Punta Cana in 10 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Ten days in paradisiacal Punta Cana are enough time for many activities, as well as getting a good tan. This Dominican gem offers something for everyone, whether you're looking to spend a few days relaxing in a luxurious resort or you can't wait to experience an adventure in the jungle.

That's why in this guide I'll help you get organised and reveal the secrets so you can get to know everything there is to see and do in Punta Cana without missing a thing.

After many hours of flying, taxis, lugging suitcases and the whole chaotic process of getting to your destination, you're finally faced with the vast expanse of white sand surrounded by coconut palms that you've been dreaming of for so long. And that's why I've prepared a tour of Punta Cana's most emblematic beach for your first day.

Playa Bávaro: relax in this stunning tropical paradise

If there is an ideal place to start your trip, it is Bávaro Beach. Countless kilometres of white sand next to a turquoise sea where you will find numerous all-inclusive luxury resorts, making this one of the most recommended areas to stay. Such is the beauty of this place that it has been named by UNESCO as one of the best beaches in the world.

Bávaro beach is very well communicated with the airport, if you decide to stay in one of its hotels, as well as with the rest of Punta Cana, as there are plenty of buses and it won't be difficult to find taxis. Another equally good and very comfortable option is to hire a minibus or a van shared with other tourists.

Once you're there you can rent a sun lounger, have a cocktail at one of the beach bars or do some activities such as surfing or renting a kayak.

El Cortecito Beach: treat yourself to the best seafood

When it's getting close to lunchtime, take a stroll to El Cortecito Beach. Here you will find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and craft markets, as this is the fishing village area.

Here you can eat at the most famous seafood restaurant in Punta cana: El Capitán Cook, whose star dish is lobster. You will also be able to enjoy a wonderful view, as this restaurant is located right on the beachfront. It won't be cheap, but it's a luxury worth spending money on.

After lunch, you can stroll around the craft markets and buy some souvenirs of your trip. To end the afternoon, enjoy the beach by sunbathing, swimming in the sea or having a refreshing drink in one of the many establishments in the area.

Imagine Cave Nightclub: End your day in a very special nightclub

Imagine Cave Nightclub is not just any nightclub, because it is located inside a cave! After a shower in your room and dinner in one of the restaurants of the hotel complex, I invite you to go dancing in this original discotheque, made up of different caves in which a DJ plays music of various styles.

Due to its popularity, I recommend that you buy your ticket in advance, as it tends to fill up quite quickly. The experience also includes transport to and from your hotel and up to four hours of open bar.

This event takes place every Saturday, so if it doesn't coincide with the start of your trip, you can swap it for one of the other nightlife activities on offer in this itinerary.

Your second day in Punta Cana will start with a bit of adventure tourism. The first activity I have prepared for you is a zip-line ride through the jungle.

In the afternoon, you will visit another natural landscape, although this time very different, as your second point on the itinerary for this day will be to discover the virgin beach of Macao, an oasis of tranquillity where you can relax on a sun lounger listening to the sound of the sea.

Visit the jungle from above

It's not all about the beach on this trip, especially considering the stunning natural landscap es of this part of the Dominican Republic. One of the most fun ways to get into the jungle is to do it from the heights.

That's why, to start your second day, I recommend you book a zip-line experience through the jungle. This way, you'll be able to cross the lush forest without missing a thing, enjoy the cinematic scenery and experience an unforgettable adventure.

Sunbathe on Macao Beach

After all the busy activity of the morning, it's time for a more relaxing afternoon. That's why the next highlight of the day is a trip to Macao Beach, which is only a 20-minute drive from Baváro Beach.

The most comfortable and popular way to get around Punta Cana is by taxi, as the buses, known there as guaguas, tend to be rather unpunctual and very crowded. However, they are much cheaper than taxis, so it's up to you to decide according to your budget. If you decide to take a bus around the area, it's best to ask for directions once you're there, as the companies don't share official transport information.

Macau Beach is known for being a pristine beach surrounded by stunning natural scenery. There are no luxurious resorts in this area, so it's the perfect place to relax in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of thousands of tourists. However, this beach is not totally deserted and you will find a few beachfront bars and restaurants.

Do something active on Macao beach

Macao Beach is also particularly popular with surfers, as the wind and big waves make it the perfect place for surfing. Of course, you will find surf schools where you can book a lesson whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer.

But if you didn't have enough adventure with the morning's zip-lines, I encourage you to book another of the most popular activities you can do on this beach: a buggy tour. Finally, after this hectic day, all that's left for you is a quiet dinner in the hotel zone, and if you're not too tired, a drink in one of the pubs.

For your third day in Punta Cana, I have prepared a full day for you. In the morning, you will visit the most famous nature reserve in the area. Afterwards, you'll discover a very exclusive beach, and finally, you'll head to one of the most atmospheric clubs to end the day with a bit of dancing.

Get lost in nature at the Ojos Indígenas Reserve

This wonderful nature reserve is located near Punta Cana, just over 20 km from Baváro Beach. To get there, you can take a taxi or rent a shared van.

This reserve hides a tropical forest that is home to more than 500 types of plants and up to 12 crystal clear lagoons. The name of the natural space comes from these lagoons, as the Taino Indians called them "eyes" due to their shape.

This is the perfect place for hiking routes, swimming in the lagoons where it is allowed and observing the large number of animals that live there. You can also take a horseback ride or visit the sugar cane exhibition, which shows how sugar cane is grown and processed.

• Where: Inside the Puntacana Resort & Club.

• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

• Price: General admission is approximately €50.

Enjoy a cocktail in front of the sea at Juanillo beach

Once you have finished your nature walk, head to Juanillo Beach. This beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the Dominican Republic due to its fine white sand and the tall coconut trees that surround it.

It is located in Cap Cana, one of the most exclusive areas with the most luxurious resorts. In addition, its waters are crystal clear, calm and shallow, which makes it an ideal plan to do in Punta Cana with children.

For lunch, one of the most highly rated places is La Mona, a beach bar with the most beautiful views you could imagine. As for the food, it's international and has a great variety. There are also numerous cocktail and drink options.

During the afternoon you can relax on a sun lounger, swim, windsurf, play volleyball and many other activities. A curiosity about this beach is that weddings are often held there, so if you are lucky you might be able to find one.

End the day with dinner and, if you have any energy left, a bit of dancing

In the late afternoon, you can head back to the hotel zone, where you'll find plenty of dining options. And if you're still in the mood to party, one of Punta Cana's must-visit venues is the The Bel Live Collection Punta Cana, a gigantic nightclub inside the Bel Live Collection Punta Cana resort with national and international music and live entertainment.

• Where: inside the Be Live Collection Punta Cana Hotel (Carretera Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana).

• Hours: daily from 7:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

On your fourth day of travel, I suggest you explore another incredible corner of the Dominican Republic, Saona Island. Finally, to end your day, I have prepared an unforgettable night at Punta Cana's most famous nightclub.

Take a stroll around the most popular island of the Dominican Republic

For your third day of your trip, I have planned a fantastic day trip to Saona Island. This is the largest island in the Dominican Republic and forms part of the Cotubanamá National Park nature reserve, so, as it is a protected area, its beaches are unspoilt and have lush, exotic vegetation.

As well as exploring the beaches, another activity you can do there is to visit Mano Juan, the only inhabited spot on the island. This small village is inhabited by fishermen who live in the colourful and picturesque wooden houses found in the area.

Another must-visit on Saona Island is the Saona Island Sea Turtle Sanctuary. To get to this island, you'll need to book a boat trip. This excursion includes the transfer to and from the hotel, a buffet lunch and an open bar.

But without a doubt, the best part of the excursion is that it stops so that you can enjoy another of the main attractions of the place: the largest natural swimming pool in the world. Another of the characteristics that make this pool so interesting is that it is located in the middle of the sea, no less than 400 metres from the coast.

You can't leave Punta Cana without visiting the most famous discotheque in the Caribbean

After spending the whole day on the wonderful Saona Island and having had a relaxing shower, it's time to get dressed up for the night and go out for some dancing. And what better place than Punta Cana's most successful discotheque?.

In addition to attending an incredible party, at Coco Bongo you'll be able to see different shows made up of acrobats, shows inspired by films and even shows with technology that will make the night an unforgettable experience.

The entrance to Coco Bongo also includes transportation to the hotel as long as you are on the official list of hotels on their website. If, on the other hand, your hotel does not appear on the list, don't worry, you can take a taxi without any problem.

• Where: Downtown Shopping Centre.
• Opening hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 8pm to 2am and Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm to 3am.
• Price: from €70.

For your fifth day, I propose a plan that's as fun as it is original. To start the morning, you will visit the Monkeyland theme park, where you will have the privilege of seeing one of the most mythical animals in the area up close. In the afternoon, you'll be able to visit a very different museum. And finally, you'll end the evening with dinner at a romantic beach bar.

Play with the cute monkeys at Monkeyland

Punta Cana's incredible natural scenery and abundance of exotic vegetation have already been mentioned in this itinerary. However, there is still one thing you have yet to see, and that is the numerous species of animals.

Specifically, this day's plan is to go and meet the adorable squirrel monkeys that populate the Dominican jungle on an excursion to Monkeyland.

In this activity you will be driven through the jungle aboard a safari truck, visit the botanical gardens, discover the local cocoa and coffee plantations and most fun of all, interact with the monkeys that inhabit the jungle.

Visit the sweetest museum

After your trip to Monkeyland, you can have lunch and rest at the resort, but not for long! Because for the afternoon I have the sweetest plan for you, a visit to the Chocomuseo.

At the Chocolate Museum, or Chocomuseo, you can discover the whole process of making one of the most delicious foods enjoyed by everyone: chocolate.

Also, if you wish, you can take a workshop in which experts will teach you how to make your own chocolate, which you can then take away for yourself or share with someone special. In the workshop they will also tell you the history of the origin of chocolate, which as you may know, is closely related to the Mayas and the Aztecs.

Finally, to end your visit, you can enter the shop, which contains a wide variety of chocolate products, such as chocolates, ice creams and even soaps and creams. To get to the Chocomuseo you can take a taxi, however, most hotels offer tours with the trip included.

• Where: Avenida Barceló, km 4.5.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Price: Admission is free, the price of the workshop is from €15.

End the day with a dinner at The Jellyfish Restaurant

The Jellyfish Restaurant is a beautifully decorated beach bar restaurant with wonderful sea views. Their speciality is seafood, which they source daily from local fishermen in the area.

This place is considered one of the best rated restaurants in Punta Cana, as well as one of the most beautiful. Once you've finished your dinner, you can enjoy their many cocktails or sip a glass of wine while listening to the sound of the sea.

• Where: Calle Chicago, Playa Bávaro.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 23:00.
• Price: 30€ - 70€ per person.

On your sixth day you'll continue to discover new beaches. In this case, the first stop on your journey will be the fantastic Cabeza de Toro beach. Then you can relax for the rest of your day at one of the most legendary and well-known beach clubs in Punta Cana: the Pearl Beach Club.

Explore a new beach: Cabeza de Toro Beach

On your sixth day of your trip you will have already discovered a few of the paradisiacal beaches that make up the coast of Punta Cana, but you will still be missing one of the most important ones: Cabeza de Toro Beach. From the sky, the coastline of this area looks like the head of a bull, and for this reason both the beach and the fishing village to which it belongs have been so named.

If you take a stroll along the shore of the beach, you can find areas of unspoilt beach that are particularly beautiful. Around the shore, coral reefs protect the beach from strong waves.

This makes it a fantastic place for water activities. One of the most popular is the Scuba Doo scooters, underwater scooters that dive up to 4 metres under the sea while wearing a glass helmet that allows you to breathe and observe the exotic beauty of the seabed up close.

Treat yourself to a meal at the luxurious Pearl Beach Club

After spending the morning on the beach, for lunch I recommend you book a table at the exclusive Pearl Beach Club. which is located in the same area. In this famous club, you can enjoy a wide variety of food, as its menu offers tropical, Mediterranean and even Asian options, making it a true example of a fusion restaurant.

But best of all, after a magnificent meal you can enjoy other facilities, where you can find a lounge area, swimming pool and even Balinese beds. Be careful, though, as you'll have to make your reservation by zones.

Once there, I recommend you finish the rest of your afternoon with a cocktail and listen to the live DJ's while you wait for the sunset. And to end your day, all you have left is a quiet dinner in the hotel zone, enjoy the nightlife of Punta Cana, and get ready for another day where I bring you more plans to continue enjoying your trip.

It would be a real shame to leave the Dominican Republic without spending at least one day strolling through the historic streets of its capital. And that's why for your seventh day I suggest that your plan is a visit to Santo Domingo.

Visit the capital with a day trip to Santo Domingo

For your seventh day of your trip, your plan is to take a day trip to Santo Domingo. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, the Dominican capital is considered the first European city in America and is home to the first American cathedral, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Santo Domingo is both the most modern city in the Dominican Republic and the one with the richest historical heritage. Once there, you will be able to lose yourself in the narrow streets that form its historic quarter, discovering its colonial buildings and its wonderful architecture.

In addition, the excursion will also include visits to other emblematic places and buildings such as the Alcazar de Colon, the National Palace and the Plaza de España among many others. As the journey from Punta Cana is quite long, this tour will take up the whole day. Of course, the transfer to and from the hotel is included.

You've probably been to a theme park before, but I can assure you this one is going to be very different. For this day, I invite you to take a trip to Punta Cana's Scape Park, an exotic natural park with such a variety of activities that one day won't be enough to discover them all.

Spend your eighth day at Scape Park: a natural theme park full of adventure

Visiting Scape Park is an experience you won't want to miss on your trip to Punta Cana. This is not just any natural park, as in addition to its impressive and paradisiacal surroundings, it offers an endless number of activities to do.

Feel the adrenaline rush of sliding down a zip line or doing a water jump, swim inside mysterious caves, ride in its water hammocks or take a cultural tour where you will learn about the history of the area.

One of the main attractions within Scape Park is that you can enjoy the best cenote in Punta Cana: the Hoyo Azul, a wonderful deep pool of fresh turquoise water formed at the base of a huge cliff. This natural pool recreates a truly magical setting where you can take a refreshing dip surrounded by the rich jungle vegetation.

To finish the tour and as an option, you will have the opportunity to book a tour on the Sunshine Cruise, a catamaran ride that ends at Juanillo Bay. Of course, inside the theme park you will also find a restaurant where you can have lunch.

For your ninth day, I can't think of a better plan than exploring a new island. You won't want to leave the Dominican Republic without seeing the marvellous underwater landscape that surrounds the coast of Catalina Island. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to sample authentic Dominican food at the quaint La Casita de Yeya restaurant.

Snorkel at tiny Catalina Island

For your penultimate day in paradise, I suggest a trip to Catalina Island. This small island in the Caribbean Sea has a surface area of no more than 10 square kilometres and its area is recognised as a National Park whose aim is to preserve wildlife.

There are only two beaches on this island: Playa del Este and Playa de Isla Catalina. However, these beaches are not far behind in beauty compared to those of Punta Cana.

To get there, one of the options would be to travel to the port of La Romana by taxi or, much more economically, by bus. However, my recommendation would be to hire one of the many guided tours that depart from Punta Cana itself.

In particular, I suggest that you book in advance a day trip to Catalina Island with a snorkelling tour, as this activity is the star attraction of the island you are going to.

Every day, hundreds of tourists travel to Catalina Island to experience snorkelling off the coast. Scuba diving is also common there, due to the nature of its crystal clear waters. Once you have finished your excursion, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Finish the day with dinner at a very special place

To end your penultimate day in the Caribbean, I invite you to go to dinner at A restaurant whose structure is inspired by the picturesque little houses typical of this part of the Dominican Republic.

Its food, of course, is no exception, as the menu of this friendly place is made up of traditional Dominican dishes. The value for money of this place is fantastic and the reviews are always very positive.

• Where to find it: There are several locations in Punta Cana. One is located in Punta Cana Village, Galerias Comerciales and the other in Downtown Punta Cana.
• Opening hours: every day, from 12:00 to 22:00.
• Price: 15€ - 30€ per person.

Sadly, your trip is coming to an end. And for your last day in Punta Cana, what better plan than to say goodbye to its beaches and take advantage of your fantastic hotel by the sea?

Say goodbye to Punta Cana by discovering one last beach

Of course, there is no better way to say goodbye to your trip to Punta Cana than just as you started it, sunbathing on an island paradise. So, to start your last day you'll begin with a visit to Arena Gorda Beach- don't panic! Its sand is as fine and white as that of all the previous beaches, its name is due to the large expanse of sand it possesses.

This beach is much less crowded with tourists, so you will be free to relax on one of its hammocks. Another characteristic of this beach is that it is more open to the sea than the previous ones, which makes its waters perfect for activities such as surfing or kitesurfing.

Another attraction often practised in this corner of Punta Cana is horseback riding, in fact, many tourists book a horseback ride along the seashore when they come to visit this place.

You can also find restaurants and bars just a short walk away, so you can take advantage and have lunch in one of the locals that surround the beach. One of the best rated restaurants in the area is the .

Take advantage of your all-inclusive package

Unfortunately, holidays cannot last forever, and at this point you will regretfully feel that the end of your trip is near. For this reason, the plan I propose to you to finish your last day is to take advantage of your all-inclusive package.

Of course, it is advisable that, since you have already made the whole trip to Punta Cana, you make the most of your trip by doing different visits and activities that will allow you to get to know the place. But don't forget that holidays are also about relaxation, so why not spend some time enjoying the cocktails, hammocks and food at the hotel?

Once you return from your excursion to Arena Gorda Beach, I suggest you take a refreshing swim on the beach in front of the hotel. Finally, you can have a drink, a great dinner in one of the restaurants or go out in the local bars to say goodbye to a fantastic holiday.