Best Things To Do in Punta Cana

Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic, offers a large number of beaches and places to sunbathe in almost the entire territory. It's close to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, and to get there you'll have to transfer from Punta Cana airport.

But it's not just a beach destination, you can also get to know part of the deep Dominican jungle, where you'll find much more to do than buggy rides. In terms of gastronomy, I recommend the island for the most intense flavours of cocoa and coffee and above all to try the different traditional liquors of Punta Cana.

Dreamlike scenery is part of what awaits you at Playa Bávaro. It is one of the best and most enchanting beaches in the Dominican Republic. It has crystal clear but turquoise waters at the same time. One of the activities that I like the most about this beach is that from here you can experience some of the best boat and catamaran tours in Punta Cana.

But this is also a place that not only has beaches, sun and fine white sand to offer, but also has different leisure centres around that you can also visit for shopping or even enjoy the commercial life of Punta Cana.

One of the best ways to get to know this place is to take an excursion to Bávaro beach, which you can mix with a trip to the Catalinas Islands and snorkelling experience. A beach you can visit at any time of the year, no matter when you choose the best time to go to Punta Cana.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: If you want to get from the centre of Punta Cana to the beach, you can take a taxi, private transport such as a van or a bus. You can also take public transport, although this means of transport can take a little longer.
• Advantages of this destination: It is both family friendly and a great place to go with friends. You can snorkel, party, go on a catamaran and even visit some of the water parks near the beach. You can also take a helicopter if you want to fly over the beach.
• Cons of this destination: As one of the most famous beaches in Punta Cana, it tends to be quite popular with tourists in all seasons.
• Price: Being on the beach is free. If you want to go there you have to pay for the transfer. You also have to pay for the activities you want to do on the beach.

If you're looking for a family destination, activities and things to do in Punta Cana for kids and the whole family, then you have to visit Playa Juanillo. As it is within the area known as Cap Cana, around the beach you can find some of the best resorts in the Dominican Republic.

Besides that, one of the best things to do in Playa Juanillo is to sit on the chairs that are located around the different restaurants on the island. This is a family-friendly beach and a must-see destination to include in your Punta Cana 7-day itinerary.

It's not just eating and sunbathing that you can do at Juanillo Beach, you also have the opportunity to practice water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can even rent kayaks. Another fun experience you can do at this beach is to participate in sports activities such as volleyball games.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: To get to the beach from the centre of Punta Cana you can take a private bus or a taxi. You can also take public transport to the entrance of the beach.
• Advantages of this destination: It is a completely family beach where you can go with children. You can be present at outdoor and sporting activities. If you are lucky you might be able to witness a wedding from afar. You will find different places to eat.
• Disadvantages of this destination: To use the facilities you will have to pay.
• Price: Staying on the beach is free of charge, but if you want to use the facilities in the surrounding area, you will have to pay a minimum fee of 20 euros, which will entitle you to use the extension chairs.

Among the best things to do in Punta Cana this is one of my favourites and that's because you can not only swim with dolphins, but also understand what their natural life is like underwater and understand a little more about their intelligence as a species.

This is an experience that you will surely want to enjoy with children because these animals can be really friendly with the little ones. You can choose different tourism companies to live this adventure, which together with the excursions to Monkeyland from Punta Cana, are some of the most entertaining adventure experiences you will live in this destination.

Each of the companies that offer this service, have different packages so you can enjoy with your family, friends and with the children of the house. Depending on the company you choose, you will have access to one or other advantages on your tour.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: You can live this experience through an excursion that takes you from the hotel where you are staying to the place where you are going to swim with dolphins. You can also get there by taxi or even by public transport.
• Advantages of this destination: It is ideal for seniors. This is one of the best experiences for families.
• Disadvantages of this destination: Not suitable for pregnant women, nor for people with back problems. Children under 2 years old cannot participate in this experience.
• Price: You can find plans to swim with dolphins from 75 euros and up. The price varies according to the plan you choose.

A Flintstones buggy adventure tour is one of the experiences not to be missed in the Dominican Republic. This is a Flintstones-style set of vehicles in which you can tour most of the rural areas of the Dominican Republic.

This tour takes place in the vicinity of Bávaro beach, so if you are close to the beach, you can experience this adventure. The tour goes along the beach, through the jungle areas of the island and you will go through mud and other interesting places, but you will never go on public roads, which makes it one of the most complete and best excursions in Punta Cana.

Another interesting thing about this type of tour is that you will have access to the different caves that are located very close to where the buggies are rented for this experience. The company that is in charge of this type of tour is completely ecological because it extracts its electricity from the wind.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: You can get there on foot if you are staying in the centre of Bávaro. You can also take a taxi or even public transport to Buggy Adventures.
• Advantages of this destination: You will travel through the most unexplored places of the Dominican Republic. The experience is completely eco-friendly, with no use of commercial electricity.
• Disadvantages of this destination: Generally no food, snacks or drinks are offered during the tour. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women or people with back problems.
• Price: You can experience this tour for approximately 120 euros per person.

A favourite experience for most tourists in Punta Cana is to visit and tour the whole island in a 4x4 vehicle. This is one of the rural tours that you will like the most because of the amount of places you will be able to visit during your tour.

You will be able to choose between many routes to travel around the island, but in almost all of them you will have the chance to see the jungle area, the beaches and the mangroves that are so popular in the Dominican geography. You will have a unique experience that mixes one of the best zip line tours and experiences in Punta Cana with one of the best extreme tours in the area of Punta Cana.

In some of these routes you will also have the opportunity to get on a horse to tour other parts of the island on the back of one of these horses. Although you can also do the tour on horseback alone, it all depends on the type of excursion you choose.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: These excursions generally start in the centre of Punta Cana, so it's easy to get there. If you are staying nearby, you can walk there. You can also get there by public transport or taxi if you prefer.
• Theadvantages of this destination: It's an experience for the whole family and one that kids love to do. It is also a good plan if you go with your partner. You will get to know the island from a completely different point of view. You will get to know much more than just beaches.
• Disadvantages of this destination: It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems. The tours generally do not include snacks and drinks.
• Price: Depending on the type of excursion you choose, you can find this type of adventure at prices ranging from 65 euros per person.

A trip to Macao Beach from Punta Cana is one of the must-do experiences on the island. Its scenery is ideal for taking beautiful pictures. In addition, its fine golden sand will make you feel pleasant from the moment you arrive.

Playa Macao is a very commercial beach because it is located in the middle of different resorts. As it is located in such a commercial area, you will also be able to find different places to eat and stay very close to the beach.

It is a place you can visit with friends and family. The landscape is accompanied by a large number of cliffs that make the place impressive and make it the perfect place to appreciate the different contrasts of the island.

When it comes to things to do on this beach, water sports such as surfing and kitesurfing are some of the most popular. It's even a good place for some Punta Cana snorkelling experiences.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: The best way to get to the beach is by car, either by rental car or taxi, which are the fastest and most comfortable options. You can also get there by bus, taking a route that will take you to the beach itself.
• Advantages of this destination: One of the best advantages of this beach is that you don't have to pay for the stay in the place. It is a beach that is recommended for young people and water sports adventurers.
• Disadvantages of this destination: It is not suitable for children because it offers big and strong waves, as well as really strong winds.
• Price: There is no cost to be on the beach. But the transfer to the beach can cost you up to 25 euros, depending on the type of transport you choose. In case you want to practice any sport on the beach, you will also have to pay for the rental of the equipment to practice these sports.

In Cap Cana, one of the most privileged areas of Punta Cana, you will find the Scape Park, a place that mixes all the best the island has to offer in one place. The attractions offered by this park are to please all tastes, from the most adventurous adults to children who want to discover all the fun that Punta Cana has to offer.

The zip line is one of the attractions that you will like the most in this park, as well as the cultural tour that is a route that is done within the park facilities to learn about the path followed by the indigenous people who inhabited this area during colonial times.

The excursions to Juanillo beach and the visit to the Iguabonita cave are part of the fun experiences that you will live inside the park. It is one of those activities that you cannot fail to include in your itinerary of things to visit in Punta Cana in 10 days.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: You can take the park's bus which has a return time of 5:00 in the afternoon. It usually takes you directly to the place where you are staying on the island.
• Advantages of this destination: It is a good experience to do with children and families of all ages. You get to see the best of Punta Cana in one place. It has transport included that will pick you up and take you to and from your accommodation.
• Disadvantages of this destination: To make the most of this park with few people you have to schedule your visit in low or mid season.
• Price: Admission prices to the park vary according to the package tour you choose. But prices can range from 130 euros for the most basic package per person.

If there's one thing about Dominican nightlife that you can't miss, it's the enviable casinos. Places not only to gamble, but also to share with friends and to enjoy the best cocktails in Punta Cana with a good musical and undeniably Caribbean atmosphere.

The night in the Caribbean and particularly the Dominican night has a charm and a flavour as hot as its climate and among the best places to test the festive atmosphere of the place are the casinos. Among the most renowned are the Hard Rock Café in Punta Cana and the Avalon, as well as many others.

But to enjoy a good casino night with your friends or your partner, you can either go on your own to one of them or book a stay at a resort. Most of the resorts on the island offer guests and tourists very modern casinos that are suitable for the best adult entertainment.

Useful facts

• How to get there: In almost all of Punta Cana there are different casinos that you can reach preferably by taxi or private car, given the hours when the casino is operating. Some casinos also offer free transport to their visitors.
• Advantages of this destination: It is a good experience to start with the Dominican night. It is a good plan for couples. It allows you the opportunity to try your luck at gambling.
• Disadvantages of this destination: It is not a good option if you are travelling with children. It is a very risky activity for both experienced gamblers and beginners.
• Price: You will not be charged anything to enter the casino, however, if you decide to gamble, you should know that you can bet from 10 euros and upwards.

This is a natural reserve that owes its name to the number of freshwater lagoons found within the park and to the discovery of certain elements that indicate that these lands were initially inhabited by the Taino Indians, the first inhabitants of the island during the time prior to European colonisation.

Today this reserve is protected as an area for scientific study and recreation for the general public. It is a good place to make contact with nature, given that it has in its interior a large number of species of fauna and flora, many of them endemic to Punta Cana.

Another characteristic that stands out in this ecological park is that within each of the 12 freshwater lagoons that are found within the reserve, you can see tilapia, shrimp and freshwater turtles.

The waters are crystal clear and will entice you to take a dip. If you don't want to make an excursion from Punta Cana to Saona Island, you can have a fun and interesting experience in this ecological reserve.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: You can get to the reserve by private car, taxi or even on an urban route that takes you close to the Puntacana Group Foundation.
• Advantages of this destination: It is a solitary place where you can relax and make contact with nature. It is a walk where you can include the children. It is suitable for all types of people.
• Disadvantages of this destination: The reserve should generally be visited during summer time and not in winter.
• Price: To visit this complex you will have to pay from 50 euros per person for the entrance fee.

Ah but of course if you visit Punta Cana you can't miss out on tasting one of the Dominican Republic's signature flavours, chocolate. You also can't leave without tasting artisanal Dominican coffee.

You can sample the cuisine in Punta Cana or take a trip to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana to sample the flavours of Dominican cuisine.

And if you dare to try other types of stronger drinks, you must try Mamajuana, a traditional Dominican drink that can easily leave a bit of an effect on your body if you don't try it carefully.

To get to know the typical dishes of Punta Cana you can go on a gastronomic tour that will take you all over the Punta Cana area and that besides showing you important historical aspects, will also take you to taste the different flavours of the Dominican national gastronomy.

But there are also specific places that you can visit to learn about the traditional elaboration of chocolate and coffee, one of these places is known as ChocoMuseo. Here you will not only learn about the chocolate preparation process, but you will also have the opportunity to taste the final product.

Interesting facts

• How to get there: Usually these types of excursions depart from the centre of Punta Cana and offer transport from the place of accommodation and back.
• Advantages of this destination: It is a good experience if you go as a couple or with friends. It offers you the possibility to get to know the cultural and gastronomic side of the Dominican Republic. It is suitable for all types of people, except those with dietary restrictions.
• Disadvantages of this destination: It is not specialised for vegans, people with allergies to certain foods, among other things. If this is your case, then make sure you have your safety measures in place.
• Price: A tour to discover Dominican gastronomy can cost from 30 euros per person.