adults seeking tranquility, honeymooners, couples who prefer quiet over activity.
A public beach section within Bávaro where locals and tourists mix. This is the most "real" feeling part of the Punta Cana area — beach vendors, local restaurants on the sand, Dominican families, and a fish market. It can be lively and a bit chaotic, but it's authentic. Restaurants here serve better Dominican food than most hotel restaurants.
Best for: Travelers seeking local flavor, budget eaters, and those who want a non-resort beach experience.
The crown jewel. Over 3 km of powdery white sand, calm turquoise water protected by offshore reefs, and every amenity imaginable. Bávaro is a top-10 Caribbean beach for good reason. Mornings before 10am are magical — golden light, few people, and mirror-calm water.
A crescent of bright white sand curving around shallow turquoise water. Juanillo is calmer and less crowded than Bávaro. Public access is available despite being within Cap Cana. The water is ankle-deep for 50+ meters, making it perfect for small children.
Real waves, real sand, real atmosphere. Macao is the anti-resort beach — surfers, bodyboarders, and Dominican families instead of lounge chairs and drink service. The northern section is rockier and less crowded. ATV tours arrive in the afternoon.
The continuation of Bávaro Beach to the north. Slightly less crowded, with the same quality sand and water. Several of the newer resorts (Hyatt Zilara, Secrets Royal Beach) front this stretch.
The number one question visitors ask: is it worth leaving the resort? Absolutely yes — at least once or twice during your stay.
Yes. Punta Cana is one of the safest areas in the DR. The tourist corridor is well-policed by CESTUR (tourist police). Taking an Uber to a local restaurant, hiring a driver for a day trip, or joining an organized excursion are all perfectly safe activities.
A stunning natural cenote at the base of a 75-meter cliff in Scape Park, Cap Cana. The water is a surreal shade of turquoise — swimming here feels like being inside a screensaver. Entry includes a guided walk through tropical gardens. Approximately US$99 via Scape Park; book directly for the best rate.
A full-day catamaran trip to Isla Saona — the quintessential Caribbean day trip. Shallow turquoise water, starfish sandbanks, palm-fringed beach, unlimited rum, grilled seafood lunch. It's touristy and it's worth it. Book through a reputable operator (approximately US$80-120/person) to avoid the cheapest, most crowded boats.
Within the Puntacana Resort complex, this private nature reserve has 12 freshwater lagoons connected by hiking trails through subtropical forest. You can swim in several lagoons. Peaceful, beautiful, and far less crowded than the beaches. Entry: approximately US$25.
A rescue sanctuary for squirrel monkeys combined with a working plantation growing coffee, cacao, and tropical fruits. Interact with playful monkeys and taste fresh chocolate. Great for families. Approximately US$70-90/person.
A 2-hour drive (or short domestic flight) takes you to the oldest European city in the Americas. Walk the Zona Colonial, visit the first cathedral in the New World, explore the Malecón, and eat at restaurants that demolish any resort buffet. Full-day tours run US$100-150/person including transport and a guide.
Better snorkeling than Saona, with less crowds. Catalina Island has a vibrant reef wall teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and occasional rays. The "Living Museum" underwater sculpture park adds intrigue. Day trips from Punta Cana: approximately US$100-140.
Most large resorts have nightly entertainment — live shows, music, themed parties, and bars open until 2am+. Hard Rock Hotel's casino and nightclub are popular even with non-guests (day/night passes available).
Punta Cana is spread out along 50+ km of coastline with no public bus system. Here's how to move:
Absolutely. Local restaurants serve better food at a fraction of resort prices. Excursions to cenotes, national parks, and islands like Saona offer experiences impossible to replicate at a resort. Even one day trip enriches your entire vacation.
5-7 days is ideal: 2-3 days of pure beach relaxation, 2-3 days of excursions and off-resort dining, and 1 day for exploring Downtown Punta Cana or a day trip to Santo Domingo. A long weekend (4 days) works for a beach-focused getaway.
Bávaro for first-timers (most options, central location). Cap Cana for luxury seekers. Uvero Alto for couples wanting peace. Punta Cana Village for a more curated, less touristy experience.
This guide covers Punta Cana. Explore more about this destination.
View DestinationOur team includes contributors who live in the Dominican Republic year-round and travel the island extensively, from Santo Domingo to remote southwest villages.